We go to prison, no a Palace - it sounds better

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We go to prison, no a Palace - it sounds better

Tuesday, 23 August 2011 15:17

We are visiting the Historic Royal Palaces - so far we have done three. Hampton Court (photos), Kensington Palace and the Banqueting House. If you are new to our blog and want to find out more follow the links.

Yeoman Guide at the Tower of London

From the East End of London it makes sense to visit the Tower of London ......

Many, many years ago, the mere name would have struck fear into the heart of anyone in the aristocracy or church who offended the King of the day. William the Conqueror wanted to make a statement so he built a massive stone tower in what was then the centre of London. The site was the south east corner of the Roman walls and building was well on the way in the 1070s.

The White Tower built as a fortress stronghold

By 1350, the Tower was more like we see today. Successive Kings, beginning with Richard the Lionheart (1189-99) built around the White Tower; Henry III, worried about the Towers's weaknesses, built nine more towers and a curtain wall, all surrounded by a moat. There are now 21 towers that make up the whole.

Later Tower moat today, in-filled and grassed over

Edward I (1272-1307) turned the Tower into England's largest concentric castle, filling in the old moat, building another curtain wall and moat outside the other. This heralded a change of use (no planning applications in those days!) from a military stronghold and residence to include a prison. It was also a secure place for storing papers and valuables.

Military stronghold - this archer is prepared to defend the Tower but the cannon looks too ornamental!

The Royal Mint was established too and was at the Tower until the C19th. Edward II and the "Henrys" all used the Tower as prison, residence and stronghold. Henry V and VI were executed at the Tower.

Traitors Gate entrance - the Thames is beyond

Perhaps Henry VIII is the King most associated with the Tower by most visitors. He used it to house and execute some of his wives. His break with Rome and the founding of the Church of England produced religious and political prisoners too. His successors continued the imprisonments and executions.

Site of private executions on Tower Green

The Parliamentarians gained the Tower during the Civil War. Cromwell destroyed the Crown Jewels and installed the first garrison. Succeeding monarchs used the garrison to quell unrest in London.

Changing of the Guard

The Tower was maintained and repaired during the C18th with little additional building work apart from a new gateway and drawbridge giving access to the wharf. It was the C19th that saw the Tower change from fortress to National Monument.

The Duke of Wellington, Constable to the Tower, had the smelly, sluggish moat drained. It was basically an open sewer by now, as the Thames no longer flushed it through. A huge new barracks was built and some controversial alterations took place.

Waterloo Barracks (the Crown Jewels are stored here)

By the end of Queen Victoria's reign, the Tower had become a tourist attraction. The Tower became a prison again briefly in C20th and the last execution was in 1941. It is now a World Heritage site with over 2 million visitors a year.

Finally, I must mention the ravens - there are 8 at the moment. If they all leave, the Tower will fall down. However, that is extremely unlikely as they all have their wings clipped!