3-086-758 - Ware in the World/Heritage Images

Ceremony of the Keys, Tower of London, c1955. Ancient ritual, held every evening when the main gates are locked for the night. It is said to be the oldest extant military ceremony in the world. The Yeoman Warder first locks the outer gate and then the gates of the Middle and Byward Towers. The Warder and escort march down Water Lane, until they reach the Bloody Tower archway where a sentry challenges the party to identify themselves: Sentry: "Halt! Who comes there?" Chief Warder: "The keys". Sentry: "Whose keys?" Chief Warder: "King Charles's [ie current monarch's] keys". Sentry: "Pass King Charles's Keys. All's well".