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Jan 12, 2012

Tower of London




First stop on the site seeing tour is ... The Tower of London!

We have William the Conqueror to thank for this bit of history. He started building it in the 1080s, so I guess you could say part of this fortress is, well, old. As the years passed, other monarchs added their own touches to the famous/infamous fortress, palace and prison.

Yeoman Warders, the ‘Beefeaters’, as they are nicknamed, have long been symbols of London and Britain. It is thought their nickname is derived from their position in the Royal Bodyguard, which permitted them to eat as much beef as they wanted from the king's table. They stand guard and give tours here at the Tower.

King Henry VIII's second wife Anne Boleyn was tried and executed within the walls of the Tower on May 19, 1536. She is also buried within the chapel inside the Tower walls. Lady Jane Grey was also executed here and Guy Fawkes was tortured following the failed plot to assassinate James I and blow up Parliament.

You can also see the Crown Jewels here at the Tower. They reside in the jewel house under armed guard.

Don't forget to look for the ravens! It is said that the kingdom and the Tower will fall if the ravens ever leave! You'd think this would be difficult since they have one wing clipped, but apparently being one-winged doesn't stop them from hightailing it out. My theory is that they have left to get their Starbucks, which just happens to be across the street!

There are seven ravens at the Tower, the required six plus a spare ... I'm thinking he's the one that goes for the coffees ... these birds are quite large buggers and members of the crow family. There have been some ravens that have been sacked (apparently they have to follow a rather stringent work ethic) One was let go because he like to eat television aerials and another because he frequented an East End pub. I'm guessing he didn't like coffee?

There is so much more history at this spot ... if you come to London, you must come here.
Find more photos here

Tower of London

6 comments:

  1. Wow looks like one of my David Winter Cottages!!

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  2. Did you do the headphone tour? I love those things!

    (*)>

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  3. What is photo 9 of 50 -- the nice patch of green grass?

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    1. That's where the raven coop is. Very pretty patch of green isn't it?

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  4. This comment has been removed by the author.

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