The Tower of London
was founded around 1066-1070 by William the conqueror and by 1100 the White Tower was completed. The White tower was the first of it's kind in England, at 36m x 32.5m (118 x 106ft) across, and on the south side where the ground is lowest, 27.5m (90ft) tall it dominated the London skyline. Although many kings and queens stayed at the Tower, it was never intended as a permanent residence. The Tower's main function was as a fortress-stronghold.
Building works started during the reign of Richard the Lionheart and was continued by Henry III, Edward I, Edward II and Edward III. By around 1350, the Tower had been transformed into the Tower we see today.
Tower of London
Prison
It was in the 1500's that the Tower got its fierce reputation as a place of torture and imprisonment, some of the more famous prisoners of that time include Lady Jane Grey and Anne Boleyn who were later executed at the Tower.
The Crown Jewels
Most of the original crown jewels were destroyed by Cromwell during the English Civil war. It wasn't until after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 that the new jewels began to be re-created.Ravens
Ravens have lived at the Tower of London for hundreds of years. Legend has it that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London the White Tower will crumble and a great disaster shall befall England.
Visitors
The Tower of London has become established as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country and has been a tourist attraction since Elizabethan times. The Towers main function today is as a tourist attraction with more than 2 million visitors in 2010. To read more about the extensive history of the Tower of London follow the link below.