YearCharacterEvent

1066(Christmas Day)William, Duke of NormandyHe was crowned King of England and he ordered the building of an earth-and-timber castle.

ten years afterthe White TowerThe fort became a palace-fortress, a stone tower.

11891199Richard the Lionheart, the chancellor, Richards brother, JohnThe Towers defences were expanded by the chancellor, while Richard was on crusade. and it was completed by John.

13th centuryJohns son, Henry IIIHe replaced the White Tower, former royal accommodation, with a palace.

ten years afterHenry IIIs son, Edward IHe made the Tower one of the great castles of 13th century England.

1483~1485Richard IIIThe infant nephews of Richard III had a tragic fate because the monarchs sent to the Tower their possible rivals to the throne, to put them to death.

1509~1547Henry VIIIThe Tower became known above all the chief prison of the state. Among the prisoners of high rank who were killed into the Tower are mentioned Ann Boleyn and Catherine Howard, two of the kings wives, and Thomas More, who refused to acknowledge Henry VIII as Head of the Church of England.

1660Charles IIAfter the Restoration, a garisson housed there guarded the expanding of the arsenal. The Crown Jewels and the historic arms and armours were put on public show.

1837~1901Queen VictoriaThe Tower became a national monument.

1901~presentIt was visited each year by half a million people, has become one of the worlds great tourist attractions and is guarded by the famous Beefeaters who take part in colourful ceremonies organized there on various occasions.