Inside the Tower of London

It's been a place of murder, intrigue and scandal. The Tower of London, home to the Crown Jewels, is an iconic piece of British history. It’s guarded by the famous Beefeaters, the memorable Yeoman Warders in their distinctive uniforms. This compelling documentary goes behind the scenes as a new Chief Beefeater is picked. There’s also an insight into an infamous murder at the Tower.

There’s a new Beefeater in town! But latest recruit Chris discovers the hard truth of working at the Tower. He’s required to learn its extensive history by heart and will be tested before being let loose on the 100,000 weekly visitors. Plus, chief curator Tracy Borman turns her attention to the time of Henry VIII, when the Tower gained its notorious reputation for imprisonment and execution.

Some notable occupants of the Tower are the many ravens that reside there. If they leave, legend has it, the Tower will fall. Chris is the ancient structure's Raven Master who needs to introduce a new bird to the grounds. Plus, there’s a look at the original document in the Tower’s archives which reveals how brutally Guy Fawkes, who attempted to blow up Parliament, was tortured.

More modern historical moments are explored as the execution of German spies captured in the two world wars is investigated. Plus, there's a profile of suffragette Leonora Cohen, who took aim at the crown jewels to publicize her cause. And there’s a look back to 2014, when the Tower hosted a display of nearly 900,000 ceramic poppies in its moat to remember those who were killed in wartime.

Watch Ravenmaster Chris Skaife raise baby ravens while Tower governor Richard Harold gets ready for a bittersweet event. Hear the stories of some of the Tower’s most famous prisoners, including Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth I herself.

Join Tower director Dick Harold for his military send-off, check on those pesky ravens, and devour the tragic tale of Sir Roger Casement, the gay Irish activist who was jailed in the Tower for treason because of his support for Irish independence.