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Built by William the Conqueror in c. 1100, the Tower of London was built as a fort meant to defend the approach to the nerve-center of the kingdom. The English believed that  it was built during the Roman Empire by Julius Caesar because of all of the Roman elements, like the Roman Wall. The tower was originally built as a fortress and a palace, and although still used for these things, many towers were added on overtime by other English Kings. The White Tower, the first addition to the Tower of London, was were the monarchs resided and many key events in English history took place (Rowse 9-10).

Image Source: Unknown Artist, Steel Engraving of the Tower on Britannica ImageQuest

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Lions at the Tower of London, who would have guessed?

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In addition to a garden and 14 towers surrounded by a moat, the Tower of London contained a menagerie containing many animals, highlighting the regal lions (Rowse 10).

Image Source: 1830 Etching by W. Berthoud on Britannica ImageQuest

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Modern Map of the Southeastern United Kingdom

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The Tower of London is located near the center of London on the Thames River.

Image Source: Tower of London on Google Maps

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Guy Fawkes beheaded in the Tower of London

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Do you remember the 5th of November?

During the Protestant Reformation, Queen Elizabeth I, a Protestant, caused a distaste towards Catholics. As Catholics began to diminish the authority of monarchs during and after her reign, English Parliament enforced her side of the reformation. King James I, who led after Elizabeth, was indifferent about her reforms towards the Catholics. As the English Parliament grew more upset with him, he began to enforce Elizabeth's beliefs. This obviously upset the Catholics that supported him and caused many uprisings from the Recusants. One of these uprisings was the failed Gunpowder Plot. The Gunpowder Plot was a plan that was meant to blow up the Palace of Westminster on the day when all important English officials would be there. The plan was meant to cause a war for the acceptance of Catholics. Guy Fawkes, a less important member in the plot, is predominantly known in the Gunpowder Plot. His role, along with the other members, was to accumulate small amounts of gunpowder in order to blow up the building ("Guy Fawkes"). Caught in the cellar of the palace, Guy Fawkes was brutally tortured in the White Tower and eventually disclosed the plan (Historic Royal Palaces).

In present time, the 5th of November is celebrated as "Guy Fawkes Night" where the English celebrate the failure of the plot with bonfires and fireworks ("Guy Fawkes").

Image Source: Photograph taken of actor Matheson Land as Guy Fawkes on Britannica ImageQuest

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King Henry VIII's Armor which is kept in the Tower

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As many royal events happened in the Tower of London, a large inclusion was executions. An important example not only for the executions at the Tower of London, but also conspiracy theories as a whole, was the execution of Anne Boleyn. Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII of England. Although the most notable event taken at the Tower regarding Anne and Henry was the execution, the couple met in person at the tower. Additionally, Henry was coronated at the tower, along with many other kings and married his first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in the Tower. The most likely reason for the notability of these executions was King Henry's common use of beheading to get rid of his problems. For example, he beheaded two of his six wives, and many other of his council, priests, and civilians. Henry also added to the Tower, creating a bath. Overall, the events caused by Henry VIII made a lasting impact on English and World History (Rowse 40-41).

Image Source: 1916 Photo of Book by Charles John Ffoulkes on Wikimedia Commons

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The Tower of London is now used as a tourist site, informing civilians about the stories and histories that took place within and outside of the fortress. Additionally, the Tower showcases important military and architecture styles of Medieval Times. This is important because, although the Tower of London is for the most part safe from being endangered, the aesthetics have altered due to the surrounding buildings. Due to the Tower of London being inside of one of the greatest cities in the world, many tall buildings and structures surround the fortress. This can cause a distasteful perspective of the site and cause a rupture to the experience ("Tower of London").

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Map Depicting the Tower of London from Above

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Image Source: Map by Thoroe Showing the Tower of London on Wikimedia Commons

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Although the title and image perceive a gleeful story, that is not the case.

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In 1483, Edward IV, who was the first Yorkish King of England, died. This left his son, Edward to the throne. As he and his brother were only twelve and nine, their uncle, Richard, stepped in. In the process of leading Edwards sons to be rulers of England, Uncle Richard claimed his position as King Richard III. During his reign as king, the brothers disappear. As this is a continued unanswered conspiracy theory, it is believed that people who worked for King Richard or he himself killed the nephews. Bones were found in the Garden Tower, renamed the Bloody Tower, although it is unsure whether they were theirs or not because many people were killed in this tower. Although the most likely cause of the boys death was the demise by their uncle, there are verifications of otherwise. This includes orders, travel receipts, etc. that show evidence of the boys being alive. Additionally, after what would have been the death of the boys, their mother, Elizabeth Woodville, gave her daughters to Richard III to be taken care of. These things obviously cause suspicion that they boys were still alive, but it still is not verified whether they were or were not alive ("Who Really").

Image Source: Early 20th Century Cigarette Card Depicting the Princes published by Godfrey Phillips on Britannica ImageQuest

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As the Tower of London hosted public executions, coronations, and more, the Tower became a vital part of English History. Because the Tower was used for royal events, including catastrophes, the public eye became fixated on the happenings at the Tower, which is why we know so much about it today. Today, the Tower is used as a tourist site for hundreds of stories and histories that it has been through.