22/10/25 Part One: The Tower

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A little boy held up his mother's phone and snapped a quick photo of the crown that King Charlie wore for his coronation.  "Someone could totally steal this!" he announced in a voice several decibels louder than a foghorn.  "All you need to do is mmmffff" The room paused with bated breath but the child had been silenced to suffocation by his mother's hand and was dragged quickly from the exhibit.  All us gawking tourists sniggered and the attending Yoeman Warder may or may not have crackd a tiny smile.

I had a ticket to the Tower of London and I was ready to make the most of it and stuff my head full of English history.  In the Tower of London this consisted largely of complicated political power plays, strategic marriages,  treason, and Kings and Queens chopping off the heads of whoever was currently out of favour.  Much like modern politics really, but with a bit more blood and more detached heads.

I had a great time.

First sight of the tower.

Sculptures representing the Royal Menagerie, exotic animals gifted to the King from all over the world.  Suffice to say that exotic animals did not necessarily thrive in Britain's climate, and also did uncivilised things like eating unwary visitors.

Back in the day one of the Kings decided that as long as there were ravens at the Tower the fortress would not fall, so the Tower still boasted a collection of ravens who, I might add, had no choice in the matter of staying or leaving on account of their wings being clipped.

Apparently they are prone to biting.  I would too, were my wings clipped.

The central White Tower, built by William the Conquerer in 1066.  The red poppies were part of an art installation to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII. The original installation, in 2014, had 888 246 poppies, each one representing a life lost in the war.

I toured the ramparts,


From the ramparts there was a great view of the Tower Bridge,


and further along I got a peek down into the old stable area which was now the living quarters for the Yoemen Warders and their families.  Up to 400 people live on the Tower grounds which I imagine would be one of the more exclusive addresses in London, not to mention conferring enormous cred when inviting the rest of 5th Grade to a birthday party at your house.


I toured the Medieval Castle, not that I could tell where Medieval left off and the other ages started or finished.  Don't shoot me, I'm not a historian.

Kings liked the significance of lions. King of the Jungle, and all that.


Personal chapel in the Medieval Castle.

Walls painted and decorated.

And then came the Crown Jewels display where photos were strictly forbidden, and that was where the small boy informed us all of his dastardly plans and got himself put on a watch list for future brazen jewel thefts.

I looked at all four levels of the White Tower, which were devoted to a history of weaponry and armoury as it had developed through the history of the Tower.

Partial facial amour (is it any use if it's only partial?); helmet; and crossbow.

Horses needed to be strong to carry all that metal.

And there was a dragon, don't ask me why.

Guarding his barrels.

The Tower also at one time contined the Royal Mint, and in later years was a training ground for soldiers.  I spent over three hours there and by the end my feet were feeling every cobblestone and I was quite over bloodthirsty history stories.  I sat down with some surprisingly good hot chips and contemplated what I would do with my afternoon.

While  I'm thinking, I'll share a few more Tower pictures with you.

Tower Bridge from the window.


More window views.





This winged lion is... odd.

More homes for the Yoemen Warders, slightly more upmarket than the converted stables.

In the chapel at the top of the White Tower.



Alright, that's enought for one post.  The rest will have to come later.








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