Tower of London was built in the early eleventh century by William the Conqueror expanded in the thirteenth century into a fortified complex that we know today. The main attraction of the most popular tower is a famous collection of Crown Jewels. Construction of the Tower of London started in 1070 by William, shortly after his victory at Hastings in 1066. The tower was built to enforce the Norman king's power over the newly conquered land. Castle complex, with its steeple is quite strategically located on the Thames that was originally nothing more than a wooden building which was later replaced by the White Tower. Over time the complex was expanded into a fortress with about twenty towers. Now is the Tower of London is best-known to the Crown Jewelsnya, but were once famous for many political opponents of the kings that were locked, tortured and killed in this tower. The tower is also a royal residence, a few kings lived here, especially during difficult times.
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The oldest part of the fortress called White Tower, which was completed in 1097. It has long been the tallest building in London with a height of about 27.4 meters or 90 feet with a width of 4.6 meters dingdingnya. The tower was whitewashed during the reign of Henry III, which gives the appearance of white tower. Since then the tower known as the White Tower. The building has four domes in every corner. Three of them have a square shape, while others are round, with a spiral staircase. The dome has long been used as an observatory.
Tower of London was significantly expanded in the thirteenth century, during the reign of Henry III, with two defensive walls built around the White Tower. The inner wall has thirteen towers and the outer wall of six. Towers are mostly used to imprison political opponents. Some of the most famous prisoners locked up in the tower are two princes, the king's sons Edward IV. After Edward died in 1483 children were locked in the Bloody Tower, their uncle, who then ascended the throne as king Richard III. The prince was never seen again and presumably killed by guards. St. Thomas Tower is located near the Bloody Tower. Detainees are often locked in the Beauchamp Tower, sometimes with their maid. An inscription on the wall of the tower is believed to refer to Lady Jane Grey, who after nine days he was crowned the Queen, was executed on Tower Green, an open field at the Tower of London. Meanwhile Thomas More was imprisoned in the bell tower until the execution after he refused to accept King Henry VIII as head of the Anglican Church. Even Queen Elisabeth I restricted here for some time.
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The main entrance to the Tower of London in the Byward Tower, where you'll find what is called Beefeaters or Yeoman warders. Dressed in a historic, they not only keep the tower, but also be the tour guides fortress. One of around forty Yeoman warders known as Ravenmaster, responsible for crows who have lived here for centuries. Legend has it that the tower and the kingdom will fall if the ravens leave. Therefore, King Charles II puts birds under royal protection with raven wings clipped to prevent them from flying away.
The most famous attractions in the Tower of London is a collection of Crown Jewels which has been on display here since the seventeenth century, during the reign of Charles II. Much of the jewelry was created around the year 1660. Most of the old crown jewel destroyed by Oliver Cromwell. Gems can be found in the Jewel House, which is part of the Waterloo Barracks just north of the White Tower. Some interesting features of this collection is 530 carat First Star of Africa, which is set in the Scepter of the Cross, Imperial State Crown with more than 2,800 diamonds and is famous Koh-I-Noor, a 105 carat diamond.
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There are many interesting places and objects in the Tower of London , such as the royal arsenal, which includes a personal arsenal of King Henry VIII, one of the largest in the world. Then the medieval castle in the Tower of London is also open to visitors and often there are reenactments of historic events at the castle. How, interesting is not it? While in London take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the Tower of London or the Tower of London.
