The Tower of London is one of the most iconic landmarks in England. It is a complex of buildings located in central London, on the north bank of the River Thames.
This historic fortress has been standing for over 900 years and has served as a palace, a prison, an armory, and even a zoo. But who built it and why?
The Origins of the Tower
The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1078. After his invasion of England in 1066, William realized that he needed a fortress to protect himself and his followers from potential uprisings in the city. The Tower was originally constructed as a simple wooden structure on top of a hill overlooking the Thames.
The Expansion and Purpose of the Tower
Over time, the Tower was expanded with stone walls and buildings to become one of the most formidable fortresses in Europe. Throughout its history, it has served many purposes. One of its primary functions was to protect English monarchs from attacks by foreign powers or rebellious subjects.
The Tower was also used as a prison for high-profile individuals, including royalty such as Queen Elizabeth I and Sir Walter Raleigh. The famous phrase “sent to the Tower” became synonymous with imprisonment during this time.
The Modern Era
Today, the Tower is still an active military installation and houses many important artifacts such as the Crown Jewels. It also serves as a popular tourist attraction with over 3 million visitors each year.
In conclusion, William the Conqueror built the Tower of London over nine centuries ago as a means to protect himself and his followers from potential uprisings in London. Over time, it evolved into a formidable fortress that served many purposes including protecting monarchs from attacks and serving as a prison for high-profile individuals. Today it remains an important symbol of England’s rich history.
- Key Takeaways:
- The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1078.
- The Tower originally served as a simple wooden structure on top of a hill overlooking the Thames.
- Over time, it evolved into a formidable fortress that served many purposes including protecting monarchs from attacks and serving as a prison for high-profile individuals.
- Today, the Tower is still an active military installation and houses many important artifacts such as the Crown Jewels.