AGENCY
London.- The ancient prophecy that links ravens with the British monarchy has become relevant again after the recent death of one of these emblematic birds in the Tower of London. According to legend dating back to the reign of Charles II, if the ravens leave the Tower, the structure will fall and, with it, the British monarchy.
The last deceased crow, named Gripp, was found with its head trapped in its cage before being attacked by other birds. This incident marks the third death of a crow in the last three years at the historic fort, which some consider a bad omen. Gripp joins Erin and Rex, who died in 2022 and 2024, respectively. However, despite these losses, the number of ravens in the Tower always remains at six, as they are quickly replaced to fulfill the prophecy.
The responsibility of caring for the ravens falls to the Yeomen Warders, known as the guardians of the Tower of London. One of them, Michael “Barney” Chandler, is the current “master of the crows,” a position he assumed in March. Chandler, a former commander of the Royal Marines, takes his job very seriously, as legend suggests that the future of the monarchy depends on his task.
Dressed in his signature black and red uniform, Chandler leads a team of four people charged with caring for, feeding and monitoring the birds on a daily basis. Although he had no prior interest in crows, he has developed a deep appreciation for them, describing them as animals of “extreme intelligence” and with unique personalities.
The Tower of London ravens are more than just birds; They are living symbols of a tradition that has endured for centuries. Although they are allowed to fly during the day, they rarely stray far from the Tower, as their keepers clip some feathers from their wings to limit their ability to fly. This measure, along with constant care, allows them to live up to 20 years in captivity, much longer than the 10 to 15 years they usually reach in the wild.
Gripp’s death has renewed interest in the Tower of London prophecy. Although some may interpret it as a bad omen, the guardians continue their work, ensuring that there are always six ravens in the Tower, thus protecting, according to legend, the destiny of the British monarchy.