THE TOWER OF LONDON
Middlesex
Who can doubt that The Tower of London is one of the most magnificent buildings in the World? Surely nobody.
It's history is almost as long as that of London itself. The White Tower (pictured above) was constructed on the orders of William I, in 1078. Work continued under William II and a bailey wall was added in 1097. Surprisingly little building occurred thereafter until 1190 when the Bishop of Ely added another bailey. Henry III in 1238 undertook a massive rebuilding programme which added the walls and ditches and buildings which today make up the wall walk and include tower such as The Bloody Tower. The work cost upward of £10,000! Work was carried on by Edward I who constructed an outer wall of concentric plan to rival those built by him in Wales. A Barbican was added (now merely foundations near the underground tunnel to the Tube Station). It was during this period that the Water Gate was added, to allow direct access to the Thames - it was only later that this entrance became dubbed "Traitor's Gate".
The Tower withstood a siege early in its career - during the 1216 rebellion against King John - but is most famous in its role as a prison - famed inmates including Sir Thomas More, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lady Jane Grey, Anne Boleyn and the two boy Princes supposedly murdered in the Bloody Tower by King Richard III.
On Tower Green is a modern replica of the block upon which many unfortunates, including three English Queens - Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey - met their extremely unpleasant end at the hands of the Royal Executioner's axe.
As time passed The Tower became a zoo, a tourist attraction (one of the World's first!) and during World War II the moats became allotments for growing vegetables. It is also famous for housing the English Crown Jewels, now housed in a wonderful modern exhibition.
Many legends are attached to The Tower. The famous Ravens, the "Beefeaters" or Yeoman of the Guard to give them their correct title, unsurprisingly a number of ghosts including some of Royal blood...there is a slogan doing the publicity rounds at the moment "The Tower IS London" - it is difficult to argue with that verdict.
It is difficult - indeed impossible - to sum up The Tower of London in such a brief piece of writing, suffice it to say no other building anywhere in Britain has as extensive, exciting and interesting a history and has remained such an impressive structure.
The Tower is open all year around daily, and although entrance is expensive, a day can easily be spent exploring The Tower's many many attractions.
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© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and
Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001
