Presentation

The Tower of London is a 900-year-old castle and fortress in London

William the conqueror, famous for invading England in 1066 was the Duke of Normandy in Northern France. He defeated and killed King Harold II at the Battle of Hastings. The Norman invader hasn’t the support among the people of London and so, he was afraid of the fact that the inhabitants could throw him out. Then, William and the Normans built castles on strategic sites. One of the most important was the Tower of London.

Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, more commonly known as the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London

In the early 1080s, William the Conqueror began to build the Tower of London. Successive monarchs added to the fortress over the following centuries. It was, at once, fortress, palace and prison. The tower of London has played an essential role in the British story. Throughout its history, the tower has served many purposes: it housed a menagerie (which left in 1835), a records office, an armory an arms factory and barracks for troops. Until the 17th century, the tower was used as a royal residence. The tower has welcomed the Royal Mint (in charge of production of coins and medals)(until the early 19th century) and the public archives. At present, the jewels of the British crown are exposed in this tower.

Established by William the Conqueror in 1066 to keep hostile Londoners at bay, the mighty Tower of London has been the scene of Britain’s most dramatic, fascinating and surprising history.

Although not completed until after his death, the choice of site belong to William the Conqueror.

The Tower of London includes several buildings surrounded by 2 circular walls and a stave

There were several periods of expansion, mainly during the reigns of Richard 1st, Henri III and Edward 1st in the XIIth and XIIIth centurys.