by his great strength, and this mistake led to the success of the Anglo-Saxon invasions. The name Brân is Welsh, and translates to English as crow or raven; leading to comparisons with the ravens of the Tower of London. It is said that if the ravens were to leave, the Tower, the Crown and Britain itself would fall. Beating the bounds The history of the liberty is still recognised in a triennial ceremony of beating the bounds organised jointly by The Tower authorities and the local parish of All Hallows by the Tower every third Ascension Day. Ascension Day, or Holy Thursday, is a feast which falls 39 days after Easter Sunday. The party moves along the Liberty's 31 boundary stones; at each one the Chaplain exclaims “Cursed is he who removeth his neighbours landmark”. The chief warder then says “Whack it boys, whack it” and the children beat the marker bounds with their willow wands. Children take part in such ceremonies because they will have the longest recollections of them, carrying the detailed knowledge of their neighbourhood throughout their lifetime. The boundary includes the inlet known as Tower Dock. The ceremony is referred to in the name of 'The Liberty Bounds' public house (Wetherspoons) in the former General Steam Navigation Company's headquarters on the corner of Byward Street and Trinity Square. Open spaces Tower Hill Trinity Square Gardens - including the Tower Hill Memorial to merchant seamen. The gardens are positioned on the site of the execution of many high-status prisoners. Wakefield Gardens Tower Gardens Tower of London Tower Moat Tower Green. Another site of several high-status executions. Notable people As well as many well-known members of the Tower of London community, the Liberties have also been home to: William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania was born in the Liberty. Tubby Clayton, Anglican clergyman and founder of Toc H. References External links Map of the Tower Liberties, 1754 British Museum, Crace Collection of Maps Map of the Tower Liberties, 1720 Tower Liberties East of London Family History Society The All Hallows and Tower Beating the Bounds Calendar Customs: A Guide to British Calendar Customs and Local Traditions History of local government in Middlesex History of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Liberties of London Tower of London