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The Tower of London. The Fortress and the Museum

1. The Tower of London

The Fortress and
the Museum

2.

The Tower of London is one of the most attractive sights of
historical London. It is situated in the area called the Tower Hill.

3.

The map of London of the 16th century
Historically the
Tower wasn’t
London – it was
in the suburbs of
the ancient City
of London that it
was located.

4.

Nowadays it doesn’t take you long to get there by the Tube from
any point of London. A tourist is to get off at Tower Gateway.

5.

The Aerial View of the Tower of London
The history of the Tower of London is closely connected with the
history of London, of the whole England, of its rulers and people.

The Tower of London, the first fortress built by William the Conqueror in 1077
It was built by William the Conqueror soon after he had invaded
Britain and was crowned King of England in Westminster Abbey.

7.

Map of the Tower of London of the 11th century
The Tower was built for strategic purposes to watch over
the enemies who might approach London by the Thames.

8.

The engraving of the Big Seal
of William the Conqueror,
the founder of the fortress
Here is the State Seal of
the best-hated ruler
who found the best site
to construct a fortress -

9.

The view of the Tower of London from the Tower Hill
a stronghold of the Medieval England and its kings.

10.

In nasty weather the view of the Tower doesn’t seem very inviting,
especially if you are aware of its gloomy and tragic past.

11.

Middle Tower Gate
Tourists came into the fortress through Middle Tower
Gate and follow a usual itinerary for tourists.

12.

The Tower Map
When you purchase an entry ticket you are usually provided with
the map of the Tower that you see on screen – but it sure is worth
taking a guide to enjoy one of the most exciting excursions.

13.

The London Tower, The White Tower
The White Tower, the oldest structure, can be seen
practically from any point inside the Tower walls.

14.

It was the first Tower
to be built and was
used as a family
residence by William
the Conqueror in
1078.

15.

The name of the White
Tower dates back to the
times of King Henry
III, who ordered to
whitewash it.

16.

Since the very
moment of its
construction the
basement of the
Tower housed a
huge armoury.

17.

There was enough weapon for
an army of 150 000 men.

18.

Now the main collection has moved to another museum, but still

19.

there are some exhibits of weapons of different
historical epochs inside the White Tower.

20.

The Chapel of St. John
Wandering along the halls of the White Tower,

21.

climbing its narrow wooden stairs,

22.

one can come across a family of the ancient time, dressed strangely
but attractively, playing a sophisticated ancient game. These are not
dolls but alive people. It is also part of the museum surprises .

23.

These are people, who work and live inside the Tower. Over
300 people live there constantly, practically autonomously.
Here you can see the buildings where they live.

24.

The Throne Chamber
Going farther through the suits of the White Tower you reach the
Throne Chamber. It looks the lightest and the brightest of all.

25.

The throne exhibited there used to be a seat of the early English kings.

26.

The Block and the Axe
A little farther
there is an old
block with the axe
for execution, used
not once in the
course of the Tower
history.

27.

After you leave the
White Tower look back
at it – magnificent and
mysterious.

28.

Sir John Everett Millais, 1878,
The Two Princes Edward and Richard
in the Tower, 1483 (part of the Royal
Holloway picture collection)
They say, in the 15th
century two Royal Princes
were murdered in their
childhood and were secretly
buried in the basement of
the Tower.

29.

The Tower of London
Not always did the Tower look like it does today.

30.

Every monarch
added some new
traits to the face
of the old fortress.

31.

The moat that used to surround the Tower has long gone,

32.

but the old walls, narrow paths and stairs, impressive
towers and the stones that have stood the test of ages,

33.

The Salt Tower
like a magnet draw tourists
to stroll along the paths
once used by the kings or
prisoners.

34.

Traitor’s Gate
Once the way to the Tower by boat was called “Oneway street”. Those, accused of state treason were
brought to the Tower through the Traitors’ Gate.

35.

In those times the Thames water level was
much higher, today this way is dry.

36.

The Bloody Tower
The Bloody Tower once served a prison for Sir Walter Raleigh, a
courtier, a pirate, a poet, who was a Queen Elizabeth I’s favourite.

37.

The room in the “Bloody Tower” where prisoners
spent their last night before the execution
Here, as the legend goes, the second wife of King Henry VIII
born Ann Boleyn spent her last night before the execution.

38.

A perspective view of Tower Hill and the place of execution of the Lords
Usually the executions were held on top
the Tower Hill, outside the Tower,

39.

Side of St. Peter chapel, viewed from near the place of execution of Ann Boleyn
but Ann Boleyn was beheaded here.

40.

The Chapel of St Peter ad
Vincula (St Peter in Chains)
Ann Boleyn's remains
are directly beneath this
seal on the altar floor
This is the view of a small chapel, the parish church of the Tower
of London. It is situated within the Tower's Inner Ward and
dates from 1520. That’s where Queen Anne Boleyn was buried
quite near the scaffold site where she was executed.

41.

There is a glass pillow to remind that after
the execution her head was put on a pillow.

42.

43.

At the entrance to the
church there is a guard
to let the buried rest in
peace. The guard you
see now is a common
serviceman. But the
Changing of the Guard
in the Tower is worth
seeing.

44.

The Tower. Changing of the guard

45.

Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters).
Guards and Guides of the
Tower of London.
Besides these guards one
meets in the Tower of London
the famous Yeoman Warders
– guards and guides of the
Tower.

46.

Tourists are warned that they shouldn’t be called Beefeaters –
they don’t like the name. It is a hint to the fact that in Tudor
times they were wealthier than any other Queen’s servicemen.

47.

A Yeoman Warder
wearing ceremonial
Tudor Dress
Yeomen warders don’t wear
such picturesque uniform
every day. That’s their
ceremonial robes.

48.

Ceremony of the Keys The Tower of London
At 10 p.m. the age-old ceremony of the keys takes place.

49.

Ceremony of the Keys, The Tower of London

50.

The Tower.
Ceremony of
the Keys
After that all the
gates of the Tower
close till dawn and
try as you would,
even if you live in
the Tower of
London, you
won’t be let in.

51.

The black ravens, symbolic birds of the Tower of
London can be seen on its territory.

52.

These birds are especially kept in the
Tower and accurately looked after.

53.

The legend says that once a wizard predicted that England
would prosper as long as the ravens lived in the Tower.

54.

Since then they reign there and a special person takes
care of the birds, feeds them, has their wings cut to
prevent them from flying away, treats them if they are
sick and replaces the ones who pass away by new ones.

55.

The Tower ravens

56.

The Tower took turns
at being a royal palace,
a mint, a prison, a Zoo,
a museum and a Royal
Treasury.

57.

Being in the Tower and not having a look at the Royal Jewels would be
absurd. People line up and watch silently at those priceless treasures.

The Tower of London. The Fortress and the Museum

1. The Tower of London

58. The Tower Collection of Crown Jewels