![]() A Mighty Fortress: Tower of London History in Medieval Times The whitewash was chosen to make the castle stand out – a bit like a lighthouse! In doing so, the castle demonstrated the unquestionable might and grandeur of the English king for all to see. As you can see, the White Tower was made of luxurious, carefully worked Caen stone. They were painted this hue in about 1240, and they would have been visible for miles around. The White Tower was so-called because the walls would have been whitewashed. It’s no exaggeration that few in England would have ever have seen a building of such a monstrous size. The castle is a grand, square-based fortress, more than 90ft tall and 120ft wide. The layout of the White Tower is similar to other Norman cases built in southern England – including mighty Rochester, and the Keep at the heart of Dover. During the next fifteen to twenty years, it was rendered in stone. ![]() When the White Tower was founded – in late 1066 – it would have been a simple Motte and Bailey castle, made of wood. This was strategic: if attacked, the staircase could be burned to make it hard for invaders to gain entry. Entrance to the White Tower was via a wooden staircase direct to the second floor. The ‘White Tower’ was one of three built within the confines of modern central-London (the other two castles have long disappeared). He was a fearsome military commander, and he knew a surefire way to maintain power – by building castles. William was crowned King of England on 25 December, 1066. The very first part of the Tower of London – the White Tower – was built by William the Conqueror in around 1067. The Founding Father: The History of William the Conqueror and the White Tower The White Tower pokes out above the curtain wall of the Tower of London. Here’s a selection of my favourite pieces of Tower of London history – spanning more or less 1,000 years. Nonetheless, I finally popped back in Summer 2015. I live just a twenty-minute walk from the Tower – which inevitably means that I haven’t visited the place for years □ Today, the Tower of London welcomes around 3 million visitors a year. Many of the modern legends associated with the Tower – from the murder of the princes to the beheading of Boleyn – occurred back then. The Tower of London came to the fore during the Tudor period, when it became a notorious, blood stained prison. The first part of the castle complex – the White Tower – was founded by William the Conqueror shortly after his 1066 conquest of England. ![]() Grounded in around a thousand years of history, it stands proud alongside the Thames. You wont see any Queens or less popular monarchs in this exhibit, as they didn't play a part in the royal message that the monarchy wanted to give early Tower visitors.The Tower is an emblem of the British capital. Dating back to the 17th century, the Line of Kings is one of the earliest museum exhibits. These are set in a parade along side beautifully-carved horses. See historic armours including those of Henry VIII, Charles I and James II. From lions to baboons (and even a polar bear!), many royal beasts called the Tower of London home. Once home to a vast array of wild animals, the Tower of London houses the interactive Royal Beasts Exhibition to give visitors an insight into this fascinating part of history. You’ll even get to see Queen Elizabeth II’s exquisite Imperial State Crown worn at the State Openings of Parliament. Owned by some of the most famous monarchs in royal British history, you will get to see which Crown was worn by which Queen or King. These dazzling diamond-encrusted masterpieces are a must-see part of the Tower of London and won’t leave you disappointed. Go past the Yeoman Warders and have the special chance to see the majestic Crown Jewels. You’ll get the chance to see these iconic Warders, helping you to discover more about this historic landmark on London’s north bank. Now, you will find them outside the Crown Jewels, keeping a watchful eye on the Tower’s proceedings. The Tower of London is famously guarded by Yeoman Warders who were once used to keep the prisoners inside the Tower safe. Once home to wild animals, ‘the royal beasts’, the Royal Mint and a prison, there is much British history to uncover at the Tower of London. With many uses throughout history, the Tower has earned a chilling reputation for being a formidable Castle and one that Londoners would have trembled at the sight of. Built in the 11th century, the Tower of London has been a central part of London life for centuries.
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