The Tower of London
jescapes on 03 7, 2009
If you want to look back at history, you should visit London. History will tell that this massive fortress was planned by William the Conqueror to protect the city, subdue and overawe its citizens, and guard the approach to London by river from its strategic position at the City’s eastern boundary.
It has thirteen divisions comprised of the moat, Tower Green, Chapel of St. Peter ad Vincula, Crown Jewels, White Tower, Wakefield Tower, Middle Tower, Byward Tower, Bell Tower, Traitor’s Gate, St. Thomas Tower, Bloody Tower and The Royal Fusiliers’ Museum.
The Tower of London is ringed by two protective walls, both strung with numerous towers, which in turn are surrounded and defended by a moat and draw bridges. It is here that prisoners were tortured, beheaded, murdered or imprisoned. It has been a royal palace, seat of government but also the scene of some of the bloodiest events during the last 1,000 years of English history. Kings, queens, princes and people of the highest rank have shared the same fate within its walls as spies, plotters and traitors.
With an arch 60 feet wide, The Traitor’s Gate was the entrance to the Tower for those accused of plotting against the state. It gave direct entry to the Tower by boat or barge from River Thames, whose waters filled the moat. The Bloody Tower however is where the ‘Little Princes’ – Edward V and his brother Richard – were believed to have been smothered in 1483.
Tower Green is where many of royal and noble birth met their death. The nearby Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula is where many victims were buried.
Ceremonial is still part of the daily life within the Tower. Each night a Chief Warder locks the gates and presents the keys to the Resident Governor, a ritual that has taken place for over 700 years.
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