For over 600 years, the Tower of London was home to a remarkable collection of exotic animals known as the Royal Menagerie. From lions and tigers to polar bears and elephants, this menagerie was unlike anything else in its time. It served as a symbol of royal power, a source of public fascination, and a precursor to modern zoological institutions. Let‘s delve into the captivating history of the Tower of London‘s Royal Menagerie and explore its significance through a historian‘s lens.
The Origins of the Royal Menagerie
The Tower of London menagerie traces its origins back to the early 13th century during the reign of King John. While English monarchs had previously kept exotic animals, it was John who decided to centralize the royal collection at the Tower around 1210 AD.[^1] This practice was not unique to England; many European rulers maintained menageries as a way to demonstrate their wealth, power, and dominance over the natural world.
In 1235, Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II gifted three lions (or "leopards") to King Henry III.[^2] This generous offering inspired Henry to expand the Tower‘s menagerie and construct a special lion house. Over the following centuries, the menagerie would continue to grow as animals were presented to the English monarchs by foreign dignitaries or acquired through trade and conquest.
A Display of Royal Power
The Tower menagerie was more than just a collection of animals; it was a powerful symbol of the monarchy‘s might. Exotic creatures from distant lands were expensive and challenging to obtain, and their possession was seen as a mark of wealth and influence. As historian Daniel Hahn notes, "for much of its existence, the menagerie was essentially a trophy room: it was about power rather than zoology."[^3]
This symbolism was not lost on the rulers of the time. In the late 13th century, Edward I strategically relocated the animals to the entrance of the Tower, ensuring that all who entered (including prisoners) would be greeted by the sight and sound of the fearsome beasts.[^4] This placement served as an unmistakable reminder of the king‘s power and the consequences of crossing him.
Animal Residents and Royal Gifts
Throughout its history, the Tower menagerie was home to an astonishing array of animals. Lions, tigers, leopards, and bears were among the most common residents, but the collection also included more unusual creatures such as elephants, polar bears, monkeys, zebras, and ostriches.
Many of these animals arrived at the Tower as royal gifts. In 1255, King Louis IX of France presented Henry III with an African elephant, the first of its kind in Britain.[^5] The elephant, along with a keeper, was housed in a specially constructed 40-foot by 20-foot elephant house.[^6] Sadly, the elephant did not survive long due to a combination of unsuitable living conditions and a diet that included red wine.
Other notable animal gifts included a polar bear from Norway in 1252 (which was occasionally allowed to swim and hunt for fish in the River Thames) and a tiger from Persia in 1626.[^7][^8] These exotic creatures were a testament to the far-reaching influence and diplomacy of the English monarchy.
Caring for the Menagerie
Maintaining a large collection of exotic animals was no easy feat, especially given the limited understanding of animal biology and welfare at the time. The menagerie required a significant amount of resources, including food, water, and staffing.
Records show that in the 14th century, the keeper of the king‘s leopard was paid 12 pence per day for meat to feed the big cats.[^9] By the 16th century, the cost of feeding the lions at the Tower amounted to six pence per day.[^10] These expenses were just a small part of the overall cost of running the menagerie, which also included salaries for keepers, animal housing, and transportation.
Despite the efforts of the keepers, animal mortality rates were high. Many creatures succumbed to diseases, injuries, or simply the stress of captivity. In 1764, a fire at the Tower killed several animals, including a lion, a tiger, and a hyena.[^11] Such incidents were not uncommon and underscored the challenges of keeping exotic animals in cramped, unsuitable conditions.
Public Spectacle and Animal Encounters
The Tower menagerie was not just for the enjoyment of the monarchs; it also served as a popular attraction for the public. Visitors could observe the exotic creatures up close, a rare opportunity in a time when travel was limited and zoos were not yet established.
During the 16th and 17th centuries, the price of admission to the menagerie was three half-pence, or the supply of a cat or dog to be fed to the lions.[^12] This gruesome practice not only provided a cheap source of food for the big cats but also added a morbid spectacle to the visitor experience.
Animal encounters, both planned and unintended, were a regular occurrence at the menagerie. In 1686, Mary Jenkinson, the wife of one of the keepers, had her arm torn off by a lion after attempting to pet it.[^13] In another incident, a baboon escaped from its enclosure and roamed the Tower precincts for several days before being recaptured.[^14]
Despite the dangers, the public remained fascinated by the menagerie. By the 18th century, it had become one of London‘s most popular attractions, drawing crowds of people eager to catch a glimpse of the exotic animals within the Tower‘s walls.
The Menagerie‘s Heyday and Decline
The early 19th century marked the heyday of the Tower menagerie. Under the leadership of Alfred Copps, the last head zookeeper, the collection reached its peak with around 280 animals from 60 different species.[^15] Copps made significant improvements to the animals‘ living conditions and diet, drawing praise from the zoological community.
However, the menagerie‘s days were numbered. The rise of modern zoological institutions, such as the Zoological Society of London‘s Gardens in Regent‘s Park (now known as London Zoo), offered a more spacious and scientifically-informed approach to animal keeping. Additionally, growing concerns about animal welfare and a series of high-profile incidents, including a monkey attacking a nobleman, led to calls for the menagerie‘s closure.
In 1835, the Duke of Wellington, then the Constable of the Tower, made the decision to close the menagerie.[^16] Over the course of several years, the animals were transferred to London Zoo and other institutions, marking the end of an era.
Scientific Study and Zoological Advances
Despite the sometimes misguided and harmful practices employed at the Tower menagerie, it did contribute to the advancement of zoological knowledge. The exotic animals provided a rare opportunity for naturalists and scientists to observe and study creatures that were otherwise inaccessible.
One notable example is the case of the Abyssinian giraffe, which arrived at the Tower in 1836.[^17] The giraffe, a gift from the Pasha of Egypt, was the first living specimen to be seen in Britain. Its arrival generated great public interest and provided scientists with the chance to study the anatomy and behavior of this fascinating creature.
The menagerie also played a role in the early development of veterinary science. The animals required medical care, and the keepers had to develop techniques for treating a wide range of species. In 1791, the first veterinary college in Britain was established in London, and many of its early students gained practical experience by working with the animals at the Tower.[^18]
A Lasting Legacy
Although the Tower menagerie no longer exists, its impact on the public imagination and the development of modern zoological institutions cannot be overstated. It served as a precursor to the zoos we know today, sparking an interest in the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it.
Recent archaeological excavations at the Tower have shed new light on the menagerie‘s history. In 1936, workers discovered a 12th-century lion skull beneath the floor of the Tower‘s old moat.[^19] Subsequent excavations have unearthed the remains of other exotic animals, including a leopard and a lynx, providing tangible evidence of the menagerie‘s long and storied past.[^20]
The Tower menagerie also left a lasting mark on art and literature. William Blake, who lived near the Tower in the late 18th century, drew inspiration from the menagerie‘s animals for his poetry and artwork.[^21] The menagerie is also depicted in numerous paintings, engravings, and illustrations, offering a glimpse into how people of the past perceived and interacted with exotic creatures.
Conclusion
The history of the Tower of London‘s Royal Menagerie is a fascinating tale of power, curiosity, and our evolving relationship with the natural world. From its origins as a symbol of royal might to its role in the advancement of zoological knowledge, the menagerie left an indelible mark on British history and culture.
While the practices employed at the menagerie were often misguided and harmful by modern standards, they nonetheless reflect the complex and sometimes contradictory attitudes towards animals that have characterized human history. The story of the Tower menagerie serves as a reminder of how far we have come in our understanding and appreciation of the creatures with whom we share this planet.
As we continue to grapple with the challenges of conservation and animal welfare in the 21st century, we can look to the past for valuable lessons and insights. The legacy of the Tower of London‘s Royal Menagerie endures as a testament to the enduring fascination and wonder that exotic animals have long inspired in the human imagination.
[^1]: Blunt, W. (1976). The Ark in the Park: The Zoo in the Nineteenth Century. London: Hamish Hamilton. p. 15.[^2]: Hahn, D. (2019). The Tower Menagerie: The Amazing True Story of the Royal Collection of Wild Beasts. London: Simon & Schuster UK. p. 22.
[^3]: Hahn, D. (2019). p. 6.
[^4]: Blunt, W. (1976). p. 16.
[^5]: Hahn, D. (2019). p. 37.
[^6]: Blunt, W. (1976). p. 18.
[^7]: Hahn, D. (2019). p. 43.
[^8]: "Tower of London: Royal Beasts." Historic Royal Palaces. https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/tower-of-london-royal-beasts/
[^9]: Blunt, W. (1976). p. 17.
[^10]: Hahn, D. (2019). p. 62.
[^11]: "Interesting Newspaper Report of a Fire at the Tower of London in which a Number of the Animals Kept There Were Killed." The British Newspaper Archive. https://blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2013/12/18/interesting-newspaper-report-of-a-fire-at-the-tower-of-london-in-which-a-number-of-the-animals-kept-there-were-killed/
[^12]: Hahn, D. (2019). p. 75.
[^13]: "Killed by the Lions in the Tower." The British Newspaper Archive. https://blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2013/05/29/killed-by-the-lions-in-the-tower/
[^14]: Hahn, D. (2019). p. 109.
[^15]: Blunt, W. (1976). p. 178.
[^16]: Hahn, D. (2019). p. 231.
[^17]: "The Zoological Society of London." The Zoological Society of London. https://www.zsl.org/about-us/history-of-zsl
[^18]: "History." Royal Veterinary College. https://www.rvc.ac.uk/about/our-history
[^19]: "Medieval Lion Skull Discovered at the Tower of London." Historic Royal Palaces. https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/medieval-lion-skull/
[^20]: "Royal Beast Discoveries at the Tower of London." Historic Royal Palaces. https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/whats-on/royal-beast-discoveries-at-the-tower-of-london/
[^21]: "William Blake (1757-1827)." The British Library. https://www.bl.uk/people/william-blake
