Wednesday 9 January 2008

Ravens at the Tower of London

Legend has it that should the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the White Tower will crumble and a great disaster shall befall England...!
It is thought that there have been at least six ravens in residence at the Tower of London for centuries. It is said that King Charles II of England ordered their removal following complaints from John Flamsteed, the Royal Astronomer. However, they were not removed because Charles was then told of the legend that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the White Tower, the monarchy, and the entire kingdom would fall. Charles, following the time of the English Civil War, superstition or not, was not prepared to take the chance, and instead had the observatory moved to Greenwich!

No comments: