The Tower of London &Ndash; A Castle of England
by The Tower of London is a truly breathtaking landmark. Were you aware that, over the course of 1,000 years, the Tower of London has repeatedly changed in its role? It has been, at various points in its history, a prison, Royal Palace, a mint, and, perhaps most unusually, a zoo.
An imperative aspect to any Tower of London tour is a viewing of none other than the incomparable Crown Jewels. The Jewels are held in the most observable vault on the globe. Thousands of sparkling gem stones and yards of silver gilt make for a precious display of royal ornament. Every jewel comes with its own idiosyncratic and compelling regal history. The Maundy Dish and Imperial State Crown are still vital components in annual monarchical ceremonies.
The Jewels are kept constantly under armed guard in the Jewel House. You are sure to be bowled over by the 23,578 gems that make up the Crown Jewels. An especial highlight is the extravagant Imperial State Crown, which alone comprises of 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies.
Spend some time discovering what life was like incarcerated in the Bloody or Beauchamp Towers when you visit inside the Tower of London. Even speculate on some of the inscriptions left behind by previous prisoners.
Take a Beefeater tour and you will be equally astonished and left rapt by their tales, which have been passed down for generations. Pain and passion, treachery and torture, all delivered with a smile and swagger.
One of the more disquieting stories behind the Tower is that, following the detection of the bones of two young boys during Charles II’s reign, the Garden Tower was renamed the Bloody Tower. Legendary figures such as Lady Jane Grey and Thomas More were put to death in the Tower, and rumours of hauntings by ghosts within the Tower still abound.
The Medieval Palace comprises of lush, opulent interiors. Delve into the minutiae of what life was like in an incredibly luxurious medieval household on your Tower of London tours.
The White Tower was the original Tower of London. Begun by William the Conqueror around 1080, it would have made a secure and impressive home for the newly crowned Norman invader.
The most extensive collection of armour in Europe is held in The White Tower, including Henry VIII’s personal armoury. The ravens and the legends connected to them also contribute to making the Tower of London a must-see London attraction. It even holds a rather disturbing assortment of torture instruments and historical weapons.
Unearth the complex and often mind-boggling history of one of the ultimate London attractions. The Tower of London holds a remarkable past, replete with intriguing and turbulent incidents. Visit inside the Tower of London for an at times unsettling, yet, all in all riveting thing to do in London.
Liked it
