Tower of London History
Nearly 1,000 years of royal terror
The Tower of London has served as a royal palace, a prison, an execution ground, a zoo, and a vault for the Crown Jewels. In nearly 1,000 years, it has witnessed some of the most dramatic moments in British history. The ghosts said to walk its grounds—Anne Boleyn, the Princes in the Tower, Sir Walter Raleigh—are less interesting than the documented history that put them there.
4 articles in this collection
Articles
Anne Boleyn's Execution at the Tower of London
Anne Boleyn entered the Tower of London on May 2, 1536, through the Court Gate on the river side — the same entrance through which she had passed three...
6 min read min read
The Princes in the Tower: England's Greatest Cold Case
Edward V was twelve years old when his father died on April 9, 1483. The boy-king entered the Tower of London for what should have been a routine...
5 min read min read
Famous Prisoners of the Tower of London
The Tower of London has held prisoners since 1100, when Ranulf Flambard, Bishop of Durham, became the first recorded inmate — and the first to escape,...
5 min read min read
The Ravens of the Tower of London
The most famous piece of Tower of London folklore holds that if the ravens ever leave, the kingdom will fall.
5 min read min readExplore the Destination
Ready to visit? These destination pages have curated tours, practical info, and visitor guides.