The Tower of London

Tower of London

The Tower of London covers18 acres which is associated with many important events in England's history.The Tower dates back to 1078 but the orignal wall was built during the Roman empire.   Below if you look closely you can see the writing that says "Entry to the Traitor's Gate" This served as the prisioners entrance from the river which included Anne Boleyn and Princess Anne.

This is a side picture of the Tower.  The green would have been the moat.

The troups were entering the tower.

These men are called the Beefeaters.  The ones that give the tours are required to have served 20 years in the mitiary, received an honor and are atleast 40 years old.  They live in the Tower with their families.  It is an honour to serve in this capacity!

Reenactment being held in the moat area.

The tower is called "Bloody Tower" associated with the murder of the "Princes in the Tower"in 1483.
Other inmates were Sir Walter Raleigh, Archbishop Laud, JudgeJafferys. The Wakefield tower which is to the right is where Henry VI was murdered.

These are the various homes of the Beefeaters.  In the corner are acommendations for the Queen.

To the right of the picture above..more housing.

The chapel has been restored 2xs and in doing so 1500 bodies were found under the floor. There is a placque on the wall of some of the bodies that could be identified. It is said that this is where Catherine, King Henry VIII's 1st wife worshipped.

In the chapel there are stones on the floor telling who lays to rest here and in the left hand corner Anne Boleyn.

Waterloo Barracks (where the clock is) houses the crowned jewels behind a 2 ton steel door. The oldest piece dates back to the spoon used at the coronation of King John in 1199 and the oldest crown belonged to St Edward. The Queen's crowns are here as well.  The jewels are breath-taking and very large!!.

This building called the White Tower in the background houses the history of the Tower. Little Pincess bones were found here during restorations done by Sir Christopher Wren in 1674. On the second floor is the oldest church in London dating back to 1080.

family life in the Tower

display of armour.

The wooden horse collections from the Kings

What you can do with all the old "stuff". It was quite clever I thought.

Guarding the jewels.

The white tower you saw in back of the cannon.

We had a lovely chat with this young man. He was explaining his uniform among other things. This one dates back to the 1800s (Crimean War) because it double-breasted and the collar isn't leather.

The original Roman wall. Behind here are the famous Ravens It is said," if they leave the Tower, the Kingdom will fall" Also behind here is the executioner's block where many royal or noble persons were beheaded including Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey.

The torture racks.

Changing of the guards. At 10pm there is still the tradition of " Ceremony of the Keys"where the Tower is locked and the code is exchanged.

Here you can see the two walls that protect the Tower. There is also a moat that is in front of the wall to the right-  inside of the Tower is to the left.

Modern equipment!

This is the orginal railing going into the Tower.- Amazing.

So this ends the tour of the Tower of London.   cheerio:-)