Tower of London
London, England
30.10.2008
The Tower of London - A Historic UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Tower of London, located on the banks of the River Thames in London, England, is a historic castle and fortress that has played a significant role in British history for almost 1000 years. It is one of the most well-known and iconic landmarks in the city, attracting millions of visitors every year.
The origins of the Tower of London can be traced back to 1066, when William the Conqueror invaded England and ordered the construction of a fortress to protect and control the city of London. Over the centuries, the Tower has been used for various purposes, including as a royal palace, a prison, a treasury, and even a zoo.
One of the most famous features of the Tower of London is the White Tower, which was built by William the Conqueror and is the oldest part of the complex. It is also home to the Crown Jewels, a collection of ceremonial objects used by the British monarchy during their coronations and other important events.
Another notable area within the Tower of London is the Tower Green, which is where many high-profile executions took place, including that of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII. Visitors can also see the Tower Ravens, a group of birds that have been kept at the Tower since the reign of King Charles II.
The Tower of London has also been used as a prison for many important figures throughout history, including Sir Walter Raleigh, Elizabeth I's advisor Sir Thomas More, and Guy Fawkes, who was involved in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Today, visitors can explore the Tower Prison and learn about the lives and stories of these prisoners.
In addition to its historical significance, the Tower of London is also known for its paranormal activity. It is said to be haunted by the ghosts of several famous figures, including Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Grey, and the two young princes who were imprisoned and allegedly murdered in the Tower. The Tower even has a resident ghost, the Headless Drummer, who is said to appear before important events or during times of crisis.
The Tower of London was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988, recognizing its cultural and historical importance. Today, visitors can explore the Tower's many attractions, including the Tower Armouries Museum, the Medieval Palace, and the Tower Bridge, which connects the Tower with the rest of the city.
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The massive White Tower is a typical example of Norman military architecture, whose influence was felt throughout the kingdom. It was built on the Thames by William the Conqueror to protect London and assert his power. The Tower of London – an imposing fortress with many layers of history, which has become one of the symbols of royalty – was built around the White Tower.
The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, which is separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as Tower Hill. It was founded toward the end of 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest. The White Tower, which gives the entire castle its name, was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and was initially a resented symbol of oppression, inflicted upon London by the new Norman ruling class. The castle was also used as a prison from 1100 (Ranulf Flambard) until 1952 (Kray twins), although that was not its primary purpose. A grand palace early in its history, it served as a royal residence. As a whole, the Tower is a complex of several buildings set within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat. There were several phases of expansion, mainly under kings Richard I, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries. The general layout established by the late 13th century remains despite later activity on the site.
The Tower of London has played a prominent role in English history. It was besieged several times, and controlling it has been important to controlling the country. The Tower has served variously as an armoury, a treasury, a menagerie, the home of the Royal Mint, a public record office, and the home of the Crown Jewels of England. From the early 14th century until the reign of Charles II in the 17th century, the monarch would traditionally prepare for several nights at the Tower, and lead a procession from there to Westminster Abbey for their coronation. In the absence of the monarch, the Constable of the Tower was in charge of the castle. This was a powerful and trusted position in the medieval period. In the late 15th century, the Princes in the Tower were housed at the castle when they mysteriously disappeared, presumed murdered. Under the Tudors, the Tower became used less as a royal residence, and despite attempts to refortify and repair the castle, its defences lagged behind developments to deal with artillery.
The zenith of the castle's use as a prison was the 16th and 17th centuries, when many figures who had fallen into disgrace, such as Elizabeth I before she became queen, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Elizabeth Throckmorton, were held within its walls. This use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower". Despite its enduring reputation as a place of torture and death, popularised by 16th-century religious propagandists and 19th-century writers, only seven people were executed within the Tower before the world wars of the 20th century. Executions were more commonly held on the notorious Tower Hill to the north of the castle, with 112 occurring there over a 400-year period. In the latter half of the 19th century, institutions such as the Royal Mint moved out of the castle to other locations, leaving many buildings empty. Anthony Salvin and John Taylor took the opportunity to restore the Tower to what was felt to be its medieval appearance, clearing out many of the vacant post-medieval structures.
In the First and Second World Wars, the Tower was again used as a prison and witnessed the executions of 12 men for espionage. After the Second World War, damage caused during the Blitz was repaired, and the castle reopened to the public. Today, the Tower of London is one of the country's most popular tourist attractions. Under the ceremonial charge of the Constable of the Tower, operated by the Resident Governor of the Tower of London and Keeper of the Jewel House, and guarded by the Yeomen Warders, the property is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a World Heritage Site.
