Lastnightstony

Made a visit to one of the World Heritage sites and the oldest parts of this historical city, the Tower of London.So this delightful gentleman is one of the Tower guides. There have been Tower guides for centuries and they still live on the site with their families. You could even see their laundry airing on the back side of the armory. This fellow explained several tales of history that all included death, murder and beheadings. Including the one about James Scott who required not one or two, but five chops to the neck to get that head off. James Scott (I think that was his name) was the son of a king. He did something to earn a beheading, could not have been much because everyone was getting the chop in those days (1650’s).

The poor guy was royalty, but the admin folks at the tower had no portrait of him on record. When they figured it out they tried to stop the whole thing after three chops. After the off’d him they tried to make ammends by putting the body in a nice chair. They reattached the head and got some one in there to give him a proper portrait. His body resides to this day, in a chair at the National Gallery apparently.After a few more tales of woe, they set us off to explore the grounds. There are no photos allowed to be taken of the Crown Jewels. They are pretty amazing. Septors and swords made of gold and jewels. Crowns with all the goods and incredible detail and craftsmanship. Extremely ornate bowls and plates all of gold. This stuff is guarded 24/7 and is locked behind a steal door that is at least three feet thick.  All the kings horses.  Old timey head chopper.