Why do beefeaters not move

In the old days, cavalry soldiers would aim for the head. The placing of the strap also ensures that the hat would come off if hit without breaking our necks. Tung: It looks strange but it helps protect the wearer from an attack. Is it difficult to become a guard of the Queen? Calum: Of course yes. The very first criteria is your physical condition. You must be at a certain height.

Calum: That is so true. When The Queen is in residence, there are four sentries at the front of the building. When she is away there are two. Visit the top attractions. English Heritage Pass. Website proudly designed by Brighter Side. Changing The G uard. Regiments in the Household Division. Identifying the Regiments At a glance, all of the Queen's Guards have the same scarlet uniform, distinctive bearskin hat and gold buttons.

At the time, the gunner in British and French armies wore these enormous bearskin caps to make them appear taller. This was believed to intimidate their opponents. The French Emperor Napoleon dressed his imperial guards in similar hats while he was in power in the early 19th Century.

Curiously, these caps are secured under the lip of the guards by a curb chain as opposed to under the chin. The Bearskin Cap is said to get its name because inside is a cap that fits snug to the head of the wearer. No, seriously! Those massive bearskin caps, 18 inches in height, can weigh up to 1. Their uniforms all differ slightly - for example, the Grenadier Guards have single buttons evenly spaced, with a white plume on the left of their cap. The Coldstream Guard, however, have pairs of buttons and the plume on their cap is red.

How come the Queen's Guards do not move? Traditionally the Queen's Guards are not allowed to move. Typically, a Guardsman spends two hours on duty and four off.

He is not expected to stand still for any more than ten minutes at a time. Every so often, he will march up and down in front of his sentry box, rather like a policeman "walking the beat". Back to London Index. You may not redistribute, sell or place the content of this page on any other website or blog without written permission from the Mandy Barrow. Mandy is the creator of the Woodlands Resources section of the Woodlands Junior website.

The two websites projectbritain. She now teaches computers at The Granville School and St. John's Primary School in Sevenoaks Kent. Follow Mandy on Twitter.