Visiting the Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the oldest and mostThe Tower of London has been the setting for a
well preserved buildings in the world. Over time, thegreat number of important historical moments in the
Tower of London has been used to protect Englandhistory of London, and the history of England as a
from its enemies, as well as palace for the royal family.whole. The Tower of London is also where the crown
Visiting the Tower of London is a must for any firstjewels are kept. It is unknown what the actual value of
time London visitor, as well as those who haveall of the gold, silver, and gemstones in the royal
traveled to London a few times.collection. Kings and queens throughout the ages have
The Tower of London has been watched over byworn items from the collection. Having just been worn
yeoman warders since the very beginning of itsso long ago, and during such key moments in history
existence in 1078. The warders take care of themake the crown jewels priceless.
buildings within the Tower of London making sure thatOne of the oldest ceremonies at the Tower of
all of the buildings are kept safe from intruders as wellLondon that still survives today is the ceremony of the
as watch to ensure that none of the prisoners of thekeys. The ceremony of the keys is the ceremonial
Tower of London were able to escape. Since theirlocking up of the tower on London each night. The
inception yeoman warders have been required to takeceremony has been completed in the exact same
an oath to the Tower of London, and their servitude ofway, every single night for almost seven hundred
the structure and the monarchy. In early years theyears. Each night just before 10pm the chief warder
yeoman warders would have preformed their duties incomes from byward tower carrying the traditional
plain clothes, today the warders have much morelantern lit with a candle and precedes to a place a
stately attire.bloody tower. An exchange commences; as the doors
Over time the Tower of London has become knownare locked the chief warder and sentry perform the
for the great number of people that have beenfamous exchange:
executed at the Tower of London. Some of the more"Halt" "Who comes there?" "The Keys" "Who's Keys?"
famous executions include Anne Boleyn in 1530, which"Queen Elizabeth's Keys" "Pass Queen Elizabeth's
was Henry VIII second wife. She was beheaded andKeys - All's well". The Tower of London is a structure
burned because Henry suspected her of committingfilled with history. A visit to the tower can be a great
adultery, and Sir Walter Raleigh an explorer to thelearning experience for young children as well as
Americas who fell out of favor with Elizabeth I. Headults. Each time you visit the tower you can learn
spent twelve years in the tower to be released forsomething new about the tower, its content, and walk
only two short years before finding himself back thereaway with a new piece of knowledge about English
again being beheaded in 1618.history.