The ravens of the Tower of London are a group of captive Common Ravens
which live in the Tower of London. The group of ravens at the Tower
comprises at least seven individuals (six required, with a seventh in
reserve). The presence of the ravens is traditionally believed to protect
the Crown and the Tower; a superstition suggests that "If the Tower of
London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with
it."
Historically, wild ravens were common throughout Britain, even in towns,
with the Tower within their natural range. When they were exterminated from
much of their traditional range, including London, they could only persist
at the Tower in captivity and with official support. Local legend puts the
origin of the captive raven population at the time of King Charles II
(reigned 1660–1685); however, historians believe that the "Tower's raven
mythology is likely to be a Victorian flight of fantasy".
Photo 555, May 2011, London