Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Few buildings embody the sweep of British history like the Tower of London. Founded by William the Conqueror in 1066 as a symbol of Norman dominance, this fortress-palace on the Thames has worn many crowns—sometimes literally.
Initially a royal residence, the Tower hosted monarchs in opulent apartments within its whitewashed walls (hence "White Tower"). Its strategic riverside position made it both a retreat and a command center.
From the 12th century onward, the Tower became synonymous with high-profile imprisonment. Elizabeth I survived confinement here under her half-sister Mary I; Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard lost their heads on Tower Green; Sir Thomas More, Lady Jane Grey, and the "Princes in the Tower" all passed through its gates. Even Rudolf Hess, Hitler's deputy, was briefly held here in 1941.
The Tower safeguarded the Crown Jewels (still displayed today), housed the Royal Armouries collection, and for 600 years hosted a royal menagerie—lions, leopards, a polar bear that fished in the Thames. It also served as the Royal Mint, producing the realm's coinage.
Today, the Tower thrives as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yeoman Warders ("Beefeaters") lead tours, ravens stalk the grounds (legend says the kingdom falls if they leave), and millions annually explore its layered past—a microcosm of England's turbulent, triumphant story.