The Tower of London, officially known as Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, stands on the north bank of the River Thames and remains one of Britain’s most famous and enduring landmarks. For over nine centuries, it has served as a fortress, royal palace, prison, armory, treasury, and home to the Crown Jewels. Its stone walls have witnessed coronations, political intrigue, executions, and even acts of betrayal, earning it a legendary place in the history and imagination of the nation.
Origins and Construction
The origins of the Tower date back to 1066, when William the Conqueror defeated Harold II at the Battle of Hastings and became King of England. To consolidate his control over London and deter rebellion, William ordered the construction of a massive fortress on the Thames. The earliest structure, known as the White Tower, was begun around 1078 under the direction of Bishop Gundulf of Rochester, a skilled Norman architect. Built of Kentish ragstone and imported Caen stone from Normandy, the White Tower was a formidable symbol of Norman power.
Standing about 27 metres (90 feet) high with walls up to 4.5 metres (15 feet) thick, the White Tower dominated the skyline and intimidated the city’s inhabitants. It was not only a military stronghold but also a royal residence, featuring a great hall, chapel (St John’s Chapel, still intact today), and living quarters for the king.
Expansion Over the Centuries
Successive monarchs expanded and reinforced the Tower complex.
- 12th century – Under Henry II, curtain walls and additional towers were added to improve defences.
- 13th century – Henry III and Edward I undertook major works, creating a concentric ring of fortifications with an inner and outer ward, a deep moat, and new towers such as the Wakefield Tower and the Bloody Tower. These improvements transformed the Tower into one of the most advanced fortresses in medieval Europe.
- 14th–16th centuries – The Tower continued to evolve, serving increasingly as a political prison while retaining ceremonial and administrative roles.
The layout became what visitors see today: a central White Tower surrounded by two rings of defensive walls, all enclosed by a moat (now drained).
The Tower as a Royal Residence
Although primarily a fortress, the Tower was also a royal palace for much of the medieval period. Kings and queens lodged there, particularly before their coronations, both for security and as a tradition. The Tower’s royal apartments were richly decorated and included great halls, chapels, and gardens.
Edward I, for example, used the Tower not only as a base for military campaigns but also as a storehouse for valuables, including royal regalia. The tradition of housing the Crown Jewels in the Tower dates from this period, ensuring their safety during turbulent times.
A Prison and Place of Execution
The Tower’s most notorious role was as a prison. From the 12th century onwards, it held high-status prisoners, often political or religious figures accused of treason. Unlike ordinary jails, the Tower housed its inmates in relatively comfortable quarters—depending on their status—but its reputation for dread came from the importance of those imprisoned and the fates that awaited some of them.
Famous prisoners have included:
- Anne Boleyn – Second wife of Henry VIII, executed on Tower Green in 1536.
- Catherine Howard – Fifth wife of Henry VIII, executed in 1542.
- Lady Jane Grey – The “Nine Days’ Queen,” executed in 1554.
- Sir Thomas More – Imprisoned and executed in 1535 for refusing to acknowledge Henry VIII as head of the Church of England.
- Guy Fawkes – Tortured at the Tower after the Gunpowder Plot of 1605.
Executions within the Tower walls were rare and usually reserved for high-ranking prisoners. Most executions took place on nearby Tower Hill, visible to the public, as a warning against treason.
The Princes in the Tower
One of the Tower’s most enduring mysteries concerns the disappearance of Edward V and his younger brother Richard of Shrewsbury, Duke of York, in 1483. The two boys, aged 12 and 9, were placed in the Tower by their uncle, Richard, Duke of Gloucester, supposedly for their protection before Edward’s coronation. They were never seen again, and Richard became King Richard III. Many historians believe the boys were murdered, possibly on Richard’s orders, though definitive proof has never been found.
In 1674, during building works, two small skeletons were discovered beneath a staircase in the White Tower. They were reburied in Westminster Abbey as the likely remains of the princes, but modern testing has not confirmed their identities.
The Crown Jewels
The Tower has housed the Crown Jewels since the reign of Henry III, though the collection as it exists today largely dates from after 1660, following the restoration of Charles II. The original regalia had been destroyed during the English Civil War under Oliver Cromwell.
The Crown Jewels include more than 100 ceremonial objects, among them the Imperial State Crown, the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross, and the Koh-i-Noor diamond. They are used in coronations and state ceremonies and are guarded by the Yeoman Warders, commonly known as “Beefeaters.”
The Jewel House, where the regalia is displayed, is one of the Tower’s most visited attractions. The jewels’ combined historical, symbolic, and monetary value make them among the most famous treasures in the world.
Yeoman Warders and Ravens
The Yeoman Warders have guarded the Tower since Tudor times. Originally responsible for prisoners and security, today they serve mainly as ceremonial guards and tour guides. They live on-site and wear distinctive Tudor-style uniforms for formal occasions.
A long-standing legend holds that the Tower and the kingdom will fall if the ravens ever leave. As a result, several ravens are kept at the Tower at all times, their wings clipped to prevent them flying too far. The origins of this superstition are unclear, but it has become an integral part of the Tower’s identity.
The Tower as an Armoury and Menagerie
Beyond its role as a prison, the Tower served as an armoury and storehouse for weapons and armour. The Royal Armouries collection includes suits of armour worn by Henry VIII, Charles I, and others, as well as a range of historic weaponry.
From the 13th to the 19th centuries, the Tower also housed a royal menagerie. Lions, leopards, polar bears, and even an elephant were kept there as gifts from foreign rulers. By the early 19th century, the animals were moved to the newly established London Zoo in Regent’s Park.
20th Century and Wartime Use
The Tower remained in military use well into the 20th century. During the First and Second World Wars, it was used as a prison for enemy spies and soldiers. Eleven men were executed at the Tower during the First World War, most by firing squad. In the Second World War, the Tower suffered bomb damage during the Blitz but continued to serve as a secure site for the Crown Jewels and military operations.
The Tower Today
Today, the Tower of London is managed by Historic Royal Palaces and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most visited historic attractions in Britain, drawing millions of tourists each year. Visitors can explore:
- The White Tower and its armoury exhibits.
- The Bloody Tower, associated with the Princes in the Tower.
- Tower Green, the site of private executions.
- The Jewel House, home of the Crown Jewels.
- The medieval walls and towers offering panoramic views of London.
Ceremonial traditions continue, such as the Ceremony of the Keys, a nightly ritual of locking the Tower gates that has taken place for over 700 years.
Cultural Legacy
The Tower of London has become a symbol of British history, monarchy, and resilience. It has appeared in literature, film, and folklore, often portrayed as a place of intrigue, treachery, and ghostly hauntings. Stories of Anne Boleyn’s ghost, the headless Lady Jane Grey, and the wailing of tortured prisoners continue to capture the public’s imagination.
Its role as both a protector of the monarchy and a site of its darkest moments reflects the paradoxical nature of power in British history. Few places embody so vividly the intersection of politics, violence, and pageantry.
Conclusion
The Tower of London is more than a medieval fortress; it is a living monument to nearly a thousand years of English history. From its beginnings as William the Conqueror’s stronghold to its modern role as a ceremonial and tourist site, it has adapted to the changing tides of politics and society. Its stones have seen coronations, betrayals, imprisonments, and executions, and its treasures continue to represent the continuity of the monarchy.
For visitors, the Tower offers not only a chance to view priceless jewels and historic armour but also an opportunity to walk through the layers of history that have shaped Britain. Standing on Tower Green or in the shadow of the White Tower, one cannot help but feel the weight of the centuries and the stories—both glorious and tragic—that this fortress still holds.
