Tower Of London Research Paper

The usage and architecture of the Tower of London has allowed it to become known as a powerful building in history. The Tower can be viewed as regal yet hunting, due to its complex past. The many centuries of use has allowed the Tower of London to mold itself into the fascinating building it has become today. The Tower of London has served as a royal residence, prison and location of Crowned Jewels making it one of the most significant buildings in history.

The location and architecture of the Tower of London affected the way the Tower was used and the way people viewed it. The Tower of London was ordered to be built by William I, also known as William the Conqueror. Construction began in 1066 and ending in 1078 ("Legal Procedures, Crime,

Prince Edward and his younger brother Richard, were imprisoned in 1483 by their uncle. In the 1930s, two skeletons were found under a staircase with attributions similar to the young princes ("Tower of London." Encyclopædia Britannica; “Tower of London.” History; “Tower of London.” New World Encyclopedia). The two boys were said to have been murdered in the Bloody Tower (Historical Royal Palaces; “Tower of London.” Encyclopædia Britannica; “Tower of London.” History; “Tower of London.” New World Encyclopedia ). Henry VIII’s second wife Anne Boleyn was executed in 1536. She was accused of treason against the king and later beheaded (Historical Royal Palaces; "Tower of London." Encyclopædia Britannica; “Tower of London.” History; “Tower of London.” New World Encyclopedia). Queen for nine days, Lady Jane Grey was found guilty of treason and become a prisoner in the Towers. In February 1554, Lady Jane Grey watched her husband’s execution before she too was beheaded on Tower Green (Historical Royal Palaces; "Tower of London." Encyclopædia Britannica; “Tower of London.” New World

The Tower of London housed royalty until the time of Oliver Cromwell in the 17th century ("Tower of London." Encyclopædia Britannica; “Tower of London.” New World Encyclopedia).

Although it is no longer a royal residence, the Tower officially remains a royal palace, and as such, maintains a permanent Guard, part of the unit forming the Queen 's Guard at Buckingham Palace. Two sentries are maintained during the hours that the Tower is open, with one stationed outside the Jewel House and one outside the Queen 's House. (“Tower of London.” New World Encyclopedia)

During both World Wars, the Tower of London was occasionally used as a prison (“Tower of London.” History; “Tower of London.” New World Encyclopedia). In World War I, the Towers held several spies where many executions would later take place (Historical Royal Palaces; “Tower of London.” History). During World War II even the moat was put to use. It was used to grow fruits and vegetables (Historical Royal Palaces; "Tower of London." Encyclopædia Britannica; “Tower of London.” History). In present day, the Tower has an annual amount of two to three million people visit (Historical Royal Palaces; "Tower of London." Encyclopædia