The Ravens at the Tower of London, England By Ben Johnson | Comments It is not known when the ravens first came to the Tower of London, but their presence there is surrounded by myth and legend. Unusually for birds of ill omen, the future of both Country and Kingdom relies upon their continued residence, for according to legend, at least six ravens must remain lest both Tower and Monarchy fall. The first Royal Observatory was housed in the north eastern turret of the White Tower. Legend has it that John Flamsteed (1646 - 1719), the 'astronomical observator' complained to King Charles II that the birds were interfering with his observations. The King therefore ordered their destruction only to be told that if the ravens left the Tower, the White Tower would fall and a great disaster befall the Kingdom. Sensibly the King changed his mind and decreed that at least six ravens should be kept at the Tower at all times to prevent disaster. Chris Skaife is a Yeoman Warder or 'Beefeater' dedicated to caring for the Tower's unique Unkindness of Ravens.

Meet The Ravens There are seven ravens at the Tower today ( the required six plus one spare!) Their names are Hardey, Thor, Odin, Gwyllum, Cedric, Hugine and Munin. Their lodgings are to be found next to the Wakefield Tower. The ravens consume 6oz. of raw meat and bird formula biscuits soaked in blood each day. They are very partial to an egg each once a week plus the occasional rabbit which is given to them whole as the fur is good for them! They also enjoy scraps from the mess kitchen at the Tower - they particularly like fried bread! To prevent the birds flying away one of their wings is clipped by the Ravenmaster . This does not hurt the raven nor does it harm them in any way. By unbalancing their flight it ensures that they don't stray too far from the Tower. Escape from the Tower! However despite the wing clipping, there have been occasional escapes. Grog was last seen outside an East End pub called the 'Rose and Punchbowl' in 1981. Like Hardey he had been at the Tower for 21 years but unlike Hardey, Grog obviously felt he needed a change of scene!

Bad Behaviour Occasionally ravens have to be dismissed for bad behaviour. This happened to George who received his marching orders in 1986 after he developed an unhealthy taste for TV aerials: "On Saturday 13th September 1986, Raven George, enlisted 1975, was posted to the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Conduct unsatisfactory, service therefore no longer required." Ravens can live to a very ripe age. The oldest raven to live at the Tower was called Jim Crow who died at the age of 44. The oldest raven currently at the Tower is Hardey who is 24 years old. Ravens in Wartime The fortunes of the Tower Ravens reached their lowest point just after World War II when only Raven Grip was left at the Tower. It is believed that the birds were upset by the continuous bombing of London. There is also the suggestion, although it has never been proved, that one raven, Mabel, was kidnapped! The Ravens Today Since 1987 the Tower has undertaken a successful breeding programme for the ravens. Charlie and Rhys paired up and produced a total of 17 chicks.

Two of the newest recruits came from the Owl Sanctuary in the New Forest having been rescued as fledglings. Called Odin and Thor, they have been at the Tower since 1997. Thor is a very good mimic.... on a quiet day he will repeat things the Ravenmaster has said to him with exactly the right tone to create all sorts of confusion! The Tower of London Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066-7 and enlarged and modified by successive sovereigns, today the Tower of London is one of the world's most famous and spectacular fortresses. During its 900-year history it has been a royal palace and fortress, prison and place of execution, mint, arsenal, menagerie and jewel house. HM Tower of London Tower of London: Facts & History Tower of London: Facts & History By Owen Jarus, Live Science Contributor | January 23, 2014 11:07pm ET MORE Throughout its history, the Tower of London has served many purposes, including royal residence, barracks, armory, prison and museum.

Credit: Marek Stefunko | Shutterstock The Tower of London is a 900-year-old castle and fortress in central London that is notable for housing the crown jewels and for holding many famous and infamous prisoners. Throughout its history, the tower has served many purposes: it housed the royal mint (until the early 19th century), a menagerie (which left in 1835), a records office, an armory and barracks for troops. Until the 17th century, it was also used as a royal residence. First fortifications William the Conqueror created the first fortifications after the conquest of London in A.D. 1066. The Norman invader lacked support among the people of the city and he feared its inhabitants could throw him out. William of Poitiers, an 11th century writer who described William the Conqueror and his conquests, wrote that “certain strongholds were made in the city against the fickleness of the vast and fierce population.” These would come to include what is now called the “White Tower,” the innermost building in the castle, which gained its named after the exterior was whitewashed in the 13th century by King Henry III.

Tower historian Geoffrey Parnell writes in his book " The Tower of London Past & Present " (Sutton Publishing, 1998) that the tower was expanded for about 250 years after William the Conqueror’s time. Today, the complex's series of buildings and fortifications sprawls over 12 acres (5 hectares). Famous prisoners and torture Throughout its history the tower was used to imprison a wide range of prisoners, from deposed monarchs to more common criminals. Prisoners included Lady Jane Grey, who was queen for about a week in the 16th century before she was deposed by Mary I. Also imprisoned there were two princes, Edward and Richard, ages 12 and 9, who were the sons of Edward IV (died 1483). They appear never to have left the tower alive and some thought they were killed by Richard III , their uncle who took the throne for himself. Two of Henry VIII’s wives, Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, were both imprisoned and later executed. Henry VIII, who turned England into a Protestant country, also had a number of dissenting clergyman committed to the tower and later killed, including his former counselor Thomas More.

Another notable prisoner was Guy Fawkes, who in 1605 attempted to blow up the House of Lords and the monarch by detonating gunpowder in the cellars below. He was imprisoned in the tower and tortured. “The king authorised the use of torture on Fawkes, with ‘gentler methods’ to be used first and, if he did not co-operate, more brutal ones later,” writes historian Stephen Porter in his book " The Tower of London: The Biography " (Amberley Publishing, 2012). He notes that Venetian ambassador Nicolo Molin wrote that “for two successive days he underwent the most excruciating torture without saying anything except that the conspirators were twelve in number, whose names he would not mention.” Fawkes was executed not long afterward. The history of torture at the Tower of London is a popular subject; however, Porter notes that many of the prisoners, particularly those of noble birth, were treated well. In some cases, they were even allowed to have servants at the tower and leave the castle at times. One of the best descriptions of torture comes from John Gerard, a Jesuit who was imprisoned in 1594 during a time of religious upheaval.

He later escaped and survived to tell a tale of being tortured in what appears to be the basement of the White Tower. “Then they put my wrists into iron gauntlets and ordered me to climb two or three wicker steps. My arms were then lifted up and an iron bar was passed through the rings of one gauntlet, then through the staple and rings of the second gauntlet. This done, they fastened the bar with a pin to prevent it slipping and then, removing the wicker steps, they left me hanging by my hands and arms fastened above my head.” (Source: Tower of London website ) In the late 18th and 19th centuries, the tower was used less commonly for prisoners. The last prisoner of note to spend time in the tower was Rudolf Hess, Hitler’s deputy, who fled to Scotland in 1941 and was sent to the tower briefly until he was transferred. Crown jewels and other treasures Today, the crown jewels are one of the most popular attractions at the Tower of London. The jewels include the crowns worn by the monarch at coronation and at the opening of Parliament.

Porter notes that the use of the tower as a repository for royal treasure began in earnest in 1303, when a number of treasures were stolen from the Abbey of St. Peter at Westminster. The remaining treasures were brought to the tower, which was the most heavily fortified spot in London, for safekeeping. A new jewel house was built against the south side of the White Tower in 1508. Much of the royal regalia were destroyed in the mid-17th century when England became a republic for a brief time. “The oldest piece of the Regalia [surviving today] is the 12th century gold Anointing Spoon, used to anoint the Sovereign with holy oil,” writes a team of researchers on the official Tower of London website. “Apart from the three steel coronation swords (the Swords of Temporal Justice, of Spiritual Justice and of Mercy), this is the only piece that survived the destruction of the pre-Civil War Regalia in 1649-50.” The tower also contains an impressive collection of armor, which is a treasure unto itself.

Shown in an exhibit called the “Line of Kings,” a show at the tower that first started more than 300 years ago, it features such items as a life-size wooden horse carved about 1690 and a set of armor, gilded with gold, created for Charles I around 1612. The Yeomen Warders, also known as Beefeaters, guard the Tower of London. Beefeaters The bearded Yeoman Warders, also called “Beefeaters,” guard the tower today. First mentioned about 500 years ago the Warders “or ‘Waiters,’ as they were often referred to, formed and acted likely a friendly society, sharing, by way of dividends, the rewards of their official and unofficial duties,” writes Parnell. There was money to be made by renting out parts of the ground and by showing visitors around. “The post of Yeoman Warder was handed down through the family or sold.

This time-honored practice was dealt a fatal blow in 1826, when the Duke of Wellington, as Constable of the Tower, ordered that in the future the post was to be occupied by worthy non-commissioned officers of the Household Cavalry, Foot Guards and Infantry of the Line, solely on their regiment’s recommendation,” writes Parnell, noting that the Warders lost the last of their money-making privileges, the right to sell postcards, in 1923. Ravens A flock of ravens resides at the tower, cared for by the Yeoman Warder Ravenmaster. According to the Tower of London website, legend says that the tower — and the monarchy — will fall if the six ravens ever leave the fortress. Charles II is said to have been the first monarch to insist that the ravens be protected. He did so despite the protests of royal astronomer John Flamsteed, who complained that the ravens kept leaving droppings on his telescope. According to legend, this led Charles to move the Royal Observatory to Greenwich.

The tower as a fortress While the tower was first built as a fortress, its usefulness as a bastion faded as gunpowder-based siege engines (such as cannons) became widely adopted in Europe. Porter notes that new gun platforms were erected on it in the 1680s, and Parnell writes that as late as the 1860s, when the United Kingdom feared invasion by France, heavy guns were positioned near the Tower to help defend London. However, as time went on, the tower’s military importance mainly lay in the fact that it was a central location where arms and ammunition could be kept and troops could be marshaled on their way to join armies in Europe. Porter writes that a grand storehouse, started in 1688 and completed when William and Mary were on the British throne (1689-1702), was built to house weapons and ammunition. “The new Grand Storehouse was 345 feet (105 meters) long and 56 feet (17 meters) wide, of two stories and an attic story,” he writes.

“Above the centrally placed main entrance was a large pediment, carved by John Young, with the royal arms flanked by horses, cannon, drums and other military equipment.” This pediment survives to present day. This version of the Imperial State Crown was worn by George V and is now housed in the Tower of London. Credit: Public domain. The tower as an attraction The history of the tower as an attraction goes back at least as early as the 17th century when the “Line of Kings” exhibition was first set up. The tower had other attractions that drew non-military visitors to it. For instance, the royal menagerie, in essence an early zoo, had a wide range of animals until it was closed in 1835, including lions, an ostrich and even a polar bear. These animals were given as gifts to various monarchs. Porter writes that James I (1566-1625) was particularly fond of his lions.

He once saw a lioness giving birth and “was so fearful that the cubs might die that he sent a description of a nipple to be attached to a glass bottle, so that they may be fed.” Porter notes that in 1753, when the book "An Historical Description of the Tower of London and its Curiosities" was published, it included biographies of the tower’s lions and provided information on other creatures present, including a golden eagle, an ostrich, a horned owl, bears, tigers, a racoon, a leopard and even a baboon. This menagerie would be removed from the tower and incorporated into an off-site zoo in 1835, but by then there were other things to attract tourists. The tower’s history as a prison for some of England’s most famous individuals attracted visitors, providing the Yeoman Warders a chance to show tourists around (and for a time, make some extra money while doing so). In the 19th century, the tower’s medieval history so intrigued England that the tower was “restored” in such a way that its medieval aspects were magnified.

Parnell writes that this had some unfortunate consequences as parts of the tower not seen as being “medieval” enough, such as the records office, were torn down. Today, the Tower of London is one of the most famous castles in the world and is now a World Heritage Site attracting more than 2 million visitors a year. The main threat to the site today is not rebels, foreign armies or falling bombs (bomb damage happened during World War II) but rather the exhaust of cars. It’s a problem that threatens to turn the White Tower into a yellow color , something which none of the previous threats could ever do. Website: - Content Castle building was an essential part of the Norman Conquest; when Duke William of Normandy invaded England in 1066 his first action after landing was to build a castle. His idea was first to conquer, then subdue and finally colonize the whole England. After his coronation in Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day 1066, William ordered the construction of a castle in London for his triumphal entry The tower c.

1100 Initially the Tower had consisted of a modest enclosure built into the south-east corner of the Roman City walls, but by the late 1070s, with the initial completion of the White Tower, it had become the most fearsome of all. Nothing had been seen like it in England before. It was built by Norman masons and English (Anglo-Saxon) labor drafted in from the countryside. It was intended to protect the river route from Danish attack, but also and more importantly to dominate the City physically and visually. The White Tower was protected to the east and south by the old Roman City walls (a full height fragment can be seen just by Tower Hill underground station), while the north and west sides were protected by ditches as much as 750m (25ft) wide and 3.40m (lift) deep and an earthwork with a wooden wall on top. From very early on the enclosure contained a number of timber buildings for residential and service use. It is not clear whether these included a royal residence but William the Conqueror's immediate successors probably made use of the White Tower itself.

It is important for us today to remember that the functions of the Tower from the 1070s until the late 19th century were established by its Norman founders. The Tower was never primarily intended to protect London from external invasion, although, of course, it could have done so if necessary. Nor was it ever intended to be the principal residence of the kings and queens of England, though many did in fact spend periods of time there. Its primary function was always to provide a base for royal power in the City of London and a stronghold to which the royal family could retreat in times of civil disorder. The Medieval Tower: The Tower c. 1200 When Richard the Lionhearted (1189-99) came to the throne he departed on a crusade to the Holy Land leaving his Chancellor, William Longchamp, Bishop of Ely, in charge of the kingdom. Longchamp soon embarked on an enlargement and strengthening of the Tower of London, the first of a series of building campaigns which by about 1350 had created the basic form of the great fortress that we know today.

The reign of the next king John (1199-1216) saw little new building work at the Tower, but the King made good use of the accommodation there. Like Longchamp, John had to cope with frequent opposition throughout his reign. Only a year after signing an agreement with his barons in 1215 (the Magna Carta) they were once more at loggerheads and Prince Louis of France had launched an invasion of England with the support of some of John's leading barons. In the midst of his defense of the kingdom, John died of dysentery and his son, Henry III, was crowned. With England at war with France, the start of King Henry's long reign (1216-72) could have hardly been less auspicious, but within seven months of his accession the French had been defeated at the battle of Lincoln and the business of securing the kingdom could begin. Reinforcement of the royal castles played a major role in this, and his work at the Tower of London was very extensive..

By the mid-1230s, Henry III had run into trouble with his barons and opposition flared up in both 1236 and in 1238. On both occasions the King fled to the Tower of London. . That year, therefore, saw the launch of Henry's most ambitious building program at the Tower, the construction of a great new curtain wall round the east, north and west sides of the castle. The Tower c.1270 In 1272 King Edward I (1272-1307) came to the throne determined to complete and extend the defensive works begun by his father. Between 1275 and 1285 the King created England's largest and strongest concentric castle. (a castle with one line of defenses within another). The work included building the existing Beauchamp Tower, but the main effort was concentrated on filling in Henry III's moat and creating an additional curtain wall on all four sides and surrounding it by a new moat.

This wall enclosed the existing curtain wall built by Henry III and was pierced by two new entrances, one from the land on the west, passing through the Middle and Byward towers, and another under St Thomas's Tower, from the river. New royal lodgings were included in the upper part of St Thomas's Tower. Almost all these buildings survive in some form today. As early as the reign of Henry III the castle had already been in regular use as a prison: Hubert de Burgh, Chief Justiciar of England was incarcerated in 1232 and the Welsh Prince Gruffydd was imprisoned there between 1241 and 1244, when he fell to his death in a bid to escape. The Tower also served as a treasury (the Crown jewels were moved from Westminster Abbey to the Tower in 1303. The Tower c.1300 Richard II's reign brought to an end the peaceful interlude under Edward III. During the Peasants' Revolt of 1381 the 14-year old King and many of his family and household were forced to shelter in the Tower while over 10,000 rebels plundered and burnt the capital for two days.

Just as Richard's reign had begun at the Tower of London, so did it end; on 1 October 1399 the King, condemned as a tyrant, renounced the crown in his chamber in the White Tower and Henry IV was proclaimed King the next day. The Cradle Tower built by Edward III During the reign of Henry VI (1422-61 and 1470-71) England entered the period of civil disorder and political instability known as the Wars of the Roses. Throughout this period the Tower of London was a key asset to those who held the throne or wished to. The Tower in Tudor Times: A Royal Prison The first Tudor monarch, Henry VII (1485-1509) was responsible for building the last permanent royal residential buildings at the Tower. He extended his own lodgings around the Lanthorn Tower adding a new private chamber, a library, a long gallery, and also laid out a garden.

These buildings were to form the nucleus of a much larger scheme begun by his son Henry VIII (1509-47) who put up a large range of timber-framed lodgings at the time of the coronation of his second wife, Anne Boleyn. The building of these lodgings, used only once, marked the end of the history of royal residence at the Tower. The reigns of the Tudor kings and queens were comparatively stable in terms of civil disorder. However, from the 1530s onwards the unrest caused by the Reformation (when Henry VIII broke with the Church in Rome) gave the Tower an expanded role as the home for a large number of religious and political prisoners, The Tower c.1547. The first important Tudor prisoners were Sir Thomas More and Bishop Fisher of Rochester, both of whom were executed in 1535 For refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the English Church. They were soon followed by a still more famous prisoner and victim, the King's second wife Anne Boleyn, executed along with her brother and four others a little under a year later.

July 1540 saw the execution of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex and former thief minister of the King - in which capacity he had modernized the Tower's defenses and, ironically enough, sent many others to their deaths on the same spot. Two years lacer, Catherine Howard, the second of Henry VIII's six wives to be beheaded, met her death outside the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula which Henry had rebuilt a few years before. The Queen's House was where distinguished prisoners were held, including HenryVIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn. The last prisoner to stay in the Queen's House was Rudolf Hess, the Deputy Fuhrer of Nazi Germany. The reign of Edward VI (1547-53) saw a continuation of the political executions which had begun in his father's reign; the young King's protector the Duke of Somerset and his confederates met their death at the Tower in 1552, falsely accused of treason. During Edward's reign the English Church became more Protestant, but the King's early death in 1553 left the country with a Catholic heir, Mary 1 (1553-58).

During her brief reign many important Protestants and political rivals were either imprisoned or executed at the Tower. The most famous victim was Lady Jane Grey, and the most famous prisoner the Queen's sister Princess Elizabeth (the future Elizabeth 1). Religious controversy did not end with Mary's death in 1558; Queen Elizabeth 1 (1558-1603) spent much of her reign warding off the threat from Catholic Europe, and important recusants (people who refused to attend Church of England services) and others who might have opposed her rule were locked tip in the Tower. Never had it been so full of prisoners, or such illustrious ones: bishops, archbishops, knights, barons, earls and dukes all spent months and some of them years languishing in the towers of the tower of London. The Tower is guarded by a military guard. The monarchy was restored in 1660 and the reign of the new king, Charles II (1660-85) saw further changes in the functions of the Tower.

Its role as a state prison declined, and the Office of Ordnance (which provided military supplies and equipment) took over responsibility for most of the castle, making it their headquarters The Byward Tower. Constructed during the time of Edward I During this period another long-standing tradition of the Tower began the public display of the Crown Jewels. They were moved from their old home to a new site in what is now called the Martin Tower, and put on show by their keeper Talbot Edwards. The Tower in the 19th Century: From Fortress to Ancient Monument Between 18oo and 1900 the Tower of London took on the appearance which to a large extent it retains today However, before these changes took place the Tower had once again - but for the last time performed its traditional role in asserting the authority of the state over the people of London. The Chartist movement of the 1840s (which sought major political reform) prompted a final refortification of the Tower between 1848 and 1852, and further work was carried out in 1862.

The Lion Tower To protect the approaches to the Tower new loop-holes and gun emplacements were built and an enormous brick and stone bastion (destroyed by a bomb during the Second World War) constructed on the north side of the fortress. Following the burning down of the Grand Storehouse in 1841, the present Waterloo Barracks was put up to accommodate a thousand soldiers, and the Brick, Flint and Bowyer towers to its north were altered or rebuilt to service it; the Royal Fusiliers' building was erected at the same time to be the officers' mess. The mob never stormed the castle but the fear of it left the outer defenses of the Tower much as they are today. Yeoman Warders, often called “Beefeaters”, have been at the Tower of London since the 14th. century. Today they give guided tours of the Tower . The Fusilier's Museum. Built as the Officer's Mess in the mid-19th century. It was built to accommodate 1,000 soldiers. Today the building is the headquarters of the royal Regiment of Fusiliers.

The second half of the 19th century saw a great increase in the number of visitors to the Tower, although sightseers had been admitted as early as 1660 In 1841 the first official guidebook was issued and ten years later a purpose-built ticket office was erected at the western entrance. By the end of Queen Victoria's reign in 1901 half a million people were visiting the Tower each year. The 20th Century The First World War (1914-18) left the Tower largely untouched; the only bomb to fall on the fortress landed in the Moat. However, the war brought the Tower of London back into use as a prison for the first time since the early 19th century and between 1914-16 eleven spies were held and subsequently executed in the Tower. The last execution in the Tower took place in 1941 during the Second World War (1939-45).

Bomb damage to the Tower during the Second World War was much greater: a number of buildings were severely damaged or destroyed including the mid-19th century North Bastion, which received a direct hit on 5 October 1940, and the Hospital Block which was partly destroyed during an air raid in the same year. Incendiaries also destroyed the Main Guard, a late 19th-century building to the south west of the White Tower. Today the Tower of London is one of the world's major tourist attractions and 2.5 million visitors a year come to discover its long and eventful history, its buildings, ceremonies One of team members inspecting the Armour Room. Visitor Accounts David Douglas, 19, from London, wrote: I love the London tower it is filled with history and excitement come visit some time ok. Jackie, 12, from New Hampshire, wrote: I have been to London when I was 11. the Tower of London was great. I loved the crown jewels. If you want a great experience visit the Tower of London. Chrissie, 12, from London, wrote: Hi everyone!

If you are in London, which I'm in every day, I advise you to go and visit The Tower of London. You need the whole day for your visit so you can get round to see most things. I went there 'cos I was doing a castle project and I thought it would be good to go and check a castle out. I thought it was amazing! When I was there I took a moment and thought what it was like in mediaeval times e.g. Weird eh, that's me! The guard at the front was so funny! I waved my hand about in front of his face and he didn't even blink. Me and my friends even started singing to him and doing all sorts of things so he could respond but he didn't. I could never do what he does. Well anyway, the castle it was great, marvelous, enjoyable and I think you should go and see it! John Heubi, 55, from Chicago (Indianapolis), wrote: You should plan to devote about 3/4ths or a whole day to visit this castle.

It would be worth while to have an extra camera with 1000 ASA film to photograph some of the interiors or even if the day is overcast to photograph some of the exterior areas. Chrissie, 12, from London, wrote: I really think you should visit the Tower of London, I loved it. It's really worth going. When I was there I thought that it was amazing thinking that there were once many wars and invasions here. It makes you think what life was really like before. I had a great day like many others as I thought it was a spectacular thing to go and see. Enjoy yourself and God bless. Katherine Scott, 5, from Newcastle, wrote: I had a very fun day at the Tower of London I thought the crown Jewels were very pretty and the soldiers made me laugh with their big furry hats. Mummy said I couldn't climb because I was to small but I got some keyrings from the shop and I was scared of the beefeaters because they looked scary and I cried. If you want to have fun go to the Tower of London. A, 13, from Los Angeles, wrote: The Tower of London is one of the best family castles anywhere.

Guns and Armour for the boys, the Crown Jewels and royal suites for the girls. There are a lot of exhibits, so don't make this a one-hour trip. Note to any person(s) who is going: Go early (preferably when it opens)! If you go anytime after noon, lines to go into exhibits WILL BE GOING OUT THE DOOR. Hit the Crown Jewels first, then do the tour with the Yeoman guide. The Crown Jewel line literally goes around the building. Inside, you WILL be rushed so other people can see it too. But if you go early, you can gaze at it as long as you want. Alicia, 10, from Chicago, wrote: Hey, everyone! I went to the Tower of London. It was really cool. It used to be this prison, and some people were killed there in horrible ways. One of them was letting the tide come in and letting the tide go out, but with the person. Very mean. Anyway, I went because it was the Ceremony of the Keys, where every night, they lock up the Tower of London. It was a really neat process.

Plus, I got to open the door on the way out and hold the guard's hand and talk to him It was really cool. So, if any one ever goes to London, make sure you go to the Ceremony of the Keys. Randy J. Hendrix, 50, from Lubbock, Texas USA, wrote: Our visit to the Tower of London was both entertaining and awe inspiring. The Crown Jewels and the exhibits of ancient armor and weaponry were simply amazing! However, it's bloody history cast a pall of sadness about the place and it was difficult to imagine it as a place of residence, rather than a royal prison. It is a VERY interesting place and should not be missed by any visitor to London! Cheryl Land, 34, from Midwest USA. wrote: I visited the Tower of London in 1994, and found it fascinating, as it is full of so much history! Seeing a documentary on the Tower recently sparked my interest again. If you are ever in London, take the time to go! The Crown Jewels are magnificent, and walking about the Tower grounds is beautiful and informative (maybe even a little goose bump-inspiring after hearing some of the stories….) Not to be missed!!!

Diana, 15, from Massachusetts, USA, wrote: Hey! I visited the Tower of London last summer on a two week vacation. I certainly think that it was one of the most interesting places that I visited in England, and it was really fun! I wish I could have spent a whole day there, but only a half was available…I still think it was great! My Cousin and I went through the Crown Jewels 3 times, so we could take it all in! It was SO great, and I recommend it to anyone going to London! Gerry Meier, 40, from Missouri, wrote: The Tower of London was great! All the stories about ghosts and murders, blood and gore, made it very exciting. It was so awe inspiring to see the actual Tower and all the places once walked upon by the royals! The raven legend was interesting and a little unsettling, as we hoped not to encroach on their territory! To visit a building so old was very powerful. James Kolessar, from Seattle, Washington, wrote: WOW!!!! Terrific. I loved it. I enjoyed walking around the grounds and visiting all of the museums. I had a great time talking to the BEEFEATERS.

I was surprised to hear that there are always RAVENS on the castle grounds. The crown jewels were beautiful. I was a little disappointed to hear that the boat entrance to the castle had been closed many years ago. Overall, it was a great experience and I cannot wait to take another trip to London so I can go back to the Tower of London Kate, 13, from Australia, wrote: In September last year I went to London for the first time. One of the main highlights from that trip was definitely visiting the tower, as you so often read/hear about it, that to actually be there was fantastic, as it has been the background to many famous historical events, ie. executions. It is a place so rich in history (it is my favorite subject) that makes it so fascinating. If you are in London, make the tower a main place on your itinerary, and allow a day for it as there is so much to see and do. I also recommend a tour with the beefeaters, that make the tower's past really come alive. The Tower and London is definitely one of the best places in the world.

Samantha Stein, 12, from Pennsylvania, wrote: I've been to Europe six times and I found England the most pleasurable. I was in York, Warwick, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Stratford-upon-Avon, Bath, and of course, London. Anyone who goes to London must of course see the Tower of London. It's beautifully structured, and the wonderful people there make it even more of a work of art. They are so kind, that I'm seriously looking into moving there. Christina, 28, from Utah, USA., wrote: The Tower of London was so freaky! I went at night, so that made it even scarier. I've heard about secret passage ways that you can accidentally go into and never come out, and the narrow staircase at the top was the scariest. At night, you won't believe this, but I saw a dark-haired woman and a small boy floating in a corridor. Debbie, 43, from USA wrote: We went to the Tower of London with a tour group in November. GET OFF THE BUS! We were there 45 minutes with the tour group but we got off and stayed all day. It is incredible.

We could have stayed another day-there is so much. Krista Morine, 18, from Canada, wrote; If your are in London, GO HERE!!! It's a wonderful place to visit, even if you do find it a little creepy. Leave the ravens where they are or the English Empire will fall. Keep on the lookout of ghosts! Nessie, 20, from USA wrote: I visited the Tower and found it to be fascinating because it ahs a rich history and there's ghosts there. I especially liked the legend of the ravens. The Crown Jewels were also an interesting exhibit. The Tower of London is an awesome place to go visit if you are going to London and I definitely recommend going there. Stacey Miller, 16, from USA wrote: Tower of London is awesome!! with all of its myths and haunted stories…it is solo interesting it really takes u back in time!! go!! you won't regret it! Sam,13, from Ohio, wrote: The Tower is a must see if you are ever in London, even though there is an admission cost. The Crown jewels are beautiful!

There are no pictures allowed of the Jewels, but you may purchase an inexpensive book that includes photos. Make sure to climb the wall and walk around atop it. With my experience, I found the staff patrolling the area are very friendly. Make sure not to get bitten by a raven, and visit the GREAT gift shop where you can find jewelry, postcards, books, and a very fun game, Outrage, which is only available there. You could leave a comment if you were logged in. Last modified:: 2015/08/18 13:06 Learn About The Ravens - Known As The Guardians Of The Tower | Historic Royal Palaces The guardians of the Tower ‘If the ravens leave the Tower, the kingdom will fall…’ Legend of the ravens Legend says that the kingdom and the Tower will fall if the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress. It was Charles II, according to the stories, who first insisted that the ravens of the Tower should be protected. This was against the wishes of his astronomer, John Flamsteed, who complained that the ravens impeded the business of his observatory in the White Tower.

Despite their having one wing trimmed, some ravens do in fact go absent without leave and others have had to be sacked. Raven George was dismissed for eating television aerials, and Raven Grog was last seen outside an East End pub. View our 'Meet the ravens' video Spot the ravens There are seven ravens at the Tower today (the required six plus one spare!). Their lodgings are to be found next to the Wakefield Tower. These magnificent birds, large members of the genus Corvus, the crow family, respond only to the Raven Master and should not be approached too closely by anyone else. The ravens preside over four different territories within the Tower precincts. See if you can spot them on your visit. Biscuits and blood ‘The ravens eat 170g of raw meat a day, plus bird biscuits soaked in blood.’ The Raven Master Please note: We would ask that you do not try to feed the ravens. They are large birds who are fed daily by our Raven Master. They can bite if they feel their territory is being threatened, so please be careful. Downloadable Resources Some files are provided in PDF format - you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.

1000+ images about The Tower of London on Pinterest | Tower of london, The tower and Anne boleyn Learn more at myfinepix.co.uk Crows Ravens: A raven at the Tower of London. Eight ravens are kept at the Tower of London. Their wings are clipped so they can't fly away. Legend has it that failing to have ravens residing at the Tower will cause it to crumble, and a terrible disaster shall befall England. More Tower of London History and Photos The White Tower at the Tower of London Overview and Introduction Founded nearly a millennium ago, The Tower of London has been expanded upon over the centuries by many a king and queen. The first foundations were laid in 1078 and the castle has been constantly improved and extended. The Tower of London is the oldest palace, fortress and prison in Europe. History has it that King Edward of England backed down on his promise to give the throne to William, Duke of Normandy and ended up giving the throne to Harold Godwinson, his English brother in law. William, quite angry, sent his army across the English Channel to conquer England and on October 14, 1066 he met Harold at Hastings.

The Duke's Norman warriors won the battle, and later that year on Christmas day Wiiliam was crowned king. William decided he needed a stronghold to keep the unruly citizens of London in line. The site upon which William chose to build his fortress was the very same site upon which Claudius, the Roman Emperor, had built a fortress more than a thousand years before that and traces of the Roman wall are still seen within the Tower grounds. The addition of other smaller towers, extra buildings, walls and walkways, gradually transformed the original building into the splendid example of castle, fortress, prison, palace and finally museum that we enjoy today. The Tower began its life as a simple timber and stone enclosure. The original structure was completed by the addition of a ditch and palisade along the north and west sides. This enclosure then received a structure of stone, which came to be called The Great Tower and eventually The White Tower, as we know it today. Around the year 1240 King Henry III made the Tower of London his home. He whitewashed the tower, widened the grounds to include a church, and added a great hall and other buildings. The Normans called the tower 'La Tour Blanche' [White tower].

The White Tower formed the basis of a residential palace and fortress suited for a king or queen. As history has shown to its occupants, the Tower of London became the perfect all-purpose complex. The Tower of London has been used as a fortress to protect a prison, used to imprison (for many an accused, it was the last sight they saw on earth), as a home for kings and queens, and as a royal mint and treasury. Originally, the caps at the top of the four turrets were conical, but were replaced by the present onion-shaped ones in the sixteenth century. It was Henry III that renamed the entire area the Tower of London to White Tower. Although he used it as a prison, he continued to use it as a palace and entertained guests and many came with gifts of animals. These gifts were kept near the drawbridge where he built Lion Tower; a zoo where visitors would be greeted by roaring beasts. Today it houses the Crown Jewels and is keeper to the Royal Ravens.

The ravens are flightless birds due to the fact their wings are clipped and this tradition points to the superstition that the English still believe dating back from time of Charles II that when there are no longer ravens in the Tower both the White Tower and the Commonwealth of England would fall. The Tower was a dynamic and changing project for the kings of England, king after king built upon the Tower adding walls and smaller towers (thirteen inner and six outer) and finally encircling it was a moat whose water was delivered by the Thames River. Today the official title of the Tower is still 'Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London' although there isn't actually a Tower of London. It is not quite known when the name was first used but through the ages Tower of London has become the accepted term of description for the entire complex. In part two of this series of articles on the Tower of London we'll take a closer look at the history of the Tower, and some of the famous (and infamous) events that have transpired within its walls. Tower of London, London Tower of London - hrp.org.uk The Tower of London was built at the beginning of the eleventh century by William the conqueror.

The tower was expanded during the thirteenth century into the fortified complex that we know today. The Tower's most popular attraction is its famous collection of Crown Jewels. Tower of London Construction of the Tower of London was initiated in 1070 by William the Conqueror, shortly after his victory at Hastings in 1066. The Tower was built to enforce the power of the Norman king over the newly conquered land. The fortress, strategically located at the Thames, was originally not more than a temporary wooden building which was replaced later by the White Tower. Over time the complex was expanded into a stronghold with about twenty towers. Today the Tower of London is best known for its Crown Jewels, but it used to be notorious for the many political opponents of the kings that were locked, tortured and killed in the Tower. The Tower was also a royal residence: several kings lived here, especially during turbulent times when the donjon seemed a lot safer than the palace in Westminster. White Tower The White Tower The oldest part of the fortress is the so-called White Tower, which was completed in 1097. This keep was long the tallest building in London at 27.4 meters (90ft).

Its walls are 4.6 meter wide. The tower was whitewashed during the reign of Henry III, which gave the tower's facade its white appearance. Ever since the tower has been known as White Tower. The building has four domed turrets at each corner. Three of them have a square shape, the other is round, due to its spiral staircase. The round turret was long used as an observatory. Other Towers The Tower of London was significantly expanded in the thirteenth century, during the reign of Henry III, when two defensive walls were built around the White Tower. The inner wall had thirteen towers and the outer wall another six. The towers were mostly used to imprison political opponents. Traitors' Gate Some of the most famous prisoners locked in the Tower were two princes, the sons of king Edward IV. After Edward's dead in 1483 the children were locked in the Bloody Tower by their uncle, who would later ascend the throne as king Richard III. The princes were never seen again and were probably killed by guards. The St. Thomas Tower is located close to the Bloody Tower. Here, prisoners were brought into the fortress by boat through the Traitor's gate.

Important prisoners were often locked in the Beauchamp Tower, sometimes with their servants. An inscription on the wall of the tower is believed to refer to Lady Jane Grey, who, nine days after she was crowned Queen, was executed on Tower Green, an open terrain in the Tower of London. Byward Tower Thomas More was imprisoned in the Bell Tower until his execution after he refused to accept king Henry VIII as head of the Anglican church. Even Queen Elisabeth I was confined here for some time. Yeoman Warders The main entrance of the Tower of London is at the Byward Tower, where you'll find the so-called Beefeaters or Yeoman Warders. Dressed in historic clothes, they not only guard the tower, but also give guided tours of the fortress. One of the about forty Yeoman Warders is known as the Ravenmaster, responsible for the ravens that have been living here for centuries. Yeoman Warder Legend has it that the Tower and the kingdom will fall if the ravens leave. Hence King Charles II placed the birds under royal protection and the wings of the ravens are clipped to prevent them from flying away.

Crown Jewels The most famous tourist attraction in the Tower of London is the collection of Crown Jewels that has been on display here since the seventeenth century, during the reign of Charles II. Most of the jewels were created around the year 1660, when the monarchy was reinstalled. The majority of the older crown jewels were destroyed by Oliver Cromwell. The jewels can be found in the Jewel House, which is part of the Waterloo Barracks just north of the White Tower. Some of the highlights of the collection are the 530 carat First Star of Africa, which is set in the Imperial State Crown Scepter of the Cross; the Imperial State Crown with more than 2800 diamonds and the famous Koh-I-Noor, a 105 carat diamond. More Sights There's plenty more to see in the Tower of London, such as the Royal Armories, which includes the personal armory of King Henry VIII, one of the world's largest. The medieval palace in the Tower of London is also open to visitors and there are often reenactments of historic events in the fortress. For more information on the highlights of the Tower of London, check out their excellent and exhaustive website .

Question: England will never fall as long as what type of bird can be found in London Tower?
Answer: Ravens