The Tower of London

Tower of London - Gardens

The Tower of London

About

Tower of London

The Tower of London, officially Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle with 1000 years located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London.

It was founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 as part of the Norman Conquest of England. The White Tower, constructed in 1078, is the central keep that gave the entire complex its name.

The Tower has served variously as a royal residence, prison, armory, treasury, and home of the Crown Jewels of England.

The Tower became infamous as a prison for high-profile prisoners, including Anne Boleyn, Sir Thomas More, and Elizabeth I before she ascended the throne. Executions of notable figures, such as Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey, took place within the Tower grounds or on nearby Tower Hill.

Over the centuries, successive monarchs expanded the Tower, transforming it into a sprawling complex of multiple buildings within two concentric rings of defensive walls and a moat.

The Ravens

The Tower of London employs a dedicated Ravenmaster, one of the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters), whose primary duty is to care for the ravens. The ravens are a major attraction for visitors to the Tower of London. They captivate tourists with their intelligence and curious behavior, and they often interact with guests.

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower undergoes continuous conservation to preserve its historical integrity for future generations.

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