The Geezers watch the Ceremony of the Keys

The Tower of London at Night

It was a cold, wet, windy night on Weds 28th December but that didn’t deter a small group of Geezers from experiencing this 700 year old ceremony at the Tower of London. This is an awesome historical experience, well worth attending.

The Bow Geezers visiting the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London Weds 28th Dec 2022
The Geezers visiting the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London Weds 28th Dec 2022

The gates must been locked nightly since the White Tower was completed in 1070. The guard tower, the Byward Tower, on the left in my photo below, was completed in 1280. It was the job of the “Gentleman Porter” to lock up each night.

The Byward Tower (left) completed around 1280
The Byward Tower (left) completed around 1280

But I read that in December 1340 King Edward III arrived unannounced at the Tower one night and walked straight in – it was all open. He was very angry. Security was tightened up! The Ceremony of the Keys was established. The gates were locked every night at sunset and unlocked at sunrise. Since 1826 the gates have always been closed at 10pm. The Ceremony of the Keys has continued every night since 1340 including one night in WW2 when it was delayed by a bomb going off.

The Geezers visiting the Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London Weds 28th Dec 2022
The Geezers enjoying a night out at the Tower

As you might guess there’s a waiting list to book a visit to watch the Ceremony of the Keys.

The White Tower at Night

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