Having carried out a questionnaire about the places I’d visited in London in the last year, it struck me, I’d never been to the Tower of London! So I enlisted the company of my great friend Christianne and off we went…
We had both previously associated the Tower of London primarily with imprisonment and torture, but this is only a tiny part of its long history. The whole building is named after the White Tower (pictured above) construction was commenced in the 1080s by William the Conqueror. The purpose of the Tower was to protect London and to assert Norman power.
Image taken from http://www.gutenberg.org/files/28742/28742-h/28742-h.htm
For me, one of the most interesting aspects of historical places is trying to imagine what it would’ve been like at the time it was built and how different eras have used and lived there over time.
Henry III (1207 – 1272) is the first royal known to have had the Royal Menagerie and it is thought to have included monkeys, lions, elephants and a polar bear amongst other things. By the 18th century it was open to the public and was relocated to Regents Park in 1835 where the London Zoo remains.
Image taken from http://www.diamondland.be/diamondnews/crown-jewels-united-kingdom
The Crown Jewels have been on display at the Tower since 1669, but no pictures are allowed. They are pretty impressive, my favourite item was the ‘Royal Punch Bowl’ which could hold – I can’t remember exactly – but abut 40 litres of wine. If I were Queen, h-hmm, the Tower would be closed for partying…
I’ve already found some willing guests. And what lovely Beefeaters they were.. technically they are responsible for looking after any prisoners at the Tower and safeguarding the Crown Jewels but they just seemed to be having a giggle and pointing people in the right direction.
This is where I ended up… praying not to be put on the rack. There is a display of the torture equipment that was used mainly in the 16th century when the Tower became known as a grim prison. Though it seems it housed the more ‘high-profile’ religious and political prisoners. The room pictured above was Sir Walter Raleigh’s suite, the writer, poet and explorer was imprisoned on 3 occasions for amongst other things treason, he was finally beheaded in 1618.
In one of the rooms there are examples of graffiti which has been carved into the walls, its pretty impressive. Other prisoners you may have heard of are William Wallace, Anne Boleyn, Guy Fawkes and the Kray Twins.
The Fit for a King exhibit displays the armour used by the Kings, to find out when a King might need armour you can visit the Historic Royal Palaces website.
If you want to make friends with this guy, see and learn a whole lot more I would highly recommend a day out at the Tower of London!
Location: The Tower of London, London, England EC3N 4AB
Entry Fee: Adult £20.90, for more info click here
Sandra
June 11, 2012
My husband and I visited the tower last year . Although there was plenty to see and do , I was dissapointed that we couldent visit the Queens house and the house where Lady jane grey spent her last days . And why , Because the beefeaters live in them . Also we were not allowed to actully see anne bolyns resting place . I understand that these places have to be protected but these were a few of the places we had been looking forward to seeing , and were were rushed out of the chapel so the next set of visitors could come in .Sp all in all i was disapointed with my tower visit .
The Exhibition List
June 11, 2012
Sorry to hear that Sandra, I guess we went without any expectations so what we saw and learnt was pretty exhilarating. They do have an email on their website, it might be an idea to send your comments to them so they can consider your disappointment VisitorServices_TOL@hrp.org.uk
kiwidutch
June 16, 2012
I went to the Tower of London back in 1988 with my Mother on a visit to London… it was hot and really busy and the Beefeaters had to warn us that some Romanian gangs working very hard in entire families, “saving for their holidays” ie pickpocketing.
Despite feeling a bit scared that I was about to be mugged any second (I wasn’t at ALL a streetwise kid in those days) I enjoyed seeing everything… also because I was from New Zealand and it was my first ever look at a castle-like structure. I’d love to go back now that I’m older, wiser and more streetwise
The Exhibition List
June 16, 2012
Wow, it sounds like they should’ve been locked in the Tower! How scary. When we went it was very civilised so my only fear was my friend duping me onto the rack…
Zen and Genki
June 24, 2012
What a fascinating post (as always!) Really enjoyed this, thank you!
anne
CanadianTravelBugs
July 19, 2012
The tower is a great place to visit. We met Big Ken when I was there way back in the 90′s and he brought my friend and I inside as his guests for free! I went back again in 2000′s and had to pay my own way and que up… but to see the jewels it was worth it.
marilay
July 29, 2012
Thanks for this lovely post!
I visit the Tower of London almost ever year when I take my students to London. It is a place I like very much.There is always something to see. The neighbourhood is very nice too; Tower Bridge, City Hall, the HMS Belfast Warship…
The Exhibition List
July 29, 2012
Thanks Marilay, its an amazing place, so rich in history! Your blog looks great, I’ve never been to India but it is on my shortlist of things to do, look forward to reading more.