Contrary to the popular image of the Tower, prisoners were able to make their life easier by purchasing amenities such as better food or tapestries through the Lieutenant of the Tower. During the war, the Tower's garrison joined forces with the barons. is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. [87] However, it was during this period that the Privy Wardrobe was founded. The entrance, as is usual in Norman keeps, was above ground, in this case on the south face, and accessed via a wooden staircase which could be removed in the event of an attack. Brass Mount, the bastion in the northeast corner, was a later addition. [41] In the 17th century there were plans to enhance the Tower's defences in the style of the trace italienne, however they were never acted on. This was a powerful and trusted position in the medieval period. [99] When Henry Bolingbroke returned from exile in 1399, Richard was imprisoned in the White Tower. Additional animals were then introduced. [151], At least six ravens are kept at the Tower at all times, in accordance with the belief that if they are absent, the kingdom will fall. [118], Political tensions between Charles I and Parliament in the second quarter of the 17th century led to an attempt by forces loyal to the King to secure the Tower and its valuable contents, including money and munitions. [109] Although the Yeoman Warders were once the Royal Bodyguard, by the 16th and 17th centuries their main duty had become to look after the prisoners.

The display includes 23,578 gemstones, the 800-year-old Coronation Spoon, St. Edward's Crown (worn during all crownings at Westminster Abbey) and the Imperial State Crown. By using this site you agree to the use of cookies. Official website of FORTRESS, offers updated information on newest consumer electronic products such as mobile phone, laptop, home appliance and personal beauty products, as well as information on exclusive promotions and deals on your favorite products, Trade-in, Trade in, Trade in service, Trade-in service, FORTRESS During this period, the Tower of London held many noble prisoners of war. [32] The 13th-century Beauchamp Tower marks the first large-scale use of brick as a building material in Britain, since the 5th-century departure of the Romans. [58] The new ruling elite undertook what has been described as "the most extensive and concentrated programme of castle-building in the whole history of feudal Europe".
There were several phases of expansion, mainly under kings Richard I, Henry III, and Edward I in the 12th and 13th centuries.
Close the cookie policy warning. [67], The death in 1135 of Henry I left England with a disputed succession; although the king had persuaded his most powerful barons to swear support for the Empress Matilda, just a few days after Henry's death Stephen of Blois arrived from France to lay claim to the throne. [93] However it was not necessarily very secure, and throughout its history people bribed the guards to help them escape. [101] The castle was once again besieged in 1460, this time by a Yorkist force. Each floor was divided into three chambers, the largest in the west, a smaller room in the north-east, and the chapel taking up the entrance and upper floors of the south-east. [21] Construction of Wakefield and Lanthorn Towers – located at the corners of the innermost ward's wall along the river – began around 1220.