The Tower of London

Contents

Introduction History Famous prisoners Interesting facts The Tower of London today.

Tower of London is historic fortress of the City of London, on the north bank of the Thames River, built on the remains of Roman fortifications.

The tower complex contains 7.5 hectares. It stands on a slight rise known as Tower Hill. The original tower, known as the White Tower or Keep, is flanked by four turrets and enclosed by two lines of fortifications.

History

Building of it was started by William the Conqueror in 1078. It was designed by Gundulf, bishop of Rochester, and completed in 1097.

It was used as:

a royal residence; a prison until Elizabethan times. Use of the

tower as a prison was discontinued in the 19th century;

a place for executions. They were held either in the central keep or outside the tower on Tower Hill.

Anne Boleyn

The second wife of Henry VIII. She was imprisoned in The Tower of London for adultery with her brother, three gentlemen of the privy chamber, and a musician of the court and of conspiring with these men against the king's life. And beheaded later.

Elizabeth I

The daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn who was proclaimed illegitimate, and was held in the Tower of London during the reign of Mary I.

The Ravens of Tower

Seven ravens are kept there and believed to bring fortune to England

Ghosts

It is believed that the ghost of Anne Boleyn lives there

The Tower of London today

It is now largely a showplace and museum

It is one of the country's greatest tourist attractions.

Crown jewels of England are also held there

Thank you for your attention