History
The Tower of London provides one of the most enriched and unique histories. It began as the tower that enforced power and made average citizens fearful, but it quickly transformed into something more than that. As each new powerful person moved into the tower, they began expanding. However, one of the biggest events that occurred was the beheading of Queen Anne Boleyn, which occurred in 1536. One other major event was the last hanging. It occurred on Tower Hill in 1780. The history that has occurred in this building is full of imprisonment, beheadings and death. To see a timeline of events, click here. Tower Today The Tower of London is now one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. One of the main reasons it attracts so many people is because it holds 23,578 gems in the working collection of Crown Jewels. This exhibit opened in 2012 and is home to one of the world's most famous diamonds; the Koh-i-Noor. Other than t that, there are the poppies that attract many of the tourists. There are 900,000 poppies; one for each British soldier who died during World War One. This memorial has captured the hearts of the public signifying death and memory for the loved ones and families of the ones who lost their lives. (Castles and Palaces of the World) |
The Ravens
At the Tower of London, there are eight resident ravens. Due to the ravens living at the tower, a myth was established saying that if the ravens were to ever leave, the kingdom and tower would fall. Currently there are two extra on top of the six necessary for the Tower to survive. Once the myth became popular, Charles II insisted the ravens had protection. Now, at the Tower, there is a Ravenmaster; this person is the only one the ravens listen to. They keep guard over the Tower and they are the reason it is still standing. Necessary precautions were taken to keep the ravens. Although they look identical to a typical crow, their wings have been clipped so they cannot fly away. Maybe it is just a myth, but the only time the ravens weren't at the Tower was in 1946, when World War Two was ending and England was on the verge of falling. (Historical Royal Palaces) Ghosts at the Tower
Due to the Tower's rich and unique history, there are several legends about ghosts residing at the Tower. There were several deaths that occurred at the Tower; some of them weren't of natural causes either. Public hangings, beheadings and the execution of prisoners occurred at the Tower. One of the most famous beheadings was that of Queen Anne Boleyn. To read about some of the most interesting legends and myths at the Tower of London, click here. |
Structure
The Tower of London was built in 1066 by William the Conqueror. It was built with the intention of invoking fear and establishing dominance. The first castle within the tower is called the keep. It is the strongest castle, containing fifteen feet thick walls and stands at one-hundred feet tall. The keep is what is referred to as the White Tower. In the first castle there is a chapel, apartments, guardrooms and underground burial chambers. It was created to demonstrate Norman power and was strategically placed on the River Thames. It sits as a fortress to protect the city and a gateway to the capital. It is simply a symbol of royalty. The Infamous Disappearance
In 1483, two princes, Edward V and Richard Duke of York ages twelve and ten disappeared. It is said they were murdered, but years later in the late 15th Century, guards at the Tower saw two young boys gliding down the stairs at the Bloody Tower. Following that in 1674, workers found the remains of two small bodies, thought to be the boys. Shortly after, they were given a proper royal burial. Please read more about the several ghosts that appear at the tower here. (Daniel Parkinson) |
Sources
Tower of London. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.everycastle.com/Tower-of-London.html
Tower of London. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/488
Tower of London. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/tower-of-london.htm
The ravens. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/theravens
Myths and mysteries: The haunted Tower of London. (2011, November 4). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.dawn.com/news/671432/myths-and-mysteries-the-haunted-tower-of-london
Parkinson, D. (n.d.). The Tower of London. Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/greater-london/hauntings/the-tower-of-london.html
Tower of London. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.everycastle.com/Tower-of-London.html
Tower of London. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/488
Tower of London. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/tower-of-london.htm
The ravens. (n.d.). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/theravens
Myths and mysteries: The haunted Tower of London. (2011, November 4). Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.dawn.com/news/671432/myths-and-mysteries-the-haunted-tower-of-london
Parkinson, D. (n.d.). The Tower of London. Retrieved April 2, 2015, from http://www.mysteriousbritain.co.uk/england/greater-london/hauntings/the-tower-of-london.html