The Tower of London

by Amanda Lyons

     Few buildings have served as many functions as the Tower of London: formidable fortress, royal residence, prison, and (currently) museum. Occupying the north bank of the Thames, just east of the city center, the Tower is a symbol of London's prominence and power. It was built in 1078 when William I of Normandy commissioned it as, in his own words, "a symbol of his power, a fortress for his defence, and a prison for his enemies" (Minney). Upon completion in 1098, the Tower had walls that were almost 100 feet high and almost 15 feet thick.  

     The complex is still imposing spanning thirteen acres with a chapel, apartments, guardrooms, and even crypts. It also retains numerous defensive architectural features, including a wide ditch that was at one point used as a moat, an old Roman wall, and a new stone wall. Located along the north bank of the Thames, The Tower was sited to take advantage of natural geographic features.  

     The Norman foundation was constructed after William of Normandy (also known as William the Bastard and William the Conqueror) invaded England in September of 1066 to obtain the English throne. A bloody battle ensued, and a falling arrow killed Harold, his opponent. William became King of England and ushered in the Norman Age. William, as a rule, lived by the sword. He understood that his kingship had to be defended, and ordered the creation of the imposing tower in 1078.

     The complex first consisted of a plain tower that incorporated an ancient Roman wall and was sited so that the north bank of the Thames served as one of its borders. Further building continued until The Tower was completed in 1098 for Gundulf (the Bishop of Rochester). Two years later the first state prisoner Ranulf Flambard, the Bishop of Durham was held in the Tower after he was charged with killing Henry I's brother William II. Ranulf was also the first person to escape from the Tower, a feat he performed only a year into his imprisonment.  

     The tower was left unchanged for another century, until the Bishop of Ely commissioned the Bell Tower, extending the Roman wall that was used as a boundary of the tower, and adding a new wall. He also had a large ditch dug around the Tower in a futile attempt to make a moat.  

     During the reign of Henry III (1216 - 1272), what we call the Innermost Ward today was extended and enclosed, and the great hall and kitchen were renovated. This period also saw the creation of the Wakefield and Lanthorn Towers, probably used as the royal lodging areas. Though the Tower still served as a prison, Henry also used it as his residence when he had to flee from political uprisings. Henry had the exterior whitewashed (it was then called the White Tower) and had a private zoo placed near the drawbridge. The zoo was soon filled with exotic animals, many of which were diplomatic gifts from foreign monarchs. Nine new towers were added, and the old Roman wall was destroyed to make way for a new, more substantial curtain wall. This new wall doubled the Tower's area, and actually enclosed the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula (St. Peter in Jail).  

     Henry III accomplished what the Bishop of Ely couldn't - he successfully created a moat around the Tower walls. Nonetheless, many of these renovations and improvements displeased Londoners, including those landowners from whom Henry bought property to expand his fortress.

     King Edward I (1272 - 1307) appreciated the renovations made by his predecessor and improved upon them during his reign. It was at this time that the Tower of London became England's greatest defensive structure.   Edward filled in Henry III's moat and created one of his own. He also commissioned another curtain wall as well as Beauchamp, Middle, Byward, and St. Thomas's Towers. Royal lodgings were located in the uppermost section of St. Thomas's Tower. Edward also added a large building to house the Royal Mint, giving the Tower a new economic function. Soon after, official papers were also stored there.

     Edward II (1307 - 1327) used the Tower as a refuge with his main residence organized around Lanthorn Tower. When Edward III (1327 - 1377) ascended the throne, he put up a new gatehouse and added the Cradle Tower. He also extended the Tower Wharf. Richard II (1377 - 1399) successfully used it as a stronghold when farmers stormed it in 1381, and again in 1387 when the barons clashed with the Earl of Oxford. It was also his prison when Henry IV (1399 - 1413) usurped the throne.   

     Richard III (1483 - 1485) held his coronation at the Tower but did not live there. Henry VII (1485 - 1509), moved in after killing Richard III during battle. He later added a private chamber, library, gallery, and garden. Henry VII also hired personal bodyguards and named them Yeoman Warders. Members of this unit still guard the Tower today. Henry VII was the last monarch to reside in the Tower; the dungeon was later used to hold enemies and the towers were used for celebrations.

     Henry VIII (1509 - 1547) married his second wife Anne Boleyn at the Tower on May 19, 1533 with tremendous feasting and festivities that lasted for a week and a half. Exactly three years later, Anne was beheaded at the Tower Green. Mary I (1553 - 1558), Henry's daughter, had her younger sister held in the Tower's prison for two months because she felt threatened by Elizabeth, the future Virgin Queen. Perhaps that is why Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603) later held a three-day coronation ceremony there.

     The last execution at Tower Green was in 1601, and in 1603, the Tower became a museum: James I (1603 - 1625) commissioned the Tower Jewel House for the Royal Jewels, which were previously deposited at Westminster Abbey. He also extended the Lieutenant's House - built in the 1540's, currently called the Queen's House. The king's lions were put into better dens, too.  

     The great fire of 1666 scorched the Tower's gates but did not damage the interior, thanks to quick-thinking fire fighters who used gunpowder to blow up nearby houses. In 1743 Scottish deserters were executed by a firing squad. Lanthorn Tower was demolished in 1776 and rebuilt in 1883. A fire in October of 1841 claimed Bowyer Tower, but not before soldiers rescued valuable pieces from the burning tower. World War II caused some artillery damage to the Main Guard and the North Bastion areas of the Tower, but this destruction actually revealed part of a wall built during Henry III's reign. The last known executions at the Tower were the shooting of spies from World War II on Mint Street.

     Over the centuries many architectural styles have been incorporated into the overall design. The recently excavated Roman sections show the use of stone, tiles, mortar, and other building materials. The Norman fortress was modest and was also intended to be a refuge for commoners under attack. Additional towers were built as they were   needed.

     Many interesting architectural elements were used in the creation and expansion of the Tower of London. The crenellation (or ramparts) on top of the towers, serve as excellent battle stations for archers. The circular design of the towers lessened damage caused by cannons and other high-powered projectiles. The barbicans, or towers used in conjunction with gates or drawbridges, provided more defence against enemies (Gower 7). The tower has four bridges (Lion Gate bridge, Middle Tower bridge, Traitor's Gate bridge, and Iron Gate bridge) that soldiers guarded against land attacks (Gower 9). The Middle Tower had a double portcullis, with either an iron or wooden grating, that could be lowered when it was necessary to secure the passageway (Gower 10).  

     Visiting the Tower of London this summer was a surreal experience. While the Tower is located near modern buildings such as the innovative and imposing Swiss Re Headquarters (known as the Gherkin), it still dominates the skyline. Although walking the winding path through the surrounding property can be exhausting, it is well worth it. Yeomen Warders or Beefeaters provide tours. There are exhibits inside the Bloody Tower. One displays historical royal armour and includes some of William the Conqueror's possessions. One can imagine the life of the kings by viewing the "masks" on display; I believe they are death masks that were made from plaster at the time of each king's death.  

     Another exhibit refers to prisoners of the Tower, including Lady Jane Grey and Anne Boleyn. Though one has to pay approximately 13 pounds for admission, the visit is worth the price. One must be prepared to spend at least three hours at the Tower to visit the complex. But I guarantee that those three hours will be time well spent.

     The following photographs were taken of the Tower on June 5, 2004:

Works Cited

Kohl, Edward. "Our-Trips." 20 May 2001.

< http://www.our-trips.com/index.html >(20 May 2004).

Lowman, Paul and Morgan, Katrell. "English 435. Course home page." Springfield High School, Springfield, Illinois. (20 May 2004).

<http://www.springfield.k12.il.us/schools/springfield/eliz/TowerofLondon.html>

Minney, R J. "The Tower of London." HistoryChannel.com. (20 May 2004).

<http://www.historychannel.com/perl/print_book.pl?ID=117413>

<BACK TO INTRODUCTION & CONTENTS ........NEXT ESSAY>