The Tower of London
- The history bit -
William I's White Tower, built by Gundolph, Bishop of Rochester, was intended to defend Londn against attacks - and to be a visible sign to the native Anglo-Saxon population of the conquering Normans' power. Henry II (r.1216-72) built the inner wall with its 13 towers and brought the Crown Jewels here. The city arsenal was kept here, and under Henry VIII (r. 1509-47) the Royal Armouries were improved. James I (r. 1603-25) was the last monarch to stay in residence. Al coinage in Great Britain was minted in the Outer Ward of the Tower until 1810 when the Royal Mint was established nearby, on Tower Hill.
The White Tower is a sturdy keep, 30m tall with walls 5m thick. It was constructed under William I, and completed in 1097. In 1240 it was whitewashed inside and out, hence its name.
The Crown Jewels are now stored within the Tower of London. It includes the Imperial State Crown made for George VI that has 2,800 diamonds and the sapphire at the top is from the reign of Edward the Confessor (r. 1042-66).
There are still ravens (7) living at the Tower and a Ravenmaster. When ravens leave the Tower, so the saying goes, the Tower will fall down.
Wild animals presented to the monarchs were kept here in a menagerie from th time of Henry III to 1835 when they were transferred to the new London Zoo. The wild animals when they were there were used to help protect the jewels.
Tower Prisoners included - Henry VI, The Little Princes allegedly murdered by Richard III (or the new reigning Tudors), Henry VIII's wives, Lady Jane Grey [In 1554 she was queen for nine days before she was deposed for the Catholic Queen Mary I; she was only 16 when executed], Rudolf Hess.
William I's White Tower, built by Gundolph, Bishop of Rochester, was intended to defend Londn against attacks - and to be a visible sign to the native Anglo-Saxon population of the conquering Normans' power. Henry II (r.1216-72) built the inner wall with its 13 towers and brought the Crown Jewels here. The city arsenal was kept here, and under Henry VIII (r. 1509-47) the Royal Armouries were improved. James I (r. 1603-25) was the last monarch to stay in residence. Al coinage in Great Britain was minted in the Outer Ward of the Tower until 1810 when the Royal Mint was established nearby, on Tower Hill.
The White Tower is a sturdy keep, 30m tall with walls 5m thick. It was constructed under William I, and completed in 1097. In 1240 it was whitewashed inside and out, hence its name.
The Crown Jewels are now stored within the Tower of London. It includes the Imperial State Crown made for George VI that has 2,800 diamonds and the sapphire at the top is from the reign of Edward the Confessor (r. 1042-66).
There are still ravens (7) living at the Tower and a Ravenmaster. When ravens leave the Tower, so the saying goes, the Tower will fall down.
Wild animals presented to the monarchs were kept here in a menagerie from th time of Henry III to 1835 when they were transferred to the new London Zoo. The wild animals when they were there were used to help protect the jewels.
Tower Prisoners included - Henry VI, The Little Princes allegedly murdered by Richard III (or the new reigning Tudors), Henry VIII's wives, Lady Jane Grey [In 1554 she was queen for nine days before she was deposed for the Catholic Queen Mary I; she was only 16 when executed], Rudolf Hess.
posted by Nixie! at 6:34 am
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