The internet presented me with a report from the Plymouth Herald about the presentation of the Constable’s Dues this week at The Tower of London. The barrel of port on this occasion was presented by H M Royal Marines as part of their 360th anniversary celebrations - a doubly appropriate presentation as the Constable is a Marine himself.
The illustrated article can be seen at Royal Navy Marines deliver barrel of port marking Corp's 360th anniversary
1 comment:
The Constable of the Tower once had much more lucrative additional dues on account of something called the Liberties of the Tower:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberties_of_the_Tower_of_London
This, I gather, were dues payable by owners of domestic and commercial property in the area round the Tower walls which could be covered by a bowshot, and longbows could fire arrows quite a distance!
I seem to recall a few years ago that a recent constable became aware of this and, doubtless rubbing his hands in glee at the thought of all that lovely lolly pouring in to his coffers from City companies, started making arrangements to reinstate the payments. But sadly, the Liberties had been abolished in 1894.
Regards
John R Ramsden
jhnrmsdn@yahoo.co.uk
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