{"id":36910,"date":"2024-12-01T21:12:00","date_gmt":"2024-12-01T21:12:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/?p=36910"},"modified":"2025-12-18T18:45:17","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T18:45:17","slug":"all-about-the-ravens-at-the-tower-of-london","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/all-about-the-ravens-at-the-tower-of-london\/","title":{"rendered":"All About the Ravens at the Tower of London"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Tower of London, an official royal palace, former prison, and London landmark all in one, would be an unmissable sight of its own, no doubt. However, its resident ravens are just as interesting as the building itself. The Tower\u2019s famous birds have been around for centuries and are, according to legend, closely tied to the future of the British monarchy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you plan to visit the Tower of London<\/a>, you\u2019ll want to make sure to familiarize yourself with them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what is it that makes them so popular? Let\u2019s have a look at the most interesting legends and facts about the so-called \u201cguardians\u201d of the Tower of London, and find out how they ended up in the fortress in the first place. And if you want to snap some pics of them, I\u2019ll share tips for that too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why are there ravens at the Tower of London?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Panorama<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While they might hold celebrity-like status at the Tower of London today, the ravens weren\u2019t initially thought of as special creatures. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For many centuries, they had been a common sight throughout Great Britain, including in large cities such as London. Things changed, however, when people started hunting and shooting them down. In the 18th century, the wild ravens were almost eradicated in the British capital. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Despite killing them in their natural surroundings, people liked to keep the ravens in captivity. At the Tower of London, the birds were held for practical reasons. From what we know now, these birds of prey served as scavengers, helping to keep the buildings clean. The first resident ravens arrived centuries ago. And they\u2019ve stayed on ever since. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The significance of the Tower of London ravens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Raven
Credit: Afshin Taylor Darian \/ CC BY 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

So what makes the Tower of London ravens so special? According to a Celtic legend, the Tower of London \u2014 and the whole United Kingdom \u2014 would fall should the ravens ever decide (or be forced) to leave the castle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The story goes that it was King Charles II (who ruled Britain 1660-1685) who wanted to get rid of the birds after his Royal Astronomer complained they\u2019d ruin his business. However, the monarch was warned he\u2019d risk the future of his country in doing so. True or not, Charles II, apparently, didn\u2019t want to take any chances just in case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead of removing the birds, he therefore decided that at least six of them had to be kept and protected at the Tower of London at all times to ensure the kingdom\u2019s ongoing existence. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tab over to the second-to-the-last video below to hear a Beefeater explain why the ravens are still here today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A post shared by LADbible (@ladbible)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n