Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London

Guarding the Tower

Yeoman Warders have been guarding the Tower of London since Tudor times.

Nicknamed ‘Beefeaters’, the Yeoman Body of 37 men and women are all drawn from the Armed Forces.

Who are the Yeoman Warders?

Yeoman Warders were originally part of the Yeoman of the Guard – the monarch’s personal, crack bodyguard who traveled with him everywhere.

Henry VIII decided that the Tower should be protected by part of the royal bodyguard.

These ‘Yeoman Warders’ were eventually granted the right to wear the splendid red uniform, which today is known as the state dress uniform and is worn on state occasions such as the monarch’s birthday. 

The more durable everyday dark blue ‘undress’ uniform was introduced in the 19^th century.

Today’s Yeoman Warders need to have at least 22 years’ military service.

Apart from that, they need to have reached the rank of warrant officer and to have been awarded the long service and good conduct medal.

They also need to be between 40 and 55 years old on appointment.

‘May you never die a Yeoman Warder’

New Yeoman Warders are ‘sworn in' during a centuries-old ceremony. Then they drink a toast of port, served in an 18^th-century pewter bowl. Tradition requires the Chief Yeoman Warder to toast all new recruits with the words ‘may you never die a Yeoman Warder’.

The origins of this rather odd toast can be found in the fact that by the early 19^th century the post of Yeoman Wards was being sold for 250 guineas. This would be returned to the Yeoman Warder on his retirement, with the balance kept by the Constable who hired him. But if the Yeoman Warder died in post, the Constable inherited the whole amount! However, the Duke of Wellington, who became Constable in 1826, abolished this purchase system.