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Moira Cameron is the first Yeoman Warder, otherwise known as a beefeater, in the more than 500 years of the Tower of London’s notorious history. The Tower is home of the Crown Jewels and one of London’s major tourist attractions drawing 2.5 million visitors a year. The Yeoman Warders are the traditional guards and now have additional duty as tourist guides.
Moira Cameron has mastered the Ceremony of the Keys, the Tower of London's nightly locking-up ritual of crying "Halt, who goes there?" to challenge the Chief Yeoman Warder. However, she's still learning the bloody history of the Tower to prepare for the demanding duty of guiding tours. The Tower, arguably Britain's most famous historic site, was founded by King William I shortly after he conquered England in 1066. Henry III started his coronation procession from the Tower in 1236, a royal tradition that persisted into the 17th century.
Famous prisoners at the Tower have included Sir Walter Raleigh, three times; Guy Fawkes, who tried to blow up Parliament; Hitler's deputy Rudolf Hess; Roger Casement, later executed for his role in plotting an Irish uprising during World War I; Samuel Pepys, the diarist accused of selling naval secrets to the French; and Princess Elizabeth, the future Queen Elizabeth I.
Two wives of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, were beheaded at the Tower.
(iht)
References: news.yahoo, iht
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