Tower of London
It was 1000 AD something and this upstart from the continent came over to England and attacked King Harold, who had just lost a lot of men to harvest season, and in wiping out his brother who was trying to do the same thing. Then, this guy from across the channel won and he said "Now I am King William, so bow down." Surprisingly, few did. London was a particular thorn, so he built this tower to try to keep control and intimidate them. As is the case now, back then London had all the money, so he had to negotiate, and they never really went under his thumb. This is a primary reason the City of London is still a separate entity today (yes, even from England).Well, England had been fairly unstable for 700 years after that and they had to keep building up more defenses, and residences, and then didn't need it as a castle anymore so made it seats of government things like a mint and storage of the royal jewels. It still belongs to the monarch and is in the center of the richest city in the world.
The Arrival - I walked
I was staying in The City near Black Friars bridge and I just walked to it, super easy.The Castle
Rather large, well walled up sitting on the River Thames, not as imposing to The City as it used to be with 50 story buildings looking down upon it, but still might take a bit to break into.The Lower Bailey
A wall within a wall, to slow down and trap attackers in a smaller area, making them easier to kill the hell out of. Encompassing the entire circumference of the castle, many areas are now walkways, residences and shops betwixt sections of the castle.Inner Ward
Inside the second wall, is all the workings of the castle back in the old days. they call this the inner ward. There are reasons for all these names, I just don't feel like listing them. Anyways this is where the main buildings are like the tower and the Crown Jewels storage, plus museums, dining and the entrance to the ramparts.The Ramparts
Around the 2nd wall, there is a series of ramparts to mount troops on, and have the high ground, while those below mill about getting massacred wondering what brought their life to this point.They run around the entire Inner Ward and are connected to many towers.
The Tower
The original 1040s building, in the center of the castle, the main event, the big show, the place where, for a while, many kings slept in somewhat comfort and minor confidence of safety.
Large long walls
The traitors gate, literally where traitors were brought at night in a boat to be incarcerated
This used to be a moat
The gatehouse, sometimes the exit when not under construction
A shop outside so you can buy without a ticket
The lower baileys, killing zones within walls and then space to put buildings"
Even gates down here to restrict movement
I guess this lady just wasn't having it anymore
Traitors gate on the inside
The Queens house, added later, I guess when she had a headache
As one must keep the Pope happy back in the day, a church to remain in God's good graces
Coffee and cake, but no coffeecake
When you want some substantial food, there is a dining hall/cafe
Changing of the guards on the royal jewels, as the monarchs property is more important than your life
The Crown Jewels, no pics, thanks Thomas Blood...
The ravens of the tower, 24/7 selfless guards of the land
Raven chillin' cause he sees a beefeater that he recognizes
The museum for the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, who are stationed here
They fought a lot since the 1680's
The shop in the Inner Ward
Items for your own little princess
On the ramparts looking down into the active lower bailey
Seems this might burn easily
Armory tower, where one would go to get weapons during a seige
Ahhh, the Bloody Tower, because of all the murders in it apparently
Another gate that serves under the bloody tower
The cell for the Princes in the Tower
Their crime? Being the rightful heirs when Richard the Turd wanted the crown
The Bowyer Tower, where they talk about when tower was an open zoo and caught on fire
Constable tower, where the policeman of the area lived
Info on the Beefeaters who guard this place
Cradle Tower, maybe an entrance? Looks more like a shooty hole place
Develin tower, which became another cell block
You can't go this secret way
Now, the good stuff, a torture chamber
I could use this for my bad back right now
People pay good money to be teased in these currently
Originally those wouldn't have been windows but arrow slits instead
Armor armor everywhere and all the scales did clink
Henry 8th armor, if you have to brag, you don't have it...
King James II was a short dude
Seriously the entire first floor is almost nothing but this and now on the 2nd floor
Every rich person has a church in the house
More arms
More armor, this would really help ensure survival in a battle
Some serious bling weaponry
Nice view of the bridge, they named it after something...
Now way down into the cellar, and more gun
And, as winds change, you go from hero to executed
More guns, because anything worth building for hundreds of years is worth defending
And a very specific tower shop. Nope, not everything here is in the outside store