The Tower of London, a historic royal palace and former prison, has a food history stretching back over a millennium. Royal banquets and feasts were commonplace when the Tower was a royal residence. Medieval kings would indulge in grand meals with multiple courses, featuring a variety of meats, fish, fruits, and spices that were considered luxury items. However, as a functioning armory, barracks, prison, and menagerie, the Tower's food history also reflects simpler fare, often dictated by the rank and status of its inhabitants. The Beefeaters, or Yeoman Warders, who have been guarding the Tower since Tudor times, are also associated with a historic ration of meat, though the name may not relate directly to their diet.