The Tower of London – A Focal Point in England's Historical Saga
The Tower of London A Focal Point in England's Historical Saga
The Tower of London is one of the most iconic historical heritage buildings that appear in the cityscape of London. Situated on the River Thames' North Bank in Central London, the tower boasts one of the longest-spun histories of any English building, its construction harking back to the 11th century Norman rule of William the Conqueror. The Tower is more formally known as Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress; the more popular kenning is derived from the castle's White Tower, which was a later addition to the castle complex and yet endures as its foremost icon.
The White Tower is a three-storey edifice that served as both the castle stronghold and the lord's living quarters, rising to a height of 90 feet. It is built mainly of Kentish rag-stone, as is the majority of the castle complex, as well as mudstone. The castle comprises three wards, the innermost of which is the original castle construct while the second one was built during the time of the crusades by King Richard the Lionheart. The outer ward is a 13th century Edwardian construct; the layout as remained largely unchanged since then, except for a Norman chapel that was incorporated later. Altogether, the complex encompasses 27 acres, with an addition 6 acres of surrounding land allotted for the Tower's military use.
Although popular culture today associates the Tower mainly with gory royal executions and torture chambers, this is mostly a product of 19th century romanticism. The castle was first conceived as the most significant royal household and fortification in the city for many centuries before it was ever used as a prison; indeed it was a symbol of the Norman ruling elite. Although a torture rack has been found in the Tower's chambers, there is no evidence that torture chambers actually existed in the castle, historical or otherwise. Nor are its walls as blood-soaked as popular myth makes it out to be. Only a handful of persons were executed in the Tower itself; most of the executions attributed to the Tower actually took place in the nearby Tower Hill, where over 200 people met their tragic ends over 4 centuries.
This is not to say that the Tower's glamour and intrigue is in any way undeserved. Apart from the White Tower having been hailed as the best-preserved example of 11th century palaces in Europe, the building itself has been a focal point of England's politics throughout history, holding symbolic and strategic significance over the country's sovereignty. The Constable of the Tower, its custodian by royal appointment, commanded one of the most influential positions in the country, as they were responsible for the armouries, treasury, the Royal Mint, public records, Crown Jewels and even the royal menagerie which were all housed within the castle at one time or other.
The castle was also the place where some of the most significant dynastical dramas and historical figures were incarcerated and executed. Although the first person imprisoned (and escaped from) the Tower was 12th century Bishop Ranulf Flambard, it was most widely used as a prison during the 16th and 15th centuries of the Tudor and Elizabethan periods, which was when the phrase "sent to the tower" was coined.
Famous inmates of this prison includes the Queens Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard (both consorts of Henry the VIII convicted of adultery) Lady Jane Grey, Mary Queen of Scots and Margaret Pole Countess of Salisbury all of whom were also executed here. The monarchs Elizabeth I and James I were also incarcerated here before their ascension to the throne. It was also here that Guy Fawkes admitted to the Gunpowder Plot under torture. The famous murder mystery of the Princes in the Tower, however, of the Yorkist Princes believed to have been murdered by their uncle Richard III, took place well before the Tower became a place of imprisonment.
The Tower last saw function as an execution ground during the First and Second World Wars when convicted spies were executed by firing squad. With so many unfortunate souls having met their end here, it is little wonder that many legends of ghostly hauntings have sprung up around the castle over the centuries.
/>The medieval faade seen today is actually the result of Victorian renovations carried out at the behest of Prince Albert, a somewhat hodge-podge attempt that saw many of the post-medieval dcor and even medieval features of the castle removed. The most extensive recent damage was done by the London Blitz of World War II.
Today's Tower primarily functions as a tourist draw, as well as being the headquarters of the Royal Regiment of Fusilier. A detachment of the Buckingham Palace guards still stand sentry at the Tower, where the Crown Jewels are still secured in the Waterloo Barracks, while the Ceremony of the Keys by the Yeomen Warders also takes place each day. The heritage building, which was added to the registry of UNESCO Heritage Sites in 1988, is maintained by an independent, Crown-funded charity.
Those staying at one of the centralized 4 star hotels in London will find heritage and cultural attractions in the city, such as the Tower of London, easily accessible. In terms of accommodation, Millennium Gloucester Hotel London Kensington is one a well-reputed Kensington hotel London offering excellent service and facilities for both business and leisure travellers.
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