Tower of London and Crown Jewels

Written by Norm Katz

The Tower of London?s royal history begins all the way back in 1066 when William the Conqueror ordered the building of a wooden castle as part of the fortifications to help secure London, the chief city of his new realm. Ten years later the King, William the Conqueror, transformed the fort into a great stone Palace with 15 foot thick walls and this became known as the Tower of London. The Tower of London covers eighteen acres and offers unique glimpses of royal history stretching back centuries.

A Palace But Much More Too

A Palace for over 900 years much is known about the Tower?s bloody history. It has been renowned world wide as a royal prison and home of the Crown Jewels but at different times during its history it has been home to the Royal Arsenal, the Royal Mint, the Royal Observatory and even the Royal Zoo. In one of its most famous capacities as the repository Ceremony Of The Keys

of the Crown Jewels, the Tower Jewel House, was officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen in March 1994. It allows upwards of eighteen thousand people per day to see the Crown Jewels. The Crown Jewels are priceless and contain the Koh-I-Noor (Mountain of Light), worlds most famous diamond, weighing 105.6 carats sitting in the Queen Mother?s crown. Also in the collection is the Imperial State Crown, (containing 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 5 rubies, 273 pearls and a Maltese Cross on its top), seen by millions world wide when worn by Her Majesty the Queen each year at the State Opening of Parliament. The one attempt to steal the Crown Jewels by Colonel Blood in 1671 failed.

Ravens, Shakespeare and Ghosts at the Tower

Traditionally birds of ill omen it is the absence rather than the presence of Ravens that is feared at the Tower of London. The Ravens at the Tower eat 6 oz of raw meat, bird formula soaked in blood each day and the occasional rabbit. Shakespeare spent his Tower Bridge

time in the shadow of the Tower exploiting its reputation as a fortress, prison for high ranking citizens and place of sudden death. The Tower is one of the worst haunted places in Britain being haunted by the headless female figure of Queen Anne Boleyn, 12 year old King Edward V and his 9 year old brother Richard, Duke of York, and even a bear.

Dining at the Tower of London

For the first time in its 900 year history, the Tower offers visitors the chance to dine in its own restaurant. Opened on February 1, 2001, the restaurant offers a range of meals to suit the varied tastes of the Tower?s 2.4 million annual daytime visitors, all set in the historic atmosphere of the New Armouries building.

Hours of Operation and Location

HM Tower of London is located in London EC3N 4AB. HM Tower of London is Couple At Ole Pont De La Tour

open March 1 through October 31, Monday - Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Sunday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. November 1 through February 28 opening times are, Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm and Sunday - Monday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm. Admission prices are Adults - 11.30 Pounds; Seniors/Students 8.50 Pounds; Children 7.50 Pounds; Under 5s - Free; Family Ticket (up to 2 adults and 3 children) 34.00 Pounds. Tickets to the Tower are also available at any of London?s underground stations.

More information can be found by calling the Tower of London in London, England at (020)-7709-0765.