Tower of London

Here we have our first glimpse of the Tower of London. Built by William I on a vantage point on the Thames River to defend the city from invaders. Though feared for much of its 900 year history as a prison, it is now the home of the Crown Jewels.

The Tower is surrounded by a series of massive defensive walls, strong enough to keep invaders out and prisoners in.

The prison was for those who had offended the monarch. Some lived in comparative comfort within its dank walls. Most however lived in appalling conditions, being tortured before meeting violent deaths on the nearby Tower Hill.

The more famous prisioners held here included Lady Jane Grey, Sir Walter Raleigh and Guy Fawkes. The two child princes heirs of Edward IV were reported jailed here by their uncle, Richard of Gloucester and never seen again. The last prisoner of any note to housed here was the Nazi Rudolph Hess in 1941.

We enter the Tower of London through the Byward Tower with its large large turres and massive walls. It is one of several ways of entering the castle. The most infamous being the Traitors' gate where the prisoners would enter by boat. Most on their way to die.

Teh Yeoman Warders known as the Beefeaters stand guard in Tower Green. The forty-two Yeeoman Warders have lived here since the 14th century. Today their duties now include that of guarding the Crown Jewels and acting as tour guides. The Tower Green was where the more important prisoners were put to death in private rather than die in public on Tower Hill. Most by beheading.

The Martin Tower is one of the many towers along the walls of the tower fortifications. It houses an exhibition of the making of the Crown Jewels as well as an exhibit of the instruments of torture used in the tower. The executioner's ax and block are displayed here.

The White Tower is the center piece of the Tower of London. Begun in the Reign of William the Conqueror, it was the tallest building in London when it was finished in 1097.

There are many more things to see at the Tower of London than I have listed it, but our tour was moving on to other sights to see in London.