The locking up of the Tower of London has taken place every night for the last 700 years. On 18 May a large party of Water Conservators and their guests were received by Yeoman Warder Colin Smith (right) who conducted us around the Tower, pointing out many features of historical interest. Then, after supper, he explained the background to and procedures for the Ceremony of the Keys.
Her Majesty’s ‘Palace and Fortress’ at the Tower is really a large village with the usual facilities: village green, church, execution place (!), but, it closes at 22.00 each night with the locking of the gates. The Yeoman Guard with the Keys is protected by armed escort, this time drawn from the Coldstream Guards. The escort is challenged (loudly) at the gate to the inner court and is allowed to pass with Queen Elizabeth’s Keys to lock the main gate. Thanks go to Colin and his colleagues at the Tower of London Club.
The locking up of the Tower of London has taken place every night for the last 700 years. On 18 May a large party of Water Conservators and their guests were received by Yeoman Warder Colin Smith (right) who conducted us around the Tower, pointing out many features of historical interest. Then, after supper, he explained the background to and procedures for the Ceremony of the Keys.
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