Crows have been a pillar of the Tower of London – England’s most famous execution site – for centuries.
It was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror as a castle and fortress and later became a place for royalty to store weapons and jewelry. To this day, the crown jewels are kept in place, protected by a garrison of soldiers.
Merlina, a 14-year-old raven from the Tower of London, is feared as dead.
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But it also has a dark and bloody past, having been a prison for many hundreds of people, including Elizabeth I, Anne Boleyn and Guy Fawkes, and the site of Henry VI’s execution.
In 1600, Charles II decreed that six of the birds should live in the tower at all times, otherwise the kingdom and the tower would fall. The tower will now have seven of the smart birds – Jubilee, Harris, Gripp, Rocky, Erin, Poppy and George – as they maintain a spare for protection.
The spokeswoman told CNN that Merlina was a “unique” bird that had a “close bond” with the master-crow Christopher Skaife – whose job is to care for the birds.
Merlina and the Ravenmaster have a “close bond” – making it unusual for her not to return.
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The crow played tricks on him, said the spokeswoman, and always returned to his nest in the tower at night, after roaming freely.
The spokeswoman said she believed she probably died, as it was not normal that she had not returned.
Merlina was also a markedly independent bird, having only paired with a male last year, the spokeswoman added.
“Since joining us in 2007, Merlina has been our undisputed ruler, the Tower Raven Queen.
“She will be sorely missed by her fellow crows, the Ravenmaster and all of us in the Tower community,” added the spokeswoman in a statement.