So, in honour of this fascinating Royal Residence, we have composed a fact file of 25 facts about the Tower of London. 10. Its located In a London Borough indirectly named after it, 2. It is held for the sovereign by a constable, who is now always a field marshal. In fact, the Tower, which is actually a complex of several. The ravens are generally free to roam around the Tower of London and visitors often get to see them very close to, which makes for a great photo opportunity (do take care as they have been known to peck visitors). Hess was later transferred to another prison. Plenty of famous faces are said to haunt the walls of the Tower and chillingly, theres even a bear that is rumoured to appear, scaring visitors to death. One of the longest-serving prisoners of the Tower of London was the famed Sir Walter Raleigh, who was confined to the citadel for some 13 years. Not knowing how long they would have to spend there some of them passed the time by carving intricate coats of arms into the walls of their prison buildings particularly fine examples can be seen in the Beauchamp Tower. The Tower of London is the home of the Crown Jewels Since the 17th Century, the Crown Jewels have been locked in the Tower, alongside other crowns, jewellery and robes. In recent centuries more evidence has come to light about the princes including the discovery of the bones of two young boys found in a chest in the Tower which have all but been confirmed to have belonged to the boy princes. Go ahead and impress your friends with your newfound knowledge! While the basement is thought to have been the torture chamber, where the likes of Guy Fawkes and John Gerard were taken. Royal Central is the web's leading source for news on the Monarchies of the world. In 1936, excavations around the moat led to a fascinating discovery: two lion skulls dating to the medieval times. Tower Bridge once Opened With a Bus on it 2. The Palace of Westminster is synonymous with politics in the United Kingdom and has seen some of the most momentous events in the history of the country. London has had a number of different names - Lowonidonjon, Londinium, Ludenwic, and Lunenburg. Sir Walter Raleigh. Tower of London main entrance-by dynamosquito- Wikimedia Commons. Its reputation was much worse than the actual matter, even though spending time at the Towers dungeon most certainly wasnt a 4-star hotel experience in medieval times. The Tower of London radiates rich history albeit a little on the darker side with all the executions. For this list, we're counting down the . To qualify they must have completed 22 years service in the Forces, the Warders live on site at the Tower. Big Ben is actually the huge bell inside the tower that chimes every hour on the hour. Sir Walter Raleigh maintained a garden here when he was a . It is born of history but not defined by it and is in a state of constant evolution. Actually, the main objective of constructing the tower was not for prison. In the late 1200s, for example, King Edward I ordered the construction of a mint in the complex, which remained in use until 1968. Big Ben London is situated in southeastern England, lying astride the River Thames some 50 miles (80 km) upstream from its estuary on the North Sea. We hope you find this wheely interesting. As the name suggests, a lantern was positioned at night at the top of the Lanthorn Tower to help guide ships entering the River Thames and the historic port of London. The post at The Queens house is a silent post, where the guard doesnt stamp and make loud noises so as to not disturb the occupants in The Queens House. Rudolf Hess, Deputy Chancellor of Nazi Germany, was imprisoned in the Tower after he attempted to parachute into Scotland. Not many. Its mainly a ceremonial role now and involves participating in ceremonial traditions and being active in the community. He laterused a rope to get to the boat waiting across the moat. You have to be a General or Field Marshal in the British Army. From the ill-fated 1605 Gunpowder Plot to speaker William Lenthall's defiance of King Charles I in 1642 and from suffragette Emily Davidson hiding in a ventilation shaft in the building to the inspirational "We shall fight on the beaches" Winston Churchill speech delivered to the House of Commons on 4 June 1940. In 1542, Henry VIII had his fifth wife, Catherine Howard, executed at the Tower of London as well. Scores of prisoners were executed at the site, by beheading, firing squad or hanging. Also there you can find some exercises for your students about the Tower (answer the questions, true or false, ask all types of questions, tell me about the . Construction of the Bell Tower commenced in 1190 and was completed in 1210. This was so archers on the inner wall could shoot over the top of the archers on the outer wall, producing a barrage of arrows to drive any attackers back. 2. It also features over 31 million bricks and 2 million rivets. William the Conqueror built the White Tower in 1066 as a demonstration of Norman power, siting it strategically on the River Thames to act as both fortress and gateway to the capital. While the Tower of London as we know it was built in the eleventh century, the history of fortification on the site stretches back into Roman times, when stone and wooden structures were built and marshland reclaimed from the Thames. It was never supposed to. The White Tower is 27 meters above ground and is made of Caen stone imported from France. In the past, ravens have gotten awayone took flight to Greenwich but was returned after seven days, and one was last seen outside an East End pub. In Edward Is time the outer curtain wall lower was made lower than the inner. Thats all very well, but what happens if the ravens fly away, we hear you ask? The Tower of London's prison held some of Great Britain's most infamous inmates. Their name comes from their role as food tasters to the King when they ate his beef to ensure it wasnt poisoned. As cruel as the place was known to be, however, not all prisoners suffered terrible conditions. Initial construction of the White Tower, the oldest structure in the Tower of London complex, started in 1078 and was completed in 1100, during the rule of King William II. Every night at 9:53 p.m., they lock the tower, a 700-year-old tradition called the Ceremony of Keys. London Zoo is the 3rd oldest zoo in the world. In addition, King Edward VI was murdered at the Tower of London in 1471 during the War of the Roses civil war. The full name of the Tower is actually:Her Majestys Royal Palace And Fortress, The Tower of London. Clad in a sharp red dress, these 37 men and women give tours of the fortress. The name of the Beefeaters is allegedly based on a comment from an Italian nobleman in the 17th century, who remarked that members of the security corps were given a large daily ration of beef. The Tower of London is centuries oldit goes back all the way to 1066. For over 500 years, the Tower was home to Englands money mint at first making each coin painstakingly by hand until technology advanced enough for a machine to be used to cut the gold instead. Thats why the Tower needed to be in good hands when the monarch was absent. Queen Victoria. Though not for their murders or robberies. 2012 onward the object is named as Elizabeth Tower, but in the past, the tower was known as the Clock Tower. Several ghosts are said to haunt the Tower, including those of Anne Boleyn, Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Pole, the Princes in the Tower and a grizzly bear! London's most famous bridge was designed to complement the Tower's design 3. Tower of London by ward- by Rosakoalaglitzereinhorn- Wikimedia Commons. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. One of the turrets called the Bell Tower merges two different designs starting with an octagonal tower rising to a highly secure circular style tower. Some of the armour is beautifully decorated with gold leaf making it a wonderful mix of engineering and art. William the Conqueror started the ball rolling for this long-time military stronghold, which remained as such until the 19th century. Built to primarily act as a secure fortress and showcase royal power, it was never intended that the Tower of London would be a place for incarceration. Arbella Stuart (the cousin of Elizabeth I) starved to death in the fortress walls and is said to still haunt the Queens House, whereas Anne Boleyn is reported to pop up near Tower Green, which was the site of her execution in 1536. Standing proudly on the River Thames The Tower of London was first built by William the Conqueror in 1078 and that part of the Tower, the White Tower, is still the centrepiece of the whole castle. 1. The Tower of London was founded by William the Conqueror after his famous victory at Hastings in 1066. He however escaped through the window using rope smuggled to him. A wooden castle was erected at first, but in around 1075-79 work began on the gigantic . 12. And, of course, there were executions. His escape is still a wonderhe sent notes to his fellow prisoner John Arden and outside supporters with an invisible ink made of orange juice, which revealed his secret messages when held to a heat source. A polar bear was acquired in 1252 and then an African elephant joined the clan in 1255. These functions are aptly nicknamed, each with its own story to tell. 15. The Wardrobe Tower was also commissioned in 1190 and completed in 1199. There are two sentry posts at the Tower of London. Coin making was an arduous process and noisy too, which earned the street in the area in which its located the name Mint Street. Every Blue Badge Tourist Guide in London knows the difference between London Bridge and Tower Bridge but not all their clients do. Sculptures at the Tower of London- by Mark Ahsmann- Wikimedia Commons. The tower is located in the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London. document.addEventListener( 'wpcf7mailfailed', function( event ) { Eleven German spies were executed at the Tower of London during World War I. Interestingly, although London suffered numerous attacks during that conflict, only one bomb was dropped on the Tower. Here you would find exotic animals such as elephants, polar bears, lions, kangaroos, and ostriches. Its all a little bit ominous Charles II is widely believed to have been the first Royal to insist that the ravens must stay put. Its called the Bell Tower because of the curfew bell housing on the top. It has a population of only 9,123 people, making it the smallest in England. The first moat, built by William the Conqueror, was more of a defensive ditch. Only 22 executions have ever taken place inside the Tower of London. Top 10 Facts About The Tower of London The Tower of London is a ancient castle observed in valuable London, and had numerous capabilities in British History- it turned into the Royal Palace, was a citadel, prison, vicinity of execution, arsenal, Royal Mint, Royal Zoo, and jewel residence. 7. Legend dictates that he had the two boy princes killed so he could succeed to the throne. Subsequent monarchs took steps to fortify and expand the complex. Unlike a lot of historical architecture, the Tower is also home to a small and lively community. There are 911 . The White Tower is one of the towers most iconic buildings. Guy Fawkes, Anne Boleyn, and even Queen Elizabeth I were all imprisoned at Her Majs fortress. It took many years to build even the first part of . It's located next to the Palace of Westminster 2. At 50 metres wide the moat was intended to keep intruders out however the moat became so stagnant and disease-ridden that the troopers inside the Tower were more at risk of dying from infection than from any attacker. The term sent to the tower in London does not simply mean exactly that in the literal sense. The tower had the capacity to offer comfort to influential prisoners, while the commoners or prisoners suspected of treason had it far much worse in their captivity. There were also 1,100 miles of street sewers implemented. Phew. One of the most fascinating facts about the Tower of London is that the bridge had to be designed in such a way that it resembled the Gothic design of the White Tower of London. Walking the battlement walls of the Tower of London will give you a good understanding of what it was like to defend such an impressive fortress. The Tower of London is quite a sturdy building. The impenetrable fortress has played many roles over the years, serving as a royal palace, a menagerie, a prison, the Royal Mint, and a repository for royal documents and jewels (the royal jewels, including the Imperial Crown, housed here cost $32 billion). Meanwhile, there are four clocks on the tower, one on each side of it. These purposes include: From the early 14th century until the reign of Charles II (reigned between 1660-1685), a procession would lead the new monarch from the Tower of London to Westminster Abbey on the day of their coronation as well. Visit Stonehenge, the greatest Stone Age Monument in England and one of the worlds greatest mysteries. 1) London is the smallest city in England That's right. 28. The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. To become a Yeoman Warder, one has to have served for at least 22 years in the Armed Forces. London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. 10. Most happened on the nearby Tower Hill. Since 1485, security at the Tower of London complex has been maintained by a special order of guards known as the Yeomen Warders, commonly known as the Beefeaters.. These prisoners were forced to lie down on the rack, with their hands and feet bound. For local insights and insiders travel tips that you wont find anywhere else, search any keywords in the top right-hand toolbar on this page. 23. Later came tigers, kangaroos and ostriches. Henry VIII was said to have held a jousting match at the Tower during his reign outside the Waterloo Barracks. Tower Bridge is next to it and is only a 5mins walk to the main entrance. Although only one bomb fell on the Tower of London in the First World War (it landed harmlessly in the moat), the Second World War left a greater mark. The Tower of London is centuries oldit goes back all the way to 1066. The towers of the bridge are actually built with a steel frame and clad with decorative stones, but the bridge certainly matches the design of the Tower! Happy travels! Tower of London, byname the Tower, royal fortress and London landmark. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a landmark in London that millions come to see every year. 9. 29. Table of Contents hide 1. 2. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. The Tower of London houses an extensive display of royal armour including several sets worn by Henry VIII. 2. Showing an image of this one building immediately lets people know that something is happening in London, England. It is reported that at least 6 ravens are kept at the Tower of London at all times. It landed in the moat. London Is The Smallest City In England Yes, you heard that right. A soldier and explorer who . The mint relocated in the 1800s, but its because of this Tower of London fact that the street nearby is named Mint Street. Anne Boleyn The second wife of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn was twice a resident of the Tower of Londononce as a queen-in-waiting and once as a condemned prisoner. The White Tower is considered to have been the strongest fortification of the castle and includes the St Johns Chapel, which was built in the year 1080 with stones imported from France. The Tower of London wasnt built as, or meant to be a prison but had many people incarcerated there on suspicion of treason or for religious reasons. Archeologists found two skeletons, an adult woman and a child, near the same spot where the headless body of Queen Anne was also laid to rest. If youre looking for haunted facts about the Tower of London, youve come to the right place. Rapid spread At the time London was an urban sprawl mainly made up of wooden buildings, tightly packed together along very narrow streets. 02 As of 2018, London had a population of 8,961,989 people, making it the third most populous city in Europe. alert("There has been an issue with an invalid input, please try again. The Tower of London is ranked the most haunted building in England and today, there are tours specifically for ghostbusting at the Tower of London. The clock tower looks spectacular at night when the four clock faces are . Entering the Traitors Gate, the common name of the prisons entrance, certainly didnt mean you were about to be executed. Visitors to the tower still enter by it's original door, set 15 feet above ground level and approached via a wooden staircase, which could be burned in case of attack. Did you know that one of the most famous castles in England was used as a prison for over 8 and a half centuries? Among those killed there were Sir Simon Burley (in 1388), an adviser and tutor of Richard II; the statesman Edmund Dudley (1510); the humanist Sir Thomas More (1535); the second wife of Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn (1536); Lady Jane Grey and her husband, Lord Guildford Dudley (1554); and the 11th Lord Lovat, Simon Fraser (1747), who was a Scottish Jacobite leader. During WW2, the Tower was used as a Prisoner Of War camp. William the Conqueror established 36 castles all across England between the year of his conquest and 1087, of which several formed a defensive ring around London. Wealthy inmates, for example, were allowed to live relatively luxuriously, with some even allowed to leave to go on hunting trips. The outer curtain is surrounded by the moat, originally fed by the Thames but drained since 1843. The earthquakes that rocked Georgian London (exclusive to The Library) 4. Before becoming a professional Blue Badge Tourist Guide Chas served as a London police officer. Most thieves and forgers were therefore reluctant to forge or steal the silver from the coins. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Tower-of-London, LiveScience - Tower of London: Facts and History, UNESCO World Heritage Convention - Tower of London, Ancient Origins - Tower of London: A Palace, a Prison and a Place of Execution, World History Encyclopedia - Tower of London, Tower of London - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Top 10 Things to do Around the Eiffel Tower, 10 Things to Do in Paris on Christmas Day (2022), 10 Things to Do in Luxembourg Gardens in Paris. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. 1. There is an exchange between the Yeoman and the Guard member, and a sentry. The Tower is still officially a royal residence of Her Majesty The Queen. By Zoe Craig. In 1483 the adolescent king Edward V and his younger brother were last seen in the Tower before their disappearance and probable murder. The Daily Telegraph. Much has been added onto the Tower since its creation, and now it takes up a whopping 12 acres of land along the River Thames. Address: Tower of London. Even when the officer comes out for the inspection, the sentry whispers the reply Alls Well! London facts 2021. Unfortunately, not all were so lucky as about 112 people were dragged out of the dungeon to be put to death at the execution grounds on the nearby Tower Hill. This two-wall defence was meant to afford added protection 13. Its truly a sight to behold. From the 1200s onwards the Tower of London was used as a prison to house important prisoners. The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. 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