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 | Six candidates interviewed for a vacancy amongst the Beefeaters at the Tower of London, and the position was offered to . . . a woman! Moira Cameron, 42, from Argyll in Scotland said she was "immensely proud" to have secured the role she will take up in July. In order to fulfill her role as tour guide, Ms. Cameron must learn all about the Tower's 900-year history. She appears in her present Warrant Officer 2 uniform. |
| Ms. Cameron has spend the required 22 years serving in the forces. In the role of yeoman warder, she will have the use of a subsidised apartment in the Tower of London. That's an exclusive address! |  |
Ms. Cameron will be a "Yeoman Warder of Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Member of the Sovereign's Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary" - commonly known as a "Beefeater."
The name Beefeaters is thought to come from the French word - buffetier. Buffetiers were guards in the palace of French kings. They protected the king's food. It is also thought that the name had something to do with the daily ration of meat they received.
Beefeaters were originally established in 1485 as King Henry VII's bodyguard. They are most famous for being responsible for the supervision and care for State Prisoners. Beefeaters also attend the Coronation of the Sovereign, lying-in-state, the Lord Mayor's Show and other ceremonial occasions. They are responsible for the Tower's ravens - six coal-black birds which, according to legend, must always reside in the Tower to ensure the future of the kingdom of England. There are 35 Yeoman Warders at the Tower plus the Chief Yeoman Warder and Yeoman Gaoler.
There are two beefeater uniforms.
The ceremonial uniform is worn for State occasions, and consists of a knee-length scarlet tunic, scarlet knee-breeches and stockings, a white neck ruff, and a round-brimmed hat called a Tudor bonnet. The uniform includes the three emblems of the thistle, rose and shamrock, and the initials ER.
Beefeaters working at the Tower of London usually wear the blue undress uniform. Moira Cameron's uniform will differ only from her male colleagues' in order to fit her properly.
New Yeoman Warders swear an oath of allegiance that dates back to 1337. After the ceremony, the health of the new beefeater is traditionally toasted by the chief yeoman warder.
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