Constables Dues Paid Again – Earlier this year the Type 42 Destroyer LIVERPOOL, on a final visit to London paid the “Constables Dues”, a historic acceptance of the Crown’s authority over the City of London, as during the Middle Ages, successive Kings believed it was their right to extract tolls from vessels on the Thames.     On the King’s behalf, the Constable of the Tower of London was empowered to demand these tolls as a perquisite of his office. Past offerings have included barrels of rum, or oysters, mussels and cockles. This year the Tower’s Constable was presented with a barrel of red wine by the Helicopter Carrier OCEAN whilst berthed on the Thames at Greenwich.     Throughout the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games the primary role of the OCEAN will be to act as a base for Royal Navy and Army helicopters in support of the Police, as well as accommodating some 400 miltary personnel working at Greenwich Park.

In order to deliver the barrel of wine (representing the ‘Dues’) to the Constable of the Tower of London, a platoon of officers and sailors, led by the band of Royal Marine Band from the training establishment  COLLINGWOOD (Fareham), to the Tower’s West Gate.      There they were challenged by the Yeoman of the Guard, before proceeding through to Tower Green. The naval contingent was escorted by Yeoman Warders (commonly known as ‘Beefeaters’) in red and gold State Dress.