The Oath of the Yeoman Warders

The following is the exact wording as used in 1714 for the swearing in of a William Stokes for the position as Yeoman Warder or Yeoman Waiter. Through the years there have been slight alterations made to the wording of the oath and the title Yeoman Waiter has long since been discontinued.

"I William Stokes do Swear to serve the high and Mighty Princess Ann by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Her Heirs & successors lawful and rightful unto, that is, to be a Yeoman Waiter or Warder of the Tower of London. In all things touching her honour and safety I shall neither myself do, or procure to be done, or give my consent that any other do, any thing prejudicial or hurtful to Her Majesty's person, Crown or dignity, or to any of the Royal Progeny, and if I shall hear of any such bodily hurt, prejudice or dishonour, I shall do as much as in me lyeth, to lett the same, and speedily to disclose it to Her Majesty, as such of Her Majesty's Privy Council as I may next come to, and by all possible means and ways, do cause the same to Her Majesty truly to be made known. I also swear to be Obedient to the Constable of the Tower my Captain, and to all such Officers as are to have the command over me in the Tower. I shall not depart from the Tower into the Country, without the Licence of Her Majesty's Constable of the said Tower. I shall not suffer any person or persons whatsoever to pass in the night to an from the Tower after the Watch is sett, without he or they have the Watchword, and upon every needful & urgent occasion if I shall hear or know of any thing concerning the endangering or attempting thereof, I shall immediately disclose the same, and use all means possible to make the same known, I shall keep Her Majesty's peace myself in the Tower, and all other places as much as in me lyeth, and I shall cause all other to do the same to the uttermost of their power. All these things I shall faithfully and truly perform. So help me God"

Of course, as with all ceremonies formal or informal a toast is generally given to welcome the latest recipient or recruit to the fold. The swearing in of a Yeoman Warder is no exception although the toast itself is laced with history and tradition dating back several hundreds of years.

The Yeoman Warders Toast: Tradition and Original

May you never die a Yeoman Warder

Originally Warderships were purchased at a price of 250 Guineas. To retire and sell the Wardership was obviously desired but if a Warder died before retirement the Constable of the Tower could sell the vacancy and retain the money, instead of it going to the deceased Warder family.

This possibly gave rise to the Yeoman Warders Toast.

These tankers are filled with Port from the large bowl dated 1725. The Chief Yeoman Warder proposes the toast after the Swearing in of a new Yeoman Warder. All present Yeoman Warders respond - May you never die a Yeoman Warder

Although the purchasing of Warderships was discontinued in 1826 by the Constable of the Tower, the famous Duke of Wellington. He decreed that None but deserving, gallant and meritorious discharged Sergeants of the Army be appointed Warders

Eligibility now extends to Warrant Officers and equivalent ranks in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Marines.

The ancient toast however remains.