Inside the Tower of London

The Beefeaters, the first 400 years and royal connections.

Examining the execution of German spies captured in the two world wars. Theres a profile of suffragette Leonora Cohen, who took aim at the crown jewels to publicize her cause. Plus, a look back to 2014, when the Tower hosted a display of nearly 900,000 ceramic poppies in the moat for Remembrance Day. And cameras follow Scott, a new recruit for the Beefeaters.

Raven chicks are born in the tower for the first time in 30 years - but only one of the newborn birds can stay, and ravenmaster Chris faces the tough decision of choosing one to keep and finding suitable homes for all the others. The tower director prepares to retire after 15 years, and takes a moment to enjoy his final gun salute, while AJ Clarke, only the second woman to join the Yeoman warders, embarks on a fitness regime that soon leaves her in need of a new uniform. Plus, a look at the story of the time the future Queen Elizabeth I was imprisoned in the tower for plotting to overthrow her sister, Queen Mary.

The new tower director starts work on the same day that Donald Trump visits London, while curator Eleri Lynn goes in search of a recently rediscovered royal treasure - the last surviving dress made for Elizabeth I, which has turned up in a small village church in Herefordshire. Plus, a look at the golden armour of Charles I and the ultimate fate of Henry VIIIs imperial crown.

At the heart of this episode is one of the Tower of Londons greatest tragedies — the story of teenage Queen Lady Jane Grey, who was executed at the Tower during the reign of Mary I. Join Historic Royal Palaces curators as they investigate Janes imprisonment at the Tower, and explore ancient graffiti carved into the walls by her fellow prisoners a reminder of the once-powerful lives that were destroyed here.

In episode seven we follow the Towers Deputy Governor Deborah Whittingham as she leads the preparations for the Constables Dues. Meanwhile, Tracy Borman investigates the Duke of Wellington and discovers how he reinvented the Tower during his time as Constable. Wellington reformed the Yeoman Body and strengthened the Towers military stronghold with the Waterloo Block.

In February 2020, Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall visit the Tower to celebrate the Yeoman Warders anniversary, the first time Prince Charles has visited the Tower in over a decade. Meanwhile, the business of researching the Towers history goes on for Chief Curator, Tracy Borman, as she digs into the tragic story of Henry VIIIs fifth wife, Catherine Howard.

The tower staff prepares to reopen to paying visitors after lockdown results in the longest closure in 75 years, beginning with a special ceremonial lowering of the drawbridge. The ravenmaster makes sure his birds are ready to interact with members of the public after months in isolation, while the chief curator oversees the launch of a gruesome new attraction commemorating the executions on Tower Hill.

The return of the documentary that goes behind the scenes at one of the nations most historic and best-loved attractions. The towers oldest raven goes missing and ravenmaster Chris Skaife must come to terms with the fact it might have gone for ever, while in April a special gun salute is organised to mark the death of Prince Philip.

It is June and staff at the Tower are bringing out the big guns to celebrate the anniversary of the Queens coronation in 1953. A massive 62-gun salute is planned on the Wharf, but with his boss, the Chief Yeoman Warder, away, new Yeoman Gaoler Rob Fuller is in charge for the first time. Three 4,000lb guns and thousands of visitors to contend with mean the pressures on Rob to get it right.

Love is in the air as Yeoman Warder Matt Pryme prepares to marry his sweetheart Jo at the Tower of London. The whole community is getting ready for the big day. While Matt prepares the chapel, Canon Roger Hall chooses his most celebratory vestments

The Tower is continuing work on its most ambitious installation ever, the transformation of the moat into a huge floral display to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee.

Deputy governor Debbie Whittingham and yeoman gaoler Rob Fuller have spotted an impressive visitor berthed across the river from the Tower – it’s a Japanese warship, which is on a world tour and is stopping off in the capital. Meanwhile, Historic Royal Palaces chief curator Tracy Borman investigates the bridges that connect the Tower to the south side of the Thames, including London Bridge and Tower Bridge.

On Thursday 8 September, news arrives that would change the nations history. The death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is announced after 70 years on the throne. Its a time of deep sadness for the Tower staff and for the yeoman warders, some of whom have met the Queen in their role as royal bodyguards. As a royal palace, with special links to the Royal Household, the Tower enters a two-week official period of mourning.

Its spring, and the Tower is now just weeks away from one the most important events in its 1000-year history – the crowning of a new monarch. Staff have been working hard to prepare for the new era, but one thing is yet to change – the Beefeaters iconic uniforms. These world-famous uniforms still bear the royal monogram of the late Queen Elizabeth II, known as a cypher, and they must be updated to represent King Charles III.

Its May 2023, the week after the coronation of King Charles III. Celebrations at the Tower are still in full swing, and highlight of the week is a spectacular concert, held at the Chapel of Saint Peter ad Vincula, where Handels coronation anthems will be performed.

Its mid-summer at the Tower of London, and the Beefeaters are preparing to say goodbye to their Chief Yeoman Warder, Pete McGowran. There is still plenty for Pete to do in his last few days at the fortress, including paying a visit to Ravenmaster Chris Skaife to learn the name of the recently arrived baby raven

A 700-year-old tradition, The Constables Dues at the Tower, features marines, boats, and a helicopter - but rehearsals dont go to plan. The Chief Curator uncovers Tudor-era graffiti.

Theres an impressive procession of 18 Tudor barges traveling along the Thames from Hampton Court to the Tower. And major building work is under way inside the famous White Tower.