Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London

Guarding the Tower

Yeoman Warders have been guarding the Tower of London since Tudor times.

Nicknamed ‘Beefeaters’, the Yeoman Body of 32 men and women are all drawn from the Armed Forces.

Who are the Yeoman Warders?

Yeoman Warders were originally part of the Yeoman of the Guard – the monarch’s personal, crack bodyguard who traveled with him everywhere.

Henry VIII decided that the Tower should be protected by part of the royal bodyguard.

These ‘Yeoman Warders’ were eventually granted the right to wear the splendid red uniform, which today is known as the state dress uniform and is worn on state occasions such as the monarch’s birthday. 

The more durable everyday dark blue ‘undress’ uniform was introduced in the 19th century.

Today’s Yeoman Warders need to have at least 22 years’ military service.

Apart from that, they need to have reached a certain rank within their service and to have been awarded the long service and good conduct medal.

Tradition and ceremony

‘Halt! Who comes there?’

These familiar words echo down Water Lane every night as they have done for over 700 years.

They are part of the ancient Ceremony of the Keys in which the outer gates of the fortress are locked for the night and the keys delivered to the monarch’s representative in the Tower, the Resident Governor.

THE CONSTABLE'S DUES

These are one of several perks that the Constable of the Tower traditionally enjoyed.

Every ship that came upstream to the City had to moor at Tower Wharf to unload a portion of its cargo for the Constable.

Still today, whenever a Royal Naval vessel moors on the Wharf the Captain must present the Constable with a barrel of wine, rum, or brandy (the 'Dues').

This is ceremoniously escorted into the Tower by the Yeoman Warders and presented to the Constable on Tower Green.

'May you never die a Yeoman Warder'

New Yeoman Warders are ‘sworn in' during a centuries-old ceremony. Then they drink a toast of port, served in an 18th-century pewter bowl. Tradition requires the Chief Yeoman Warder to toast all new recruits with the words ‘may you never die a Yeoman Warder’.

The origins of this rather odd toast can be found in the fact that by the early 19th century the post of Yeoman Wards was being sold for 250 guineas. This would be returned to the Yeoman Warder on his retirement, with the balance kept by the Constable who hired him. But if the Yeoman Warder died in post, the Constable inherited the whole amount! However, the Duke of Wellington, who became Constable in 1826, abolished this purchase system.