Tower of London history. Tower - an ancient fortress and museum in the center of London

Tower of London- the oldest building in Great Britain and its main fortress. During its almost thousand-year existence, it has experienced a lot and contains many interesting stories. Read about what treasures the Tower is rich in and what legends shroud the fortress in our material

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The fortress is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Tower of London is guarded by beefeaters - the guards of the fortress have been called that way since the middle of the 15th century, although officially they are called yeoman guards. The nickname took root during times of famine, when Londoners were malnourished, and the fortress guards received rations of beef. Formally, beefeaters are responsible for protection royal regalia, but in fact they simply conduct excursions and are themselves an attraction. Each uniform is valued at 7 thousand pounds, as they contain gold thread.

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The Tower still remains the official residence of the monarch. On its territory there is The Queen’s House, in which Elizabeth II could live if she wanted.

The fortress houses the jewels of the British Empire, the total value of which is estimated at 20 billion pounds. The most expensive stone is the Cullinan, which costs £250 million and is the world's largest cut diamond.

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Every evening, at exactly 21:53, the Key Ceremony takes place in the Tower. The King's Guard soldiers make a tour of the entire area to lock the gates. Then the guard asks the convoy: “Who is coming?” - to which he receives the answer: “Keys.” “Whose keys?” “Queen Elizabeth’s keys,” the convoy replies. This procedure has been going on for hundreds of years and is the oldest military ceremony in the world.

In the Tower of London there live six ravens, whose names are given in honor of the Scandinavian and Celtic gods, as well as mythical characters: Hugin, Munin, Thor, Branwen, Gwillum and Baldrick. According to legend, when the ravens leave the Tower, the fortress, and with it the entire British monarchy, will collapse. To avoid this, crows regularly have their wings clipped.

The Tower of London - fortress, today historical Center London, located near the London Tower Bridge, was built at the beginning of the eleventh century by William the Conqueror.

It was originally a wooden structure, but already in the thirteenth century the Tower was rebuilt into a stone fortified castle, a complex used as a defensive citadel. IN different time The premises and territory of the castle-fortress served as a royal residence, a prison, a mint, and even a zoo. The Tower, which has a strategic location on the Thames, today looks like a serious military stronghold of twenty towers connected by walls of considerable thickness.

In the Tower of London, during the most troubled times, the royal dynasties of Britain hid, if in Palace of Westminster it was dangerous to stay. Here political opponents disliked by the crown were kept in captivity (and some were even executed). The most famous tower of the Tower of London is the White Tower.

Tower of London, White Tower

This is the oldest part of the castle, which was built back in 1097. For a long time it was also considered the most tall building in London (its height is 27.4 m (90 ft)). The walls of the White Tower are 4.6 m thick. During the reign of Henry III, the facades of the tower were whitewashed, and so the name was fixed. The round turret of the White Tower served as an observatory for a long time. The tower also contains the beautiful 11th century Chapel of St John the Evangelist. There are also two active historical exhibitions in the White Tower, a visit to which is included in the price of tickets for the Tower of London: these are the collections of the Royal Armories and the 300-year-old exhibition Line of Kings.

Other towers of the Tower of London

In the thirteenth century, during the reign of Henry III, when the territory of the fortress was significantly expanded, two more defensive walls were built around it. The inner wall has thirteen towers, the outer wall has six more. These towers were mainly used as prisons for those who posed a threat to the royal monarchy.

Widely known among them is the Bloody Tower, where many royals of England lost their heads. Among them, the most famous prisoners are two princes, sons of King Edward IV, imprisoned by the brother of their father, who later ascended the throne under the name of King Richard III.

St. Thomas's Tower, which is located near the Bloody Tower, is famous for the fact that prisoners were brought here by boat, through the so-called Traitor's Gate.

The most important prisoners were often kept in the Beauchamp Tower, sometimes even with their personal servants. The inscription preserved on the wall of this tower indicates that Lady Jane Gray was imprisoned here, who became Queen of England for only nine days, then executed on the territory of Tower Green.

The popularity of Tower Green can be explained by the fact that it has become a kind of memorial for those executed or killed by order of the state. Execution of a death sentence within the walls of this tower or on the territory next to it meant a privilege: the execution procedure did not take place under the jeering of an idle crowd, but was carried out in silence and solitude. The most famous of those executed on or near the Tower Green memorial site were three queens: Anne Boleyn (aged about 30), the second wife of Henry VIII, killed on her husband's orders because she had no children; Catherine Howard (aged 20), fifth wife of Henry VIII and Lady Jane Gray (aged 16).

Thomas More was imprisoned in Bell Tower for refusing to recognize King Henry VIII as head of the Church of England. Here he remained until his execution by order of Henry VIII. For some time, even Queen Elizabeth I was imprisoned in the same tower.

Yeoman Warders of the Tower

To get to the Tower of London through the main entrance, you will have to find the Byward Tower, where all guests are greeted by beefeaters or yeoman wardens (jailers). Nowadays, they not only guard the tower, but also conduct excursions around the territory of the fortress. There are about 40 beefeaters in total. They wear historical clothes: in holidays- red, in regular ones - blue. By the way, just recently the first woman in history was hired for this position.

One of them (beefeaters) - the Ravenmaster - performs a responsible function: he monitors the ravens living on the territory of the Tower of London, regularly clips their wings, and feeds them. According to legend, if the crows leave the Tower, the fortress and the British crown will be defeated, therefore, since time immemorial, King Charles II issued a decree according to which all the birds of the Tower are under royal protection.

UK and popular attraction.

The best way to visit the Tower is with the London City Pass (20%) discount.

The stone castle was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 (nine and a half centuries ago!) to strengthen power over the conquered Anglo-Saxons. It was called the White Tower and was used as a royal residence, base of military operations and a dungeon. The fortification was massive, well-built and suitable for all-round defense (sides 32 by 36 meters, up to 30 meters high) - a serious obstacle for any army of that time.

Under the legendary Richard the Lionheart, the fortress was expanded, receiving external walls and towers, acquiring modern outlines. Descendants also did not forget to monitor the fortification, until the defensive function of the Tower disappeared with the creation of powerful cannons. Then narrow loopholes replaced glazed windows.

For the next centuries, the Tower was the real concentration of the turbulent royal life of England - important documents were kept here, the mint operated, criminals were kept and tortured (among these unfortunates was the famous Guy Fawkes), weapons were stored for the needs of the army. Until the 19th century, a royal menagerie functioned in the fortress, where dangerous and bizarre animals were kept for the amusement of the court. Yet the Tower is most famous as an ominous prison. Countless generations of people managed to suffer in its dungeons; only a few managed to escape. Seven heads were chopped off right in the castle (which was a great privilege; for example, Anne Boleyn lost her head there), another fifteen hundred prisoners were executed in the city, combining justice with the amusement of the crowd.

A huge number of different stories and legends are associated with the Tower. One of them is connected with the ravens that have lived there since ancient times - if the birds fly away, misfortune awaits England. To prevent this from happening, a special caretaker for the crows was appointed, and the birds’ wings were also clipped (which completely eliminates the possibility of misfortunes).

Other interesting tradition, preserved to this day is the institution of Tower guards. Once these carefully selected people guarded kings and watched over prisoners, now their functions have become more peaceful, but no less responsible: they maintain order in the Tower and impress tourists, in this they are helped by special uniforms.

Today the Tower is a carefully protected monument of architecture and history, open to tourists. The territory houses a museum and an armory with countless interesting exhibits.

Helpful information

Nearest tube stations: Tower Hill station – District Line and London Bridge station – Northern Line

Tower of London opening hours

In summer (from March 1 to October 31) from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 to 17:30, on Sunday and Monday from 10:00.

In winter from 9:00 to 16:30.

Ticket price to the Tower of London

Adults £25.

For children (5-15 years) £12

Discounts apply for students and pensioners.

Enjoy your visit!

Tower Castle in London is one of the main attractions of Great Britain. It's not just gorgeous architectural monument, and the symbol occupying significant place in the history of the English monarchy.

Location

The Tower Fortress is located in London, on the banks of the Thames River. This is one of ancient buildings England. Over its long history, the Tower has been a palace, a fortress, a prison, an observatory, a zoo, a mint, an arsenal, a repository of the English crown jewels, and also a place attractive to tourists coming from all over the world.

Construction

The Tower of London was built in several stages. History attributes the foundation of this building to the king who, immediately after the conquest of English lands, began building defensive castles in order to intimidate local residents. As part of this large-scale event, the Tower was erected in 1078 on the site of the old wooden fort. It was a large quadrangular fortress measuring 32x36 m and 30 m high. After the death of William I, the next king of England ordered the building to be painted white, after which the structure was nicknamed the “White Tower”. King Richard the Lionheart built other towers of different heights and powerful fortress walls, encircling the monumental structure in two rows. A deep ditch was dug around the Tower, making it one of the most impregnable defensive structures in Europe.

Famous prisoners

The Tower of London received its first prisoner in 1100. This was Bishop Ralph Flambard, who, by the way, at one time took an active part in the construction of the fortress. The life of the prelate under the castle was very pleasant - he occupied magnificent apartments, used a separate office, and ate exquisite drinks and dishes. However, the prisoner escaped from the Tower at the first opportunity, using a rope that was handed to him in a jug of wine. The next prisoner, Griffin, Duke of Wales, was imprisoned in the fortress 150 years later and died (crashed) while trying to escape. After this, people of blue blood regularly became prisoners in the Tower. The kings of France and Scotland (John II, Charles of Orleans and James I of Scotland), as well as priests and aristocrats of various degrees and titles, visited here. The famous fortress became a place of bloody murders and executions. Here, the young princes were killed - twelve-year-old Edward V and his brother Richard, and King Henry VI was killed.

Prisoners were housed in free premises; the terms of restriction of freedom could be any. Founder of Pennsylvania North America, Penn William, was imprisoned in the Tower for his religious beliefs and spent eight months there. The Duke of Orleans, Charles, was imprisoned in the fortress for a long 25 years and was released after paying a huge ransom for him. Reilly Walter - courtier, scientist and navigator - was imprisoned three times and served a total of thirteen years. He grew tobacco in the fortress garden and brightened up the painful loneliness by writing the multi-volume “History of the World.”

Matrimonial plans and religious differences

The Tower of London became a sinister place of torture after the accession to the throne of Henry VIII, whose keen desire to have a legitimate heir made him one of the greatest villains in English history. Henry broke off relations with the Greco-Roman Church, which refused to recognize his divorce from his first wife, beheaded his second, Anne Boleyn, who failed to bear him a son, and in a similar way got rid of the fifth, Howard Catherine, who also did not meet all his needs. Under this king, many dignitaries laid down their lives in the Tower.

The next king of England became a worthy successor to his father and did not skimp on death sentences. The daughter of Henry VIII - Mary - was a zealous Catholic and fiercely fought for the purity of the faith, which also could not do without bloody sacrifices. In addition, the cruel person, once on the throne, immediately beheaded her main competitor in the struggle for the throne - sixteen years old. Many Protestants died during the reign of Mary, but the next Queen of England - Elizabeth - evened the score and brutally dealt with the Catholics who had previously annoyed her. The history of the Tower of London is replete with brutal reprisals against high-ranking persons who fell into disgrace due to religious beliefs.

Executions and torture

Several thousand prisoners visited the Tower. However, only two men and five women received the honor of being beheaded on the territory of the famous fortress. Three of these high-ranking persons were queens: Jane Gray (lasted nine days on the throne), Catherine Howard and Anne Boleyn. Less high-born prisoners were executed nearby, on Tower Hill, where numerous lovers of bloody massacres gathered. The body of the executed criminal was to be buried in the fortress. The Tower Castle in London houses the remains of 1,500 prisoners in its cellars.

Torture of prisoners in the Tower was carried out only with the permission of official authorities. Thus, Guy Fawkes, a criminal who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament, ended up on the Tower rack in 1605. This forced him to name the names of the masterminds of the Gunpowder Plot before his execution.

Tower - a place of imprisonment in modern history

After ascending the English throne, the Tower fortress in London was almost never replenished with prisoners. The last execution on Tower Hill took place in 1747, but famous tower was a place of imprisonment and modern times. First World War Eleven German spies were imprisoned here and then shot. During World War II, prisoners of war were held in the fortress, including Rudolf Hess. The last person executed on the territory of the fortress was Jacob Joseph, accused of espionage activities and executed in 1941. The last prisoners of the Tower were the Kray gangster brothers in 1952.

Other uses of the tower

It enjoyed success as a menagerie populated by exotic animals. The tradition was founded in the 17th century by Henry III, who received several animals as a gift and gave them a residence in the famous fortress. During the reign of Elizabeth I, the zoo was opened to visitors. Only in the 1830s was the menagerie in the Tower abolished.

For approximately 500 years, a branch of the Royal Mint operated in the fortress. In addition, significant legal and state papers were kept in the Tower, as well as military equipment of the royal army and the king himself.

Guarding the fortress and treasures of the British Empire

Special guards in the Tower arose in 1485. The palace guards of the fortress were nicknamed beefeaters (from the English “beef,” which means “beef”) because even in the most difficult years for the country, the diet of the brave Tower guards included a substantial portion of meat. Thus, the English monarchy provided itself with reliable defenders.

The Tower serves as a palace “ravenmaster” (raven keeper), whose responsibilities include caring for the flock of ravens that live on the territory of the fortress. An ancient legend says: if these black birds leave the Tower, then misfortune will befall Great Britain. To prevent crows from flying away, their wings are clipped.

The fortress houses the treasures of the British Empire. They are guarded by special caretakers. Visitors had the opportunity to admire royal jewels from the 17th century. Famous pieces include the world's largest cut diamond, the Cullian I.

Tower Bridge

Another glorious landmark of England is the famous Tower Bridge in London. It got its name due to its close location to the famous fortress. The drawbridge over the Thames was built in 1886-1894. Its length is 244 meters. The structure is located between two towers, the height of which is 65 meters. The central span is 61 meters long and is divided into two wings, which can be raised at an angle of 83° if necessary. Each wing weighs about one thousand tons, however, thanks to special counterweights, it deploys in about one minute. The span was initially driven by a water hydraulic system. In 1974, the bridge extension mechanism was equipped with an electric drive.

Pedestrians can cross the bridge even when it is open - for this purpose, connecting towers are provided in the middle part of the structure at a height of 44 m of the gallery. You can climb them using stairs located inside the towers. In 1982, galleries began to serve as observation deck and the museum. in London is no less popular than the famous fortress itself.

Tower of London

Tower, Tower of London(English) the Tower, Tower of London, “Tower”) is a fortress built on the north bank of the River Thames, the historical center of London. One of the oldest historical buildings in Great Britain, for a long time served as the residence of English monarchs. Today the Tower is both a historical monument and a museum, included in the list of objects belonging to world heritage UNESCO.

Base

The founding of the Tower fortress is attributed to the Roman Emperor Claudius. It was then a wooden fort built in the southeast corner of the old Roman wall. After the Norman conquest of England, William I began to build defensive castles to intimidate the conquered Anglo-Saxons. One of the largest was the Tower. The wooden fort was replaced by a huge stone building - the Great Tower, which is a quadrangular structure measuring 32 x 36 meters and about 30 meters high. When later new king England ordered the building to be whitewashed, it was named the White Tower, or the White Tower. Subsequently, several more towers of varying heights and two rows of powerful fortress walls were erected. A deep ditch was dug around the fortress, making it one of the most impregnable fortresses in Europe.

State prison

The first prisoner was imprisoned in the Tower in 1100. At that time, Tower Prison was intended for people of noble birth and high rank. Among the most honorable and high-ranking prisoners of the Tower were the kings of Scotland and France and members of their families (James I of Scotland, prisoners of the Hundred Years' War John II (King of France) and Charles of Orleans), as well as representatives of the aristocracy and priests who fell into disgrace on charges of treason. The walls of the Tower also remember many executions and murders: Henry VI, as well as 12-year-old Edward V and his younger brother, were killed in the Tower.

The prisoners were kept in those premises that were not occupied at that time. The terms of imprisonment varied widely. Thus, William Penn, the founder of the English colony in North America, called Pennsylvania, was imprisoned in the Tower for religious beliefs and spent eight months in the Tower. Charles, Duke of Orléans, nephew French king and an outstanding poet, after defeat in battle, spent a total of 25 years within the walls of the castle until an incredible ransom was paid for him. Courtier Walter Raleigh, navigator, poet and playwright, tried to brighten up 13 dreary years of imprisonment by working on the multi-volume work “History of the World”. After his temporary release, he was again imprisoned in the Tower and then executed.

The Tower gained its reputation as a sinister place of torture during the Reformation. Henry VIII, obsessed with the desire to have a son-heir, broke off all relations with the Roman Catholic Church and began to persecute all who refused to recognize him as the head of the Church of England. After Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn, failed to bear him a son, the king accused her of treason and adultery. As a result, Anna, her brother and four other persons were beheaded in the Tower. The same fate befell Catherine Howard, Henry's fifth wife. Many royals who posed a threat to the English throne were taken to the Tower and then executed.

Henry's young son, the Protestant Edward VI, who ascended the throne, continued the series of brutal executions begun by his father. When Edward died six years later, the English crown went to Henry's daughter Mary, a devout Catholic. Wasting no time, the new queen ordered the beheading of 16-year-old Lady Jane Gray and her young husband, who found themselves pawns in a bitter power struggle. Now is the time for the Protestants to lay down their heads. Elizabeth, Mary's half-sister, spent several anxious weeks within the walls of the Tower. However, having become queen, she dealt with those who refused to betray the Catholic faith and dared to oppose her rule.

Dry moat in front of the Middle Tower.

Although thousands of prisoners were thrown into the Tower, only five women and two men were beheaded within the fortress, which saved them from the shame of public execution. Three of these women were queens - Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Jane Grey, who lasted only nine days on the throne. Most of other executions - mostly beheadings - took place on nearby Tower Hill, where huge crowds of fans of such spectacles flocked. The severed head was placed on a stake and displayed on London Bridge as a warning to others. The headless body was taken to the Tower and buried in the cellars of the chapel. A total of more than 1,500 bodies were buried in these cellars.

In some cases, usually only with official permission, prisoners were tortured into admitting their guilt. In 1605, Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, who attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament and the King during the Gunpowder Plot, was strung up on the Tower rack before being executed, forcing him to reveal the names of his accomplices.

In the 17th century, England and the Tower were for some time in the hands of Oliver Cromwell and the parliamentarians, but after Charles II was re-enthroned, the Tower prison was not particularly replenished. The last beheading took place on Tower Hill in 1747. However, this was not the end of the Tower's history as a state prison. During the First World War, 11 German spies were imprisoned and executed in the Tower. During World War II, prisoners of war were temporarily held there, among whom Rudolf Hess spent several days. The last victim executed within the walls of the fortress was Josef Jacobs, accused of espionage and executed in August 1941.

Zoo, mint and royal armory

For more than 500 years, the main department of the royal mint was located in the Tower. One of its most turbulent periods came during the reign of Henry VIII, when coins were minted from silver requisitioned from ruined monasteries. In addition, important government and legal records were kept in the Tower, and weapons and military equipment of the king and the royal army were also manufactured and stored.

Palace guards and royal regalia

From the very foundation of the Tower, its prisoners and buildings were carefully guarded. But specially selected palace guards appeared in 1485. In those days prisoners were often brought down the river and brought into the Tower through the "Traitor's Gate". As the accused was led away from the trial, observers watched to see where the prison guard's ax was pointed. The blade pointed at the prisoner foreshadowed another execution.

Palace guards guard the Tower to this day. Today, their responsibilities also include conducting excursions for numerous visitors. On especially special occasions, they dress in luxurious costumes from the Tudor dynasty: scarlet camisoles trimmed with gold and topped with snow-white frilled collars. On ordinary days, they wear dark blue and red Victorian uniforms. English guards are often called beefeaters (from the English word “beef” - beef), or meat-eaters. This nickname most likely arose during times of famine, when Londoners were malnourished and the palace guards received regular rations of beef. In this way, the English crown provided itself with reliable protection.

The palace "Ravenmaster", or Raven Keeper, cares for a flock of black ravens. There is a belief that if the birds leave the Tower, misfortune will befall England, so their wings were clipped as a precaution.

Keepers of the Royal Treasury guard the famous jewels of the British Empire. The treasury has been open to visitors since the 17th century. Among precious stones Decorating the crowns, orbs and sceptres - which are still used by members of the royal family during ceremonies - you can see the world's largest high-quality faceted diamond, the Cullinan I.

Modern look

Today the Tower of London is one of the main attractions of Great Britain. It has hardly changed since the past. A symbol of the Tower's sinister past is the site where the Tower Hill scaffold formerly stood. Now there is a small memorial plaque installed there in memory of “the tragic fate and sometimes martyrdom of those who, in the name of faith, homeland and ideals, risked their lives and accepted death.” Currently, the main buildings of the Tower are the museum and the armory, where the treasures of the British crown are kept; officially continues to be considered one of royal residences. The Tower also has a number of private apartments, where mainly service personnel and distinguished guests live.

Links

• Tower of London - Guide - Information about the city of London

Coordinates: 51°30′30.32″ n. w. 0°04′38.01″ W d. /  51.508422° N. w. 0.077225° W d.(G)51.508422 , -0.077225

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