The Tower of London was built at the beginning of the
eleventh century by William the conqueror. The tower was expanded
during the thirteenth century into the fortified complex that we know
today. The Tower's most popular attraction is its famous collection of
Crown Jewels.
Tower of London
Construction of the Tower of London was initiated
in 1070 by William the Conqueror, shortly after his victory at Hastings
in 1066. The Tower was built to enforce the power of the Norman king
over the newly conquered land.
The fortress, strategically located at the Thames, was originally not more than a temporary wooden building which was replaced later by the White Tower. Over time the complex was expanded into a stronghold with about twenty towers.
The fortress, strategically located at the Thames, was originally not more than a temporary wooden building which was replaced later by the White Tower. Over time the complex was expanded into a stronghold with about twenty towers.
Enceinte of the Tower of London
White Tower
The White Tower
The oldest part of the fortress is the so-called
White Tower, which was completed in 1097. This keep was long the tallest
building in London at 27.4 meters (90ft). Its walls are 4.6 meter wide.
The tower was whitewashed during the reign of Henry III, which gave the tower's facade its white appearance. Ever since the tower has been known as White Tower. The building has four domed turrets at each corner. Three of them have a square shape, the other is round, due to its spiral staircase. The round turret was long used as an observatory.
The tower was whitewashed during the reign of Henry III, which gave the tower's facade its white appearance. Ever since the tower has been known as White Tower. The building has four domed turrets at each corner. Three of them have a square shape, the other is round, due to its spiral staircase. The round turret was long used as an observatory.
Other Towers
The Tower of London was significantly expanded in the thirteenth
century, during the reign of Henry III, when two defensive walls were
built around the White Tower. The inner wall had thirteen towers and the
outer wall another six. The towers were mostly used to imprison
political opponents.
Traitors' Gate
Some of the most famous prisoners locked in the Tower were two princes, the sons of king Edward IV. After Edward's dead in 1483 the children were locked in the Bloody Tower by their uncle, who would later ascend the throne as king Richard III. The princes were never seen again and were probably killed by guards.
The St. Thomas Tower is located close to the Bloody Tower. Here, prisoners were brought into the fortress by boat through the Traitor's gate.
Important prisoners were often locked in the Beauchamp Tower, sometimes with their servants. An inscription on the wall of the tower is believed to refer to Lady Jane Grey, who, nine days after she was crowned Queen, was executed on Tower Green, an open terrain in the Tower of London.
Byward Tower
Cradle Tower
Yeoman Warders
The main entrance of the Tower of London is at the Byward Tower, where you'll find the so-called Beefeaters or Yeoman Warders.
Dressed in historic clothes, they not only guard the tower, but also give guided tours of the fortress. One of the about forty Yeoman Warders is known as the Ravenmaster, responsible for the ravens that have been living here for centuries.
Dressed in historic clothes, they not only guard the tower, but also give guided tours of the fortress. One of the about forty Yeoman Warders is known as the Ravenmaster, responsible for the ravens that have been living here for centuries.
Yeoman Warder
Yeoman Warder
Legend has it that the Tower and the kingdom will fall if the ravens
leave. Hence King Charles II placed the birds under royal protection and
the wings of the ravens are clipped to prevent them from flying away.
Crown Jewels
The most famous tourist attraction in the Tower of London is the
collection of Crown Jewels that has been on display here since the
seventeenth century, during the reign of Charles II. Most of the jewels
were created around the year 1660, when the monarchy was reinstalled.
The majority of the older crown jewels were destroyed by Oliver
Cromwell.
The jewels can be found in the Jewel House, which is part of the Waterloo Barracks just north of the White Tower. Some of the highlights of the collection are the 530 carat First Star of Africa, which is set in the
Scepter of the Cross; the Imperial State Crown with more than 2800 diamonds and the famous Koh-I-Noor, a 105 carat diamond.
The jewels can be found in the Jewel House, which is part of the Waterloo Barracks just north of the White Tower. Some of the highlights of the collection are the 530 carat First Star of Africa, which is set in the
Imperial State Crown
More Sights
There's plenty more to see in the Tower of London, such as the Royal
Armories, which includes the personal armory of King Henry VIII, one of
the world's largest.
The medieval palace in the Tower of London is also open to visitors and there are often reenactments of historic events in the fortress.
The medieval palace in the Tower of London is also open to visitors and there are often reenactments of historic events in the fortress.
