London Bridge is Falling Down...(part II)

This is what happens when you let men decorate! They are now in the armory at the Tower of London, however these columns were actually in a home (forgive me, I forget which one, but I'm guessing it wasn't frequented by the Mrs.)

"Ok mama, I'll keep a close eye out for the Queen's Guard. Bright red coats and tall, bear skin hats? Got it, I'm watching closely! I'm sure I'll see them any second now." (just kidding) These guards are marching towards their next station, a small changing of the guards.

I don't actually know what they are guarding, and come to think of it, nobody told us. Hmmm...

On the way back from changing guards. This picture is in the keep yard of the Tower of London; it looks like a little town. There are homes, a church, a forge, and gardens.

The kids with the guard in front of the Crown Jewel display. Seeing that many diamonds made me a bit light headed! Brittany said, "So, when the Queen needs her jewels she can just drive down here to get them?" You wouldn't believe the size of the golden punch bowl she owns!

This was the main gate into the Tower of London, they would sail right up to it from the River Thames. It used to have a different name, but since many of the prisoners were sent to the Tower for treachery the gate was renamed "Traitors Gate". Today the river is blocked from reaching up to the gate. By the way, only those of noble birth were brought to the Tower of London, this was not a prison for the ordinary bloke.

This was our tour guide, a Yoeman, or Beefeater, as they were nicknamed. He is among a few hundred men who have served as these special guards since the Tower was built. The yoemen and their families are the only residence at the Tower today. They got the nickname of Beefeater hundreds of years ago when, as part of their pay, they were given beef joints on a regular basis. The common man, at that period, couldn't afford meat very often. The meat isn't included in their benefits today, but how cool would that be to give your address as "The Tower of London" ?