A Brief History of Tower of London

Dear friends,

who have chosen Training Center Raya London as their partner in learning English, here is our new story, which will help you understand the intricacies of the language. Don’t forget to switch to the English version to check the new vocabulary.

The Tower of London, the Tower, is the same name for a fortress-palace built by William the Conqueror to protect and at the same time to warn the English population over which he ruled. The location of the fortification also controlled the access to the Upper Pool of London – a convenient mooring point along the river Thames, through which imported goods entered the city and where many docks and port facilities were later built. Over the years, the Tower has gained a dark reputation as it has often been used as a prison for political opponents.

The beginning of the construction of this impressive composition was set after the coronation of William The Conqueror on Christmas Day in 1066. The main building, the White Tower, was built in 1078, and the used material came from Normandy limestone, which gives the building its white color. Gradually more ring fortifications were formed around it, and for complete protection from invasion, internal and external ditches were provided. The inner fortifications connect a total of 13 towers, the most famous of which are the Bloody tower, the Beauchamp Tower and the Wakefield Tower. The only land entrance to the town is at the southwest corner of the Fort. The gate there was called the traitor’s gate because of the prisoners who were taken inland by this road.

Besides a prison, the Tower of London has been the armory of the city for several centuries. Over time, the collection gained historical and museum value and in 1996 it was moved and opened to the public in Leeds.

As a royal residence, the fortress was used until the 17th century, and in addition to this function, The Lion tower housed the Royal Menagerie – a collection of exotic animals.

Either inside or outside the fortress – in public, on Tower Hill– executions were carried out of the prisoners mainly for political reasons. Among those executed there were Anne Boleyn, the second wife of King Henry VIII, the humanist Sir Thomas More, and Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat, who led the Scottish Jacobite movement. Among the famous prisoners stayed for a short time were Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth I, suspected of conspiracy.

Until 1994, the underground chambers housed the royal treasury, containing famous jewels and precious stones. Among them are Queen Mary Fringe Tiara, studded with diamonds, Delhi Durbar Tiara– again with masterfully cut diamonds, the Burmese Ruby Tara, diamond earrings for royal coronations and many others.

My friends, today the Tower of London can be visited as part of a sightseeing tour of London and we advise you to do so! The English language, as well as the knowledge of the country, help us to achieve a faster and more successful realization here in England. We at the Training Center Raya London are on your side!

Author: Iveta Radeva

Image: thecrownchronicles.co.uk