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