What is it?

This Portland stone-carved ‘Yeoman of the Guard’ props up the left side of an immense fireplace mantle.  This particular Yeoman has a companion who carries out a similar duty on the fireplace’s right-hand side.

What’s its story?

Our frozen friend, the ‘Yeoman of the Guard’, was carved while the Queen’s Apartments were being fitted out in the early 18th-century. 

The Guard Chamber was where the Yeomen – soldiers responsible for guarding the sovereign’s private rooms in a palace – met courtiers on their way to meet the sovereign. Their job was to ensure that no ‘idle, mean or unknown persons’ would pass through into the more important rooms beyond.

Strangely, tradition has it that this sculpture used to be plumbed. Jets of water would be released through the eyes of the Yeomen on to unsuspecting visitors.

We are still investigating whether this was ever the case. Future visitors to Hampton Court should take note.