Tower of London

Britain's most recognizable landmark, the Tower of London dominates the north bank of the River Thames. It is a more than breathtaking medieval castle, but it is also keeper to more than a thousand years of British history, from its earliest roots in the late 11th-century decades through to the modern day as home to Crown Jewels and palace of ceremonies. With well over a million visitors every year, the Tower fascinates through its blend of Norman military design, gory past of imprisonment and treachery, and majesty representing monarchical authority.

First impression: Tower of London is monolithic castle: massive stone walls, intimidating turrets, and desiccated moat formerly employed to discourage unwanted visitors. But the Tower's a darker castle cliche than that. It's a multi-faceted, multi-pitched one including:

The White Tower: William the Conqueror's initial 1078 castle, which gave the whole complex its name.

Outer Walls and Inner Ward: Later century-by-century additions of concentric curtain wall and gate sets to enhance and expand defenses.

Palatial Apartments: Elegant medieval and Tudor state apartments where kings slept overnight on official visits.

Prison and Place of Execution: Dour towers and scaffold yards where prisoners were imprisoned or put to death.

Royal Menagerie Site: Old site for imported exotic animals brought in as gifts to kings.

Crown Jewels Vault: Blingy new vault structure to pomp of royal ceremonies.

It operates for many things and re-makes the Tower of London on-the-colour museum, royal pomp arena and political scandal site, again fortress, prison, and treasure house. Its dual purpose has developed, keeping up with the needs of monarchs and providing themes of architecture — from stuffy Norman keep through Tudor brick and Victorian additions.

History: From Norman Stronghold to World Heritage Site
Foundation and Norman Conquest (1078–1100)
After his victory at Hastings in 1066, William I (the Conqueror) started imposing Norman authority over England. In 1078, he built the White Tower, which was a square stone keep, 90 feet high. It was designed by Bishop Gundulf of Rochester and was just as much a symbol of Norman pride as it was a defensive building for London. Motte-and-bailey walls surrounding the White Tower were later joined together by stone curtain walls, the basis of the modern Inner Ward.

Henry III and Edward I's extension (1216–1307)
By the beginning of the 13th century, the Tower needed to be secured against more powerful siege engines. Henry III oversaw overall reconstruction, Inner and Middle Wards, royal sumptuous living quarters, and moat excavation. Successor Edward I added the fortifications by building the huge gatehouses — Bloody Tower and Byward Tower — and stone walls which we see today.

A Royal Palace and Dungeon (14th–16th Centuries)
While occasionally in fact kings slept within its walls, the Tower's primary purpose was that of a prison. Nobles were brought down by political conspirators, all sorts of people occupied the Tower dungeons, including prominent prisoners Queen Isabella of France (imprisoned in 1326) and notorious Duke of Clarence (accused of treason in 1478). The Tower's most sinister Tudor page: the trial and execution of the king's subjects, including Anne Boleyn (1536), Catherine Howard (1542), and Lady Jane Grey (1554). They were beheaded on Tower Green, a grassy courtyard within the walls, or on Tower Hill.

The Tudor Menagerie and Mint (16th–18th Centuries)
In addition to the prison, the Tower has served as the Royal Menagerie, an exotic menagerie, lions, elephants, and bears, all as a demonstration of royal privilege and interest. The zoo endured well into Victorian times when the animals were relocated to London Zoo. The Tower had also served as the Royal Mint from the late 13th century to 1810, when Britain's coinage was produced in furnaces in the complex.

Victorian Restoration and 20th Century Uses
Most of the Tower had fallen into neglect by the 19th century. Under Queen Victoria, on a large scale it was restored to medieval times, under the hands of architect Anthony Salvin. Continuing on with its military and ceremonial functions, the Tower retained the Yeoman Warders, or "Beefeaters," now more ceremonial in function, and the Ceremony of the Keys, a nightly locking-up ceremony, was established. World Wars accounted for some use of the fortress space also being used as a military headquarters and even as a recruitment center.

UNESCO World Heritage and Modern Role
Tower of London was included on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1988 because of the way important this building is to the world in terms of culture. Even in the modern day, it still remains entertainment for tourists on tour, a stage for the acting out of official state functions, and Crown Jewel warehouses. Even though it once did not house the Royal Mint, Tower opened up new galleries in 2012 full of gruesome history and treasures of the monarchs.

Interesting Facts
The Ravens and the Legend
It is said that if ever the ravens flew away from the Tower, the kingdom would collapse. To this day, the resident flock of ravens, whose flight feathers have been clipped so that they are unable to fly, are cared for by the Ravenmaster, a Yeoman Warder.

Crown Jewels' Sparkle
Jewel House of the Tower contains over 23,000 jewels such as Koh-i-Noor diamond weighing 530 carats and Imperial State Crown worn by Queen Elizabeth II during coronation. They are utilized during state occasions.

Bloody Tower Mysteries
The two Princes of the Tower, Edward V and his brother Richard, disappeared in 1483 under the care of their uncle, Richard III. The disappearance is still one of the world's largest mysteries.

World's First Zoo
Tower menagerie, established in the 13th century, is also England's oldest zoo. A polar bear was given to Henry III by Norway as a gift so that it would be allowed to swim inside the Thames, chained.

Small Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula
One of them, who worked in the Tower, for instance, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, were laid to rest in this very humble chapel on duty here. The chapel was restored early in the 16th century and is now a resting ground for several noted names.

The Ceremony of the Keys
700-year-old tradition, Yeoman Warders perform the task daily at sunset of a ritual lock-up conducted in virtual darkness, swords raised held aloft, by candle torches, and close it with grave solemnity, "God preserve King Charles."

A Multi-Storey Forensic Site
When its archeological tours were done on its premises, skeletons, medieval coins, were unearthed along with some pieces of information on how the prisoners lived and how the kings and queens, guards, etc. lived there within its own walls.

Why People Visit the Tower of London
Living History
Tourists want to tread the paths of kings and monarchs, the same paths William the Conqueror had trodden. The Tower gives tourists a tangible connection to the Norman Conquest and Tudor court intrigue.

Treasures and Crown Jewels
Few visions are so lovely as those of the Crown Jewels. The sheer magnificence of gem, crown, and sceptre, alight behind bullet-proof glass, is an eyesight that dazes and centuries of monarchism into one ominous moment.

Medieval Architecture
The White Tower itself is part of Norman military architecture. Its simple geometric shape, low towers, and fort walls give a shiver down the spine at how medieval builders were able to build so tall a building so early with so little technology.

Dark Legends and Phantom Tales
Thrill-seekers will receive a shiver from the Tower's history of its use as a tool of imprisonment and murder in a ghastly spectacle. Ghost tours Mention the sighting of headless ghostly apparitions Anne Boleyn, weeping wife of Sir Walter Raleigh, and other ghost apparitions reportedly haunting the battlements.

Educational Exhibits
The Tower houses interactive displays of armor and arms history, medieval minting history, and royal regalia symbolism. It offers Yeoman Warder tours with rich background and histories.

Ceremonial Pageantry
Watching the Ceremony of the Keys and the Changing of the Guard is a ritualistic element added to the tour. The two extremely old customs, all ceremony and pomp, are a reminder that the Tower is not an extinguishing tradition but a living one.

Conclusion
The Tower of London is a special jewel in the heritage of the world: a fortress that has defended, imprisoned, crowned, and captivated for nearly nine centuries. Its many uses — royal palace, prison, zoo, treasure house — provide a varied richness of viewpoints to attract various groups of people. Be it the glint of Crown Jewels, spectres of ghostly Tudor martyrs, or the splendor of medieval construction — they leave with more insight into Britain's past.