When King Henry III was given three leopards by his new brother-in-law, Frederick, the Holy Roman Emperor, he ordered -- in desperation -- that they be sent to the Tower of London, his great fortress by the bank of the Thames. After all, where does one keep such things? Soon after the leopards' arrival in 1235 they were joined by an even greater wonder, a huge Norwegian polar bear which was encouraged to catch its own food from the river to save on upkeep expenses. And over the next 600 years -- until the menagerie was closed down by Wellington in 1835, a few years before it became clear he had an interest in the soon-to-open London Zoo -- the Tower played host to thousands more exotic creatures, all brought from overseas by returning explorers or VIP guests. Daniel Hahn's charming history of the first zoo explores the uses and abuses of the menagerie and the legion of Great and Good who came to behold its wonders, from William Blake, who came to look at the 'tygers', to John Wesley, who played his flute to the Tower lions in an attempt to establish if they had souls. Fascinating and insightful in equal measure, THE TOWER MENAGERIE is both an intriguing survey of our changing attitudes to animals and a hugely entertaining canter through six centuries of British history.

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The Tower Menagerie by Edward Turner Bennett: A Fascinating Glimpse into the Historical Menagerie at the Tower of London: "The Tower Menagerie" by Edward Turner Bennett offers a captivating account of the menagerie that once existed within the iconic Tower of London. Through detailed descriptions and historical anecdotes, Bennett brings to life the exotic animals, royal connections, and curious events that characterized this unique collection, providing readers with a glimpse into the history and intrigue of the Tower Menagerie. Key Aspects of the Book "The Tower Menagerie": Historical Menagerie: The book explores the history of the menagerie at the Tower of London, shedding light on its purpose, the animals housed there, and the significance of this fascinating institution. Exotic Animals: Bennett introduces readers to the diverse array of exotic animals that were once part of the menagerie, including lions, tigers, elephants, and other creatures that captivated visitors and played a role in royal spectacles. Curiosities and Anecdotes: "The Tower Menagerie" presents intriguing stories, curious events, and historical anecdotes surrounding the menagerie, painting a vivid picture of the unique environment and the people and animals that inhabited it. Edward Turner Bennett was a British zoologist and writer who lived from 1797 to 1836. He made significant contributions to the field of zoology and was known for his work on the classification of animals. Bennett's fascination with the Tower Menagerie led him to research and document its history, providing valuable insights into this extraordinary aspect of British culture and zoological heritage. "The Tower Menagerie" stands as a testament to Bennett's passion for the natural world and his dedication to preserving historical knowledge.

Menagerie is the story of the panoply of exotic animals that were brought into Britain from time immemorial until the foundation of the London Zoo — a tale replete with the extravagant, the eccentric, and — on occasion — the downright bizarre. From Henry III's elephant at the Tower, to George IV's love affair with Britain's first giraffe and Lady Castlereagh's recalcitrant ostriches, Caroline Grigson's tour through the centuries amounts to the first detailed history of exotic animals in Britain. On the way we encounter a host of fascinating and outlandish creatures, including the first peacocks and popinjays, Thomas More's monkey, James I's cassowaries in St James's Park, and Lord Clive's zebra — which refused to mate with a donkey, until the donkey was painted with stripes. But this is not just the story of the animals themselves. It also the story of all those who came into contact with them: the people who owned them, the merchants who bought and sold them, the seamen who carried them to our shores, the naturalists who wrote about them, the artists who painted them, the itinerant showmen who worked with them, the collectors who collected them. And last but not least, it is about all those who simply came to see and wonder at them, from kings, queens, and nobles to ordinary men, women, and children, often impelled by no more than simple curiosity and a craving for novelty.

The Tower MenagerieByEdward Turner Bennett