"The Lions of the Town."

"To see the lions of the town" originated with the Lion Menagerie of the Tower, which for six centuries was one of the sights of London. The lions were placed in the Tower in the time of Henry III. (1216-1272), to take the place of the three Leopards on the Royal Shield. When the Leopards on the Shield were exchanged for Lions, their living representatives in the Tower were also changed. These Royal Lions were named after three living kings, and the fate of the King was thought to be closely allied with the fate of his namesake in the Tower. They were maintained with regal magnificence, and their keeper was "a Gentleman." "The Lions" were a great attraction to all the country people and foreigners visiting London. Later they were removed to the Zoological Gardens, Regent Park; but to the "Tower Lions" we are indebted for the proverbial expression "To see the lions of the town," meaning its greatest sights.