Tower of London

In the centre of London, on the north bank of the Thames River, stands the Tower of London. For almost a thousand years, this castle has served many functions—a defensive fortress, prison, royal palace, armoury, mint, and place of execution. It has seen more than its share of English history, some of which still echoes in its towers and halls as many ghosts still call the castle home.
The White Tower, constructed around 1078, is the largest and the oldest part of the castle. By 1270, an outer curtain wall encircled the White Tower and by 1300, a second curtain wall encircled the first, giving the tower added protection. Many notables from England’s history have been imprisoned in the Tower of London, including King Henry IV, Sir Walter Raleigh, Guy Fawkes, and Rudolph Hess. Anne Boleyn was executed in 1536 for treason against Henry VIII. Her ghost still haunts the castle.

One of the most famous stories involving the Tower of London is about the two princes. King Edward IV died in 1483 and his two young sons Edward and Richard were kept in the tower for their own protection by their uncle, Richard Duke of Gloucester. Preparations were made for Edward’s coronation, but it was the uncle who was crowned King Richard III. The two princes were the only obstacles that threatened Richard’s ability to keep the throne. For some time, they could be seen playing on the grounds after their father’s death, but they eventually were seen less and less until one day they disappeared altogether. It has been speculated through the years that they were murdered by Richard III. What happened to the princes was never discovered although the skulls and bones of two young boys were found about two hundred years later under a stairwell that was being repaired in the White Tower.
Today, the Tower of London houses the Crown Jewels of England and can be toured either independently or guided by one of the Yeoman Warders. It is recommended to take a guided tour first, then spending the rest of the day exploring the castle on your own.