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