Page 20 - All About History - Issue 52-17
P. 20
Prisons
THE YEOMAN WARDER
Anatomy TOWER OF LONDON, UK,
of 1509-Present day
TUDOR STATE DRESS
FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS
The official red and gold uniform was
introduced in 1552 and consists of a knee-
length tunic, breeches, stockings, white
neck ruff and a brimmed hat called a
Tudor bonnet. Since 1858, this Tudor State MEDALS
Dress is only worn when the sovereign
visits the Tower or on state occasions. JOB REQUIREMENTS
The coat or tunic worn
as part of each uniform
has space for displaying
the wearer’s various
medals, as to become
UNDRESS UNIFORM must have served in the
a Yeoman Warder you
armed forces for at least
A STATE OF UNDRESS 22 years, be a former
For their day-to-day duties, the Warrant Officer, in
Warders wear a blue and red addition to holding the
frock coat featuring the initials Long Service and Good
of the current monarch, and Conduct Medal.
a matching cloth round hat
with a cockade (rosette) on the
front. This ‘undress uniform’
was granted to them by Queen EMBLEMS
Victoria in 1858.
FABULOUS FLORALS
Alongside the monarch’s
initials, the Tudor
State Dress features an
embroidered thistle, rose
KEYS the official floral emblems
and shamrock, which are
SECURE THE TOWER of Scotland, England and
Ireland. This represents
At exactly 9.53pm each day, the the three countries
Chief Yeoman Warder, dressed of Britain that the
in a red Tudor Watchcoat, monarch serves.
conducts the Ceremony of the
Keys. This traditional locking
of the Tower gates with the
Queen’s Keys has taken place
every night without fail for the
past 700 years.
SWORD
BELT CHANGING USE
When the Tower was used as
SPOT THE DIFFERENCE a royal residence and prison,
The Yeoman Warders wear an the Warders were responsible
almost identical state dress for protecting the monarch
uniform to the Yeoman of the and guarding the prisoners,
Guard, the bodyguards of the and so may have needed their
British Monarch. However it can sword on occasion. Today it is
be distinguished by the belt, more decorative, as their main
which is worn around the waist duties involve giving guided
of the Warders, and from the left tours and safeguarding the
© Kevin McGivern
shoulder of the Guards. Crown Jewels.
20
