The Tower of London's Raven Master

Yeoman Derrick Coyle lives with forty other Yeoman Warders in the Tower of London and has the unique assignment of Raven Master. He does not necessarily believe the legend that if the feathered residents left the Tower, then England would fall. But, on the other hand, he is not taking any chances. “The only time the Tower has been without the ravens" protection was during the blitz of WWII, and London was heavily bombed”, said Coyle. Now we keep at least six ravens at the Tower and a couple in reserve – just be to be sure!”

The ravens at the Tower are known to be particularly mischievous and will swoop down to take a ribbon out of a girl’s hair and then strut around the inner castle walls mimicking the voices of those around them. They are fed extremely well with approximately 6 oz of raw meat a day and a bird formula biscuit soaked in blood.

“Sometimes, it’s difficult to get the ravens into their cages at night, but I have a little trick, said Coyle. “There is a pecking order so to speak, and the dominant raven will challenge me sometimes. I simply get the light behind me, pull out my cloak as though I have wings and the raven thinks I’m a large bird and retreats to his cage” Coyle said with a smile.

There have been some escapees from the Tower. Hugine took advantage one day of a warm, wind updraft and sailed over the Tower walls. He was found walking in the middle of a busy street in London. When shoppers realized it was a raven from the Tower, they completely surrounded the bird until he could be taken back home. This situation obviously caused a tremendous traffic jam, but the motorists in London were wonderful and very understanding. Were they just being kind or were they reminded of the ancient legend and they were not taking any chances?