Tower Of London | Texture of Life

The Tower of London is a 900-year-old castle and fortress in central London that is notable for housing the crown jewels and for holding many famous and infamous prisoners.

Throughout its history, the tower has served many purposes: it housed the royal mint (until the early 19th century), a menagerie (which left in 1835), a records office, an armory and barracks for troops. Until the 17th century, it was also used as a royal residence.

How old is the Tower of London? For over 900 years, the Tower of London has been standing guard over the capital. The Tower of London was originally built by William the Conqueror, following his successful invasion of England in 1066.
The White Tower In the centre of the Tower of London is the famous White Tower. It is the oldest part of the fortress and its construction started on the year 1070 by William the Conqueror.
What are the different roles the Tower of London has played in British History? As a Royal Palace, fortress, prison, place of execution, arsenal, Royal Mint, Royal Zoo and jewel house, it has witnessed many great events in British history.
The Crown Jewels are housed in this building The Crown Jewels were moved to the Martin Tower after the Jewel House was demolished
There are over 23,500 jewels here today The estimated value of the crown jewels is said to be in excess of $32 billion with the Star Of Africa alone estimated at $400 million – this is an estimate based on the jewel’s worth. Their actual value is priceless.
The castle was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952 22 executions took place within the Tower of London. The last person to be executed at the Tower of London was a German spy Josef Jakobs on August 15th 1941 after being caught parachuting into England. He was seated in a chair when he was shot. The chair is still preserved today at the Royal Armouries’ artifacts store.
Queen Elizabeth I was imprisoned here for two months before she was crowned
The Tower of London – an imposing fortress with many layers of history, which has become one of the symbols of royalty – was built around the White Tower.
The Tower is still officially a royal residence of Her Majesty The Queen. She has a house onsite called ‘The Queen’s House’
Guard at the Tower
Guard at the Tower
Guard at the Tower
Guard at the Tower
Guard at the Tower
Story of Ravens Ravens have always been kept at the Tower of London. When Charles II (a very superstitious Monarch) asked for the Ravens to be removed, he was advised that if the Ravens were removed, The Tower would crumble and a great harm would befall the nation. Ever since, ravens (at least 6) have been kept at the Tower.

How old is the Tower of London?

For over 900 years, the Tower of London has been standing guard over the capital. The Tower of London was originally built by William the Conqueror, following his successful invasion of England in 1066.

The White Tower

In the centre of the Tower of London is the famous White Tower. It is the oldest part of the fortress and its construction started on the year 1070 by William the Conqueror.

What are the different roles the Tower of London has played in British History?

As a Royal Palace, fortress, prison, place of execution, arsenal, Royal Mint, Royal Zoo and jewel house, it has witnessed many great events in British history.

The Crown Jewels are housed in this building

The Crown Jewels were moved to the Martin Tower after the Jewel House was demolished

There are over 23,500 jewels here today

The estimated value of the crown jewels is said to be in excess of $32 billion with the Star Of Africa alone estimated at $400 million – this is an estimate based on the jewel’s worth. Their actual value is priceless.

The castle was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952

Queen Elizabeth I was imprisoned here for two months before she was crowned

The Tower of London – an imposing fortress with many layers of history, which has become one of the symbols of royalty – was built around the White Tower.

The Tower is still officially a royal residence of Her Majesty The Queen. She has a house onsite called ‘The Queen’s House’

Guard at the Tower

Guard at the Tower

Guard at the Tower

Guard at the Tower

Guard at the Tower

Story of Ravens