Beefeaters, or Yeoman Warders, are the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. They’ve been part of the Tower of London in one form or another since the 15th century. Though their duties have changed over time, they still serve largely ceremonial and administrative purposes.
The nickname “Beefeater” refers to their primary source of sustenance during the 16th century – they were given generous rations of beef by the Royal family as a perk of their service. The origin of the term is widely debated, but it is thought to have derived from either an Old French word “bouffeteur” meaning a “gourmand or eater of beef”, or “beefeater”, meaning one who serves or guards beef – possibly a corruption of “beef-eat-er”.
Today, the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London are seen as symbolic guardians of British history with an important role in Royal pageantry. They are easily recognizable by their iconic uniform, which includes distinctive scarlet and gold dress jackets, a Tudor bonnet hat, and famous “Beefeater” bearskin hat.
Are Beefeaters ex military?
Yes, Beefeaters (otherwise known as Yeoman Warders) are ex military. All Beefeaters must have served as a non-commissioned officer in the UK Armed Forces for a minimum of 22 years in order to qualify for the role.
They must also have an exemplary service record and completed a tour of duty overseas. Beefeaters are recruited from all three branches of the military – Army, Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force – and serve in the Royal Palaces for the British Monarch.
Each Beefeater is responsible for a specific part of the Tower of London’s security, and usually perform ceremonial duties as well. These include leading Tower tours, taking part in ceremonial events, and representing the Queen at state occasions.
Do you have to be ex military to be a Beefeater?
No, you do not have to be ex military to become a Beefeater. Although many of the current Yeoman Warders have military backgrounds, the post of Yeoman Warder is open to candidates from all walks of life.
The key qualities which are required are a commitment to delivering excellent customer service, the ability to blend accessible stories and historical anecdotes to enthrall an audience of all ages, and possessing great personal charisma.
Prospective candidates must also demonstrate their dedication to preserving the Tower of London’s iconic status as a world-famous tourist attraction. Careful consideration is given to the competencies of each applicant in order to ensure that the Tower’s unique culture is safeguarded for the future.
Are the Beefeaters active soldiers?
No, the Beefeaters, also known as Yeomen Warders, are not active soldiers. They are retired military or police personnel who perform ceremonial duties at the Tower of London. The title is said to have derived from their historical duty of monitoring the supply of beef to the court of the monarch.
Currently, the Beefeaters act in a role similar to a guard, securing the tower and its grounds and providing visitors with information about the historical building. They traditionally wear a distinctive red and gold uniform and march at the opening and closing of the Tower Gates twice a day.
Do Beefeaters carry loaded guns?
No, Beefeaters do not carry loaded guns. Beefeaters are the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London and are a part of the St. George’s Company of their Honorable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms. Although their traditional duties include caring for the ravens at the Tower of London and performing ceremonial duties at coronations and other State proceedings, they are not armed.
The Beefeaters do carry swords, but they are not loaded, nor are they functional weapons. According to the Tower of London website, the function of the sword is “purely symbolic as a sign of their royal service.”
The Beefeaters have a historical role in protecting the Tower of London and its grounds, but they operate without the need of loaded weapons.
What is the salary of a Beefeater?
The salary of a Beefeater, or a Yeoman Warder, is determined by the Ministry of Defence. Clinical Beefeater salaries range from an income of £22,055 to £28,424 for a 42-hour week. Those on a supervisory role as a Seargeant, or a Second Class, earn somewhere between £27,749 to £31,272.
Highly experienced Yeoman Warders of part of the Senior figures in the Tower of London, can earn between £32,438 to £45,787, depending on the grade and experience. However, this pay rate does not include any additional earnings from other activities, such as speaking and performing on public events, acting as a tour guide in the Tower of London, and other activities.
Beefeater staff are eligible for allowances, as well as a 15% London allowance and accommodation in the Tower of London.
The Beefeater is considered one of the most sought-after roles in the British government due to its rich history and prestige. When considering the wide range of benefits that comes with the position, it is clear that an individual employed as a Beefeater is provided with a strong salary, as well as a great benefits package.
What do Beefeaters do now?
Beefeaters—also known as Yeoman Warders—are senior warders at the Tower of London who were founded in 1485 by King Henry VII. Nowadays, Beefeaters are responsible for the welfare, security, and day-to-day running of the Tower of London, which is now a World Heritage Site and major tourist attraction.
They conduct guided tours of the Tower, answer visitors’ questions, and guard the tower’s state rooms, towers, and artillery.
Beefeaters also carry out ceremonial duties, such as attending the daily ceremony of the keys, at which they lock the tower’s gates every evening. On state occasions, they also have the duty of searching dignitaries when they visit the Tower.
This tradition dates back to when the Beefeaters would search visitors to make sure they were not bringing weapons into the Tower.
The official title of a Beefeater is Yeoman Warder of the Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard. They must be former Warrant Officers or Non-Commissioned Officers in the British Armed Forces with an honorable service record of at least 22 years.
The Beefeaters live in the Tower and most of them reside with their families in apartments located in the Byward Tower. Their uniform is a raven-emblazoned red and gold tunic.
What age do Beefeaters have to retire?
The minimum retirement age for all Beefeaters at the Tower of London is 65. Upon reaching the age of 65, a Beefeater would complete their final tour as a Beefeater and then retire. After retirement, the Beefeater’s role is taken up by another soldier or former soldier who has served their country.
The appointment as a Beefeater is for life, and therefore, it is expected of all Beefeaters to continue to live up to their oath of service and dedication, and remain loyal to the Tower’s governance even after their retirement.
To keep the connection to the Tower of London, the retired Beefeaters are allowed to visit up to three times a year and join in the state occasions. The Tower authorities also hold an annual reunion for all retired Beefeaters, and the family of the retired eefeaters who have passed away.
The annual reunion serves to honour the rich history and duty of the Beefeaters.
How many Lady Beefeaters are there?
At present there are six female Yeoman Warders (aka “Beefeaters”) at the Tower of London, which dates back to the 11th century. When there are more than six, one female Yeoman Warder is given the title of Chief Warder.
The Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London have been known as ‘Beefeaters’ since the 1500s, a term which derives from the French word ‘bouffetier’, meaning ‘a taster of beef’. There have been female Yeoman Warders since the early 1990s, the first being Audrey London-Williams in 1993.
She was followed by Wendy Hargreaves in 2009. The other four female Yeoman Warders are Katherine Bruges (1999), Kristen Gudgin (2002), Nicole Webber (2008) and Abi Silvester (2011).
Are Tower of London guards armed?
Yes, Tower of London guards are armed. The guards that are stationed around the Tower of London are part of the Queen’s Guard – a regiment of the British Army. This means that all members of the Queen’s Guard have undergone extensive emergency and firearms training and are proficient in the use of firearms.
All guards are armed with a Short Magazine Lee–Enfield (SMLE) rifle. This is a rifle issued to soldiers during WWI and is a bolt-action rifle with a magazine capacity of 10 rounds. Although the British Army has more modern rifles, they continue to use the SMLE to maintain the historical tradition at the Tower of London.
The rifle is equipped with a sword bayonet, which is uncomfortable for the guards to have slung around their necks, so many guards opt to have their rifles slung across their chests. This uniform look is not only to maintain tradition and a sense of respect for the Queen’s Guard, but also as a way to show that the Tower of London is serious about security.
What is a Queen’s Guard called?
A Queen’s Guard is the name given to members of a ceremonial guard unit that are responsible for guarding the official royal residences in the United Kingdom. Traditionally, they have been composed of longstanding infantry and cavalry regiments of the British Army, as well guards of the Household Cavalry.
These regiments are all under the control of the Sovereign, who personally inspects the guard on a regular basis.
Queen’s Guards are recognizable by their distinctive uniforms which include a scarlet tunic and a bearskin hat. The ceremonial duties of the Queen’s Guard are largely symbolic, although they are responsible for the security of the Sovereign and the Royal Palaces.
They are often seen ceremoniously carrying bayonets and muskets, which symbolizes readiness for combat. The Queen’s Guard must remain fully alert during their shifts, which may last up to ten hours.
Queen’s Guards must also adhere to a strict code of conduct and maintain a particularly professional bearing. Part of their role involves performing military drills such as the handing of arms and other parade ground ceremonies.
They also provide a welcoming presence, as they regularly greet members of the public, taking part in ceremonial activities such as Trooping the Colour, a famous pageant that marks the Official Birthday of the Sovereign.
Today, the Queen’s Guard is composed of the Household Division, an elite group of regiments which perform ceremonial duties in addition to their usual military roles. The five regiments which make up the Household Division are the Grenadier, Coldstream, Scots, Irish and Welsh Guards.
Each regiment has its own unique music and traditions, and each guard must wear an insignia that identifies which regiment they are from.
What are Beefeaters really called?
Beefeaters are officially known as Yeomen Warders of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the Queen’s Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary. They were originally known as Beefeaters because the primary responsibility of the warders during the reign of Henry VII was to taste the King’s meat to ensure it was not poisoned.
The phrase ‘Beefeater’ has come to symbolize the Tower and its history. The Yeoman Warders are still active duty members of the British Armed Forces and are subject to be called to active service. As well as being the guardians of the Tower, the Yeomen Warders provide daily tours for visitors.
The current Yeomen Warders are retired non-commissioned officers, who remain in the Reserves and are still liable to call up if needed.
Are there any black Beefeaters?
No, there are currently no black Beefeaters, but there is a push to diversify the role. The Tower of London is known for its iconic Yeoman Warders, also known as “Beefeaters”, who have been guarding the Tower for over 500 years.
For most of that time, the Beefeaters have been all white men. However, in recent years the Yeoman Warders Association has been pushing for greater diversification and the Tower of London has the goal to eventually have a representative of the UK’s diversity amongst their ranks.
In 2019, a campaign was launched to reach out to communities and schools to increase the level of diversity among Beefeaters. The Tower of London is now actively encouraging applications from women, disabled individuals, and people from all ethnic backgrounds.
Although they haven’t specifically reached out to the black community, they have been investing in research and have implemented diversity practices in their interviewing and recruitment process.
Although there are currently no black Beefeaters, it is encouraging to see efforts from the Yeoman Warders Association to diversify the Tower of London’s iconic guards. Hopefully, in the coming years the Tower of London will be home to warders from all racial backgrounds.
What’s the difference between Beefeater and Yeoman?
Beefeater and Yeoman are two titles used for people that work for the British Crown, but the two roles have different responsibilities. Beefeater is the more well known title and is used to refer to the ceremonial guards of the Tower of London.
Beefeater’s are commonly called the Beefeaters, and the job entails keeping watch over the Tower of London, its prisoners, and the Crown Jewels. They are required to participate in formal ceremonies, to give guided tours, and to provide information about the Tower of London.
Yeoman, on the other hand, is a more ancient title, usually referring to either a member of the royal bodyguard or a royal messenger. The job of a Yeoman is to perform duties as ordered by the monarch, such as carrying out royal ceremonies or delivering messages to other royal households.
Unlike Beefeater’s, Yeoman’s are not associated with the Tower of London, and they do not have to dress in the iconic brightly coloured uniforms.
What does the ER on the Beefeaters uniform mean?
The ER on the Beefeaters uniform stands for Elizabeth Regina, which is Latin for “Elizabeth the Queen”. It is a reference to Elizabeth I, who served as the queen of England from 1558 to 1603, and who is credited with creating the order of the Beefeaters in 1583 as an honor to her court favorites.
The Beefeaters were originally tasked with protecting the royalty and the Tower of London itself and are known for their signature uniforms which feature the ER to symbolize the reign of the current reigning monarch in Britain, who, at the time of this writing, is Queen Elizabeth II.
Today, the uniform, which includes a Viking helmet and skirt, is still worn by the Yeoman Warders of the Tower of London who are tasked with protecting the Tower as well as offering guided tours.
