The Ceremony of the Keys (1, 500)

The Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower is a very interesting tradition. Every night at 9.53 p.m. the Chief Warder of the Tower of London lights a candle lantern and makes his way towards the Bloody Tower. In the Archway his Escort joins him and they move off to lock the West Gate and the Towers. Then they all return to the Bloody Tower and there they are halted by the challenge of the sentry. “Halt!” he commands. “Who goes there?” The Chief Warder answers, “The Keys”. The sentry demands, “Whose keys?” “Queen Elizabeth’s Keys”, replies the Chief Warder. “Advance, Queen Elizabeth’s Keys. All is well”, commands the sentry. The party then faces the main Guard of the Tower who orders to “Present Arms”. The Chief Warder doffs his Tudor-style bonnet and cries, “God preserve Queen Elizabeth”. “Amen”, answers the Guard. Then the Chief Warder proceeds to the Queen’s House, where the keys are given into the custody of the Resident Governor and Major.

The Ceremony of the Keys dates back 800 years and has taken place every night during that period, even during the blitz of London in the last war.

The custodians of the Tower, the Yeomen Warders, known as “Beefeaters”, wear a state dress uniform consisting of funny flat hats, trousers bound at the knee, and the royal monogram on their breast. These traditional medieval clothes make the old castle look still more fantastic and theatrical. Nowadays these Yeomen Warders act as guides taking tourists around the Tower and telling them numerous histories and legends associated with this place. Usually they are veterans of the Second World War.

A number of ravens have their home at the Tower. There is a superstition that when the ravens fly away, the Tower will fall down and that will be the sign of the downfall of the British Empire. Because of this superstition the wings of the ravens are regularly clipped.

Notes

1) give into the custody – дать на сохранение;

2) make one’s way – направиться;

3) to doff – снимать шляпу в знак приветствия;

4) challenge of the sentry – оклик часового;

5) to present arms – взять на караул.

Learn the key words and expressions.

associate – связывать

beefeater – солдат охраны лондонского Тауэра

blitz – бомбардировка

breast – грудь

clip – подрезать крылья