The Tower of London is not the Tower’s official name.
The full name of the Tower is actually: Her Majesty’s Royal Palace And Fortress, The
Tower of London.
We were there to take you on a tour where there were almost no other people!
It's a weird and unforgettable experience.
Join us for a quick overview of the fortress's history and highlights from the past thousand
years.
The Tower of London, situated on the banks of the River Thames at Tower Hill, is a sight
to behold.
It was built in a strategic location chosen by its creator, William the Conqueror so that
it could be seen from a distance.
In 1066, following his victory in the Norman Conquest of England, William constructed the
tower in order to consolidate his control over the city.
Of course, the city has evolved dramatically since then, and the tower is dwarfed by the
skyline of the twenty-first century.
Due to the fact that you access the grounds by the Byward Tower in the southwest corner,
the grounds are now operating on a one-way basis.
The Beefeater, as they're more widely called in the United Kingdom, greets us as we pass
past the fortifications and the port callus.
Since the Victorian period, they have served as guardians of the tower, protecting the
crown jewels and providing guided tours.
Until 1810, the Royal Mint was located right here on Mint Lane, in the heart of London.
Originally a royal home, it has been transformed throughout the years into the Royal Armory
and a jail with a gruesome past.
Continuing along Water Lane, we come at Traitors Gate, which was once canal access to the Tower
of London from the Thames for King Edward I, but became more famous for the transportation
of captives to the Tower.
A barge may have brought Anne Boleyn by here before she was killed for high treason on
the orders of King Henry VIII, according to legend.
The famed bloody tower was given its name because of the strange disappearance of two
Princes who were being detained there by Richard III, ostensibly for their safety.
They were never seen or heard from again until two little bones were discovered beneath the
steps in one of the towers in 1674.
They were interred in Westminster Abbey, where they were widely thought to be the Prince's
remains.
In addition, because of the presence of covid, it was not able to visit the torture exhibition,
which included a collection of horrible tools of torture, while it was still in operation.
It is supposed that if the six resident ravens ever depart the castle, the kingdom and tower
would come tumbling down.
After being informed of the approaching calamity, it is believed that Charles II was the first
to request that the ravens of the tower be safeguarded, according to legend.
Today, tradition is kept, and seven ravens, six of whom are breeding and one who is not,
are allowed to wander the grounds that are cared for by
the warders.
On top of the renowned White Structure, which is also its tallest and most powerful tower
from a military standpoint, lies the Tower of London's most important attraction.
It served as a residence for William the Conqueror and his representatives, and it is also home
to a church.
In a moment, we'll discover more about this imposing construction project.
Tower Green appears to be a lovely plaza within the castle, and it is, but there is more to
it than meets the eye!
The Tudor structures, including the Queen's House, were most likely constructed for Anne
Boleyn before her coronation in 1533, according to historical records.
Ironically, it was also the location where she was detained before her death.
The home is continuously guarded by a sentry to this day.
Houses and offices for yeoman warders, some of whom reside on-site, are housed in the
various cottages that dot the landscape around the green.
It was Sir Walter Raleigh who looked after the little apothecary garden near the entrance
to the bloody tower.
The garden has been recreated near the bloody tower entrance.
He was formerly a favorite of Elizabeth I, but after a falling out with James I, he was
imprisoned here three times before being executed at Westminster.
In the shadow of the Royal Chapel, a large number of heads are rolled on the green.
The most notable are three former Queens: Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, and Elizabeth
I.
Both women were married to Henry VIII and were accused of infidelity.
The third, Lady Jane Grey, the nine-day Queen who had been the innocent victim of a botched
coup, was executed by order of Mary Tudor.
This sculpture commemorates a location and pays tribute to people who were sentenced
to death by the state.
Waterloo Block, a military barracks for 800 troops that is now home to the Crown Jewels,
is our final destination.
Armed guards monitor the perimeter of the Jewel House to ensure that no one enters or
leaves the building.
On the inside, you'll find the most powerful emblems of the Monarchy, as well as a world-famous
collection of diamonds valued at three billion pounds!
The Coronation Regalia and Imperial State Crown, which are at the center of the collection,
are the highlights.
Unfortunately, there is no video or photography allowed inside.
The White Tower, which was constructed to ward off foreign invaders and frighten the
inhabitants of London, is arguably the most recognized castle keep in the world.
The Unesco World Heritage site regularly receives 2.7 million visitors per year, but today's
crowds would lead you to believe otherwise.
It's hard to realize that this structure has been standing for over a thousand years.
Since the 15th century, the White Tower has housed an extensive collection of armaments
and armory.
The department, which was known as the King's privy wardrobe at the time, was located within
the walls of the Tower of London and was responsible for producing armor and weaponry for the king
and his army.
By the reign of Charles II, the museum had a permanent collection of Spanish armories
on display, making it the world's first museum.
A great collection of antiques, many of which belonged to the past Kings of England, may
be found on display today.
It is only possible to present a portion of the collection.
The chapel of Saint John the Evangelist, widely recognized as one of the finest specimens
of Romanesque architecture in the world, was almost certainly frequented by the royal family
while they were on official business in Rome.
Despite the fact that the upper level was locked, you can still see an authentic executioner's
block from the 18th century, as well as an ax that may have been used in Tudor times.
The Thames and Tower Bridge may be seen as we leave the tower behind, as well as the
London Eye.
It is on the east side of the tower that we will find both the headquarters of the Royal
Regiment of Fusiliers and a former hospital building that has been transformed into a
workshop.
You may have observed the elephant and wondered what it was doing here in the tower, and you
are not alone.
Actually, the Tower of London was home to London's first zoo, which was established
as a consequence of kings trading exotic animals as presents.
In the 12th century, the King of France sent an elephant to London, and the city's residents
rushed to view it, resulting in the collection growing.
By the nineteenth century, the menagerie had begun to deteriorate, and today's London Zoo
is based on the original collection.
As we stroll down the banks of the Thames as we depart the Tower of London, you will
get a chance to observe the Thames confronting part of Traitor's Gate.
For information on advanced reservations, visit this website, which will also provide
information on what is available inside the tower and when it is open.
Check out our Icons of London video for additional information on well-known London attractions,
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Until next time, best wishes on your journey.