Page 36 - DK Eyewitness Travel Guides - The World's Must-See Places

34 EUROPE The Tower of London

Soon after he became king in 1066, William the Conqueror built
THE CROWN JEWELS
a castle to guard the entrance to London from the Thames Estuary.
One of the world's best-known collections
of precious objects includes the regalia of In 1097, the White Tower, standing today at the center of the
crowns, scepters, orbs, and swords used
at coronations and other state occasions. complex, was completed in sturdy stone; other fine buildings were
Most date from 1661, when Charles II added over the centuries to create one of the most powerful and
commissioned replacements for regalia
destroyed by Parliament after the formidable fortresses in Europe. The tower has served as a royal
execution of Charles 1. Only a few residence, an armory, a treasury, and, most famously, as a prison
older pieces survived, hidden until
the restoration of the monarchy for enemies of the crown. Many prisoners were tortured, and among
in 1660-notably, Edward the those who met their death here were the "Princes in the Tower," the
Confessor's (r. 1327-77) sapphire
ring, now incorporated into the sons and heirs of Edward IV Today, the tower is a popular attraction,
Imperial State Crown. The crown housing the Crown Jewels and other priceless exhibits-powerful
was rem a de for Queen Victoria
The Sovereign's and has been worn at every reminders of royal might and wealth.
Orb (1661), a
coronation since. Jewel House A
hollow gold Among the magnificent Crown
sphere encrusted
with jewels The Sovereign's ~- ~· Jewels is the Scepter with the Cross
of 1660 (above), which contains
Ring (1831) ~J~
the world's biggest diamond.
Gil Chapel
Gil Beauchamp of StJohn
Tower

Thirteenth-century
curtain walls

Tower Green
Favored prisoners were
executed at this site, away from
the crowds on Tower Hill. Seven
people died here, including two
of Henry VIII's six wives, Anne
Boleyn and Catherine Howard.

was used for prisoners
brought from trial in
Westminster Hall.

Bloody Tower >
Edward IV's two sons were put in the tower by
their uncle, Richard of Gloucester (subsequently
Main entrance from Richard Ill), after their father died in 1483. The
Tower Hill
princes, depicted here by John Milia is (1829-96),
rcysteri ously disappeared and Richard was
crowned later that year. In 1674, the skeletons
River Thames / of two children were found nearby.