Did this fox want to bring down the monarchy?
Some years ago there was an attempt by a fox, an obvious republican fox, to bring down the British Monarchy.
Now this may need explaining to non-UK residents.
There is a legend that if the six Ravens, who guard The Tower of London flew away, then the British Monarchy will be no more.
The number of Ravens guarding the Tower must not fall below six.
I believe the number is kept at eight.
To ensure this does not happen, the birds have their wings clipped to prevent them absconding by flight.
(This begs the question, why didn’t they have chickens to guard the Tower? They haven’t flown for a million years. 🤣)
But a fox broke into the Tower of London and put the future of the monarchy in danger. He did this by killing two of the Ravens.
Fortunately for her Majesty and the rest of the royal family, two spares are always kept up the yeoman’s sleeves to accommodate such an occurrence. And another two were recruited to bring the number back up to eight.
Now if you believe in reincarnation and wish to come back as something other than a human being, a Tower guarding Raven would not be a bad bet.
The public purse, some £4000 per year, pays for their keep. They receive a diet of fresh meat from the Smithfield meat market and live in some comfort.
Now this arrangement makes these birds civil servants, and it is an example of the difference between the public and private sector.
The average life span of a Raven in the public sector, the tower Ravens, is about 25 years.
A Raven in the private sector can only expect a life span of 12 years.
And guarding the Tower is a job for life if, as a Raven, you can get it.
Apart from the two unlucky ones who became fox food, most Ravens die in service. Only one has been fired, and that was for eating a TV aerial.
No doubt he was allowed a works tribunal, with representation paid from the budget.
The Tower officials increased security after the tragic attack by the republican fox.
I have a suggestion for those officials.
If they want some fox proof birds that can’t fly, try ostriches. 🙄
Thanks for reading.
More stories from my sometimes-addled brain.
I owe a Swiss village an apology.
