Tower of London

We arrived at the Tower early to make sure we could avoid a large line to see the Crown Jewels. Lucky for us there was no line at all, so we were able to go straight in. Photo's aren't allowed in here, so unfortunately I can't share any with you. All I can do is say how incredibly glittery and shiny it all was!

You enter through a few windy rooms with some historical information about the Crown Jewels on the walls. It is a clever, if not subtle, way to continue the line from outside while giving them impression of being in the exhibit. Of course people barely skimmed the information while rushing past to get to to the real thing where the crowds were small. In the first few sections we saw intricately decorated and plain swords, some so large you could barely imagine having to lift them. The real draw card, of course, were the crowns and sceptres. They are all so incredible, covered in gems and pearls. Some of the gems are the largest in the world, and they way they sparkle and shine would make anyone envious. My favourite of all on display is Queen Mary's crown. It is the most delicately designed of all the crowns, a true beauty. Some of the others look a little industrial or too bulky for my personal taste, which of course is irrelevant.

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After getting our fill of the Crown Jewels, we explore the grounds for a while. We were both struck by the sheer size of the place, easily imagining fitting thousands of people inside the walls in times of need. There are large grassy areas alongside large cobblestoned areas. Surrounding the main buildings are smaller buildings and houses, many of which are occupied today by those who work for the Tower. It was very peaceful to sit for a while and admire the surrounds, in a time before it got busy with other tourists. We enjoyed watching the ravens play in their cages, waiting for their new homes to be build (a long-awaited upgrade).

We explored the Beauchamp Tower, used as a prison for a very long time, usually for political prisoners. In here was a unique information display – rotating boards were placed on the bars of a large cage. Each board had an image on one side, and information text on the other, each one about a different prisoner of the tower. The boards worked chronologically around, leading you in a circle around the room while you learn some of its history. Upstairs is a large room that was a somewhat comfortable prison cell. Carvings in the walls made by prisoners have been preserved, a morbid form of cell-wall-graffiti made long ago. Views from the windows show the grounds, and there was a large fireplace in one wall. Not quite like the dank, damp dungeons you imagine when thinking of medieval and Victorian prisons.

Continuing the gruesome theme, we wandered over to the Bloody Tower, where we learned about the tortures and killings that have happened here. We saw a Rack, where the prisoner’s arms and legs are tied at opposite ends of a board and pulled in opposite directions. In contrast to this was another device which was arguable worse – your body is folded so that your calves are pressed up against the back of your legs, and your thighs are pressed to your stomach/chest. You are then locked in a device which squeezes you together so tightly apparently people would bleed from their nose and ears. Charming. Apparently torture was not used extensively in England, but of course there are probably many instances that went unrecorded.

From here we went inside the White Tower. The Tower itself is quite beautiful, build in a colour that I haven't seen before. It is named White for a good reason! Inside is a large exhibit, displaying historical items such as suits of armour for knights, kings, and horses; weapons from medieval times to present; gifts from international parties; a large table set up with models for war; and a gigantic dragon. We spent over an hour exploring these pieces and their history, but soon the crowds got so large it was too crowded to be in there any longer. 

Coming back outside again, we saw that the line for the Crown Jewels extended from the door all the way through the grounds almost to the entrance. We sure were glad we went in when we did! I had an appointment in the afternoon, so we left in search of lunch, and glad we did as the school holiday crowds were only getting larger. 

Note to anyone wanting to visit - buy a yearly membership, so you can come and go as you please over an entire year. It lets you see all of the castle in bits and pieces to help you avoid the crowds during school holidays and weekends, particularly if you go in early!