Royal Navy Ships Pay Constable's Dues

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Published on May 13, 2013 11:49:58 AM ● Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAS9j1BWGiE

Duration: 2:17

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Three Navy ships have taken part in the historic ceremony of the Constable's Dues at the Tower of London.

HMS Illustrious, Edinburgh and Blythe are docking in the Thames as part of the 70th anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic.

The ceremony happens once a year and requires every large Royal Navy ship that visits the port of London to deliver a barrel of rum to the Constable of the Tower of London.

It dates back to before the 14th century when every ship that came upstream had to moor at Tower Wharf to unload a portion of cargo for the Constable, thus guaranteeing protection from the Tower of London guns.