Another legend ascribed the Tower not to William but to the Romans. Fine Caen stone, imported from France, was used for the corners of the building and as door and window dressings, though Kentish ragstone was used for the bulk of the edifice.] According to legend the mortar used in its construction was tempered by the blood of beasts. William appointed Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, as the architect. The White Tower was built to protect the Normans from the people of the City of London as much as to protect London from outside invaders. To the south of the Tower was the original bailey. Google map showing the location of The Tower of LondonĪt the centre of the Tower of London stands the Norman White Tower built in 1078 by William the Conqueror (reigned as King of England 1066–87) inside the southeast angle of the city walls, adjacent to the Thames. Telephone from other countries: +44 (0))8 River cruise boats and Thames Clipper services stop at the Tower Millennium Pier. London Fenchurch Street is a nearby National Rail station. The nearest Docklands Light Railway station is Tower Gateway. The nearest London Underground station is Tower Hill on the Circle and District Lines. It is adjacent to the River Thames and to Tower Bridge (which also takes its name from the Tower).īetween the river and the Tower is Tower Wharf, a freely accessible walkway with views of the river, Tower and bridge, together with HMS Belfast and London City Hall on the opposite bank. The Tower lies in the London Borough of Tower Hamletsd (which takesits name from the Tower). Yeomen Warders, commonly known as Beefeaters Two sentries are maintained during the hours that the Tower is open, with one stationed outside the Jewel House and one outside the Queen's House. This guard is provided by the same unit forming the Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace. All warders have residence within the Tower.Īlthough it is no longer a royal residence, the Tower officially remains a royal palace and maintains a permanent guard. The Tower is manned by the Yeomen Warders, commonly known as Beefeaters, who act as tour guides, provide security, and are a tourist attraction in their own right.Įvery evening, the warders participate in the Ceremony of the Keys as the Tower is secured for the night. Beside the buildings themselves, the British Crown Jewels, an armour collection from the Royal Armouries, and a remnant of the wall of the Roman fortress are on display. The Tower now is principally a tourist attraction. It is the oldest building still in use by the British government. Today the Tower of London is cared for by an independent charity, Historic Royal Palaces, which receives no funding from the Government or the Crown. This is perhaps the “most complete surviving examples of early Anglo-Norman ecclesiastical architecture”.
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This chapel, on east side of the first level of the White Tower. To the south of the Tower was the original bailey.ĭue to the changes in function and design the Tower’s interior has undergone, little is left of the original interior, except St John’s Chapel. William of Malmesbury reported that Henry had lions, leopards, lynxes and camels among other animals there.Īt the centre of the Tower of London stands the Norman White Tower built in 1078 by William the Conqueror (King of England 1066–87) inside the southeast angle of the city walls, adjacent to the Thames. Many famous prisoners have enclosed here, especially state prisoners charged with treason.Ī Royal Menagerie was established at the tower in the 13th century, possibly as early as 1204 during the reign of King John. The Tower has served as a fortress, a royal palace and a prison, a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The tower remains largely unchanged but the baily has been replaced by two rings of castle walls.
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The Tower of London is a concentric castle with two sets of curtain walls and a moat, with numerous buildings within the inner walls, dominated by the White Tower The White Tower is the original square fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1077 with a bailey. The Tower lies just outside the City of London, and is separated from the eastern edge of the City by the open space known as Tower Hill where public executions used to take place. It is technically Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress. The Tower of London (known simply as "The Tower", is a castle and scheduled monument in central London, England, on the north bank of the River Thames.