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What is the history of the Beefeater?
Commonly known as Beefeaters, the elaborately uniformed Yeomen were introduced in 1485 by Henry VII to help guard the Tower – then a cobbled complex where not only prisoners and princes, but also hundreds of residents, lived.
Why do Beefeaters wear red?
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.
What is the ER on Beefeater uniform?
In addition to those, the initials ER are present on the chest of the tunic. They stand for ‘Elizabeth Regina’ (Queen Elizabeth in Latin), about the present Queen; Elizabeth the Second. The general attire of the Yeoman Warders is dark blue and red as granted in 1858 by Queen Victoria.
Why do Beefeaters wear big hats?
Answer: The origins are that every gunner in the British military and the French military wore bearskin caps to make them taller and more intimidating because they were the ones that did the hand to hand fighting. In Napoleon’s imperial guard everybody wore them, and they were supposed to be his elite troops.
How much does a Beefeater uniform cost?
Fuller’s family, including two children, have joined him. He has already been fitted out with his two “undress” blue uniforms – at £1,000 each – for everyday wear and the full Tudor state dress uniform, worn on ceremonial occasions, which costs £10,000.
What is a Beefeater hat called?
It’s called a ‘bearskin’, a type of ceremonial military cap that dates back to the 17th century. And yes, despite some controversy, the bearskin is exactly as its name suggests. Bearskin hats are made from the skin of American black bears, taken annually during the Black Bear Cull in Canada.
Is Beefeater a gin?
Beefeater Gin is a brand of gin owned by Pernod Ricard and bottled and distributed in the United Kingdom, by the company of James Burrough. Beefeater remained in the Burrough’s family control until 1987.
How much do Beefeaters get paid?
Employed by Historic Royal Palaces, you can expect a salary of around £30,000 and accommodation in the Tower for you and your family – but you do have to pay rent (and council tax!) for the privilege, and it isn’t subsidised.
Where did the name Beefeater originate?
Where does the name Beefeater originate from? The name Beefeaters is often thought to come from the French word – ‘buffetier’. (Buffetiers were guards in the palace of French kings. They protected the king’s food.)
Do Beefeaters pay rent?
The corps of 37 Beefeaters, including at least two women, work at the tower and live on site with their families. The guards pay rent and other bills and even have access to their own private pub known as the Yeoman Warders Club, where they take turns working at the bar.
Why do Greek soldiers march funny?
The tale goes that when a young King Otto moved from Bavaria to Greece to take the throne, he could no longer hear the sounds he loved – that of horses. So he made his guards walk in this fashion to replicate the sound and therefore, make him feel like he was closer to home.