The building of the Tower of London was started by William
the Conqueror 1066, soon after his victory over King Harold
at Hastings which was the last time England was successfully
invaded and conquered by a foreign army. Many of the towers
once held prison cells & torture chambers in its crypt.
Royal executions were carried out on Tower Green whereas traitors
met their end on Tower Hill .
Tower of London is reputed to be one of the most haunted places
in Britain. Hardly surprising with its long history of torture
& executions..
Henry VIII married Ann Boleyn, his second wife, in 1533 &
their daughter Elizabeth later became Queen Elizabeth I .
However, by 1536 Jane Seymour , a Maid-in-Waiting to Anne
Boleyn had caught Henry's eye ! Whereupon, he had Ann Boleyn
beheaded by sword on Tower Green. Her ghost
still wanders to this day in the Tower of London. Henry married Jane 11 days after her execution.
Catherine Howard was the fifth wife of Henry VIII, &
first cousin to Anne Boleyn.
After Catherine married Henry VIII, she had an affair with
Culpeper during a northern tour. The king discovered his wife's
infidelities & Catherine Howard and Culpeper were arrested.
Catherine was beheaded, cleanly, on 13 February, 1542.
Jane, Viscountess Rochford was the sister-in-law of Anne
Boleyn and it was on her evidence that Anne and her brother
(Jane's husband) were executed. Jane was implicated in the
Catherine Howard's affair with Culpeper and was beheaded on
the bloody block minutes after Catherine Howard had lsot her
head.
More ghosts to wander the Tower !!
Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury was the last Plantagenet
(1154 - 1485 )princess. were the ruling dynasty in England
from 1154 - 1485.
She was first cousin the two princes who were murdered in
the Tower of London plus her son Henry was executed by the
King in 1538 .
She was executed for her dedication to the Catholic faith
on 27 May 1541. The execution did not go well & several
chops were needed to finish off the job.
It was reported that she ran from the block in hysterics
with the axe man chasing behind her.
Very likely to cause a few disturbed spirits !
Other famous ghosts in the Tower of London include the two young princes Edward
V (12) and Richard Duke of York (10), supposed murdered in
1483 Richard the III. Their skeletons were found in a chest
almost 200 years later in 1674.
Sir Walter Raleigh , adventurer, confidant of Queen Elisabeth
I at his execution in the Tower in 1618 asked to see the axe and said "This is a sharp Medicine,
but it is a Physician for all Diseases."
His head was embalmed and presented to his wife who apparently
carried it with her at all times until she died . Is it no
wonder that he is still wandering around the Tower of London to this day.
Lady Jane Grey was Queen for nine days
. She was the grand daughter of Henry VIII's sister Mary.
When Edward VI died, Jane was proclaimed queen in order to
keep a Protestant on the throne of England and stop Henry
VIII's Catholic daughter Mary seizing power.
However, Mary seized London and had Jane Grey was executed
at the Tower on 12 February 1554 - she was only 16 years old
.
Anne Boyleyn
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Sir Walter Raleigh |
Lady Jane Grey
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Catherine Howard |
Directions to the Tower of London:
Tower of London by London Underground
Nearest station: Tower Hill underground station
Directions: Use District or Circle lines to Tower Hill station. Follow directional signage to the Tower. The main entrance is a five minute walk from the station.
Tower of London by train
Nearest stations: Fenchurch Street or London Bridge stations
From Fenchurch Street: Exit on to Mark Lane. Turn left on to Byward Street, which will lead you to Tower Hill and the Tower of London.
From London Bridge: Cross the bridge over the River Thames and turn right on to Lower Thames Street. After a 15-minute walk the Tower is located on your right.
Tower of London by bicycle
There are three bicycle stands at the Tower which are located next to the main shop.
There are a number of cycle routes throughout the area. For further information please visit the
Transport for London website: www.tfl.gov.uk/cycles
For safety: Ensure your bicycle is secured firmly to the stand and that you do not leave personal items unattended. Please do not ride your bike in the pedestrianised areas.
Tower of London by Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
Tower Gateway Station is located adjacent to Tower Hill station.
Follow directional signage to the main entrance of the Tower.
Important information: Tower Gateway Station will be closed temporarily until Spring 2009 for platform extension and escalator upgrade works.
Tower of London by bus
Bus routes: 15, 42, 78, 100, RV1
The Tower is also served by all major sightseeing bus tours.
Tower of London by riverboat
Nearest river access: Tower Pier
Directions: Riverboats for Tower Pier depart from Charing Cross, Westminster and Greenwich.
Thames Clippers' fleet of hi-speed catamarans operate daily with departures every 20 minutes from both London Bridge Pier and Tower Pier. A variety of tickets are available including Single Journey and River Roamer tickets. For further information and to buy tickets, click here to visit Thames Clippers' website >
Tower of London by car
Scalable map from Multimap
The Tower of London is in the Congestion Charging Zone.
Parking near the Tower:
Please note there is no parking at the Tower of London. The nearest coach and car park is situated on Lower Thames Street and is a 2 minute walk to the main entrance.
The car park has both lift and stairs. Pedestrian walkways are clearly marked and show the direction of exit to the Tower of London and pay machines.
Disabled provision:
There are several bays clearly marked.
Tower of London Car parking
For up-to-date pricing information and car park opening and closing times please contact the City of London Corporation on 020 7606 3030 or email car.parks@corporationoflondon.gov
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