The Tower of London has been a symbol of power, intrigue, and violence for centuries. It was a royal palace, a fortress, and a prison all at once.
Many people were imprisoned in the Tower over the years, and many of them never left alive. Here are some of the notable figures who were killed in the Tower of London:
Queen Anne Boleyn
Queen Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII. She was accused of adultery and treason, and she was executed in 1536 in the Tower’s courtyard. Her executioner used a French sword instead of an axe, which made her death more painful.
William Hastings
William Hastings was a nobleman who served as Lord Chamberlain under King Edward IV. He was arrested in 1483 on charges of treason and witchcraft. He was executed without trial on the orders of Richard III.
Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey was a teenager who was queen for only nine days in 1553. She was imprisoned in the Tower after Mary I took the throne, and she was executed for treason at age 16.
Sir Walter Raleigh
Sir Walter Raleigh was an explorer and writer who served under Queen Elizabeth I. He fell out of favor with King James I, who accused him of plotting against him. Raleigh spent 13 years in prison in the Tower before he was executed in 1618.
Simon Sudbury
Simon Sudbury was the Archbishop of Canterbury during the reign of King Richard II. He supported Richard’s policies and opposed those of his opponents, including Wat Tyler’s rebellion. When Tyler’s rebels stormed the Tower in 1381, they beheaded Sudbury along with Robert Hales, who was then Treasurer.
These are just a few examples among many others. It is clear that the Tower of London had a dark history, and many people suffered and died within its walls. While it is now a tourist attraction, it is important to remember the tragic events that took place there and the lives that were lost.