Visit The Tower Of London

No tour of London is complete without a visit to the Tower of London. Built by Norman the Conqueror in the 11th century as a fortress against future invaders, the campus includes several towers built at subsequent times for varying purposes. Since the castle that set in the midst of the tower grounds, surrounded by a wall, was the residence of the ruling families, Richard I later built a moat around the tower complex to further ward off potential enemies. Today, however, the moat has been replaced by grass. At one point wild animals were kept for the king’s pleasure, including a lion, bears, and even an elephant. Nowadays there are ravens on the grounds whose wings have been clipped to prevent their flying away due to a centuries’ old superstition that claims when the ravens leave, both Tower and London will fall. The Traitor’s Gate is located near the Thames because that is where political or dangerous prisoners were brought by night to avoid the incitement of rioting by their appearance in daylight. The Queen’s House was first inhabited by Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, for 18 days before her execution in the

16th century. The White Tower was built by Norman the Conqueror and was where royalty lived up to the time of James I. In some places the walls are 15 feet thick, although so much stone must have been cold and perhaps damp during the winter. Inside the Tower is the armory of old armor and weapons that can still be seen today. Adjacent to that area is where the crown jewels are kept, since the Tower was built originally as a fortress and provides secure storage for these valuable items. Few structures in London house so much dramatic history and events as the Tower grounds. The next time you’re in London, stop by the Tower for a thrilling visit to England’s rich and varied past.