When was the Tower of London founded? Tower of London. Interesting and useful information. Tower - a place of imprisonment in modern history
The Tower of London is one of London's most famous landmarks and the home of the symbols of the British crown. For my centuries-old history The Tower of London served as a royal residence, prison, mint and treasury. Currently, the fortress is a history museum and an excellent example of English gothic architecture, with the strict lines and restrained decoration of the facades characteristic of this direction.
The Tower of London is one of the largest and most famous castles in England, whose history goes back almost 900 years.
History of construction
The Tower Fortress was founded almost 10 centuries ago by William I the Conqueror. Construction of the fort, which became one of the first royal residences, began in 1078. The large-scale structure made of stone was called the Great Tower of London, which is a fortress surrounded by walls with a central tower - the White Tower. This donjon got its name because of the white paint that was ordered to paint the building to suit the fashion of the time. Over the next few centuries, the Norman fortress was supplemented by several towers, designed in the style of "perpendicular" or "vertical" Gothic, emphasizing straight, strict lines and simple decoration of the facade. The castle later became a state prison, and in the 18th century it housed the royal mint. Today, the Tower of London is a history museum and armory, where the treasures of the British crown are located. State guests are also received here.
Features of facade design
The fortress and former royal residence, the Tower, is a large-scale architectural complex, shaped like an irregular rectangle in plan, consisting of six towers, two main buildings and two rows of walls with interior spaces. The oldest part of the castle is the White Tower, one of the most striking examples of Norman architecture. The building has a quadrangular plan and is complemented by four corner turrets topped with sloping round spiers. The walls of the White Tower are complemented by shallow arched niches in which arched windows are located.
The facade of the White Tower is decorated with stone protruding panels and buttresses, which later became the main decorative motif in Gothic architecture.
All towers of the Tower of London have a clear architectural silhouette and are complemented by laconic exterior decoration. The main goal of the architects was to emphasize the defensive function of the fort, so the massive walls were complemented by windows with narrow openings and stepped-recessed portals, which contributed to defensive purposes. In the south-eastern tower of the castle there is the Chapel of St. John, which has a rounded plan. St. John's Chapel, among other things, is one of the most striking examples of Norman architecture, combining emphasized strength and amazing simplicity of form.
The Tower's treasury, complemented by faceted apses and a portal designed in the style of early English architecture: a small arched entrance and narrow rectangular windows with modest frame decoration.
The windows of the towers and buildings of the Tower of London mainly have the characteristic arched shape with a pointed end, characteristic of Norman architecture. And only some of the fort’s towers are complemented by rectangular windows, characteristic of English Gothic. All the towers of the castle are topped with flat battlements, which served as an inspection point during sieges, the only exception being the round towers, which were intended not for defensive, but for domestic needs.
The round towers of the Tower, which are part of the inner fortress wall, are complemented by arched windows and thin cornices of simple shape.
The entrance to the castle is located on the side of the Thames River embankment, where the Traitors Gate is located, which got its name from the state criminals who passed through it. Near the entrance to the fort there is the Tower of St. Thomas with the king’s personal chambers, built in the 13th century. in the English Gothic style. The Bloody Tower, located near the White Tower, was built in a similar style. The facades of both towers are complemented by stepped loopholes. One of the main decorative motifs of the towers and walls of the Tower of London are rectangular stone panels arranged vertically, as well as narrow oblong cornices. These elements, traditional for English Gothic architecture, emphasize the severity of the entire ensemble of the castle.
View of the eastern part of the fortress, the towers and portals of which are decorated with stepped arches, loopholes and narrow stone cornices - strict elements of the external decoration of Norman and English Gothic architecture.
The Tower of London is one of the main monuments of Norman architecture in England, and, at the same time, an excellent example of early English Gothic. The castle complex consists of several main towers, the central one of which is the White Tower - the oldest donjon in the British capital. The Tower is a museum of English history and one of the country's most famous landmarks.
Tower (Great Britain) - description, history, location. The exact address, phone, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.
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The Tower of London has become a symbol not only of London, but of the whole of Great Britain. It occupies a special place in British history, which is why the Tower is now one of the most visited architectural and historical attractions in the world.
At its core, the Tower is a fortress. It stands on the north bank of the Thames, is one of oldest buildings England and the historical center of London. The history of this fortress is checkered: it was originally built as a defensive castle, and then it served as a zoo, a mint, an arsenal, a prison, an observatory, and a repository for royal jewelry.
The size of the Tower is 32 by 36 meters, the height of the towers is 30 meters.
History of the Tower
The Tower was built in 1078, and in 1190 the first prisoner was imprisoned in the fortress. In this prison for high-ranking people and royalty, only 7 executions were carried out, among the victims were Henry VIII’s wives Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, as well as the “queen of the nine days” Jane Grey. From the first years of its existence, the Tower began to acquire all sorts of rumors and legends, sometimes very sinister. Some of them can be heard during tours of this famous fortress.
Museum
These days, the Tower of London looks almost the same as it did in the 11th century. Its main purpose is a museum with a rich collection and an armory; the treasures of the British crown are kept here. Officially, the fortress continues to be considered one of the royal residences. There are several private apartments here, where service personnel and sometimes distinguished guests live. The Tower offers excursions where the guides are Beefeaters - English guards. They are dressed in dark blue uniforms of the Victorian era, and on holidays - in luxurious costumes of the Tudor era, which arouses additional interest among tourists in the fortress.
Events in the Tower
In addition to the traditional viewing of exhibits and interiors, you can also have fun in the Tower: for example, from December 27 to 31 they celebrate New Year in medieval costumes. Tourists are greeted by King Richard III, knights and minstrels. Even if you don't know how to skate, don't miss the opportunity to have fun at the Tower Ice Rink. People come here in the morning, as a form of fitness at the beginning of the day, and in the evening, when they want romance: the fortress is illuminated with lights that are reflected in the ice. The skating rink is open from November 17 to January 2, ticket prices range from 10.5 to 14.5 EUR. Prices on the page are as of March 2019.
Practical information
Below are the online prices:
- Adults - 24.7 GBP,
- children from 5 to 15 years old - 11.7 GBP, children under 5 years old - free,
- tickets for students (from 16 years old), disabled people and pensioners (from 60 years old) - 19.3 GBP,
- family ticket (2 adults + up to 3 children) - 62.9 GBP,
- family ticket (1 adult + up to 3 children) - 44.4 GBP.
How to get to the Tower of London
Nearest tube station: Tower Hill (Tower of London entrance 5 minutes walk). Nearest train station: Fenchurch Street or London Bridge. Buses No. 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1. There are also services to Tower Pier every 20 minutes. water buses and high-speed catamarans from Charing Cross, Westminster and Greenwich.
UK and popular attraction.
The best way to visit the Tower is with the London City Pass (20%) discount.
The stone castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 (nine and a half centuries ago!) to strengthen power over the conquered Anglo-Saxons. It was called the White Tower and was used as a royal residence, base of military operations and a dungeon. The fortification was massive, well-built and suitable for all-round defense (sides 32 by 36 meters, up to 30 meters high) - a serious obstacle for any army of that time.
Under the legendary Richard the Lionheart, the fortress was expanded, gaining external walls and towers, acquiring modern outlines. Descendants also did not forget to monitor the fortification, until the defensive function of the Tower disappeared with the creation of powerful cannons. Then narrow loopholes replaced glazed windows.
For the next centuries, the Tower was the real concentration of the turbulent royal life of England - important documents were kept here, the mint operated, criminals were kept and tortured (among these unfortunates was the famous Guy Fawkes), weapons were stored for the needs of the army. Until the 19th century, a royal menagerie functioned in the fortress, where dangerous and bizarre animals were kept for the amusement of the court. Yet the Tower is most famous as an ominous prison. Countless generations of people managed to suffer in its dungeons; only a few managed to escape. Seven heads were chopped off right in the castle (which was a great privilege; for example, Anne Boleyn lost her head there), another fifteen hundred prisoners were executed in the city, combining justice with the amusement of the crowd.
A huge number of different stories and legends are associated with the Tower. One of them is connected with the ravens that have lived there since ancient times - if the birds fly away, misfortune awaits England. To prevent this from happening, a special caretaker for the crows was appointed, and the birds’ wings were also clipped (which completely eliminates the possibility of misfortunes).
Another interesting tradition preserved to this day is the institution of Tower guards. Once these carefully selected people guarded kings and watched over prisoners, now their functions have become more peaceful, but no less responsible: they maintain order in the Tower and impress tourists, in this they are helped by special uniforms.
Today the Tower is a carefully protected monument of architecture and history, open to tourists. The territory houses a museum and an armory with countless interesting exhibits.
Helpful information
Nearest tube stations: Tower Hill station – District Line and London Bridge station – Northern Line
Tower of London opening hours
In summer (from March 1 to October 31) from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:30, on Sunday and Monday from 10:00.
IN winter period from 9:00 to 16:30.
Ticket price to the Tower of London
Adults £25.
For children (5-15 years) £12
Discounts apply for students and pensioners.
Enjoy your visit!
– one of the main attractions of London. Medieval fortress serving in different time and a prison, and a mint, and a treasure repository, and even a zoo. The castle is included in the UNESCO list.
History of the Tower Castle
The fortress was not built from scratch; long before construction, people lived on the site of the future castle and there were fortifications. Traces of human habitation from the Iron Age were found here. Before the Roman invasion, these places were located in Celtic times, and the Romans built a wooden fort here. Then, after the Romans left, the Saxon invasion began, and a stone wall was built to protect against them. Well, then begins the history of that very fortress, which is now located near the center of London.
Early history
The Tower of London was founded by King William I the Conqueror. After conquering the Anglo-Saxons, he began building stone fortresses, the first of which was the Tower. The castle was located in the south of what was then London, with one side overlooking the Thames. The site for construction was not chosen by chance; previously one of the Roman forts was located here, parts of it were also used in the Tower.
Then the size of the fortress was much smaller; initially a central tower was erected, which later became a citadel. And at the time of construction, the stone tower was surrounded by a palisade, an earthen rampart and a ditch. The fortress walls were completed later.
It is believed that the Tower began to be built in 1078, this date, although not precise, is confirmed by both carbon dating and excavations and documents. The exact date of completion of construction is unknown, but it is assumed that the White Tower was completed no later than 1100.
The White Tower gets its name from the color its walls were painted in 1240.
The Tower of London combined several important functions. In addition to its direct military defensive significance, the castle also acted as a symbol of the new government. Built on a hill, a very tall tower for that time was visible from all over London, which instilled fear in the recently conquered Anglo-Saxons. Presumably, the permanent residence of William the Conqueror was located in the Tower. Well, the fortress began to fulfill its most famous role, a prison, from the first years of its construction. The first known prisoner is Ranulf Flambard, advisor to William II and Bishop of Durham. The next king, Henry I, arrested and placed him in custody, but a funny thing happened - Flambard became not only the first prisoner, but also the first fugitive from the Tower.
First expansion
The design of the fortress remained unchanged until the reign of Richard I the Lionheart. Accounting documents authored by Lord Chancellor William Longchamp on the allocation of funds for the modernization of the Tower, dated approximately 1189 and 1190, have been preserved. Then curtains were built and a ditch was dug, which they unsuccessfully tried to fill with water from the Thames.
Experience new system fortifications happened quite quickly - already in 1191 the Tower was besieged for the first time. The younger brother of Richard I - Prince John, who later became the king known to us as John the Landless - broke his promise not to enter England and besieged the castle in which Longchamp took refuge. However, no serious battles happened then, the siege lasted 3 days and Longchamp decided to surrender to John's mercy.
The Tower's next participation in hostilities was not long in coming; already in 1214, the fortress was besieged by Robert Fitz-Walter, the leader of the barons who rebelled against the king. But John preferred negotiations to war, signed the Carta and the siege was lifted.
Second expansion
The following kings of England actively participated in the modernization of the Tower, in particular, Henry III invested quite a lot of money in it over 11 years, from 1216 to 1227. The king at that time had strained relations with the barons and, fearing another war for the throne, decided to build the most powerful and impregnable castle in Great Britain. At the same time, Henry did not forget about his own comfort; most of the funds went to improve the interior decoration of the citadel. It was during the reign of Henry III in 1240 that the Tower was painted white.
Everything that was built in the Tower under Henry III is now called the “courtyard” of the fortress.
But the king did not forget about the military significance of the Tower; since 1238, the fortress was significantly expanded. On the landward side, a new defensive perimeter was built and, finally, a full-fledged ditch was dug. At that time, the contradictions between the king and the barons intensified, another civil war began and the Tower passed from hand to hand, but without fighting - but as a result of treaties and their violations. The next full-fledged siege of the fortress began in April 1267, Count Gilbert de Clare tried to take the castle, but he failed and soon retreated, and peace reigned in England. The king died, his son, Edward I, ascended the throne, and took on the Tower even more actively.
The new king had extensive experience in sieges, gained in the Crusade, and he was also afraid civil wars, therefore, huge amounts of money were allocated for the modernization of the castle. This time almost the entire amount went towards improvement defensive structures– a new wall was erected with a large number of loopholes, two new bastions (in the northwest and northeast), the ditch was expanded to 50 meters and filled with water. The entrance from the south was moved to the southwest and a barbican was built to protect it, and the old gate was replaced by the brick Beauchamp Tower. Edward understood that he might find himself in a long-term siege, so two water mills were built in the Tower for greater autonomy.
The extensive improvements made by Edward are now considered the "outer courtyard" of the castle. It was also under Edward that animals began to be kept in the Tower - lions.
Both kings, Henry III and Edward I, completed the Tower almost to modern look. Of course, not all the buildings have survived, but the main part of the fortifications has survived to this day and is now accessible to tourists.
Middle Ages
For some time, the Tower ceases to participate in military conflicts. More prisoners end up here, and for the first time a woman is imprisoned within the castle walls. The Tower becomes the main prison for noble persons.
But Edward II seriously neglected the Tower, so it was not very comfortable for the captured nobles to be there. Although the number of prisoners increased due to the outbreak of the Hundred Years' War. As a result, Edward III allocated funds for the renovation and repair of the remaining impregnable fortress.
The time of peace came to an end and the next king of England, Richard II, had to hold a siege in the Tower. True, at that time it was only besieged by rebel peasants, but when the king came out to negotiate with them, they burst in without any resistance from the defenders, plundered the treasury and executed several people close to the king. The situation repeated itself 6 years later, but then it didn’t come to a full-fledged siege; the king simply waited out the unrest inside the castle.
The real war in England began in the second half of the 15th century, it is known to us as the War of the White and Scarlet Roses. Then the Tower of London was once again under siege. Despite the active use of artillery, the besiegers only managed to damage some of the buildings, but did not capture the fortifications. The siege was lifted when King Henry VI was captured. However, he soon regained power, but not for long; Henry was placed in the Tower as a prisoner, and then executed. Although there is no exact evidence of this, it was the execution of Henry VI that is considered the first high-profile execution within the walls of the Tower.
And in 1483, a truly terrible event took place within the walls of the Tower. The heirs to the throne, the young princes Edward and Richard, were imprisoned in the castle by their uncle Richard III, who declared himself king. Both princes disappeared without a trace, most likely they were killed.
But the Tower had already begun to lose its military significance, although they tried to strengthen it to withstand artillery; in general, it was a fortress too outdated for military affairs. Also, the use of the Tower for practical purposes - as warehouses, offices, etc. - made it impossible for monarchs to live within its walls.
At the beginning of the 14th century, a tradition arose - all monarchs began the procession to the coronation from the Tower and ended it at Westminster Abbey. Then, when the rulers stopped permanently living in this castle, the tradition of spending the night here before the ceremony was added to it. The last king to follow this rite was Charles II, crowned in 1660. But the castle was in such a terrible state that the future king did not dare to stay there overnight.
During the reign of the Tudors, the Tower was actively used as a prison. It became a place of imprisonment for many famous personalities such as Thomas More, Elizabeth Tudor, Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes and many others. Prisoners were often publicly executed, this took place on a nearby hill, and a total of 112 people were killed there. But sometimes the sentence was carried out inside the castle; this affected seven people, including three queens, the most famous of whom was Anne Boleyn. Now a memorial sign has been erected at the execution site.
The further fate of the Tower
In the XVII, XVIII and 19th centuries the fortress no longer performed any military functions. The last time they tried to strengthen it was at the end of the 18th century, fearing Scottish uprisings, but to no avail. And an attempt to renew the shallow ditch led to an outbreak of cholera among the garrison.
At this time, the Tower was used as an armory, and as a quartering place for the London garrison, and as the headquarters of artillery troops, and as a royal menagerie. All citizens who wished could see the animals; access was opened by Queen Elizabeth I.
In an interesting way, they charged entrance fees to the zoo. You could either buy a regular pass for three halfpenny, or give a cat or dog to the lions for food.
During the First World War, the Tower was restored to its functions as a prison and then as a scaffold. Eleven German spies were shot within its walls. The Second World War also left its mark on the history of the castle. Firstly, the arrested Rudolf Hess was placed here, and secondly, more than a hundred arrested people passed through the Tower, who were then sent to camps. And then the last person in the castle was executed - the spy Josef Jacobz. But that’s not all, the British military considered the fortress as the basis for creating a long-term defense if the German army landed in London, but, fortunately, it didn’t come to that; the Red Army, with the support of the allies, won the Second World War.
The last prisoner was beheaded in the Tower (more precisely, on a nearby hill) in 1747, and the last person executed in general was the already mentioned spy Jacobz. And the last prisoners of the fortress were London gangsters - the Kray twins. They went to jail in 1952.
Already in 1946, the Tower of London reopened its doors to visitors. Today, in addition to the walls themselves, which have absorbed almost a thousand years of history, tourists can see a collection of weapons, jewelry, and many antiques.
Tower Guards
The Tower has two special, living attractions - the guards and the ravens. It is worth noting that the Tower is still considered the official residence of the monarch, and no one has removed its functions as a fortress and a prison. So guards, yeomen, called “beefeaters,” are constantly on duty in the castle.
The word "beefeater" literally translates as "meat eater" or "meat eater." The main version of the origin of the nickname is that the castle garrison always received very large food rations from a huge amount meat, which surprised even some kings.
They are responsible for guarding the castle, preserving the regalia and supervising prisoners who have not been in the castle for a long time. But in fact, the guards perform various ceremonial functions, in particular, the daily Ceremony of Keys - the ceremonial closing of all the castle gates, and also take on the role of tour guides. Although all beefeaters are military.
These guards appeared in 1485, thanks to Henry VII, a representative of the Tudor dynasty. Currently, 38 guards serve within the walls of the Tower, all of them wear historical clothing from the end of the 15th century with the coat of arms of the House of Tudor.
To become a beefeater, only a retired military man who has served in the military for at least 22 years, has received a special award for length of service, and has held the rank of senior noncommissioned officer or higher can become a beefeater. At the same time, there was an interesting incident - the sailors did not have the right to serve in the Tower, since they swore allegiance not to the crown, but to the Lord of the Admiralty.
But Elizabeth II changed this order, giving the post of lord to her husband, Prince Philip, who, as you know, was a sailor and served in the navy throughout the Second World War. world war. As a result, in 2011, the first sailor entered service in the Tower.
In 2007, a woman was able to become a beefeater for the first time. She met all the requirements, so the appointment was legal. But an unpleasant incident occurred - after 2 years, three of the guards were put on trial for “harassment”, one was acquitted, but the other two were fired.
Ravens of the Tower
The Six Ravens are the castle's second living attraction and a centuries-old tradition. For various reasons, crows have always lived in the Tower and there is a legend that when the crows leave the Tower, the British monarchy will fall. According to the most common version, King Charles II issued an interesting decree, according to which at least 6 crows should always live in the castle, and to prevent them from flying away, their wings should be clipped. Whether it was like this or not, this tradition has been maintained for quite a long time.
Often more than six crows live in a castle, this moment there are nine of them:
- Bran (male, 2008);
- Porsha (female, 2008);
- Erin (female, 2006);
- Merlina (female, 2004);
- Munin (female, 1995);
- Khagin (female, 2008);
- Rocky (male, 2010);
- Grip (male, 2012);
- Jubilee (male, 2012).
One of the beefeaters, who also bears the title of Ravenmaster, is responsible for care. All birds receive a rich diet, including 170 grams of meat per day, not counting the rats that they catch themselves.
Fun fact: Munin the Raven once escaped from the Tower and was on the run for 5 days before vigilant citizens discovered him in a park in Greenwich.
Ravens usually live 10–15 years, but in captivity their lifespan is much longer; one of the Tower Ravens lived for 44 years. A replacement for the dead raven is found in nurseries or someone from their offspring is taken. At the same time, the crows are not guaranteed lifelong residence in the castle; some birds were literally fired for misbehavior. For example, in 1986, George the raven was sent to the zoo for attacking a television antenna.
Tour of the Tower
The Tower of London, as one of the most famous landmarks in Great Britain, attracts many tourists. For those arriving in London for the first time, a visit to this castle is always included in the excursion program. The London authorities understand this very well, which is why the Tower houses many interesting exhibitions, and the formal guards, yeomen, wear medieval clothes and act as tour guides.
Crown Treasures
One of the main permanent exhibitions, which has been running since the 17th century, is an exhibition of ceremonial treasures of the British monarchy. Crowns, royal scepters, robes, and unique precious stones are on display for visitors to see.
These are not just museum exhibits, these are real royal regalia, which are still used in various rituals.
Row of Kings Exhibition and Armor Exhibition
The Tower's Row of Kings is considered by many historians to be one of the oldest exhibitions in the world. These ten life-size models of mounted knights, each depicting one of the English kings, were created at the end of the 17th century. Since then, the exhibition has been supplemented with several new horsemen, and in its current form was combined with the armor museum.
Now the exhibits are located in the White Tower Armory and are the main permanent exhibition of the Tower. In addition to mounted warriors, tourists can see original examples of tournament armor of kings, among which the gilded armor of Charles I stands out.
But what kind of armor can there be without weapons? In the same room, dozens of samples of weapons are collected - from swords, sabers and rapiers, to firearms from different times, including artillery.
Medieval life
Considering that the Tower was also a permanent royal residence, it should have had many rooms for the king, his guests and servants to live. Unfortunately, this is not entirely true - the original palace house where the monarchs lived was destroyed long ago, and the remaining rooms, which were even located in the towers, did not preserve the original interiors.
But during the reconstruction, various interiors of the Middle Ages were recreated in some rooms of the fortress. All available historical materials were used, so the image turned out to be quite accurate.
For example, in the former reception room, St. Thomas's Tower, the royal bedroom is now recreated, and in the basement of another tower, where King Henry III held meetings, there is a reconstruction of the throne room. A separate exposition of elements of medieval life is presented.
Royal Menagerie
Although the animals were transported to a normal zoo 150 years ago, their memory remained in the Tower. First of all, visitors can see sculptures of various animals, which are installed in many places. In addition, an exhibition has been opened in the Brick Tower, which tells the story of the keeping of animals presented to the king in this fortress.
Chapel of St. Peter in Chains
Any fortress included a place for performing religious rituals and a chaplain constantly on duty. The Tower is no exception; on its territory there is a church founded in the 12th century and rebuilt in 1520.
It was in front of the chapel that they cut off the heads of prisoners for whom they did not want to arrange a public execution. Now there is a small memorial, and the chapel itself is famous for its organ, assembled in the 17th century.
In the 19th century, with the development of firearms, flintlock guns appeared. They began to equip the troops, which were called “fusiliers.” One of these regiments was at one time a garrison of the Tower and, formally, remains so to this day, although, of course, they have long been no longer armed with fusels and are stationed elsewhere.
But in memory of them, an exhibition was opened that introduces tourists not only to the history of a particular regiment, but in general tells about the time that replaced the knightly era. Among the exhibits are weapons, soldiers' and officers' uniforms, awards, and household items.
Key Ceremony
A tradition that has existed for almost 700 years and is also a unique attraction. This is a special ritual when the yeomen, the guards of the Tower, ceremoniously close all the gates at night.
The ceremony begins exactly at 21:53, but it is not so easy to see. Although those who wish to watch are allowed to watch, and it is even free, the number of spectators is very limited and you need to register for attendance several months in advance.
Tower on the map
Information for visitors
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Tower of London, London, EC3N 4AB |
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hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon |
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Work schedule (in 2015) |
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Visit price |
A standard adult ticket costs £24.50; children under 16 years of age, students and pensioners receive discounts. You can also save money if you buy a ticket online. |
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Services on site |
There are several food establishments, most of which close together with the cash registers, at 17:00 or 16:00, respectively. On the grounds of the Tower you can have picnics with food to take away from establishments inside the castle. There are also several jewelry stores in the Tower, where you can buy various little things, such as key chains and mugs, and real knight's armor. |
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Attractions nearby |
Tower Bridge (near the castle, bridge over the Thames), Museum of London (approx. 2 km), Barbican (approx. 2.5 km), St. Paul's Cathedral (approx. 2 km). |
How to get there
Photo of the Tower of London
Tower of London
Tower, Tower of London(English) the Tower, Tower of London, “Tower”) - a fortress built on the north bank of the Thames River, historical Center city of London. One of the oldest historical buildings in Great Britain, which for a long time served as the residence of English monarchs. Today the Tower is both a historical monument and a museum included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Base
The founding of the Tower fortress is attributed to the Roman Emperor Claudius. It was then a wooden fort built in the southeast corner of the old Roman wall. After the Norman conquest of England, William I began to build defensive castles to intimidate the conquered Anglo-Saxons. One of the largest was the Tower. The wooden fort was replaced by a huge stone building - the Great Tower, which is a quadrangular structure measuring 32 x 36 meters and about 30 meters high. When the new king of England later ordered the building to be whitewashed, it was named the White Tower, or White Tower. Subsequently, several more towers of varying heights and two rows of powerful fortress walls were erected. A deep ditch was dug around the fortress, making it one of the most impregnable fortresses in Europe.
State prison
The first prisoner was imprisoned in the Tower in 1100. At that time, Tower Prison was intended for people of noble birth and high rank. Among the most honorable and high-ranking prisoners of the Tower were the kings of Scotland and France and members of their families (James I of Scotland, prisoners of the Hundred Years' War John II (King of France) and Charles of Orleans), as well as representatives of the aristocracy and priests who fell into disgrace on charges of treason. The walls of the Tower also remember many executions and murders: Henry VI, as well as 12-year-old Edward V and his younger brother, were killed in the Tower.
The prisoners were kept in those premises that were not occupied at that time. The terms of imprisonment varied widely. Thus, William Penn, founder of the English colony in North America, called Pennsylvania, was imprisoned in the Tower for religious beliefs and spent eight months in the Tower. Charles, Duke of Orleans, nephew of the French king and an outstanding poet, after defeat in battle, spent a total of 25 years within the walls of the castle until an incredible ransom was paid for him. Courtier Walter Raleigh, navigator, poet and playwright, tried to brighten up 13 dreary years of imprisonment by working on the multi-volume work “History of the World”. After his temporary release, he was again imprisoned in the Tower and then executed.
The Tower gained its reputation as a sinister place of torture during the Reformation. Henry VIII, obsessed with the desire to have a son-heir, broke off all relations with Roman Catholic Church and began to persecute everyone who refused to recognize him as the head of the Church of England. After Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn, failed to bear him a son, the king accused her of treason and adultery. As a result, Anna, her brother and four other persons were beheaded in the Tower. The same fate befell Catherine Howard, Henry's fifth wife. Many royals who posed a threat to the English throne were taken to the Tower and then executed.
Henry's young son, the Protestant Edward VI, who ascended the throne, continued the series of brutal executions begun by his father. When Edward died six years later, the English crown went to Henry's daughter Mary, a devout Catholic. Wasting no time, the new queen ordered the beheading of 16-year-old Lady Jane Gray and her young husband, who found themselves pawns in a bitter power struggle. Now is the time for the Protestants to lay down their heads. Elizabeth, Mary's half-sister, spent several anxious weeks within the walls of the Tower. However, having become queen, she dealt with those who refused to betray the Catholic faith and dared to oppose her rule.
Dry moat in front of the Middle Tower.
Although thousands of prisoners were thrown into the Tower, only five women and two men were beheaded within the fortress, which saved them from the shame of public execution. Three of these women were queens - Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Jane Grey, who lasted only nine days on the throne. Most of other executions - mostly beheadings - took place on nearby Tower Hill, where huge crowds of fans of such spectacles flocked. The severed head was placed on a stake and displayed on London Bridge as a warning to others. The headless body was taken to the Tower and buried in the cellars of the chapel. A total of more than 1,500 bodies were buried in these cellars.
In some cases, usually only with official permission, prisoners were tortured into admitting their guilt. In 1605, Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and the King during the Gunpowder Plot, was strung up on the Tower rack before being executed, forcing him to reveal the names of his accomplices.
In the 17th century, England and the Tower were for some time in the hands of Oliver Cromwell and the parliamentarians, but after Charles II was re-enthroned, the Tower prison was not particularly replenished. The last beheading took place on Tower Hill in 1747. However, this was not the end of the Tower's history as a state prison. During the First World War, 11 German spies were imprisoned and executed in the Tower. During World War II, prisoners of war were temporarily held there, among whom Rudolf Hess spent several days. The last victim executed within the walls of the fortress was Josef Jacobs, accused of espionage and executed in August 1941.
Zoo, mint and royal armory
For more than 500 years, the main department of the royal mint was located in the Tower. One of its most turbulent periods came during the reign of Henry VIII, when coins were minted from silver requisitioned from ruined monasteries. In addition, important government and legal records were kept in the Tower, and weapons and military equipment of the king and the royal army were also manufactured and stored.
Palace guards and royal regalia
From the very foundation of the Tower, its prisoners and buildings were carefully guarded. But specially selected palace guards appeared in 1485. In those days prisoners were often brought down the river and brought into the Tower through the "Traitor's Gate". As the accused was led away from the trial, observers watched to see where the prison guard's ax was pointed. The blade pointed at the prisoner foreshadowed another execution.
Palace guards guard the Tower to this day. Today, their responsibilities also include conducting excursions for numerous visitors. On especially special occasions, they dress in luxurious costumes from the Tudor dynasty: scarlet camisoles trimmed with gold and topped with snow-white frilled collars. On ordinary days, they wear dark blue and red Victorian uniforms. English guards are often called beefeaters (from the English word “beef” - beef), or meat-eaters. This nickname most likely arose during times of famine, when Londoners were malnourished and the palace guards received regular rations of beef. In this way, the English crown provided itself with reliable protection.
The palace "Ravenmaster", or Raven Keeper, cares for a flock of black ravens. There is a belief that if the birds leave the Tower, misfortune will befall England, so their wings were clipped as a precaution.
Keepers of the Royal Treasury guard the famous jewels of the British Empire. The treasury has been open to visitors since the 17th century. Among precious stones, decorating the crowns, orbs and scepters, which are still used by members of the royal family during ceremonies, you can see the world's largest cut diamond High Quality, Cullinan I.
Modern look
Today the Tower of London is one of the main attractions of Great Britain. It has hardly changed since the past. A symbol of the Tower's sinister past is the site where the Tower Hill scaffold formerly stood. Now there is a small memorial plaque installed there in memory of “the tragic fate and sometimes martyrdom of those who, in the name of faith, homeland and ideals, risked their lives and accepted death.” Currently, the main buildings of the Tower are the museum and the armory, where the treasures of the British crown are kept; officially continues to be considered one of the royal residences. The Tower also has a number of private apartments, where mainly service personnel and distinguished guests live.
Links
- Tower of London - Guide - Information about the city of London
Coordinates: 51°30′30.32″ n. w. 0°04′38.01″ W d. / 51.508422° N. w. 0.077225° W d.(G)51.508422 , -0.077225
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See what "Tower of London" is in other dictionaries:
Tower- Tower. London. TOWER (English tower), castle fortress in London, on the banks of the Thames River. The oldest part of the Tower is the Romanesque “White Tower” (circa 1078 85). Until the 17th century one of the royal residences and at the same time (officially until 1820)… … Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary