Tower of London

On Sunday, we visited the Tower of London. The guidebook suggested allowing three hours for the visit... and clearly, the guidebook wasn't written for people who like to read and listen to every single thing like Jeremy and I do. We ended up spending about six and a half hours here, and probably could have stayed longer if our brains could better handle the influx of information. I guess that's what happens when you try to cover 1000 years or so of British history in one day. We had a great time and photos are below, except for the Crown Jewels. Yes, we got to see the actual Crown Jewels which are stored here under very high security. Readers who are old enough to remember the 1953 coronation of Queen Elizabeth II know what I'm talking about when I say they are really breathtaking. Those of you who are a little younger can probably look them up online somewhere. Anyway, here is the rest of the story.


Jeremy posing outside the Tower. The "Tower" is actually made up of 20 towers within the whole complex, as you can see here.

Traitor's Gate. This was the way that Anne Boleyn, Lady Jane Henry, and others were brought in, not to be brought back out alive.

A catapult on the Tower gates.

The Beefeaters chatting with one another. The Tower is still a fortress and the Beefeaters are in charge of security here. You have to be a veteran of the British Armed Forces, reach a rank of Staff Sergeant or higher, and be really lucky in order to become a Beefeater. One of them said there were something like 160 applying when he did.

This is the White Tower. This building was actually built by William the Conqueror. He chose the site because there were already some Roman walls here and also because of its close proximity to the (then) village of London and Westminister, where coronations take place. So, in other words, he wanted to show them who was in charge. An interesting fact - these stairs are newer, but would have been built up from the ground like this at that time too. The point was that if the Tower was attacked, someone could burn the stairs and make it harder for attackers to get in. I wondered then how you'd get back out, but I guess you worry about that later...

This bedroom is set up to look like it did when Kings lived here. Pretty nice.

This throne makes me look super short - it reminds me of that woman who used to be on TV in the huge chair with Lamp Chop. Free prize to the first one who can tell us her name because neither of us can remember!

King Professor Longshanks

Thi glass sculpture was created in memory of all of those who have been executed at the Tower of London

This graffiti was done by prisoners facing execution.

A guard at the Queen's House at the Tower.

The Beefeater who gave us our tour. I neglected to mention above that in addition to guarding the Tower and living there, and having an impressive military background, the Beefeaters are also required to give tours to guests and be hilarious. Our Beefeater also said being extremely good-looking was a requirement, and I'd say it would help if they didn't have British teeth. :)

The Ravens are the most famous residents of the Tower. An old legend says that when the ravens leave, the Tower will crumble and London with it. To prevent this, Charles I ordered there to always be at least six ravens at the Tower. These are descendants of those ravens, and there's actually a few more than six just in case (8 or 9 depending on who's telling you). They have their wings clipped so they can explore the area and can't leave (which seems a little cruel to me, but anyway...). They were fun to watch - they clearly are used to tourists and like to mess with people. One kept reaching into the trash while we were there even though he had just been fed - apparently people food is more fun.

Another view of the White Tower - shows you how imposing it is on foot.

All in all, we had a wonderful day here and learned a lot - and I think also both realized how little British history we know.