By Sarah Latoza Wed, November 18, 2009, 12:01 am PST

The Tower as seen from the Thames -- the last view more than a few people had. (Photo by Les Hutchins) People tend to think of the Tower of London as a place of violence and bloodshed. It's understandable; after all, the Tower was the site of numerous murders and executions (including those of King Henry VI and Anne Boleyn), not to mention imprisonments (famous residents include Thomas More, Walter Raleigh, and Guy Fawkes). And it was also the setting of one of history's most infamous unsolved mysteries, the disappearance of King Edward V and his brother, Richard, the Duke of York, otherwise known as "the Princes in the Tower." Combine all of that, and it's obvious why the saying "sent to the Tower" evokes such fear. But the Tower's main purpose throughout history has been as a royal residence, rather than a prison (though criminals were imprisoned there as recently as 1952, when the mobster brothers the Kray twins called the Tower home). It was originally established as a fortress during the reign of William the Conqueror, and was later turned into a castle and home by Henry III. It also housed the royal menagerie, which included lions, leopards, camels, and even a polar bear! While that zoo no longer exists, the Tower is still home to an "unkindness" of ravens. Legend has it that if the ravens should ever leave the Tower, the entire structure -- and indeed Britain itself -- will collapse. Today, there are ten ravens in residence, whose care is paid for by the British government. Mostly a tourist attraction today, the Tower and its treasures, such as the Crown Jewels and the Royal Armoury, are protected by 35 Yeoman Warders, more popularly known as "Beefeaters." (The exact origin of this name is debated, but it may stem from the Middle Ages, when the guards were paid in rations of beef.) These retired military officers (traditionally all men until in 2007, when the first female guard was hired) live in the Tower proper with their families. One guard is given the title "Ravenmaster," and is responsible for the care of the Tower's avian tenants. But perhaps even more famous than its ravens and its Beefeaters are the Tower's other residents: its ghosts. Anne Boleyn (who carries "her head tucked underneath her arm"), the aforementioned princes, and Catherine Howard are all among the figures believed to haunt the Tower and its grounds. It's said to be the most haunted place in England, outranking even Stonehenge and Whitechapel (where the Jack the Ripper murders took place). If you visit the Tower today, you're seeing more than just some old buildings -- you're witnessing more than one thousand years of British history. Just watch out for bird droppings and headless ghosts! Suggested Sites... The Tower of London - official site for the Tower of London. Tower of London: Virtual Tour - take a look inside the Tower and learn more about its history and architecture. Camelot International: The Tower of London - site devoted to the Tower, run by its Yeoman Warders. CastleXplorer - explore Britain's many castles and discover more about their place in U.K. history. The British Monarchy - official site of the British Royal Family.

Directory categories: Tower of London, Castles, Middle Ages, London, UK Royalty

Archived under: Buildings, England, Hauntings, History, London, Museums, Prison, Royalty, Tourist Attractions, U.K. History, United Kingdom

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