| The tower of London has been an integral part of | | | | would escape from. |
| British Royal History for nearly 1000 years. Only at this | | | | After the death of Henry VII, the Tower of London |
| place one can marvel at the breathtaking beauty of | | | | was never again used to house an English queen or |
| Crown Jewels and stand on the execution site of | | | | king. |
| three British queens. | | | | One can gain a fascinating insight into the role of the |
| The Tower of London has a very interesting story | | | | Crown Jewels in royal pageantry with introductory |
| behind it. It was begun by a man who was not even | | | | films which include rare color footage of HM Queen |
| English, William of Normandy. At the time he was the | | | | Elizabeth II's coronation. Once inside the Treasury, one |
| cousin of England's Kind Edward. It all started because | | | | can marvel at the Imperial State Crown worn at the |
| William became outraged when Edward backed down | | | | State Opening of Parliament and be dazzled by the |
| on his promise to give the throne to William and ended | | | | world's largest, top-quality cut diamond, Cullinan I, set in |
| up giving the throne to his English brother-in-law, Harold. | | | | the Sovereign's Sceptre. |
| William sailed his army across the English Channel to | | | | The Yeoman Warders have guarded this royal palace |
| conquer England. On October 14, 1066, he met Harold | | | | and fortress for centuries they captivate one with |
| at Hastings and conquered him. | | | | amazing stories, passed on from generation to |
| On Christmas Day later that year, popularly known as | | | | generation, and guide to the infamous Traitors' Gate |
| William the conqueror - was crowned King of England. | | | | and the execution site... |
| Immediately after William took over as king, he built | | | | A spectacular programme of special events runs |
| forts everywhere. One stood in the southeastern | | | | throughout the year. Costumed guides bring the intrigue, |
| corner of London, near an old Roman wall on the north | | | | tales and daring exploits associated with The Tower |
| bank of the Thames River. William ordered that this | | | | to life. |
| fort be removed in 1078 to be replaced by a huge | | | | Is it any wonder that the Tower Of London is the |
| stone stronghold. This would be the "symbol of his | | | | Britain's leading historic visitor attraction? It was here |
| power, a fortress for his defense, and a prison for his | | | | that Anne Boleyn was executed. Guy Fawkes |
| enemies". He named it the Tower of London. | | | | interrogated. Richard II and Elizabeth I incarcerated and |
| The Tower was finished twenty years later, rising | | | | the 'Princes in the Tower' disappeared without trace. |
| nearly one hundred feet high, with its walls fifteen feet | | | | Standing guard by the River Thames, The Tower is an |
| thick in certain places. Inside were a chapel, | | | | impressive London landmark. Find out the secrets that |
| apartments, guardrooms, and crypts. The Tower was | | | | lie within its walls, marvel at the breathtaking Crown |
| protected by a wide ditch, a new stone wall, the old | | | | Jewels, stand on the site where three English queens |
| Roman wall, and the river. This was done to secure | | | | were beheaded and explore the myths and legends |
| the fact that this tower was a prison that no prisoner | | | | that make a visit to The Tower a fantastic day out. |