Knowing about... The Tower of LONDON

The Tower of London was founded in 1078 when William the Conqueror ordered the White Tower to be built inside the southeast angle of the city walls, adjacent to the Thames.This was as much to protect the Normans from the people of the City of London as to protect London from outside invaders.

It had been thought that there have been at least six Ravens in residence at the tower for centuries. It was said that Charles II ordered their removal following complaints from John Flamsteed, the Royal Astronomer. However, they were not removed because Charles was then told of the legend that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the White Tower, the monarchy, and the entire kingdom would fall.

Lower-class criminals were usually executed by hanging at one of the public execution sites outside the Tower. Some famous people were executed inside the Tower:

Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, William Hastings...

The Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower of London since 1303, after they were stolen from Westminster Abbey. It is thought that most, if not all, were recovered shortly afterwards. After the coronation of Charles II, they were locked away and shown for a viewing fee paid to a custodian.They were temporarily taken out of the Tower during World War II and reportedly were secretly kept in the basement vaults of the Sun Life Insurance company in Montreal, Canada, along with the gold bullion of the Bank of England.

Links of Interest about the Tower:

Teachers' resources

Virtual Visit

Everything about the Tower of London