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The Tower of London is seeking a Beefeater and is offering $40,000 for the role.
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The tower contains the Crown Jewels, which are estimated to be worth $4 billion.
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Perks include a birthday gin, while the successful candidate will drink port during a welcome ceremony.
The Tower of London hires a Beefeater for $40,000 to help defend the Crown Jewels. But applicants need a long military career to stand a chance of landing the job.
The position of Yeoman Warder is advertised by the Tower of London’s parent group Historic Royal Palaces, who also run Kensington Palace, which is home to Prince William and his wife Kate.
Fortunately, there will be very few candidates. Candidates must have served in the military for 22 years, be a former non-commissioned officer, have the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and have an “appropriate level of fitness”.
The successful candidate will be part of a group of 32 men and women who originally served as the Queen’s actual bodyguards. According to their websiteHenry VII was the first to propose a move to the tower.
While the job is largely a ceremonial and hospitality oriented function, with Warders showing tourists around the tower, the job specification does state that Beefeaters must “prevent damage to or theft of articles or other property in the Tower of London”, which would may include the crown jewels.
A spokesman for the Historic Royal Palaces declined to comment on the security of the Crown Jewels and whether the position would imply their defense, but said the successful candidate “will be required to lead the tower’s popular daily tours, visitors to the scene.” to welcome and help and bring the Tower’s history and stories to life.”
According to Readers’ Digestthe Crown Jewels—which are housed in the Jewel House of the Tower—are uninsured, so they’ve never been appraised, but estimates put their value at $4 billion. Only one attempt was made to steal themby Thomas Blood in 1671 before being moved to the tower.
Yeoman Warders are ‘sworn in’ in an age-old ceremony, before drinking a port wine toast served in an 18th-century pewter bowl. According to tradition, the Chief Yeoman Warder should toast all new recruits with the words “may you never die a Yeoman Warder.”
According to their website, Yeoman Warders can look forward to a free bottle of Beefeater Gin on their birthdays.
Read the original article Business Insider