The Tower of London
Building the White Tower
The White Tower was built in 1078 by
William of Normandy, who is also known as
William the Conqueror.
•The Tower of London is the symbol of his
power.
•The limestone came from Caen and the rag
stone was brought from Kent.
•The White Tower’s dimensions are 11ft x
107 ft.
•It took 20 years to build because some
parts rise to about 100 ft in height and 15 ft
in thickness.
As different kings and queens ruled England,
they each added a certain building to the Tower.
Henry III was the one to make the White Tower
cozy.
After wards the Lion Tower was added, where
lions were kept for entertainment.
The area near the Tower of
London
The Yeoman Warders
When King Henry VII was at the
throne, he formed a personal
bodyguard to protect him. His guards
were called the Yeoman Warders who
still protect the Tower today.
When King Henry VII was at the
throne, he formed a personal
bodyguard to protect him. His guards
were called the Yeoman Warders who
still protect the Tower today.
Prisoners at the Tower of London
Queen Elizabeth I – she is known to be the only
one who left the tower unexecuted.
Anne Boleyn – she was murdered because Henry
VIII was unsatisfied with the fact that she couldn’t
give him a son.
 Sir Thomas More
 Lady Jane Grey
This is the Bloody Tower, formerly
known as the Garden Tower.
A number of people were imprisoned at the Bloody
Tower, one of them happens to be Sir Walter
Raleigh who wrote History of the World while
being imprisoned there.
Historical facts of the Crown
jewels
•Used today in Coronations & other
ceremonies.
•Been used by other English kings & queens
since 1660 or earlier.
•Held as national heritage by The Queen as
Sovereign.
Crown Jewels
Collection includes regalia (items used at a
coronation) other crowns & pieces donated by
various sovereigns, church and banqueting
plate, orders, insignia, robes, a unique
collection of medals and royal christening
Edward the Confessor (reigned 1042-1066)
placed his Royal ornaments in the Westminster
Abbey for safe keeping, Cromwell ordered that
the regalia "be totally broken" because it was
symbolic of the "detestable rule of kings
The Tower of London is the fortress in the historic centre of London,
on the north bank of the river Thames. It is the oldest building in
Great Britain. Now Tower is the historical site and museum.
Plans for the Tower Bridge were devised
around 1876 when the east of London became
extremely crowded and a bridge across the
Thames in that area of the city seemed a
necessity. It would take another eight years and lots of discussions about the design before construction of the bridge started.
The bridge, designed by city
architect Horace Jones in
collaboration with John
Wolfe Barry, would
eventually be completed in
1894. Five contractors and
nearly 450 workers were
involved in the construction
of the 265 meter long bridge.
It took 11,000 tons of steel to
build the framework. At the
time many people disliked its
Victorian Gothic design, but
over time the bridge became
one of London's most famous
symbols.
It is not known when the ravens first came to the Tower of London,
but their presence there is surrounded by myth and legend.
Unusually for birds of ill omen, the future of both Country and
Kingdom relies upon their continued residence, for according to
legend, at least six ravens must remain lest both Tower and
Monarchy fall.
The first Royal Observatory was housed in the north eastern turret of
the White Tower. Legend has it that John Flamsteed (1646 - 1719),
the 'astronomical observator' complained to King Charles II that the
birds were interfering with his observations. The King therefore
ordered their destruction only to be told that if the ravens left the
Tower, the White Tower would fall and a great disaster befall the
Kingdom. Sensibly the King changed his mind and decreed that at
least six ravens should be kept at the Tower at all times to prevent
disaster.