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London and Environs

Tower of London - Today's Tower Community

It may be one of the worlds most sought after tourist attractions, but the Tower of London is also home for some 150 people. And a few birds. I found it exciting to talk to Patrick, a Yeoman Warder, and learn that he actually lived IN the Tower. I learned that all the yeomen warders and their families live within the Tower. One lady said the only drawback to living there was that she could never get food delivered because the take away places never believed it when she gave them her address.

There is a Resident Governor of the Tower, who is basically the fellow in charge of local command of the Tower. There is a military guard that is picked from the same regiments that guard Buckingham Palace and St James’s Palace.

There has traditionally been a Constable of the Tower as well, although today the day to day administration of the Tower is now looked after by the Resident Governor. New Constables are generally appointed every 5 years, and as of 2006 there have been 158 of them. The Duke of Wellington was the Constable of the Tower and held the job for 26 years from 1826 to his death in 1852.

The Tower also has its own Doctor and Chaplin and regular services are held in the Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula that the public is welcome to attend.
 

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