Beefeaters – The Yeoman Warders

The ceremonial guard and tourist attraction at the Tower of London.

The Yeoman Warders, also known as the Beefeaters, is a ceremonial guard and tourist attraction at the Tower of London, which is one of the most iconic landmarks in London, England. The Yeoman Warders are responsible for guarding the Crown Jewels, as well as providing tours and entertainment for visitors to the Tower of London.

The origins of the Yeoman Warders can be traced back to the reign of Henry VII in the late 15th century when they were established as the monarch’s personal bodyguards. Over time, the Yeoman Warders evolved into ceremonial guards, and their distinctive uniforms and role as guardians of the Tower of London became a symbol of British heritage and tradition. The Tower of London is a historic fortress located in the heart of London, England, on the north bank of the River Thames. It was founded in the 11th century by William the Conqueror[1] and has played an important role in English history ever since.

The Yeomen Warders were formed in 1485 by the new King Henry VII, the first monarch of the Tudor dynasty[2]. The Tudor rose, a heraldic badge of the dynasty, is part of the badge of the Yeomen Warders to this day. Founded after the Battle of Bosworth[3], it is the UK’s oldest existing military corps and the oldest of the royal bodyguards.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London has served as a royal palace, a prison, a mint, and a menagerie, among other things, and is now a popular tourist attraction and home to the Crown Jewels of England. The Tower of London is perhaps best known for its dark history as a prison and place of execution. Some of the most famous prisoners of the Tower of London include Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Guy Fawkes.

The Tower was also the site of numerous executions, including those of three queens of England – Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey. The Crown Jewels of England are a collection of precious and historic objects that are closely associated with the British monarchy.

The Crown Jewels

The collection includes crowns, scepters, swords, and other regalia, as well as a number of ceremonial objects used in coronations and other royal events. Perhaps the most famous of the Crown Jewels is the Imperial State Crown, which is worn by the monarch at the State Opening of Parliament.

The crown is set with more than 2,800 diamonds, as well as other precious gems and pearls, and is considered one of the most impressive pieces in the collection. Other notable items in the Crown Jewels include the Scepter with the Cross, which dates back to the 17th century, and the Sovereign’s Orb, which is a symbol of the monarch’s authority and contains a large diamond known as the Cullinan I or the Great Star of Africa.

The Crown Jewels are kept in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, which is one of the most popular tourist attractions in London. Visitors to the Tower can view the Crown Jewels as part of a guided tour or on their own and can learn about the history and significance of each piece in the collection.

In 1509 Henry VIII moved his official residence from the Tower of London. The Tower retained the formal status of a royal palace and to mark this a party of twelve Yeomen of the Guard was left in place as a token garrison. The title of this detachment was subsequently changed to that of Tower Warders as a more accurate reflection of their duties. As warders without any ceremonial state function, they forfeited the right to wear the scarlet royal livery of the now separate Yeoman of the Guard. This was, however, restored to them during the reign of Edward VI (1547–1553), reportedly at the request of a high court official who had been briefly imprisoned in the Tower and was impressed by the behavior of the warders.

Beefeaters

The term “Beefeater” is commonly used to refer to the Yeoman Warders, the ceremonial guard at the Tower of London. There are several theories as to how the Yeoman Warders came to be known as Beefeaters. One theory suggests that the term may have originated from the fact that the Yeoman Warders were given a daily ration of beef as part of their pay.

Beefeaters also commonly produced and consumed broths made of beef, which were described as rich and hearty. These broths were known, at the time, as bef or beffy. Another theory is that the term may have been a corruption of the French word “buffetier”, which referred to a servant who was responsible for serving food from a buffet.

The original Tudor guard was split into two categories: the ordinary (i.e., permanent) guard and the additional troops of the extraordinary. In 1550, for example, the ordinary mustered 105 men, with an additional 300 extraordinary yeomen. Until 1549, the guards at the Tower were numbered among the extraordinary but in that year were raised to the status of ordinary yeomen. There was a considerable wage difference between the two groups. In 1562, a yeoman of the ordinary received 16d per day, whereas an extraordinary yeoman was paid the same as a common infantryman (4d or 6d). In 1551, the ordinary was expanded to 200 men, of whom 100 were to be archers and 100 halberdiers, but these numbers were not maintained. The uniform at this time was a velvet coat trimmed with silver gilt, worn over armor.

While their role is usually confined to the Tower of London, the Yeomen Warders do take part in one State ceremony. At Coronations, they form a guard of honor inside the annex at Westminster Abbey. The State dress uniforms of Yeomen Warders are almost identical to those of the Yeomen of the Guard, but the Yeomen of the Guard can be distinguished by their cross belts worn from the left shoulder. For everyday duties, Yeomen Warders wears a dark blue and red dress uniform.

Footnotes
  1. William the Conqueror, also known as William I, was a Norman duke who successfully invaded England in 1066 and became the country’s first Norman king. He established a powerful centralized monarchy, implementing significant changes to the English legal and feudal systems. William also commissioned the construction of numerous castles and cathedrals throughout England, including the Tower of London. His reign was marked by several rebellions, including the 1069-1070 Revolt, but he managed to maintain control and left a lasting impact on English history. [Back]
  2. The Tudor dynasty was a royal house that ruled England from 1485 to 1603, beginning with the reign of Henry VII and ending with the death of Elizabeth I. The Tudor period is known for its political and religious upheaval, including the establishment of the Church of England and the Reformation. It also saw significant developments in art, literature, and architecture, with the Renaissance making its mark on English culture. Notable figures from the Tudor era include Henry VIII, known for his six marriages and the separation of the Church of England from the Catholic Church, and Elizabeth I, who oversaw a period of economic growth and cultural flourishing. [Back]
  3. The Battle of Bosworth fought on August 22, 1485, was the final battle of the Wars of the Roses, a series of civil wars for the English crown. It saw the forces of Henry Tudor, later Henry VII, defeat those of King Richard III, who was killed in battle. Henry Tudor’s victory marked the end of the Plantagenet dynasty and the beginning of the Tudor dynasty. The battle is also significant for the death of Richard III and the legend of the Princes in the Tower, his young nephews who were never seen again after being imprisoned in the Tower of London. [Back]
Further Reading
Sources

Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Doyle's Space

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading