by Ask a visitor to name a building or monument that defines London, and you will inevitably have a short list that includes Nelson’s Column, Buckingham Palace, Tower Bridge… and its name, the Tower of London.
This icon of our city is remarkable in many ways, not least because it is the greatest physical symbol of the last time England was successfully invaded by a foreign power. History tells us of the capture of Duke William of Normandy in 1066. After defeating King Harold at the Battle of Hastings in October of that year, William (now King William I or William the Conqueror) attempted to conquer the country by to take. newfangled castles in every town or city.
These had to be built quickly to appease an angry, resistant population. Therefore, they were made with materials that were easily at hand – clay and wood. They usually consisted of an earthen mound (mota) topped by a wooden tower or watchtower and surrounded by an outer defense (bavhun), also protected by a wooden palisade and a deep ditch behind it.
Such structures had not been seen in the country before and served not only as a military objective but as visible statements from the new Norman authority in England (and Wales) – effectively, “We are in charge now – don’t be us. “.
The castle takes its name from the light-coloured limestone imported from Caen
It is therefore not surprising that William would soon turn his attention to London, by far the largest city in England and a thriving port, which grew up near Charing Cross in the 7th Century CE and was rebuilt by Alfred the Great later within the abandoned defenses of the country. the old Roman city in the 9th Century CE. Here, he and his followers built not one but three castles of earth and wood — Baynard Castle and Montfitchet Castle to the west of the old walled city near the area where the Blackfriars and St. Paul’s now stand and, more importantly, one on the east side of it. the location of the Tower of London in a commanding position overlooking the city and the Thames. We know this because the priest William wrote in the 1070s “…fortifications were completed in the city against the adversities of the large and brutal population. Because he understood that it was essential to terrorize the people of London.”
Although the early castle was undoubtedly impressive, its strategic importance was such that in 1078 CE William ordered that something more substantial and permanent be replaced. Over a period of 20 years, the wooden keep and the surrounding wooden palisades were taken down and replaced by the massive stone walls of the White Tower. The castle takes its name from the light colored limestone imported from Caen and used to face the new structure. This is one of the largest Norman preserves in the world, and a member of a very small elite club representing the oldest buildings in London which have been in constant use throughout their lifetime.
Of course, no building that has lasted this long will ever be the same: The White Tower has adapted and changed over time. A third floor was added in the 15th Century, the windows were enlarged during the 18th Century and various restoration programs will have replaced part of the fabric of the tower. But if you visit St. John’s church, the King’s private place of worship in its southeast corner, it is not difficult to imagine what it would have been like to attend a service more than 900 years ago.
Not only the appearance of the castle has changed, but also in function. During its long life the White Tower was a Royal Palace, a prison, an armory and a place to store treasures, records and archives. Today it is a visitor attraction with an excellent display of arms and armor from the Royal Armouries.
According to folklore, if the ravens ever leave the castle, it will fall, and disaster will fall on the kingdom
The White Tower is a place deeply woven into the fabric of English and British history, the inevitable focus of rebellion, rebellion and changing rulers. Richard II was then imprisoned, as were the two princes, the 12-year-old King Edward V and his 9-year-old brother, until they left, most likely after their uncle Richard III was murdered. In the Tudor period, part of the tower was described as a dungeon “that the sunlight never penetrated … in which rats were supposed to tear flesh … from the arms and legs of the prisoners while they slept.”
Guy Fawkes was interrogated in his basement after being caught trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Other famous prisoners, although not necessarily in the White Tower, but in the wider castle complex included William Wallace, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard (the two more unfortunate wives of Henry VIII), Lady Jane Gray (the uncrowned Queen of England ), even the wives. the future Queen Elizabeth herself for two months in 1554, Sir Walter Raleigh (for 13 years), Samuel Pepys, Rudolf Hess and the Kray Twins — the list is long and famous for the most part.
Finally, no piece on the Tower would be complete without mentioning the Yeoman Warders (aka Beefeaters) and the raven. According to folklore, if the raven ever leaves the castle, it will fall, and disaster will fall in the kingdom. On a recent visit, a colleague told of an incident where staff at the Tower received a call from Westminster Abbey. “You might want to come over”, said the caller, “I think we have one of your ravens.” The Ravenmaster, a Shepherd with particular responsibility for the birds, duly went to the Abbey, and confirmed that it was an escapee. Relieved, he picked up the raven, and hailed a passing taxi to return.
“Where?” asked the cabbie, with what I hope was a questioning smile. This is definitely a rhetorical question… a big man in full Beefeater uniform with an equally big raven under his arm – where else could he be going? Suffice it to say, the pair came home and the kingdom is still in safe hands…
John Darlington is Director of Projects for the World Monuments Fund
