Feature
A New Master Of The Tower
Britain's former Chief of Defence Staff has been handed a new job: Constable of the Tower of London.
General Sir Nicholas Houghton was in charge of forces staff from 2013 until July this year.
Now, he's believed to be the 160th person to take on the role of Constable of the Tower - one of the oldest offices in England.
It dates back to around 1078 – just after the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and the Norman conquest.
In times past, Constables of the Tower were often leading nobles or courtiers and were responsible for running it.
Perks accumulated over the years, and the constables became responsible for toll collection on goods being shipped along the Thames, as well as being entitled to all flotsam and jetsam from the river.
They also regulated Jewish matters until 1290, and while they had legal authority over the prisoners in the tower, they came to be entitled to maintenance fees from these prisoners.
The position of Constable has been held by a soldier since the Duke of Wellington in 1826 and is largely ceremonial today.
General Sir Nicholas Houghton takes over from another former Chief of the Defence Staff, General the Lord Dannatt.
And while he wants to make his mark, he says he'll do so with a light touch, not wanting to upset nearly 1,000 years of history at the Tower.
Cover image: sksamuel
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