Tower of London

The Tower of London is officially Her Majesty's Palace and Fortress, The Tower of London, although the last ruler to reside in it as a palace was King James I (1566-1625). The White Tower, the square building with turrets on each corner that gave it its name, is actually in the middle of a complex of several buildings along the River Thames in London, which have served as fortress, armoury, treasury, mint, palace, place of execution, public records office, observatory, refuge, and prison, particularly for upper class prisoners. This last use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower" meaning "imprisoned." Elizabeth I was imprisoned for a time in the Tower during her sister Mary's reign; the last use of the Tower as a prison was during World War II, for Rudolf Hess.

Description

The Tower today is principally a tourist attraction. Besides the buildings themselves, the British Crown Jewels, a fine armour collection from the Royal Armouries, and a remnant of the wall of the Roman fortress are on display.

Related Topics:
Crown Jewels - Royal Armouries - Roman

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The tower is manned by the Yeomen Warders, who act as tour guides, provide discreet security and are something of a tourist attraction. Every evening, the warders participate in the Ceremony of the Keys, as the Tower is secured for the night.

Related Topics:
Yeomen Warders - Ceremony of the Keys

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In deference to an ancient legend, a number of ravens are fed at the Tower at government expense; so long as the ravens remain at the Tower, England is safe from invasion. The names of the eight ravens currently in the tower are Gwylum, Thor, Hugine, Munin, Branwen, Bran, Gundulf, and Baldrick.

Related Topics:
Raven - Thor - Hugine - Branwen

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The Tower includes the following towers, listed in alphabetic order:

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• Beauchamp Tower
• Bell Tower
• Bloody Tower
• Bowyer Tower
• Brick Tower
• Broad Arrow Tower
• Byward Tower
• Constable Tower
• Cradle Tower
• Develin Tower
• Deveraux Tower
• Flint Tower
• Lanthorn Tower
• Martin Tower
• Middle Tower
• St Thomas's Tower
• Salt Tower
• Wakefield Tower
• Wardrobe Tower
• Well Tower
• White Tower