Ceremony of the Keys??
Jan 17th, 2005, 10:28 AM
#2
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We attended the ceremony in December when it was pitch dark. The only light was from the guard's lantern, which was feeble by modern standards.
The ceremony is relatively brief and what it amounts to is locking the main gate to the Tower of London. If you are not into British customs and pagentry, I would say skip it.
My son was 16 at the time and he thought it was neat. There was a brief moment that got everyone's attention when the head warder showed us that the gate was indeed locked. So the next problem was to get out before morning.
The ceremony is relatively brief and what it amounts to is locking the main gate to the Tower of London. If you are not into British customs and pagentry, I would say skip it.
My son was 16 at the time and he thought it was neat. There was a brief moment that got everyone's attention when the head warder showed us that the gate was indeed locked. So the next problem was to get out before morning.
Jan 17th, 2005, 10:49 AM
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We did this when our kids were 10 and we all thought it was a very unique experience. We returned to the Tower of London the next day for the full tour and spent a full day, but we still were glad that we attended the ceremony.
Jan 17th, 2005, 10:54 AM
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I also thought it was fine - a bit corny, cold... not the amazing experience I've seen described. If it fits into your schedule easily enough - go for it (it isn't very long as to bore anyone).. and if you miss it... no worries. I wouldn't do it again.
Jan 17th, 2005, 11:36 AM
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It is a unique experience and amazing that it has gone on the same every night for hundereds of years. It was one of the few things that our hard to please trio of teeage girls found interesting. You must apply for tickets in advance. The summer we attended it took about a month for them to arrive. And it was nice to be there at night with a rather small group of people after touring the tower with the summer crowds. I say, do it and have fun.
Jan 17th, 2005, 12:47 PM
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I will say that I loved the experience, but felt that it was "rehearsed" but I guess if you're repeating the same words that have been repeated for centuries, unchanged, I guess it would feel rehearsed. Also, you can't seem to extract yourself from their ritual which makes it seem like theatre. But just knowing that you're standing on a site that has been there for nearly 1000 years is unfathomable. I love the Tower! I can't miss it any time I'm in London.
Jan 17th, 2005, 01:10 PM
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tudorprincess, I understand what you are saying about it feeling like theater. But I think the difference is that although they are allowing a few of us to watch, they do it regardless of our watching.
The Changing of the Guard is done (mostly) to entertain tourists. They even do it more often during the heavy tourist season.
The Ceremony of the Keys is done for the tradition and the people that are doing it.
Keith
The Changing of the Guard is done (mostly) to entertain tourists. They even do it more often during the heavy tourist season.
The Ceremony of the Keys is done for the tradition and the people that are doing it.
Keith
Jan 17th, 2005, 01:14 PM
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Keith, I kept trying to imagine them doing the same thing when no one was there to watch and that really was the only way I found it believable. I know this wasn't an act but it's so hard to discern between the two nowadays, isn't it? However, I really did enjoy it.
