The Tower of London: A Glance into History

Visitors to London have a wealth of tourist attractions to spend their time visiting, but few offer such a vivid glimpse into the capital’s rich history as the Tower of London.

A feature article by an Alumbo member, Apr 10, 2008

Summary:
Visitors to London have a wealth of tourist attractions to spend their time visiting, but few offer such a vivid glimpse into the capital’s rich history as the Tower of London.

The Tower of London was founded in 1078 when the Norman king William the Conqueror ordered the White Tower - a stark, square fortress - to be built. This was as much to protect the Normans from the people of the City of London as it was to protect London from outside invaders. The Tower was built using Caen stone, imported from France.

In the 12th century, King Richard the Lionheart enclosed the Tower with a curtain wall and had a moat dug around it and filled with water from the Thames. The moat was not successful, however, until Henry III strengthened the curtain wall and, later, Edward I built an outer curtain wall which created a concentric double defence. The Tower of London remained a Royal residence until political and military leader Oliver Cromwell demolished the old palatial buildings in the 17th century.

Ravens have also been synonymous with the Tower Of London for centuries. It is thought that at least six ravens have been in residence at the Tower since the 12th and 13th centuries. Legend has it that Charles II ordered their removal following complaints from Royal Astronomer John Flamsteed. They were not removed however due to Charles II being informed of the legend that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the monarchy and the entire Kingdom would fall. Superstition or not, following the English Civil War, Charles was unwilling to take the risk and the ravens stayed right up to the present day.

Perhaps the most famous use for the Tower of London over the centuries, besides being the home of the Crown Jewels since the 14th century, was as a prison for those of high rank and religious dissidents. The first ever prisoner held in the Tower was Ranulf Flambard, the Bishop of Durham, who was found guilty of extortion in 1100. Other notable prisoners include Henry VI of England, Sir Walter Raleigh and Guy Fawkes. Rudolph Hess, deputy leader of the Nazi party, was the last State prisoner to be held at the Tower in 1941. The Tower also contained various torture chambers, with many public executions also taking place in the Tower’s grounds including those of several of Henry the Eighth’s wives.

In the present day, the Tower of London is one of the world’s premier tourist destinations with many international tourists filling nearby hotels in London and visiting the Tower each year. Not only offering a glimpse of the Crown Jewels, the Tower of London also offers visitors a glimpse into the exciting, and oftentimes macabre, history of England and Britain.

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