Medieval Palace

St Thomas’s Tower

The first stop is St Thomas’s Tower, built for Edward I as an imposing new riverside gatehouse, from 1275-9, by Master John of Beverley – one of the great stonemasons of his age. This formidable exterior reflects Edward’s reputation as a hardworking and powerful but also cruel and hot-tempered king.

Inside, the first room was probably the king’s hall, and you can see traces of a huge fireplace on the wall. Around it are luxurious hangings decorated with the arms of England and Castile and in front is the stonemason’s table, heavy with plans and tools.

The route then leads you into the royal households of Edward I and Eleanor of Castile – where hundreds of nobles and servants attended to their every need. Feeding so many people was a huge challenge and on display is an amazing medieval fish trap – discovered in the Tower’s moat. The households consumed huge quantities of fish, particularly during religious fasting when meat was forbidden.

The final room of St Thomas’s Tower is Edward I’s bedchamber, recreated with a magnificent furnishings and crackling fires. The influential Eleanor of Castile would have had a huge impact on how these spaces were decorated. Touch the sumptuous fabrics and listen to voices speaking in Anglo-Norman (a version of French spoken at court), and Latin prayers uttering from the chapel.

Wakefield Tower

Next up is the Wakefield Tower, built for Henry III, Edward’s father, as part of a grand new suite of royal apartments. The Tower is richly decorated with a medieval throne, wall paintings above the fireplace, and a painted chapel screen – all based on surviving medieval images and accounts. You can touch a model of the three lions which made up the royal arms – as depicted in a wall painting above the fireplace.

Henry III’s long reign almost ended in disaster after losing control to rebel barons. Henry was thought a great patron of the arts who rebuilt Westminster Abbey in honour of his favourite saint – Edward the Confessor.

Being a medieval king or queen was no easy task and this room explores what qualities were expected. Did our cast of characters meet, or fail to meet, these heavy expectations?

The Death of Henry VI

The Wakefield chapel is associated with Henry VI who died in 1471 while a prisoner at the Tower. Some say he was murdered while at prayer in this space. Since 1923, the Ceremony of Lilies and Roses marks his death on 21 May.

Lanthorn Tower

After journeying along the battlements, you’ll arrive at the Lanthorn Tower, built in 1220-38, and likely part of Eleanor of Provence’s private apartments. Eleanor was a powerful and influential queen who was fiercely protective of her family. Her apartments at the Tower were adorned with beautiful wall paintings of roses and false masonry.

The Lanthorn Tower displays wonderful medieval objects which tell the story of life in the Medieval Palace. Explore themes such as medieval food and feasting; childhood and education; and royal religion.

These objects include a toy knight from around 1300, coins minted for Edward I at the Tower of London, and a beautiful enamelled Pyx – a small box for keeping the Communion bread after it had been blessed by a priest. You can also touch a replica of the great seal of Henry III.

The Tower and the City

Medieval London was home to a rich and diverse community, with merchants bringing produce from all over the world. The Tower and the City had a close but turbulent relationship – Londoners had a long tradition of siding with royal enemies, so the Tower was often a focus for rebellion and attack.

This relationship is more harmonious today and in 2025 we collaborated with a local community group to produce a stunning new tapestry, which explores Tower Hamlets, its buildings and people.