London superstitions: The reason why the ravens can never leave the Tower of London

An ancient prophecy states that if the ravens leave the tower the kingdom will fall, and the tradition is still maintained today.

Transcript

00:00An ancient prophecy states that if the Ravens leave the Tower of London, the United Kingdom

00:07will fall. Friday the 13th is now with us, bringing with it a wealth of superstitions.

00:14Here in London there are several interesting fallacies that have shaped the working of

00:18the city. For example, did you know that one Canada Square doesn't have a 13th floor?

00:25One of the most famous London superstition dates back centuries when a different Charles

00:29was king. Legend has it that King Charles II, who reigned from 1660 to 1685, was told

00:37an ancient prophecy stating that if Ravens ever left the Tower of London, it would collapse,

00:43taking the entire kingdom with it. To prevent this disaster, he ordered the Ravens be kept

00:50at the Tower at all times. And today, there are usually 6 Ravens still kept at the Tower,

00:57though the exact number can vary. They are cared for by a Ravenmaster, a position that

01:03has been around for centuries and still exists, and their welfare is taken very seriously.

01:10The Ravens are provided with a special diet and have their own dedicated area within the

01:15Tower grounds. The superstition is that if the Ravens were to leave the Tower, it would

01:21signal the downfall of the monarchy or the country, and this belief is still rooted in

01:26the idea that the Ravens are guardians of the realm. Their presence is seen as a form

01:32of magical protection. To ensure the Ravens stay, their wings are clipped so they can't

01:38fly far from the Tower. This practice is done as humanely as possible to ensure their safety

01:44while maintaining the tradition. The Ravens have become an integral part of the Tower's

01:49attraction, drawing tourists who are fascinated by the legend.

01:53For more stories like this, head to LondonWorld.com