9 July 2021 - FACTS ABOUT THE BEEFEATERS OF LONDON

 

 FACTS ABOUT THE 

BEEFEATERS OF LONDON

G'day folks,

The Yeoman Warders have been protecting the Tower of London since 1485, as ordered by King Henry VII, although they have likely existed for much longer. 

 

These guardians are dressed in red and very characteristic uniforms, and they are also known as Beefeaters because part of their salary consisted of chunks of beef up until the 1800s. There are 37 Beefeaters, both men and women, living in the Tower today, and they give tours of the fortress. They are probably most famous for the 7-century-old tradition called the Ceremony of Keys, where they lock the Tower every night at precisely 9:53 PM. 

 

What most people don't realize is that Beefeaters don't just work at the Tower, though. Since the 13th century, they have been living in the fortress with their families, too. Today, there are about 150 people living in the Tower of London.

 

Clancy's comment: Interesting facts, eh? I never knew that people were still living in the Tower.

I'm ...

 

23 June 2021 - FAMOUS PRISONERS HELD IN THE TOWER OF LONDON

 

FAMOUS PRISONERS HELD

 IN THE TOWER OF LONDON

 

G'day folks,

At its very beginning, The Tower of London was to serve as the royal residence of William the Conqueror and become a symbol of the Norman king's power over Londoners. 

 

The White Tower, the first part of the now huge fortress, was completed in 1078 and soon after, in 1100, the first prisoners started to be held in the castle. And although it wasn't its primary role throughout history, the fortress was used as a prison until 1952. In this time, many famous historical figures - queens, revolutionaries, and even major Nazi leaders - were kept there. 

 

Anne Boleyn was condemned to death by King Henry VIII, her husband, at the Tower of London. Other famous people like Sir Walter Raleigh, who was kept there for 13 years, had a more favorable prison stay - Raleigh had comfortable lodgings, servants, and even his family living with him in the Tower. Other famous prisoners committed to the Tower of London include Guy Fawkes, the revolutionary who wanted to blow up the English parliament, and Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s second-in-command.

Clancy's comment: That is quite a list of infamous people.

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