You’ve probably heard the story. It’s the one everyone tells when they stand on the cobblestones of the Tower of London, looking up at those massive, coal-black birds. Legend says that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the Kingdom will fall. It’s a heavy burden for a handful of birds that mostly spend their time trying to steal snacks from tourists’ pockets. But here’s the thing: most of what we "know" about the ravens of the Tower of London is actually a bit of a Victorian marketing stunt, or at least a very clever bit of myth-making that didn't start nearly as long ago as the Yeoman Warders might lead you to believe.
Where did the legend actually start?
If you ask the average guide, they’ll point to Charles II. The story goes that his royal astronomer, John Flamsteed, complained that the ravens were pooping on his telescope and getting in the way of his observations of the stars. Charles, being a man of superstition—or perhaps just tired of the complaining—decreed that six ravens must remain at the Tower at all times to prevent the monarchy from collapsing.
It's a great story. Honestly, it's perfect.
But if you dig into the archives, there’s basically zero record of this happening in the 17th century. Dr. Geoffrey Parnell, who was the Tower’s official historian for years, found that the first mentions of these "legendary" birds don't really pop up until the late 1800s. Before that, ravens were just... birds. They were common scavengers in London. They hung around the Tower because, frankly, it was a pretty gross place with plenty of food scraps and, occasionally, the remains of executions. It wasn't a "royal decree" that kept them there; it was the buffet.
By the time the Victorian era rolled around, people were obsessed with Gothic atmosphere and ancient traditions. The Tower staff likely leaned into the raven stories to add a bit of "spook factor" for the growing number of tourists. It worked. Today, the ravens are as much a part of the British brand as the Crown Jewels or the Beefeaters themselves.
Meet the current residents
The Tower doesn't just have any old ravens. They are specific individuals with distinct personalities, and they are cared for by the Ravenmaster—a role currently held by Barney Chandler. As of my last check, the "parliament" includes birds like Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar, and Branwen.
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They aren't just decorative.
Ravens are incredibly smart. We’re talking "solve multi-step puzzles and remember your face for years" smart. In fact, research by cognitive biologists like Thomas Bugnyar has shown that ravens possess a level of social intelligence that rivals some primates. At the Tower, this manifests in birds that have learned how to open latches on cages or mimic the sounds of the Yeoman Warders’ whistles.
The life of a Tower raven
Life for these birds is pretty posh, all things considered. They live on a diet that would make a wild bird jealous. We’re talking about fresh heart, liver, and beef soaked in bird blood, plus the occasional rabbit carcass (fur and all, which is good for their digestion). Sometimes they get biscuits soaked in blood as a treat. It sounds morbid, but for a corvid, it’s a five-star Michelin meal.
They aren't "pets," though.
While they have their wings trimmed slightly—a process called "clipping" that is painless, similar to cutting hair—to keep them from flying across the Thames and getting lost, they are still wild animals. They can be grumpy. They bite. If you get too close with a finger, you’re likely to lose a bit of skin. They’ve even been known to "fire" themselves from the Tower. In 2021, a raven named Merlina, who was a fan favorite for years, went missing and was eventually presumed dead. It was a genuine moment of mourning for the Tower staff because these birds are essentially colleagues.
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The Ravenmaster’s secret burden
Being the Ravenmaster isn't just about tossing meat to birds at dawn. It’s a 24/7 job that requires a deep understanding of avian psychology. Barney Chandler and his team have to manage the social dynamics of the group. Just like humans, ravens don't always get along. There are hierarchies. There are feuds.
If two ravens decide they hate each other, the Ravenmaster has to figure out how to keep them separated so they don't injure one another. It's basically like being a high school principal, but for very large, very sharp-beaked teenagers.
Breeding and the future
For a long time, the Tower just brought in ravens from the wild or from breeders. But recently, they’ve started a successful internal breeding program. This is a big deal. It means the ravens of the Tower of London are now being born and raised within the walls they are destined to protect.
In 2019, the first chicks were born at the Tower in over 30 years. It was a massive win for the conservation efforts there. These chicks are handled from a young age to ensure they are comfortable around the throngs of tourists who descend on the Tower every day, though they still maintain that aloof, "I'm better than you" raven attitude.
Why the legend persists (Even if it’s fake)
So, if the legend of Charles II is probably a Victorian fabrication, why do we still care? Why does the British government keep a "spare" raven just in case?
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Because symbols matter.
The Tower of London is a place where history feels heavy. You can see the scratch marks in the stone made by prisoners hundreds of years ago. In a place that has seen so much change—the Blitz, the rise and fall of empires, the transition from a fortress to a tourist trap—the ravens are a constant. They represent a link to a grittier, more mysterious past.
Even during World War II, when the Tower was being bombed and the raven population dwindled to just one (a bird named Grip), Winston Churchill gave orders to bring in more ravens from the Welsh mountains to bring the numbers back up. He knew that in times of crisis, people need something to believe in, even if it's just a black bird on a green lawn.
What you need to know before you visit
If you’re planning to head to London to see the ravens of the Tower of London for yourself, don’t expect them to just sit there like statues. They move around. You’ll find them near the Wakefield Tower or the White Tower.
- Don't feed them. Seriously. They are on a strict diet and your ham sandwich will actually make them sick.
- Watch your bags. They are notorious thieves. If you leave a backpack open, they will fish out your keys or your shiny souvenir.
- Listen closely. They mimic sounds. Sometimes you’ll hear a raven make a sound like a creaking door or a human cough. It’s not a ghost; it’s just Georgie messing with you.
- Go early. The birds are most active in the morning. By mid-afternoon, they’re often tucked away in their favorite nooks or being fed in their night enclosures.
How to support the Tower ravens
The Tower of London is managed by Historic Royal Palaces (HRP), a charity that receives no funding from the Government or the Crown. They rely entirely on visitors and donations. If you want to make sure the ravens stay well-fed and the legend stays alive, the best thing you can do is actually pay for a ticket and go see them.
Beyond that, you can follow the Ravenmaster on social media. They often post updates on the birds' health and new arrivals, which is a great way to see the "behind the scenes" of their care without having to dodge the London rain.
The ravens aren't just birds; they are the living heartbeat of the Tower. Whether the Kingdom would actually fall without them is a question nobody really wants to test. For now, they seem perfectly happy to stay right where they are, as long as the beef and rabbit keep coming.
Actionable Steps for your visit:
- Book your tickets in advance: The Tower of London sells out fast, especially in summer. Use the official Historic Royal Palaces website.
- Locate the Raven Shop: There is a specific area near the raven enclosures where you can learn more about their individual histories.
- Talk to a Yeoman Warder: Don't just take a selfie. Ask them about the "Raven of the Month." They usually have great stories about which bird is currently causing the most trouble.
- Check the Ravenmaster’s schedule: Sometimes there are public talks specifically about the birds. These are goldmines for actual facts that go deeper than the standard tour script.