| Do you know that the Tower Of London is | | | | At one time there was a moat that was drained |
| probably one of the the most famous prisons | | | | in the 1800's. Other buildings have been |
| besides Sing Sing Prison in New York? It has | | | | added through the years to make it a complete |
| been in existence for well over 800 years. It | | | | complex housing a Middle Tower, Byward Tower, |
| is twenty towers high and is filled with a | | | | Garden Tower and a gate. |
| mixture of ancient history, culture and | | | | |
| jewels. | | | | It is a study in history as there were at one |
| | | | time, famous tenants housed there such as |
| The initial structure was a fort used by | | | | Henry the VIII's second wife, Little Princess |
| William the Conqueror. It was completed in | | | | and other victims of former Kings. There are |
| 1000 AD. It stands over a hundred feet high | | | | torture devices on display and other items to |
| with walls as thick as sixteen feet thick. It | | | | view and other items to confirm that it was |
| was obviously built to be very sturdy and to | | | | indeed used, such as particles of blood on |
| withstand all weather conditions and it | | | | stones. |
| remains a fortress. Once completed, it was | | | | |
| the tallest building in London. A king had it | | | | Under King Henry's orders, his wife Anne |
| painted white in the 12th century and thereby | | | | Boleyn was executed in the Tower. She had |
| named, White Tower. | | | | been accused of inappropriate acts. However, |
| | | | she was executed because she had a daughter |
| It then became and is still a prison. It also | | | | and not a son. Her daughter became the future |
| houses a crown jewel collection Many former | | | | Queen Of England. There are rumors of Anne's |
| kings housed their collections here. It has | | | | Boleyn's ghost lingering, so if you go there, |
| also been used throughout the years as a | | | | be careful! |
| storage facility for records, the Royal Mint, | | | | |
| the beginning of the Zoo, and an observatory. | | | | The Crown Jewels is definitely worth seeing. |
| The observatory was built in the 1600's. | | | | There is an actual Jewel House that contains |
| | | | stunning necklaces, earrings, rings and other |
| Since the 1400's the Tower has been guarded | | | | beautiful jewelry. |
| by wardens known as Beefeaters. They have | | | | |
| bright red costumes on. Military personnel | | | | Former Queens have their jewelry stored here |
| now provide this function. The distinct | | | | such as Queen Victoria and others. There is |
| spiral staircase runs through the Towers. | | | | also the Star of Africa which is a large |
| There is also a national museum of arms, | | | | diamond which contains over 2,000 carats. |
| which is London's oldest museum. The museum | | | | This gem was found in an African mine in the |
| contains over 30,000 pieces of armor. | | | | 20th century. |
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