Discover the Tower of London: Top 9 Entertaining Facts You Never Knew!

1. Ravens: The Tower's Winged Guardians

In a bird's eye view of royal real estate, where caws and claws replace laws: The Tower of London houses six ravens, known as guardians of the Tower, believed to protect it from harm, with their own residence on the South Lawn. Named Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar, and Branwen, these intelligent and territorial birds have a legend stating that if they ever leave, both the kingdom and the Tower will fall. The legend traces back to Charles II, who protected the ravens against his astronomer's wishes, but only the Ravenmaster is allowed to approach them closely today.
Source => hrp.org.uk

2. Elephant: The Tower's Artistic Muse

Hold onto your trunks, folks: The Tower of London once housed an elephant, gifted by the French King Louis IX to King Henry III, which turned medieval art world on its head. This artistically inspirational creature became the subject of two surprisingly accurate drawings by chronicler Matthew Paris, making waves in the medieval understanding of elephant anatomy and contributing to the birth of naturalism in art.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that Big Ben actually refers to the Great Bell inside the Elizabeth Tower, not the tower itself? Discover the amusing mix-up and debate behind its famous nickname! 🕰️🔔

=> Fun Facts about Big-Ben

3. Beefeaters: Paid in Tasty Steaks

In a beefy twist of historical irony, the Tower of London's most iconic guards were once paid in juicy steaks and tenderloins: The Yeoman Warders, also known as Beefeaters, had their salaries once served up as literal slabs of beef, along with other food items, but have since swapped their carnivorous benefits for a modern monetary wage.
Source => britain-magazine.com

4. Tower's Wild Animal Kingdom

"Game of Thrones" doesn't have anything on the medieval Tower of London: In the 1200s, the Tower housed lions, leopards, and a white bear gifted by Norway's King Haakon, which was muzzled, chained, and taken to fish and swim in the River Thames, delighting both locals and visitors.
Source => historic-uk.com

5. Exotic Animal Hotel: The Tower of London

From royal sleepovers to a "real-life" Zootopia, the Tower of London was a bustling animal hotel: For centuries, the tower housed an array of exotic animals like lions, polar bears, and even a jackal, with some living in less-than-royal makeshift cages, until King James I upgraded the lions' den and improved their living quarters in the 1600s.
Source => hrp.org.uk

6. Teen Queen's Tragic Tower Tale

Move over, Game of Thrones: the Tower of London had its own short-lived teenage queen with a fate more bitter than any lemon cake! In all seriousness: Lady Jane Grey, just 16 years old, claimed the throne for a mere nine days before being dethroned, accused of participating in a military coup, and ultimately executed on Tower Green alongside other high-ranking individuals.
Source => hrp.org.uk

7. Game of Caws: Kingdom's Feathered Saviors

Who needs thrones and gossip when you've got fine-feathered friends working overtime? Forget "Game of Thrones" and give a warm welcome to the "Game of Caws": The Tower of London houses a flock of seven ravens, guarding the kingdom and the Tower according to legend; it is said that should they depart, calamity would befall the land. Fear not, for there is a Ravenmaster tending to these feathered guardians, ensuring their continued stay. If you pay a visit, you might just be lucky enough to meet the winged saviors of the realm!
Source => hrp.org.uk

8. Ceremony of the Keys: Nightly Tower Tradition

When the sun goes down and the werewolves come out—well, thankfully, just the Yeomen Warders instead—the Tower of London transforms into the world's longest-running nightly military show: The Ceremony of the Keys takes center stage, locking the tower gates with a ritual that has persisted for centuries, interrupted only once during World War II. Each night, a select audience of 40-50 lucky visitors gets to witness this ancient spectacle, securing their seats in history by booking through Historic Royal Palaces.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. White Tower: Medieval Size Icon

If the White Tower could talk, it would boast about being the medieval influencer that turned heads with its size: The Tower of London's famous White Tower was one of the largest keeps dominating the medieval Christian world, built by William the Conqueror and later extended by kings like Henry III, who had it whitewashed in 1240. Now an internationally significant structure, it houses the Royal Armouries collections and remains a royally impressive sight.
Source => en.wikipedia.org