The Tower of London is a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames on Tower Hill. As a whole, the stone Tower, built by William the Conqueror, is a complex of several buildings set within two rings of defensive walls and a moat. It served as a royal residence after it was built in 1078.

Perhaps the most famous part of the Tower of London is the Jewel House which houses the Crown Jewels. Kings and queens of England have stored crowns, robes, and other items of their ceremonial regalia at the Tower of London.  The magnificent world-famous collection of 23,578 gemstones and royal regalia, under armed guard, boasts items which are still used by the Queen for important national ceremonies, such as the State Opening of Parliament. The jewels that are still used have a sign “in use” near them.  No photography is allowed within the Jewel House.

The White Tower was built to awe, subdue and terrify Londoners, and to deter foreign invaders. The White Tower has a display of the historic and world-class Royal Armouries collections, including the 350-year-old exhibition. On the top floor of the White Tower is the Torture at the Tower with an original executioner’s block of the 18th century as well as an axe that possibly dates back to Tudor times. The Tower was used to hold prisoners who were a threat to national security. The wealthier the prisoner, the better he was treated.

The Medieval Palaces consists of the ’St Thomas’s Tower, the Wakefield Tower and the Lanthorn Tower. From the 1200s to 1835, the Tower housed a menagerie of exotic wild animals, never before seen in London, including lions and a polar bear given as royal gifts.

The London Tower definitely has a unique history and an intriguing past.

Posted: December 10, 2017

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