The United Religious, Military and Masonic Orders of the Temple and of St John of Jerusalem, Palestine, Rhodes and Malta in England and Wales and Provinces Overseas

Province of Kent
No one lost their heads - a trip to the Tower of London

On Monday the 25th of September 2023 a party of Knights form the Preceptory of the Holy Trinity No.391 visited the ancient Ceremony of the Keys at the Tower of London.

The trip was organised by Kt. Alan Dobson. The party of Knights were lead into the Castle by Kt. Alan Dobson, followed by E.Kt. Gary Nash, E.Kt. Dennis Dean, Kt.Paul Edwards, Kt. Gary Phillips, Kt. Ray Armstead and Kt. Liam Lehane.

The party of Knights

The White Tower during the day

Getting safely through the Byward Tower (inner gate) we were then treated to a guided tour by one of the Yeoman Warders of the Tower who directed them around the Castle grounds in the dark to all the interesting stations including Traitors gate, the head chopping block (scaffold) where the Queens of England were executed, the Chapel Royal where the Queens are buried without their heads and in front of the White Tower the original Kings of England Palace, since William the Conqueror (1066).

The infamous Traitors Gate

The White Tower at night

Moving onto the headquarters of the Fusiliers, where the infamous Kray twins were held, one in each Tower and around the side of the White Tower to the Salt Tower, pausing for a well earned pint in the Keys bar. E.Kt. Gary Nash there won a crystal glass decanter in the raffle to raise funds for the resident Yeoman. Afterwards we meet by the Bloody Tower to witness the ancient Ceremony of the Keys, which involved a Yeoman Warder holding a Candle lantern and another Yeoman Warder holding the Keys, escorted by two armed Guards who all proceeded to lock up the outer wooden gate and then the Byward Tower Gate.

They then marched down the cobbled Water Lane of the Castle flanked by the armed members of the Guards who are all challenged by a patrolling Guard who demanded of them “halt who comes here?” responded to by the Yeoman Warders “The Keys”. The Guard says “Whose Keys?” Yeoman Guarder replies “King Charles Keys”. All members of the Ceremony then preceded up the Broad walk steps to the Cold Harbour Gate, where the Officer in charge of the Guards says to the Keys delegation “Present arms”. The Yeoman Warder holding the Keys proclaims “God Preserve King Charles” all said to this AMEN.

A Yeoman Warder

Finishing the ceremony was a solemn playing of the bugle by one of the Guards, sounding the final post.

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