Summary: Documentary produced for a general audience about the various traditional ceremonies conducted at the Tower of London, including the Royal Gun Salute, the inauguration of the Constable of the Tower and Yeoman Warders, and the Ceremony of the Keys.
Description: Opens with a brief introduction to the Tower of London and its place in history as a fortress, tower, palace and prison, and in modern times as a major tourist attraction. Four ceremonies at the Tower are then looked at in detail.
i. The Royal Gun Salute: Members of the Honourable Artillery Company are responsible for the firing of the Royal Gun Salute from the Tower grounds. 21 guns are usually fired in a Royal salute from a Royal residence. However, at the Tower of London, 62 guns are fired on Royal anniversaries and 41 on Royal or state occasions. 62 gun salutes are fired on the following occasions: the anniversary of Accession, Coronation, Birthday (and official birthday) of the Sovereign, the birthday of Sovereign's Consort, and the birthdays of the Sovereign's parents. A 62 gun salute is also fired on the death of the Sovereign or their Consort, one round every 60 seconds for each year of the individual's life. 41 gun salutes are fired on the following occasions: State Opening of Parliament, a State Visit, and Royal births.
ii. Constable of the Tower inauguration ceremony: The Constable of the Tower of London is the most senior official at the Tower of London. The lavish inauguration ceremony in which the Lord Chamberlain presents the new Constable with the keys to the Tower, takes place on Tower Hill.
iii. Yeoman Warder inauguration ceremony: Yeoman Warders act as custodians of the Tower, maintaining the Tower's security, and providing assistance to visitors.
iv. The Ceremony of the Keys: Each night at 10pm, the elaborate Ceremony of the Keys is performed by the Chief Warder with armed escorts, ensuring that the Tower is secure for the night.
Production Details: Department of the Environment (Production sponsor)
United Motion Pictures (Production company)
Hinchliffe, Barry (Production individual)
Ross, AlanFamily origin: Calcutta, India; Falmouth, Cornwall (Production individual)
Nunn, John (Production individual)
Taylor, Keith (Production individual)
Vigars, Paul (Production individual)
Gaffney, Peter (Production individual)
Cooper, Derek (Production cast)
Personalities, Units and Organisations:
Keywords:
Physical Characteristics: Colour format: Colour
Sound format: Sound
Soundtrack language: English
Title language: English
Technical Details: Format: 16mm
Number of items/reels/tapes: 1
Footage: 1000ft; Running time: 25 mins
