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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, England.
- Ravens
Jubilee and Munin, two of the Tower's ravens in 2016. The...
- List of Prisoners of The Tower of London
The Tower of London The 15th century Tower in a manuscript...
- White Tower (Tower of London)
The White Tower is a central tower, the old keep, at the...
- Princes in The Tower
The Two Princes Edward and Richard in the Tower, 1483 by Sir...
- Kray Twins
Early life. Ronald and Reginald Kray were born on 24 October...
- Church of St Peter Ad Vincula
The Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula ("St Peter in...
- Traitors
The Traitors' Gate is an entrance through which many...
- Scavenger's Daughter
The best-documented use is that on the Irishman Thomas...
- Baynard's Castle
Baynard's Castle refers to buildings on two neighbouring...
- Ranulf Flambard
Ranulf Flambard (c. 1060 – 5 September 1128) was a medieval...
- Ravens
Learn about the Tower of London's origins as a fortress, palace and prison, and its role in royal history and culture. Explore its architecture, artefacts, ceremonies and legends with Historic Royal Palaces.
May 11, 2024 · Tower of London, royal fortress and London landmark. Its buildings and grounds served historically as a royal palace, a political prison, a place of execution, an arsenal, a royal mint, a menagerie, and a public records office. It is located on the north bank of the River Thames.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- History
- Escape Attempts
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The fortress was built by William the Conqueror, King William I, starting in 1078. The moat was built by Richard I, using water diverted from the River Thames. The Tower had many uses. Its main function was to protect Norman rule in the years after the conquest. It was a prison, and a place of execution. Today, the Crown Jewels are kept there. This...
Ranulf Flambard: 1100, successfully escaped. Gruffudd ap Llywelyn ap Iorwerth: 1244, fell from the tower and died during escape attempt.
Media related to Tower of Londonat Wikimedia Commons- Mark Cartwright
- The White Tower. When William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy won the Battle of Hastings in 1066 and embarked on the Norman Conquest of England, the new king sought to make his realm secure by building motte and bailey castles at strategically important locations.
- Multi-Purpose Home of the Monarch. English monarchs used the tower as an occasional residence up to and including Henry VIII (r. 1509-1547), and many of them made important additions and improvements over the centuries.
- Famous Prisoners. One important function of the Tower was as a prison. A history of the inmates is like reading through a who's who of the history of England with many famous names ending up in the castle, some to be finally released and others to be executed - although only seven people were executed within the castle prior to the 20th century (most executions took place elsewhere such as Tyburn).
- Post-Medieval History. From the 16th century onwards the Tower was less of a royal residence - monarchs preferring Westminster - and became merely an armoury, barracks, storehouse (especially of gunpowder) and, as we have seen during the reigns of the ruthless Tudors, a (sometimes) terrible prison.
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Learn about the history and significance of the Tower of London, a historic castle on the River Thames. Find out about its architecture, role, occupants, and attractions.
