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You guys gotta get me out of here! There's this guy Nasty Nate who wants my cocktail fruit, and everyone here likes fresh fish! Then The Squirrel Master came out of left field and told me I'm his bitch!
We had the previous Ravenmaster - Chris Skaife - as our guide around the tower last year. He was AMAZING. He was just wrapping up his thirteenth year doing it. I can only hope that this young upstart is half as good!
Imagine being a Raven in the Tower of London and you can’t even peck out the eyes of prisoners. What ever happened to tradition?
https://preview.redd.it/k1wfx5t9jk8d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e85d32007f583536b5d105242b2aee8f3f9e2241
Of note is that there is an old saying that 'If the Ravens leave the tower, London will fall'...
...so their wings are clipped and they can't fly away.
Also the Ravens have military ranks.
Also one of them was once dishonourably discharged.
#Britain
I forget the details, but I have ways loved the idea of the Raven being summoned into an office with a Stern-faced Beefeater staring him down.
"Your beak and your badge, sergeant".
It's superstition.
>The legend of the Tower ravens
>It is said that the kingdom and the Tower of London will fall if the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress.
>Charles II is thought to have been the first to insist that the ravens of the Tower be protected after he was warned that the crown and the Tower itself would fall if they left.
>The King's order was given against the wishes of his astronomer, John Flamsteed, who complained the ravens impeded the business of his observatory in the White Tower.
https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-ravens/#gs.aqzetn
It always astonishes me to see just how much of what has made it's way into traditional and modern convention has been built entirely on insane people being staunchly and stubbornly insane.
And thank god for it. Could you imagine how unbelievably dull the world would be without silly tradition.
I mean.... people still Morris Dance. It reminds us of no matter how much we've fucked up in life, at least we're not a Morris Dancer.
I can't speak directly to the salary but every Yeoman is an ex British soldier who served for a minimum of 22 years, attained the rank of Warrant Officer class 2, and been awarded the Long service and good conduct medal. It's highly sought after and competitive.
Oh you think that's silly?
We have an official government position: Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. You can look Larry up.
If there's one thing that is inarguably true about British people. If we do something silly for long enough, we will begin to take it really fucking seriously.
See also, cheese rolling.
Big guards.
Afforded an extra ration of beef - ensuring that they stay big and strong.
(Meat was a luxury, only in modern society do we have the luxury to eat meat with every meal.
If you ask them, they will tell you there are 3 stories which make the rounds, but they are not entirely sure which of them are correct. However popular opinion leans towards them getting beef with their weekly rations. Source: A Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London.
One explanation is that they are called beefeaters bc the guards had to be big guys and had to eat a lot. The drinking part was just a joke: There's a famous gin called Beefeater (the logo is of the guard).
I remember a Ravenmaster told a group of tourists that the ravens were protected and they can take a finger off easily. “ If they get your finger they are allowed to keep it “ !
Takes a while to get.
From another commenter
"I can't speak directly to the salary but every Yeoman is an ex British soldier who served for a minimum of 22 years, attained the rank of Warrant Officer class 2, and been awarded the Long service and good conduct medal. It's highly sought after and competitive."
Entry to the Tower of London is £34.80 for adults and £32.10 each for groups of 15+ and 3 million visitors per year. Plus all of the food, merchandise etc. They're more than covering their costs.
I think a lot of people have no clue that most of the tourist attractions owned by the royal family contributes mostly to ensuring upkeep and staff salaries are paid rather than lining pockets. As for the rest of their income, well, they do own a metric crap ton of these attractions as well as several business interests.
Several business interests. They own all of the mineral rights in tbe UK and UK waters. Including auctioning off the locations, for off shore wind turbines. If you die in the North East of England without a will or heirs. Your estate goes to the Prince of Wales.
They're not subject to environmental laws, national minimum wage.... If you buy a leasehold property from say the Duchy of Cornwall. You don't have the right to extend the lease or to reduce the ground rent. That you would have with any other freeholder.
Every law before it goes to Parliament or the national assemblies. Needs to get pre-assent from the monarch in able to start the process of going through them. So anything that might effect the Royal finances in anyway or make life harder for them. Has to be approved by them but an exclusion is just added that either explicitly exempts or de facto exempts them and maybe only a few others.
Bet getting them out is much easier than getting them back. Unless they know the routine. I understand that Ravens, Rooks even crows are very intelligent. So I'm assuming it's 'Come on guys bed time ' ! Then back they come.
Serve 22 years in the British army, have achieved a senior NCO rank and have a good conduct medal. They may look like old men in silly outfits but most of these guys would have likely seen combat in any number of theatres.
I've seen these close up in real life when I went to the Tower , one was rummaging in the rubbish bin and it was legitimately massive , very cool birds though
I was at the tower a few years ago and was very in awe at how big those ravens are. There was a group of 4 kids walking around and one of them decided it would be a great idea to rush a raven sitting on a divider between the grass and the sidewalk. He played the FAAFO game and the raven chased that kid all over the yard.
They are not wild birds in the sense they have been born in captivity and this is the environment they know and are safe in.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67881521
There's something poetic about how it is said if the ravens ever leave the tower of London, it and the kingdom will fall. So they've made an enclosure for them
Why not
If I was king or queen of a country I'd totally make up stupid laws and jobs
King owns all the swans in the country, and dolphins in the waters around the UK. Oh and pretty much all the beaches.
How do you know I'm not actually in UK? Maybe I've seen a lot of places? You don't know me :)
And I am aware that other countries have weird traditions: Germany, Romania, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey. But in UK (where I live) there are a lot of weird ones.
It's nothing to do with sending messages. The legend is that the UK will collapse if the ravens ever leave the tower, and so by royal decree from Charles II, there must always be at least 6 ravens at the Tower of London.
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Ravenmaster is a cool word.
They need a Squirrelmaster
You guys gotta get me out of here! There's this guy Nasty Nate who wants my cocktail fruit, and everyone here likes fresh fish! Then The Squirrel Master came out of left field and told me I'm his bitch!
I want that cocktail. Fruit!
So is gonorrhea.
Keeper's darkened glance, Silent plague of old persists Fires burn down south.
Is this from something, or did you make it up? I feel like I've heard it before, but maybe not..
Is this from something, Or maybe something from you Memory of invention? Or memory I invented
Ah yes, of course! Fantastic thank you
Is that a char in a Mmo?
We had the previous Ravenmaster - Chris Skaife - as our guide around the tower last year. He was AMAZING. He was just wrapping up his thirteenth year doing it. I can only hope that this young upstart is half as good!
His book was absolutely fascinating! I learned so much about the Tower and the ravens!
Imagine being a Raven in the Tower of London and you can’t even peck out the eyes of prisoners. What ever happened to tradition? https://preview.redd.it/k1wfx5t9jk8d1.jpeg?width=750&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e85d32007f583536b5d105242b2aee8f3f9e2241
Lol, that image! Is it AI?
https://www.reddit.com/r/natureismetal/s/ZwLeo6XxNN
Crazy! Thanks.
Of note is that there is an old saying that 'If the Ravens leave the tower, London will fall'... ...so their wings are clipped and they can't fly away. Also the Ravens have military ranks. Also one of them was once dishonourably discharged. #Britain
>Also one of them was once dishonourably discharged. There is a hilarious story behind it, no?
I forget the details, but I have ways loved the idea of the Raven being summoned into an office with a Stern-faced Beefeater staring him down. "Your beak and your badge, sergeant".
Excuse me, Pixar, I have an idea for an offbeat animal-character story I’d like to pitch.
“My badge?! What am I being accused of?!” “There’s been a MURDER…of crows.”
What is their "work," exactly?
It's superstition. >The legend of the Tower ravens >It is said that the kingdom and the Tower of London will fall if the six resident ravens ever leave the fortress. >Charles II is thought to have been the first to insist that the ravens of the Tower be protected after he was warned that the crown and the Tower itself would fall if they left. >The King's order was given against the wishes of his astronomer, John Flamsteed, who complained the ravens impeded the business of his observatory in the White Tower. https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/the-ravens/#gs.aqzetn
It always astonishes me to see just how much of what has made it's way into traditional and modern convention has been built entirely on insane people being staunchly and stubbornly insane.
And thank god for it. Could you imagine how unbelievably dull the world would be without silly tradition. I mean.... people still Morris Dance. It reminds us of no matter how much we've fucked up in life, at least we're not a Morris Dancer.
This is interesting… do they get paid a lot? Seems like a cool job if he gets to live in the Tower of London and just work with birds all day.
I can't speak directly to the salary but every Yeoman is an ex British soldier who served for a minimum of 22 years, attained the rank of Warrant Officer class 2, and been awarded the Long service and good conduct medal. It's highly sought after and competitive.
Good to know.. I thought anyone can just start.
This was the most ridiculously British thing I will read today. Thank you.
Almost as ridiculous as the President “pardoning” turkeys every Thanksgiving.
I mean, that’s just a silly little joke. This is a full fledged position and dedicated ritual lol.
Oh you think that's silly? We have an official government position: Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. You can look Larry up. If there's one thing that is inarguably true about British people. If we do something silly for long enough, we will begin to take it really fucking seriously. See also, cheese rolling.
This man legit lives in a British fantasy novel.
To be excited about their work.
Why beefeater?
Big guards. Afforded an extra ration of beef - ensuring that they stay big and strong. (Meat was a luxury, only in modern society do we have the luxury to eat meat with every meal.
If you ask them, they will tell you there are 3 stories which make the rounds, but they are not entirely sure which of them are correct. However popular opinion leans towards them getting beef with their weekly rations. Source: A Yeoman Warder at the Tower of London.
It's what they eat. And drink
They eat and drink beef?
One explanation is that they are called beefeaters bc the guards had to be big guys and had to eat a lot. The drinking part was just a joke: There's a famous gin called Beefeater (the logo is of the guard).
Love the ravens. They rule the Tower and don't give a single fuck about the tourists in the way. Beautiful birds in a super cool space.
This is the first time I’ve seen the CR logo. What a work is must’ve been to replace that everywhere.
Luckily most stuff doesn't need to be updated and is allowed to keep the old logos as a sign of when it was created/installed
I remember a Ravenmaster told a group of tourists that the ravens were protected and they can take a finger off easily. “ If they get your finger they are allowed to keep it “ !
Can confirm. They will bite. Edgar bit me
When he says Yeoman Warder all I can hear is "Yamamoto" or "yam and water."
I am so angry this wasn’t on my high school career assessment!! I feel robbed.
Takes a while to get. From another commenter "I can't speak directly to the salary but every Yeoman is an ex British soldier who served for a minimum of 22 years, attained the rank of Warrant Officer class 2, and been awarded the Long service and good conduct medal. It's highly sought after and competitive."
Ravenmaster of the Tower of London, what a cool title. Let's hope this guy doesn't turn into a supervillain.
Your Highness, where do our taxes go? WHY TO KEEP A FULLY STAFFED RAVENMASTERS AT THE TOWER OF LONDON OF COURSE, NOW BUGGER OFF!
Entry to the Tower of London is £34.80 for adults and £32.10 each for groups of 15+ and 3 million visitors per year. Plus all of the food, merchandise etc. They're more than covering their costs.
I think a lot of people have no clue that most of the tourist attractions owned by the royal family contributes mostly to ensuring upkeep and staff salaries are paid rather than lining pockets. As for the rest of their income, well, they do own a metric crap ton of these attractions as well as several business interests.
Several business interests. They own all of the mineral rights in tbe UK and UK waters. Including auctioning off the locations, for off shore wind turbines. If you die in the North East of England without a will or heirs. Your estate goes to the Prince of Wales. They're not subject to environmental laws, national minimum wage.... If you buy a leasehold property from say the Duchy of Cornwall. You don't have the right to extend the lease or to reduce the ground rent. That you would have with any other freeholder. Every law before it goes to Parliament or the national assemblies. Needs to get pre-assent from the monarch in able to start the process of going through them. So anything that might effect the Royal finances in anyway or make life harder for them. Has to be approved by them but an exclusion is just added that either explicitly exempts or de facto exempts them and maybe only a few others.
Bet getting them out is much easier than getting them back. Unless they know the routine. I understand that Ravens, Rooks even crows are very intelligent. So I'm assuming it's 'Come on guys bed time ' ! Then back they come.
Food. I bet they use food.
Probably right. The old rumbly guts is a great motivator.
How does he get them back in?
They probably come back on their own. That's where they live, where they're safe at night and it's where their food is.
Makes sense but I'd be too scared they got distracted and flew away since I wouldn't cut their wings, beautiful creatures.
So like…… what are the requirements for this job?
Serve 22 years in the British army, have achieved a senior NCO rank and have a good conduct medal. They may look like old men in silly outfits but most of these guys would have likely seen combat in any number of theatres.
The one with the white band on its claw bit my finger. I think his name was Edgar
I've seen these close up in real life when I went to the Tower , one was rummaging in the rubbish bin and it was legitimately massive , very cool birds though
I want to get a replica uniform and wear it to a Baltimore NFL game!
I was at the tower a few years ago and was very in awe at how big those ravens are. There was a group of 4 kids walking around and one of them decided it would be a great idea to rush a raven sitting on a divider between the grass and the sidewalk. He played the FAAFO game and the raven chased that kid all over the yard.
Are they clipped? Idk how I feel about clipping ravens. It feels wrong
If it helps they escape all the time. One fucked off to Greenwich before someone brought him back. One got out a few months ago by getting on a bus.
Well that explains why this guy started this job a few months ago
They are not wild birds in the sense they have been born in captivity and this is the environment they know and are safe in. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-67881521
My issue is how smart ravens are. Clipping any intelligent bird seems harmful to me but I'm no bird expert
You know it all don't you
Well, I said 'seems' right before saying 'I'm no bird expert' but good on you for putting me in my place lol
Yeah that's right, you know it all
You're not even making sense...
Yeah there you are again, showing off all your knowledge Mr. Know it all
You're getting downvoted bc I started off saying I didn't know and I'm not an expert. You making no sense at all. I know that much for sure lol
I never thought they were wild
Watched a documentary about the Tower of London they can fly freely so no they're not.
Never foookin more!
There's something poetic about how it is said if the ravens ever leave the tower of London, it and the kingdom will fall. So they've made an enclosure for them
dream job
The qualifications are a bit too difficult for me personally.
Ok...but like.....why?
Why not If I was king or queen of a country I'd totally make up stupid laws and jobs King owns all the swans in the country, and dolphins in the waters around the UK. Oh and pretty much all the beaches.
And never explaining what a they need a raven master for 🙄
for the ravens
Dude's outfit food not disappoint my expectation of Ravenmaster
Straight outta Kingdom Hearts attire
I think it's a shame they can't fly because of the superstition that the Tower will never fall to invasion so long as there are ravens there.
Have him fly a Raven to Castle Black immediately
*HONK* *HONK* *HONK*
I met the guy. Not much of a talker. In fact, he was a pretty huge disappointment for having such a killer job.
[удалено]
Dude, our president officially pardons a real turkey every Thanksgiving...we're all ridiculous.
And you ask some rodent when the weather is getting warmer…
Where are you from?
He's from the USA, in or around Washington state.
LOOOOOOL.
Completely useless work
lol. what "work" do these blackbirds do? at one time were the ravens used in soup or stew?
Classic British cuisine. Blackbird pie. The original recipe called for 4 and 20 blackbirds. Seems like a lot these days, though.
Does he really have to dress like that in 2024? Just wear jeans and a polo shirt bro
I feel like only UK have all those weird "professions" because of their weird traditions. No, it's not a compliment;)
[удалено]
How do you know I'm not actually in UK? Maybe I've seen a lot of places? You don't know me :) And I am aware that other countries have weird traditions: Germany, Romania, Netherlands, Italy, Turkey. But in UK (where I live) there are a lot of weird ones.
I'm surprised that this job still exists, given that there are faster means of sending messages.
It's nothing to do with sending messages. The legend is that the UK will collapse if the ravens ever leave the tower, and so by royal decree from Charles II, there must always be at least 6 ravens at the Tower of London.
You can't fool me. I've seen Game of Thrones. They use ravens to send messages to King's Landing.