Yeoman Gaoler and Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London, Uk (b/w photo)

Yeoman Gaoler and Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London, 1873-8. York & Son wet collodion glass plate negative. Privileged visitors had been permitted to tour the Tower of London since the late 16th century. During the 19th century the Tower continued to house several working institutions but it gradually became more welcoming to tourists. Indeed, the fortress was deliberately medievalised and historic buildings were destroyed to make the site more attractive to visitors. By the end of the century the Tower was attracting over half a million tourists annually, and there would have been many potential customers for this view of Yeoman Warders or Beefeaters.