While predominantly an imposing fortress reminding people who is in charge, the Tower of London was also used as a royal residence. The ‘village’ also has a chapel, surgery and its own pub! Beefeaters must have a minimum of 22 years of successful military service A Royal Residence for 500 Years The properties can be reasonably spacious with some set over 4 stories, replete with quirky features such as arrow slits in the walls. However, for most that is considered a minor inconvenience to live in such a historic place. For example, if you want to head out into London at night, you have to get permission from security first. The families are housed in the outer wall of the tower and have to abide by certain rules. The Yeoman warders and their families form part of a community of around 150 residents within the Tower grounds. The following video shows the ceremony in practice. However, do not book if you have a habit of tardiness, as you won’t be admitted if you miss the designated entrance time! The ceremony is completed by 10.05 pm and you can pre-book to witness this tradition. At 9.53 pm every night, the chief of the Yeoman warders meets a military escort to lock the Tower of London for the night. The Ceremony of the Keys has been a part of the Tower of London tradition for over 700 years. The Ceremony of the KeysĮvery night, once the last of the tourists have left, the Tower is locked up. This includes protecting the precious Crown jewels housed in the Jewel Tower. The Yeoman warders remain guardians of the Tower and all that it contains. While much of the day is spent engaging with inquisitive tourists and pointing them in the right direction, there is still a serious side to the job. You also need to have achieved the rank of warrant officer and been awarded medals for good conduct and long service. To be considered for the role you need 22 years of military service ( source). How Do You Become a Yeoman Warder?Īt any given time between 30 and 40 Yeoman warders live at the Tower of London. They don their traditional red uniforms to carry out ceremonial duties. Today’s Yeoman warders wear their famed dark blue uniform with red trimmings for their everyday tasks. In particular, he needed the Yeomen warders to guard the crown jewels and the increasing number of prisoners the King sent to the Tower. However, when Henry VIII stopped using the Tower as a residence, he needed a trusted unit to guard the tower. These Yeoman warders originally formed part of the Yeoman of the Guard who protected the monarch when traveling the country. Their famous, brightly colored uniform has been worn with pride since Tudor times. The Beefeaters are one of the most iconic sights of London.
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