| Tower of London (0/1) |
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| ::darkshadows:: (bat@cave.org) |
2009/05/20 01:50 |
Tower of London
For over 900 years the Tower of London has been one of the capital's
most prominent landmarks and a world-famous visitor attraction.
Throughout its long history, the Tower has served as a royal palace
and fortress, prison and place of execution, an arsenal, royal mint,
menagerie and jewel house.
[pic 01]
View of the Tower of London from across the River Thames
The Tower of London was originally built by William the Conqueror,
following his successful invasion of England in 1066.
The Tower of London is perhaps better known as a prison. The prisoners
would be brought, via the river, from Westminster where they would
have been tried and crowds would wait on the river bank to find out
the verdict to see if they would be treated to the spectacle of a
public execution. The executioner, with his long sharp axe would stand
behind the accused on the boat. If the accused was guilty he would
point his axe towards the victim and if not guilty he would point it
away. People knew that if found guilty there would be a public
execution 48 hours later.
The responsibility for looking after the prisoners was given to the
Yeomen Warders or Beefeaters (These guards, although looking very
similar, are different from the Yeomen of the Guard).
The Yeomen Warders originate from twelve Yeoman of the Guards, who
were once private bodyguards of Henry VIII.
The Yeomen Warders job title is "Yeoman Warder of Her Majesty's Royal
Palace and Fortress the Tower of London, and Members of the
Sovereign's Body Guard of the Yeoman Guard Extraordinary".
[pic 02]
In the centre of the Tower of London is the famous White Tower. It is
the oldest part of the fortress and was built on the site of the
Norman Keep built by William the Conqueror.
The Tower, or Bloody Tower as it is known, has been host to many
famous executions and imprisonments, including those of Anne Boleyn,
Catherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey and Sir Walter Raleigh.
Tower Prisoners
Many people have been locked in the Tower, for religious beliefs or
suspected treason. Famous prisoners have included Anne Boleyn, Sir
Walter Raleigh and Elizabeth I.
Elizabeth I was held prisoner in the Tower for two months by the order
of her half sister, Queen Mary. Mary felt that her throne was being
threatened by Elizabeth, so she imprisoned her in the Tower
[pic 03]
The curtain wall protecting the White Tower
As well as being a palace and a fortress, the Tower of London has also
served as:
* the first Royal Armoury
* Royal Mint (where money is made)
* Royal Observatory
* Royal Zoo
Today the Tower of London houses the Crown Jewels and is open to the
public as a museum.
[pic 04]
The Legend of The Ravens
Ravens have lived at the Tower of London for hundreds of years. Legend
has it that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London the White
Tower will crumble and a great disaster shall befall England.
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