How To Train Your Raven!

The Tower of Londons Ravenmaster, Chris Skaife, introduces us to his little flock of entertaining black-feathered friends.

- Claire Saul

Should the ravens leave, the Tower of London will crumble into dust and great harm will befall the kingdom…

This familiar legend is referred to in an account of the time King Charles II visited the Tower to inspect some restoration work. Ravens had roosted in the turrets of its famous White Tower, much to the annoyance of the first Astronomer Royal.

“The ravens would fly around and interrupt his calculations. He complained to King Charles, who agreed to get rid of them,” explains the Tower Ravenmaster, Chris Skaife.

“The King agreed but then someone mentioned the old legend. Charles’ father had been executed and there had been a plague in London followed by the Great Fire in 1666, so he decided not to tempt fate and to keep six ravens here by royal decree.”

Reassuringly, six main ravens, plus one spare, still call the Tower of London home today. The most recent is Poppy, now six months old.

“Raven Poppy is settling in very well indeed,” says Chris, as she playfully tugs at the hem of his uniform. “She is enjoying being out and about now with the public and is learning her Tower skills from the other ravens.