The massive tower, built to guard and manage London, dominated the skyline for miles, spanning 36m by 32.5m broad and up to 27.5m tall. Ditches, Roman walls on two sides, and an earthwork capped by a timber palisade surrounded the castle enclosure. William restored the palisade with stone walls in 1097. The only entrance was through an 18-foot-high gatehouse; there were no other towers or defensive structures within the enclosure.
The White Tower was one of the largest wooden buildings in Europe. It was built between 1170 and 1220 by Henry III to replace an earlier stone structure that had been constructed by Matilda. The new tower was painted white inside and out, giving it its name. It served as the king's residence until 1350, when it was converted into a prison. By 1547, there were only eight prisoners held in the tower, three of them women - Anne Boleyn, Catherine Howard, and Jane Shore.
Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII. She was accused of adultery and treason and executed in 1536. There is some evidence that she was also involved in an attempt to poison Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon. Catherine died in 1516, and it has been suggested that Anne wanted revenge for her husband divorcing her mother too. In 2015, scientists discovered DNA evidence that proved beyond doubt that Henry VIII was the father of Anne Boleyn's daughter Elizabeth I.
The fortress, later known as the Tower of London, was constructed in 1066 by William the Conqueror as a timber structure surrounded by a barrier. Work of the White Tower, the massive stone tower that still dominates the castle today, began within the next decade. The White Tower is an impressive structure - it has been estimated that if it were placed on top of the other buildings at Westminster Abbey, it would be taller than Christ Church Cathedral in Canterbury, England.
Construction on the White Tower was completed around 1170, after more than 300 years. It stands 28 meters (92 feet) tall with an interior height of 14 meters (46 feet). The base of the tower is 5.5 meters (18 feet) wide by 2.5 meters (8 feet) thick. The entire project cost an estimated $20 million in 2011 dollars.
The White Tower is now one of the most important landmarks in London and has become synonymous with the city itself. In fact, it is only matched in prominence by the Tower Bridge across the River Thames. The White Tower has appeared in many films including King Richard III, where it served as part of Buckingham Palace.
Today the White Tower is used for ceremonial purposes by members of the Royal Family, but it also serves as a museum. Visitors can see exhibits on the history of the fortress from its construction in the 11th century to modern times.
The Tower of London is nearly a thousand years old, having been erected about 1070 and still standing tall today. It receives its name from the White Tower, which was completed in 1078 by William the Conquer. For the most part, the Tower has served as a jail. There are also some offices inside the tower but they are very small.
Outside the Tower is The Old Bailey courthouse. The Old Bailey is the oldest continually operating court in England and sits right next to the Tower. Two judges and a large jury hear cases each day in an ancient courtroom that has been modified very little over the years. The Old Bailey is famous for its collection of historic criminal trials and its location within walking distance of both the City of London and Westminster makes it easy for tourists to visit. In addition, there are several other museums located near the Tower that visitors can explore including the Tower Museum, the Crown Jewels, and the Medieval Palace.
In 1666, King Charles II escaped from his prison cell at the Tower and made his way to France. Because of this event known as "the Great Escape," people now believe that the king was trying to restore Catholicism as the official religion of England but he was eventually caught and executed. After the death of Charles II, who was also called "Charles I," the throne went to his brother, King James II, but many citizens wanted a new ruler so they created two countries: England and America.
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