FRIDAY FUNDAY: THE TOWER OF LONDON.


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Hey there Earthlings, Alternatives and Trollers. Put down that mouse and lend an ear. Welcome to The Bandersnatch blog where we talk weird, wacky and wondrous. I'm Mama Ogre and I have no idea what I'm doing.

Random blog day boo yah. As you should know Fridays is random blog day were we talk anything and everything and pretty much run with it. Today's blog is on The Tower Of London.


Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, commonly and simply known as the Tower of London is a historic castle fortress located on the River Thames North Bank. It was founded at the end of 1066 by William the Conquer (William the 1st)at the end of the Norman conquest of England, the white tower is prominently tied to William as it was built in 1078 as a sign of oppression. Kings Richard the 1st, Henry the 3rd and Edward the 1st made changes during the 12th and 13th centuries despite there being royal activity later on at the site. The general layout of the castle is a complex set of several buildings within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat, thanks to this design the tower of London also served as a prison as well as a royal palace, keeping many a prisoner there such as Elizabeth the 1st (several years before her reign), Sir Walter Raleigh, Elizabeth Throckmorton, the Princes in the tower and the Krey twins (1952) to name but a few people.

The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history, being besieged several times since controlling the tower tends to offer control over the country. The tower has not only been a royal residence but from the time of the Tudors its served as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office and the official home of the English Crown Jewels. From the 14th century until King Charles the 2nd's reign, the would be monarch would take a procession from the tower towards Westminster palace for their coronation. Whilst the Royal family own the Tower of London, the tower is under ceremonial charge of the Constable of the Tower and is operated by the resident Governor and keeper of the jewel house. The Tower of London is a popular tourist attraction and is operated by Historic Royal Palaces and protected as a world heritage site.

The Yeomen warders of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, and Members of the Sovereign's Body Guard of The Yeomen Guard Extraordinary commonly known as the Beefeaters operate at the Tower of London, usually as ceremonial guards but also as guides for the guided tours around the Tower. The Yeoman warders were formed in 1485 by King Henry Tudor the seventh of his name as such the Tudor rose is part of their Badge today. In 1509 when King Henry the 8th moved his official residence form the tower of London, the tower retained formal status as a royal palace and a party of twelve yeomen of the guard were left as a token garrison. As such the name of this group was changed to that of Tower Warders to more accurately reflect their job roles.

As of 2018 there are 37 yeomen warders and on chief warder. At one time they were predominantly guards but now hold a more ceremonial role. All yeomen are retired members of the armed services with at least a 22 year record and a ranking of 1 or 2 (or equivalent rank in other services) and must be appointed to the guard. Until 2009 Sailors were #ineligible to join the yeoman ranks due to their oath of allegiance mainly given to the admiralty rather than the monarchy, queen Elizabeth the 2nd consented to a petition from the Governor of the Tower to allow Royal navy senior ratings to serve. On July 1st 2007 Moira Cameron became the first female Yeoman warder in the history of the institution. Cameron had joined the army in the 1980s and was a warrant officer class 2, she became eligible not long before her appointment. The yeoman warders usually wear an 'undress' uniform of dark blue with red trimmings, when the sovereign comes to visit they are on duty at a state occasion and must wear the red and gold uniforms similar to the Yeomen of the Guard.

Its not known how long ravens have been living at the Tower of London but they were in residence by the time of King Charles the 2nd. Legend has it that should the ravens ever leave the tower the white tower will fall and disaster will befall the kingdom. The current yeoman Ravenmaster (as of 01/11/2019 the posting of this blog) is retired Staff Sargent Christopher Skaife who took over form Derrick Coyle in 2011, Skaife has written a Memoir of the experiences in his role called 'The Ravemaster: My Life with the ravens at the Tower of London'.

There are several reportings of ghosts in the tower of London. Like Anne Boleyn second wife to king Henry the 8th supposedly haunts both the white tower where she walks around carrying her head under her arm and In the church of St Peter and Vincula in the tower where she is buried. Other ghosts include King Henry the 6th, Lady Jane Grey the 9 days queen, Margaret Pole and the Princes in the tower. One sentry claimed to see an apparition of a bear and died of fright a few days later. Other nameless and formless terrors have been seen and reported , most recently by the night staff at the Tower.

I have been to the Tower of London several times over the years, both in groups and by myself. The buildings are both beautiful and awe inspiring, the history that happened behind these walls adds to the other worldly feeling you can get looking up at all the different windows and places you can see both inside and out.

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THIS IS THE BANDERSNATCH, I'M MAMA OGRE AND REMEMBER STAY WEIRD, STAY WACKY, STAY WONDEROUS AND I'LL SEE YOU SOON...

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