The White Tower--Part 1...Day 5d

Upon the old Roman walls the White Tower was built by William the Conqueror (or more correctly, by his contractors) shortly after he did what he was most famous for, that is, conquering England. The citizens weren't totally in favor of this so he ordered construction of a castle and its corresponding keep to serve as a symbol of his power and also as defensive military strategy.

 

  And he had it fitted out to be a residence fit for royalty.

 

And he didn't forget to include a bedroom. or a chapel. or a throne room. or a throne.

 or a throne. (am I repeating myself?)

What is pictured here is known as the "garderobe" which is the latrine.

Besides its usual function, the garderobe was often built in or near where clothing was stored because the pungent smells served to repel moths. And I would imagine many a fine lady as well.

The word "wardrobe" is derived from the word "garderobe" in case you have been wondering.

(bare with me, ok?)   (oops...I think I meant "bear" with me)

And of course, there were fireplaces for warmth and for cooking. And it eased my mind considerably to  notice that a fire extinguisher is conveniently stored beside it.

This fireplace was actually quite innovative in that it was one of the first wall fireplaces, although they hadn't come up with the concept of chimneys yet. With this new type of fireplace, smoke was allowed to escape through a couple of holes in the side of the building.

Previously, fires were burned in the center of the room and the room would just fill with smoke until the smoke eventually found its escape through holes in the roof.

t the heart of the Tower of London is the White Tower. It is the oldest part of the Tower, built to strike fear and submission into the unruly citizens of London.
- See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/WhiteTower#sthash.OePOU3Fr.dpuf

At the heart of the Tower of London is the White Tower. It is the oldest part of the Tower, built to strike fear and submission into the unruly citizens of London.
- See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/WhiteTower#sthash.OePOU3Fr.dpuf

At the heart of the Tower of London is the White Tower. It is the oldest part of the Tower, built to strike fear and submission into the unruly citizens of London.
- See more at: http://www.hrp.org.uk/TowerOfLondon/stories/WhiteTower#sthash.OePOU3Fr.dpuf

From Palace to Prison:The Tower of London...Day 5c

Early in its existence, the Tower of London was a grand palace and not a prison. It was built by William the Conqueror in the late eleventh century on the northern bank of the Thames River in the central part of London and served as a reminder to the population that they were a conquered people.

 Heavily defended with a double ring of walls and a moat, it was designed to serve as a defensive fortress for the royal family as well as royal residence. In fact, the official name of the complex is Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress. (I am assuming in times of a male sovereign, the place would be known as HIS Majesty's Royal etc, etc.)

 But time marched on and due to its location and general good defenses, the palace became more of a prison and less of a palace. Especially during the 16 and 17th centuries, the monarchs became increasingly insecure about their reigns and took to banishing people who had fallen into disgrace and imprisoning them in the Tower of London as it was in a handy location and the security was second to none. And, of course, there was the ever-useful, aptly named Traitor's Gate so prisoners could be delivered by boat directly (and sneakily).

It was also a a really safe place to house people who were soon to be crowned. It became a tradition for Kings and Queens-to-be to spend their last few days before their coronation in the Tower palace and then make their way to Westminster Abbey for the ceremony.

 

And about this time it also became somewhat of a tradition for King Henry the VIII to store his discarded queens there while they awaited the results of their trials for treason, adultery or the mere failure to produce a male heir.  Although in our more enlightened age, we know it could very well have been just as much his fault as hers.
 

                                        The Tower of London, view from the west...