The Story of the Tower of London

The Tower of London's history spans almost a thousand years, but London's castle can still fascinate and horrify. When William the Conqueror built this mighty stone tower at the centre of his London fortress, defeated medieval Londoners must have looked on in awe. 

As protector of the Crown Jewels, home of the Yeomen Warders and its legendary guardians, the pampered ravens, the Tower now attracts over three million visitors a year. Here, the Ceremony of the Keys and other traditions live on, as do the ghost stories and terrible tales of torture and execution.

Throughout history, the Tower has also been a visible symbol of awe and fear. Kings and queens imprisoned their rivals and enemies within its walls. The stories of prisoners, rich and poor, still haunt the Tower.

But the Tower also has a richer and more complex history, having been home to a wide array of institutions including the Royal Mint, the Royal Armouries and even a zoo. 

As the most secure castle in the land, the Tower guarded royal possessions and even the royal family in times of war and rebellion. But for 500 years monarchs also used the Tower as a surprisingly luxurious palace.

When was the Tower of London built?

The Tower of London was built in the 1070s by William the Conqueror. Fresh from his victory but nervous of rebellion, William I (known as 'the Conqueror') began to build this massive stone fortress to defend and proclaim his royal power. It took around 20 years to build.

Masons arrived from Normandy, bringing with them stone from Caen in France. Most of the actual labour was provided by Englishmen.

Nothing like it had ever been seen in England before. William intended his mighty castle keep not only to dominate the skyline, but also the hearts and minds of the defeated Londoners.

The fortress expands

Throughout history, the Tower has been adapted and developed to defend and control the nation.

Henry III (1216-72) and Edward I (1272-1307) expanded William’s fortress, adding huge 'curtain' (defensive) walls with a series of smaller towers, and enlarging the moat.

In 1240, Henry III had the Tower’s great keep painted white, making it the White Tower. They also transformed the Tower into England’s largest and strongest ‘concentric’ castle (with one ring of defences inside another). Inside, the kings built a magnificent medieval palace.

Tower of strength

Kings and queens used the Tower in times of trouble to protect their possessions and themselves. Arms and armour were made, tested and stored here until the 1800s.

The Tower also controlled the supply of the nation’s money. All coins of the realm were made at the Tower Mint from the reign of Edward I until 1810. Kings and queens also locked away their valuables and jewels at the Tower and even today, the Crown Jewels are protected by a garrison of soldiers.

The Tower’s defences failed only failed once. During the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381, rebels ran in through the open gates!

Henry VI and the Wakefield Tower

The Tower of London has also been the infamous setting for stories of royal tragedy and death.

During the Wars of the Roses, Henry VI was murdered here in 1471 and, later, the children of his great rival Edward IV – the Princes in the Tower - vanished within its walls in 1483.

In 1674, two skeletons were unearthed at the Tower. The bones were re-examined in 1933 and proved to be those of two boys aged about 12 and 10, exactly the same ages as the princes when they disappeared.

Yeoman Warders at the Tower of London

The famous Yeoman Warders, recognised as symbols of the Tower all over the world, have been here for centuries. They were originally part of the Yeomen of the Guard, the monarch’s personal bodyguard who travelled with him.

Henry VIII (1507-47) decreed that some of them would stay and guard the Tower permanently.

Ceremony of the Keys

Today the Yeomen Warders or the 'Beefeaters' guard the visitors, but still carry out ceremonial duties, such as unlocking and locking the Tower every day in the Ceremony of the Keys.

They wear their red state ‘dress uniforms’ for important occasions at the Tower, and also for special events such as the firing of the huge cannon on the Wharf, known as the Gun Salutes.

Royal life and death

Medieval kings and queens lived in luxurious apartments at the Tower. They worshipped in the Chapel Royal, kept a menagerie of exotic animals (which lasted until the 19th century) and welcomed foreign rulers at magnificent ceremonial occasions. 

Although long since vanished, there was once a splendid royal palace to the south of the White Tower. Henry VIII modernised the rooms inside in preparation for the coronation of his new bride, Anne Boleyn in 1533. She and the King feasted here in splendour the night before Anne processed in triumph through the City of London to Westminster Abbey.

Three years later Anne was back at the Tower, this time accused of adultery and treason. She was held in the same luxurious lodgings before being executed by sword on Tower Green.

But not all queens died here at the hands of an executioner. Elizabeth of York died after giving birth at the Tower. It was said that her husband Henry VII was so grief-stricken at her death that his hair turned white.

'Sent to the Tower'

The Tower of London as a prison

For over 800 years, men and women have arrived at the Tower, uncertain of their fate. Some stayed for only a few days, other many years.

During the Tudor period, the Tower of London became the most important state prison in the country. Anyone thought to be a threat to national security came here.

The future Elizabeth I, Lady Jane Grey, Sir Walter Raleigh and Guy Fawkes were all 'sent to the Tower'.

Even during the First World War, German spies were brought here and shot.

The Chapel Royal of St Peter ad Vincula

The Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula is perhaps best known as being the burial place of some of the most famous Tower prisoners. These include three queens of England: Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard and Jane Grey, all of whom were executed within the Tower in the 16th century.

After their execution, the queens' headless bodies were buried quickly and carelessly under the Chapel without any memorial.

Henry VIII's wives were accused of adultery and treason. Lady Jane Grey was an unfortunate pawn in a plot to replace Mary I and was executed for high treason in 1554, aged only 17.

In 1876, when the Chapel was restored, the remains unearthed in the chancel, including those of Anne Boleyn, were reburied beneath a marble pavement, inscribed with their names and coats of arms.

Legends and ghosts

The Tower has been a visitor attraction since the 18th century, but numbers of tourists increased dramatically in the 1800s. Visitors were fascinated by the stories of England’s turbulent and sometimes gruesome history.

Stories of ghosts haunt the Tower. Anne Boleyn is said to stalk the site of her execution on Tower Green.

Arbella Stuart, the cousin of Elizabeth I who starved while under arrest for marrying without royal permission, is said to frequent the King’s House still.

Two smaller ghosts are thought to be the 'Princes in the Tower'. The Yeomen Warders even tell a chilling tale of a huge bear who once appeared to the Jewel House Keeper.

The Tower Ravens

One of the most famous legends of the Tower surrounds the ravens. The story goes that should the ravens leave the Tower, both it and the kingdom will fall.

The ravens at the Tower today are cared for by a dedicated Yeoman Warder known as the Ravenmaster.

The Tower today

The Tower of London is still one the world’s leading tourist attractions and a world heritage site, attracting visitors from all over the world.

And when the gates are locked and all the visitors have gone, the Tower embraces a thriving community within its walls. The Tower of London is still home to the Yeomen Warders and their families, the Resident Governor, and a garrison of soldiers. There is a doctor and a chaplain. And there is even a pub!