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.
The Raven Master Derrick Coyle is a Yeoman Warder or
'Beefeater' dedicated to caring for the Tower's unique Unkindness of
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 Raven Master. 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.
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!
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.
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!
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 Raven Master has said to him with
exactly the right tone to create all sorts of confusion!
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