The Tower of London
Last week, my mum and I went to the Tower of London. Yes, it’s in London, but it’s far more than just a tower. Throughout its history, the Tower has been a fortress, a palace, a prison, a mint, an execution site, a menagerie, an arsenal, and the home of the Crown Jewels. Even today, the Tower is officially known as ‘Her Majesty’s Palace and Fortress, The Tower of London.’
The first part of the Tower was begun in 1066. Acute readers will recognize this year as the beginning of the reign of William the Conqueror following the defeat of the Normans over the Saxons (the Battle of Hastings and all that - from what I remember from high school English class, this is why we speak English now instead of French, but who knows). In 1078, the first stone was laid in what would become the White Tower. Still the centrepiece of the area, the White Tower today houses displays of arms and armour. In particular, there is also an oddly disturbing suit of armour that belonged to Henry VIII.
We started our day at the Tower by taking a Beefeater Tour. Despite what I thought, we didn’t get to see a collection of Beefeaters Past and Present. Instead, this was a tour of the Tower lead by a Beefeater. So, in spite of my disappointment, we had an enjoyable tour that gave us a bit if the history of the tower (including who imprisoned whom when and who killed whom where) and ended up in the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.
Then, we queued up to see the Crown Jewels. What can I say? Even though jewellery doesn’t hold a great deal of fascination for me, this is some good stuff. Or, perhaps I should say it was bling-blinging. Word.
We also stopped at the Fusilier’s Museum where we learned that fusiliers (ground soldiers who got their name from the type of weapon they once used) must carry 80 pounds of equipment when they are deployed. The posted list of equipment included something called a ‘house-wife.’ I can’t help but think that the pack would have been lighter if they let the wife walk on her own. I’m just saying…
The Tower of London is also home to the ravens. Legend holds that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the Tower and the city will fall. So, to guard against any premature raven departure, the wings of the ravens have all been clipped, leaving these birds to hop around the grounds. I did notice beefeaters stationed at the gates just in case the ravens decided to walk away.
Perhaps you’ve read the poem about these birds. There’s the famous line where someone asks the birds when they will leave the Tower of London. The answer?
‘Nevermore,’ quoth the raven.
Oh please…like I could have just ignored an opening like that?
The first part of the Tower was begun in 1066. Acute readers will recognize this year as the beginning of the reign of William the Conqueror following the defeat of the Normans over the Saxons (the Battle of Hastings and all that - from what I remember from high school English class, this is why we speak English now instead of French, but who knows). In 1078, the first stone was laid in what would become the White Tower. Still the centrepiece of the area, the White Tower today houses displays of arms and armour. In particular, there is also an oddly disturbing suit of armour that belonged to Henry VIII.
We started our day at the Tower by taking a Beefeater Tour. Despite what I thought, we didn’t get to see a collection of Beefeaters Past and Present. Instead, this was a tour of the Tower lead by a Beefeater. So, in spite of my disappointment, we had an enjoyable tour that gave us a bit if the history of the tower (including who imprisoned whom when and who killed whom where) and ended up in the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.
Then, we queued up to see the Crown Jewels. What can I say? Even though jewellery doesn’t hold a great deal of fascination for me, this is some good stuff. Or, perhaps I should say it was bling-blinging. Word.
We also stopped at the Fusilier’s Museum where we learned that fusiliers (ground soldiers who got their name from the type of weapon they once used) must carry 80 pounds of equipment when they are deployed. The posted list of equipment included something called a ‘house-wife.’ I can’t help but think that the pack would have been lighter if they let the wife walk on her own. I’m just saying…
The Tower of London is also home to the ravens. Legend holds that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the Tower and the city will fall. So, to guard against any premature raven departure, the wings of the ravens have all been clipped, leaving these birds to hop around the grounds. I did notice beefeaters stationed at the gates just in case the ravens decided to walk away.
Perhaps you’ve read the poem about these birds. There’s the famous line where someone asks the birds when they will leave the Tower of London. The answer?
‘Nevermore,’ quoth the raven.
Oh please…like I could have just ignored an opening like that?
posted by Matthew Reames at 3/31/2005 11:09:00 AM
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