The Guardian is reporting that an as yet unnamed woman will become the Tower of London’s first ever female Beefeater. From the Guardian report:

“There were six candidates for the vacancy, and she was the only female. She was awarded the job on merit - she will replace one who is retiring.” Spokswoman Natasha Woollard said.

Her uniforms will differ only from her male colleagues’ in order to fit her properly.

To join the 35-strong guard, a successful candidate must boast a minimum of 22 years service in the forces, as well as a long service and good conduct medal.

“Two women have applied before, neither were successful for the different vacancies they applied for,” said the spokeswoman.

The Tower of London’s Yeoman Warders date back to 1485 and their nickname ‘Beefeaters’ is thought to derive from the daily ration of meat they received.

However, their full title is ‘Yeoman Warder of Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the Sovereign’s Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary’.

In an op-ed column in the New York Times today author Robert Harris creates some very intriguing parallels between the recent political climate in the United States and Rome circa 68 B.C.

IN the autumn of 68 B.C. the world’s only military superpower was dealt a profound psychological blow by a daring terrorist attack on its very heart. Rome’s port at Ostia was set on fire, the consular war fleet destroyed, and two prominent senators, together with their bodyguards and staff, kidnapped.

The incident, dramatic though it was, has not attracted much attention from modern historians. But history is mutable. An event that was merely a footnote five years ago has now, in our post-9/11 world, assumed a fresh and ominous significance. For in the panicky aftermath of the attack, the Roman people made decisions that set them on the path to the destruction of their Constitution, their democracy and their liberty. One cannot help wondering if history is repeating itself.

excerpt from:

Pirates of the Mediterranean
By ROBERT HARRIS
Published: September 30, 2006
New York Times

“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

-Benjamin Franklin