English building on the Thames in the heart of London. It has once been the home of royalty, a prison, storehouse of weapons and treasure and the site of much bloodshed. Historically it has played a significant role in London’s legends and mysteries.
History of the Tower of London
The history of the tower can be traced to shortly after the Norman Conquest of Britain. William the Conqueror invaded and defeated Britain in 1066, becoming King. To help assert his power over London, he began the creation of a sequence of fortresses.
The most recognizable element of the fortress complex; The White Tower, was created sometime in the late 1070s; its purpose being for defence, but also for the Norman domination to be seen.
Through the next centuries, subsequent kings and queens enlarged the castle, building upon it with various walls, towers, defenses and buildings to develop the vast complex it has become today
The White Tower
Oldest, most familiar of the complex is the White Tower.
Robust, stone, fortress that the imposing castle looked. Designed not only as a strategic military point but to illustrate regal power.
The White Tower has exhibits about medieval warfare and arms, and also the history of the Tower itself.
Royal Palace
The Tower is better known for its prison history but the establishment was a royal palace and residence as well.
Various English Kings resided in the Tower during periods of time and the medieval era in particular. As well as providing royal accommodations the Tower complex could also hold facilities to house armed and governmental services.
The Tower as a Prison
The Tower of London was famous in particular, as a place where people thought to be politically important or to pose an threat to the monarchy could be held prisoner because they were thought to be dangerous.
During its history it has held nobles, clergy, political enemies of the state and many other prominent people. However as might be expected conditions varied widely. Whilst the social position some prisoners enabled them to lead quite luxurious lives as prisoners, others experienced severe hardship.
Notable prisoners linked to the Tower are: Anne Boleyn; Lady Jane Grey, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Guy Fawkes.
Anne Boleyn
One of the most prominent tales that is directly associated with the Tower is that of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII.
Anne was brought under arrest to the Tower in 1536 and put on trial accused of treason and other various crimes and was eventually executed within the Tower grounds.
This event had a profound impact on the site and adds to its ominous reputation as a place in which countless dramatic and historic events have occurred. Her legend is further fueled in more recent and anecdotal tales, which state Anne Boleyn’s ghost has been sighted at the Tower.
The Princes in the Tower
Perhaps the Tower’s greatest historical mystery concerns the Princes in the Tower.
In 1483, Edward V and his younger brother Richard were taken to the Tower before Edward could be crowned. The two young princes eventually disappeared from public view.
Their ultimate fate remains uncertain.
One theory is that they were murdered, while other theories have suggested different possibilities. Their disappearance has become one of the most famous unsolved mysteries in British history.
No definitive historical evidence has established exactly what happened to them.
Executions at the Tower
The name Tower is strongly associated with executions; relatively few actually took place in the fortress itself however.
Most executions taking place there took place on Tower Hill. Certain key prisoners were executed within the grounds of the fortress where there could take place away from the large crowd.
The Crown Jewels
Another one of the world’s most renowned collections of royal ceremonial articles also resides at the Tower; the Crown Jewels. Within this unique collection lie a number of crowns, scepters, orbs and other items used during royal ceremonial occasions. Amongst the collection there are several particularly renowned pieces.
St Edwards crown which is usually the one to be used during coronation ceremonies; and the Imperial State Crown, more closely associated with opening the session of Parliament.
Highly protected by extremely tight security, the jewels draw in hordes of people each year, their ultimate attraction.
Ghost Stories and Legends
Many ghost stories are linked to the Tower of London. The most common alleged apparition is Anne Boleyn but prisoners and those who perished in and around the fort also appear, with reports of mysterious sounds, unexplainable sights and figures. Ghost stories have made the Tower, and the surrounding area, a sought-after haunt for those fascinated with all things spectral; yet these are stories, not scientific fact.
Why Is the Tower So Mysterious?
The Tower combines several elements that make it fascinating:
- Royal power
- Political conspiracies
- Famous prisoners
- Executions
- Missing princes
- Ghost legends
- Ancient architecture
- The Crown Jewels
- The mysterious ravens
Because so many important events took place within its walls, the Tower has accumulated centuries of stories and legends.
The Tower Today
Now the Tower of London is a large historical site, administered as heritage. Visitors can access to the towers, medieval architecture and walls, displays and exhibitions. They can discover Crown Jewels, role in history of England and fortress.
The Tower is part of The Tower of London UNESCO World Heritage Site.
UNESCO considered it a royal medieval fort and an outstanding architectural work in medieval military engineering.
Conclusion
It is not just old fortress but Tower of London, where nearly one thousand years of English royal history, the power struggle, imprisonment, suffering and mystery have all become united. Almost every aspect of the fortress, either from Prince in Tower mystery or from haunting of Anne Boleyn ghost to White Tower medieval construction, priceless collection of Crown Jewels, has story of its own. Combination of all this, make tower of London perfect theme for Mysteries & Legends part of Find Hidden India.