A Guide to the Tower Ravens, of the Tower of London

For over 900 years these unique guardians have patrolled the Tower of London. According to legend, "Only so long as they stay, will the White Tower stand".

SPOT THE RAVEN
How many can you identify by their coloured leg-rings?
Name	Sex	Where From	Year
Hardey	male	Dorset	1981
Cedric	male	Lincolnshire	1987
Gwylum	male	Welsh Mountain Zoo	1988
Munin II	female	North Uist (Scotland)	1995
Hugine II	female	North Uist (Scotland)	1995
Odin	male	Hampshire	1995
Thor	male	Hampshire	1995

RAVEN TERRITORIES
These magnificent birds, large members of the genus Corvus, the crow family, respond only to the Ravenmaster and are likely to attack if approached too closely by anyone else. There is a complement of six birds plus reserves. They preside over four different territories within The Tower precincts. Tower Green Here, Anne Boleyn’s execution would have been observed by the ravens. Coldharbour The site of an early entrance to The Tower. Tower Steps Where the footsteps of William the Conqueror echoed 900 years ago. Roman Wall Londinium’s Roman walls, only the foundations of which remain.

Ravens born in the Tower
Year	Name	Home
1989	Ronnie	Lincolnshire
1990	Rex	Scotland
1990	Regina	Scotland
1990	Merlin	Lincolnshire
1990	Skye	Lincolnshire
1990	Thor	Cornwall
1991	Gog	Scotland
1991	Magog	Scotland
1991	Jackie	Wales

In common with many other members of the Crow family, ravens are eaters of carrion and live mostly on dead flesh. For many centuries, ravens have guarded The Tower of London. Legend has it that should the ravens ever leave, The White Tower would crumble and a great disaster would befall England. Fortunately, these respected residents, since the reign of King Charles II, have been protected by the royal decree. The fortunes of The Tower ravens reached their lowest point soon after World War II. With the disturbances of the bombing and the unresolved kidnapping of Mabel, only Raven Grip was left holding the fort! New recruits were soon on their way and The Tower had its full complement of birds. In recent years, we have proudly witnessed the birth of a new generation of ravens (see panel).