Feisty Kitten Moves Into the Iconic Tower of London—'Queen of the Pawtress'

Cats can make a home for themselves almost anywhere in the world, but what about in one of London's most iconic and historic landmarks?

Meet Nyxie, the newest feline resident of the Tower of London, the historic castle found on the northern banks of the river Thames.

"While there's no specific tradition of having cats at the Tower of London," Emma Rousell, Yeoman Warder, or 'Beefeater', at the Tower, told Newsweek, "all of the Yeoman Warders live on site and as such they often have their pets join them.

"The Tower really is a village in the heart of the city of London," Rousell added, "with its own pub, village green and church!"

"Queen of the pawtress. Say hello to Nyxie, our Yeoman Warder's new kitten at the Tower of London," reads the video caption.

Cat
Nyxie the resident cat of the Yeoman Warder in the Tower of London, sitting on the steps of one of the houses within its walls. Emma Rousell told Newsweek that "all of the Yeoman Warders... © Emma Rousell

Although not originally built as a place of incarceration or execution, many prominent people were imprisoned and beheaded there. Two of the most famous, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two ill-fated wives of King Henry VIII, are buried in the Tower.

To become a Yeoman Warder of His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, one must have served at least 22 years in the armed forces, hold the Long Service and Good Conduct medal, and have reached a certain rank in their service.

"There are numerous separate duties conducted by the Yeoman Warders each day," says Rousell, "including the Ceremony of the Keys, the ancient closing ceremony that has taken place every single night for at least 700 years, and leading the famous Yeoman Warder Tours."

The 6-month-old black kitten Nyxie was given to Rousell by a family friend who needed to rehome some kittens.

"She's free to roam around the Tower grounds and has so far not looked to go further afield!" said Rousell.

One of the most-iconic animals associated with the Tower of London are the ravens, known as the guardians of the Tower.

The current ravens residing at the Tower are called Jubilee, Harris, Poppy, Georgie, Edgar and Branwen. Folklore has it that the kingdom and Tower will fall if they ever fly away, a legend that dates back to King Charles II in the late 1600s.

Despite Nyxie being a free range cat, "the ravens still rule the roost," said Rousell.

The Tower of London
The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle that lies on the north river bank of the Thames in London, England. It was... © Historic Royal Palaces

The Tower was founded on the exact spot it is still on today in 1066 during the Norman Conquest led by William the Conqueror, and at almost 1,000 years old, the Tower receives over three million visitors per year.

"Whether it's medieval history you're after, or you're more of a Tudor buff, there's something for everyone within the walls of the Tower of London," said Rousell, "It's also home to the awe-inspiring Crown Jewels, which were used during the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla last May."

The Tower of London is no stranger to animal residents, and from the 1200s to 1835, the Tower housed a menagerie of exotic wild animals never before seen in London, including lions, leopards, elephants, and a polar bear given as royal gifts. The polar bear was a present to King Henry VIII from the King of Norway, and although it was kept muzzled, it was allowed to swim and hunt for fish in the River Thames.

The menagerie closed for good in 1835, and 150 remaining animals were moved to a new site in Regent's Park, where today's London Zoo still stands.

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About the writer


Leonie Helm is a Newsweek Life Reporter and is based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on all things ... Read more

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