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TOWER OF LONDON
Mind Your Head and the Family Jewels

“If you can keep your head about you while others are losing theirs…” Okay it’s a paraphrase, but around England’s Tower of London, it’s a weighty caution as quite a few villains and heroes have lost their heads on the Tower Green. And now the Historic Royal Palaces, the independent charity organization that looks after the landmark castle property four other unoccupied palaces has installed a display to commemorate ten famous historic figures executed at the Tower of London.

William, Lord Hastings, Anne Boleyn, Katherine Howard and Lady Jane Grey are among the ten who befell the headsman’s ax (or sword) memorialised by a clear glass pillow resting on two polished discs, designed by artist, Brian Catling, intended to remember all the people executed within the walls of the Tower, with particular reference the more famous beheaded and three soldiers known to have died on Tower Green. November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day in Great Britain, and the pro-Catholic anarchist who tired to blow up Parliament (now commemorated with his own Halloween mask, comic book and movie "V for Vendetta") met his end here as well as Roger Mortimer (see FROM TRAITOR'S GATE TO MORTIMER'S HOLE).

The Tower of London was first established in 1100 when the White Tower for which it was named was completed. In the 13th Century the tower was enlarged by Henry III and the two towered curtained walls which give the caslte its current familiar outlines were added by Edward I. The river wharf was completed in the 1300’s. The Tower of London was last expanded in the 15th century when Henry VI and the young princes were murdered in Richard III’s rise to power. The Tower Green saw a lot of business in Tudor England under Henry VIII’s divorce dramas, and it was then, 500 years years ago that the Tower of London took in it’s first paying tourists. The Tower was for a time the site of the Royal Mint, forging gold coin of the rhealm in medieval times, begun under Edward I.

The Tower of London has famously been the repository of the Crown Jewels since the restoration of the monarchy in1660 under Charles II and the first attempt nto setal them was made by Colonel Blood shortly thereafter, and he met a fate appropriate to his name. The jewels are now kept in a very large safe where you too can visit them for the price of admission. Executions last took place at the Tower in the 1700’s, but I advise not to attempt to take any crown baubles home with you lest you be added to the list of names on the memorial. And watch for the first ever female Beefeater soon to help guard the Tower.

The Tower of London is open all year, daily except for December 24-26 and New Years Day and can be one tour stop along the River Thames included on a river boat trip. (see SET YOUR WATCH TO THAMES TIME) Consider getting a London Pass for visiting attractions in London, its single price for 50 attractions can be a real deal if visiting many sights. © Bargain Travel Europe

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See Also:

ETTINGTON PARK
Sleep To The Manor Born

LONDON THRILLER – HITCHCOCK SLEPT HERE

WATSON! THE BREW IS AFOOT!
THE SHERLOCK HOLMES PUB

FLYING OVER LONDON ROOFTOPS
British Airways London Eye

CHARLES DICKENS MUSEUM
England's Grestest Novelist

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