The Tower
of London is a historic castle which
is located on the northern bank of the River Thames in central London London White
Tower , which gives the entire castle
its name, was built in 1078 by William
the Conqueror and became a symbol of
oppression inflicted upon England
The tower as a whole consists
of several buildings which are located in two concentric rings of defensive
walls and moat. From 1100 to 1952 the Tower was used as a prison although that
was not its primary purpose, in fact it has served many purposes throughout the centuries.
The tower was more commonly used as a royal residence until the 17th
century. It was used as an armory, treasury menagerie, it was the home of the
Royal Mint and it is also the home of the Crown Jewels of England (141
ceremonial objects worn by kings and
queens at their coronations and during national ceremonies). The real reason
why they are so important is that their value is estimated at 2 billion pounds.
The person who controlled the
Tower also controlled the whole country and in this case that was the monarch.
However, if the monarch was not in the residence the control was taken over by
the Constable of the Tower, which was the highest and most trusted position
that someone could achieve in the medieval period if we don't count the monarch
himself. At the end of the 15th and during the 16th and 17th centuries the
Tower was more commonly used as a prison. Many figures who had fallen into
disgrace were kept behind its walls. One of them was also Elizabeth I before
she became queen. Although the Tower was a place of death and torture, only 7
people were executed before the World Wars.The executions were not held within
the Tower but they were held on the notorious Tower Hill on the north side of
the castle. During the World Wars 22 people were executed on that hill. After
the Second World War the Tower was repaired and reopened to the public and
nowadays it's one of the most popular tourist attractions.
1) There is a famous legend that
says "If the ravens leave the Tower the Kingdom will fall". There are at least
6 ravens that are taken care of at all costs because the legend says that if
they fly away a great disaster shall befall
2) Back in the 1200's the
Tower was also used as a zoo. It had many animal species but one of the Tower's
most famous inhabitants was a polar bear.
3) A few years ago the key to
the Tower's gates was stolen and although the lock was replaced it is really
interesting to know that someone somewhere still has the original key.
4) Several ghosts are said to
haunt the Tower, including those of William the Conqueror, Elizabeth I, Henry
VI, and the polar bear itself!
Luka
Savić (3.1)
(teacher: Tanja Perkić Dizdarević)