Freddy Deike, age 13, of Tuscon, AZ.

Who are the beefeaters of London?

The historic Tower of London, with its chamber of precious Crown Jewels, is guarded by stalwart soldiers in colorful Tudor costumes. The cloth doubletis royal red, richly trimmed with purple and gold lace. The knee breeches are red and the black shoes are adorned with rosettes of red, white and blue. A flat black hat and white neck ruff go with the costume. Most people call these colorful guards the beefeaters.

This nickname dates back to 1669 when the visiting grand duke of Tuscany noticed that the sturdy guards were served large daily helpings of beef from the royal kitchens. They might, he wrote, be called beefeaters. Their true history begins when they became the the Yeomen of Guard at the Battle of Bosworth and their duties a s royal military attendants began with the coronation of Henry VII in 1485. The beefeaters at the Tower of London are retired soldiers from the famous Yeomen of the Guard.