Rum do as Germans march on Tower of London for Hanovarian birthday bash
Germans march on The Tower for 300th Hanovarian birthday bash. Picture: Richard Lea-Hair - Credit: Richard Lea-Hair/Historical Royal Palaces
The Germans came marching into the Tower of London today—to mark the 300th anniversary of Britain’s Hanoverian dynasty.
The Hanoverian warship Niedersachsen arrived in the Pool of London and moored alongside HMS Belfast, a veteran of the Second World War, to take part in the ancient Constable’s Dues ceremony.
The ship’s commander lead his crew to the West Gate to deliver a barrel of “precious nectar” to the Constable of The Tower.
But they were first challenged for entry by the Yeoman Gaoler, as tradition has it, who was armed with his infamous axe!
The crew were then allowed through to Tower Green, accompanied by Beefeaters in red and gold State Dress and a Corps of Drums, to deliver the keg representing the Dues to the Tower’s Constable, General Lord Richard Dannatt.
You may also want to watch:
Historically, every ship arriving on the Thames to the City of London had to unload a portion of its cargo, usually a barrel of rum, for the Constable in order to “enjoy the protection of the Tower guns.”
The rum custom can be traced back to the 14th century—but none of the Constables have ever shown signs of wanting the tradition stopped!
Most Read
- 1 Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Whitechapel this morning
- 2 Fury as family homes vanish when Isle of Dogs landlord converts to bedsits
- 3 Man sentenced after teenage boy groomed on Snapchat to sell heroin
- 4 Two men arrested after police officers assaulted in Limehouse rave
- 5 Police hunt after stabbing in Cable Street: One man hurt
- 6 Airbnb house party violence leaves police officer with broken finger
- 7 'Racist consultation' protest rejected on Tower Hamlets street closures as Labour sticks to its manifesto
- 8 Leyton Orient boss is expecting more transfer movement in the window
- 9 Leyton Orient announce partnership with Hartford Athletic
- 10 Council fined for Alexia Walenkaki's playground death in Mile End and says sorry to family