The Tower of London is a fortress on the Thames bank to the east of the city of London. The castle was founded in 1066.
The White Tower was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 to intimidate the citizens of London. This later became part of the Tower of London. It is said that he ordered bull's blood to be mixed with the mortar symbolizing strength and a royal power that would last forever.
An English royal collection of animals were housed in the Tower of London from the thirteenth century until 1834, when the last animals were moved to a new zoo in Regent's Park.
The castle was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952, but predominantly served as a royal residence. Below is a depiction of the imprisonment of Charles, Duke of Orléans, in the Tower of London during the Hundred Years War from a 15th-century manuscript.
Among the prisoners who were executed at the Tower of London were Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, Archbishop William Laud and The Duke of Monmouth.
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The White Tower was built by William the Conqueror in 1078 to intimidate the citizens of London. This later became part of the Tower of London. It is said that he ordered bull's blood to be mixed with the mortar symbolizing strength and a royal power that would last forever.
An English royal collection of animals were housed in the Tower of London from the thirteenth century until 1834, when the last animals were moved to a new zoo in Regent's Park.
The castle was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952, but predominantly served as a royal residence. Below is a depiction of the imprisonment of Charles, Duke of Orléans, in the Tower of London during the Hundred Years War from a 15th-century manuscript.
Among the prisoners who were executed at the Tower of London were Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard, Lady Jane Grey, Archbishop William Laud and The Duke of Monmouth.
The first person to be imprisoned in the Tower of London was a bishop, Ranulf Flambard, in 1100. He escaped using a rope smuggled inside a wine barrel.
Corporal Josef Jacobs was the last person to be executed at the Tower of London on August 15, 1941. Jakobs was a German spy who was selected for a mission to parachute into Britain and gather intelligence. Jakobs landed in Kent, England, on the night of July 19, 1941 and was quickly captured by the British Home Guard. Jakobs was tried by a military court and found guilty of espionage. He was convicted of being a German spy
Corporal Josef Jacobs was the last person to be executed at the Tower of London on August 15, 1941. Jakobs was a German spy who was selected for a mission to parachute into Britain and gather intelligence. Jakobs landed in Kent, England, on the night of July 19, 1941 and was quickly captured by the British Home Guard. Jakobs was tried by a military court and found guilty of espionage. He was convicted of being a German spy
Josef Jakobs's execution took place at the miniature rifle range in the grounds of the Tower of London. He was tied and blindfolded in a brown Windsor chair. Eight soldiers from the Holding battalion of the Scots Guards, armed with .303 Lee-Enfield rifles, fired a volley of shots at him. He was pronounced dead at 7:15 am.
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| Chair in which Jakobs sat when he was executed. By Hu Nhu |
The notorious Nazi, Rudolf Hess was the last prisoner kept in the Tower of London.
In the latter half of the 19th century, the Tower was restored to what was felt to be its medieval appearance and many post-medieval structures were cleared out.
Today the Tower of London is a barracks, armory and museum. It is one of the United Kingdom's most popular tourist attractions.
Under the ceremonial charge of the Constable of the Tower, the Tower of London is cared for by the charity Historic Royal Palaces and is protected as a World Heritage Site.
The Tower of London is guarded by 37 Yeoman Warders, who were originally formed in 1485 by Henry VII. Their Beefeater nickname may have derived from their meat diet. In 1813, the daily ration for 30 men on duty was 24lb of beef, 18lb of mutton and 16lb of veal.
The Warders of the Tower of London were specifically named Yeomen Extraordinary of the Guard in the 16th century.
Sources Daily Express, Hutchinson Encyclopedia
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