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The Ravens at the Tower of London.


The Ravens at the Tower of London.
The authorities take the myth so seriously that since the late 19th Century there have been official captive ravens kept at the tower. Currently there are six, with a seventh in reserve. Historian Geoff Parnell believes that the ravens became popular following the publication of Edgar Allen Poe’s poem The Raven in 1845.

For some reason, the ravens are officially listed as soldiers of the British Kingdom, and even have their own attestation cards similar to those issued to human soldiers and human police. During WWII, Winston Churchill ordered that the ravens be brought in for protection.

Sometimes the ravens can be known to desert their duties. In 1981, a Tower of London raven, who went by the outlandish name of Grog, deserted the Tower after 21 years of loyal service for a nearby pub.
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Comments

  1. Ann KennedyJune 29, 2015 at 4:26 PM

    Are these as talkative as the ones in the U.S. I wonder? I had no idea they were so important! I love the photo!

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  2. Oshi ShikigamiJune 29, 2015 at 8:17 PM

    When I moved from MI to FL, I noted that the crows all sounded different. They look the same, but their caw is a softer and smoother one no where near as piercing as their northern kind. Go figure they have a "southern accent"?  LOL

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  3. Margaret Siemers (Siemers Rafter Room)June 29, 2015 at 10:59 PM

    I may have missed something, but what was the Myth? I had to look and here it is.
    The Legend states: The presence of the ravens is traditionally believed to protect the Crown and the Tower; a superstition holds that "If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it."

    Love these stories Darran Hughes Your country is so covered in history and legends and myths that we have never heard here. We (at least I) just love hearing them. Thank you.

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  4. Darran HughesJune 30, 2015 at 12:34 AM

    My apologies Margaret Siemers I missed the myth part out. I'm glad your on the ball to put things right.

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  5. Darran HughesJune 30, 2015 at 12:36 AM

    A more refined crow must exist in southern parts Oshi Shikigami

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  6. Darran HughesJune 30, 2015 at 12:38 AM

    I wonder if birds speak with an accent, British birds-British accent, American birds-American accent Ann Kennedy

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  7. Margaret Siemers (Siemers Rafter Room)June 30, 2015 at 1:42 AM

    Darran Hughes It's what I get paid to do. lol

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  8. Mike PerryJune 30, 2015 at 4:54 AM

    My parents always said that if the ravens go the British Empire will fall.
    I read the following on Wikipedia:
    "These ravens must go!" said King Charles in 1675. "But, Sire, it is very unlucky to kill a raven," replied Flamstead, "If you do that the Tower will fall and you will lose your kingdom, having only just got it back!" Charles, being a pragmatist, thought for a moment and said: "The Observatory must go to Greenwich and the ravens can stay in the Tower."

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  9. Margaret Siemers (Siemers Rafter Room)June 30, 2015 at 6:59 PM

    Mike Perry I read that also. His observatory was apparently in the tower and being birds, they did what birds do! Very interesting.

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  10. Oshi ShikigamiJune 30, 2015 at 9:23 PM

    It all works out all-right, as it is for a just caws...

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  11. Margaret Siemers (Siemers Rafter Room)June 30, 2015 at 9:40 PM

    Oshi Shikigami Ouch! That one was so bad it hurt. Made me laugh.

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