Ravens have been a mainstay at the Tower of London – England’s most famous site for centuries.
It was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror as a castle and fortress and later became a place for royalty to store weapons and jewelery. To this day, the crown jewels are kept on the premises, protected by a garrison of soldiers.
Merlina, a 14-year-old raven at the Tower of London, is feared dead.
Historic Royal Palaces
But it also has a dark and bloody past, as it was a prison for many hundreds of people, including Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes, and the execution of Henry VI.
In the 1600s, Charles II decided that six of the birds should live at the tower at all times, otherwise the kingdom and the tower would fall. The tower will now be left with seven of the intelligent birds – Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy and George – as they save another save for conservation.
The spokeswoman told CNN that Merlina was a ‘unique’ bird that had a ‘close bond’ with raven master Christopher Skaife – whose job it is to look after the birds.
Merlina and the Ravenmaster are said to have a ‘close bond’, which makes it unusual for her not to return.
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The raven would play tricks with him, the woman said, and would always return to her nest at the tower at night after she roamed free.
The spokeswoman said they believe she most likely died because it was out of character that she did not return.
Merlina was also a very independent bird and only mated with a male last year, the spokeswoman added.
‘Since joining us in 2007, Merlina has been our undisputed ruler of the sleeping area, Queen of the Tower Ravens.
“She will be greatly missed by her fellow raven, the Ravenmaster, and all of us in the Tower community,” the spokesman added in a statement.