A Regency History guide to the Royal Menagerie at the Tower of London

The history of the Royal Menagerie

It is believed that lions were first kept at the Tower during the reign of King John in about 1210, though it is his son, Henry III, who is generally credited with establishing the menagerie, which included a polar bear and an elephant.

Exotic animals were often given to the royal family as presents. Unfortunately, the keepers at the Tower did not know how to look after these unusual animal...