Other Towers

Previous page: Tower Green

THE BEAUCHAMP TOWER of the ballium wall (open to the public), the interior walls of which hear inscriptions made by prisoners. The 16th-Century houses that abut on the southwest angle of the Green comprise the King's House, already mentioned, on the south, and the Yeoman Gaoler's Lodging on the west.

The former contains a room in which Anne Boleyn spent the last hours of her life, and in the latter Lady Jane Grey was imprisoned. To the left of the King's House is

THE BLOODY TOWER, which is believed to have been the tower in which the boy king, Edward V, and his brother, the Duke of York, were murdered in 1483.

It was formerly called the Garden Tower (it overlooked the Constable's garden), and is said to have acquired its present name because Henry Percy, eighth Earl of Northumberland, committed suicide whilst imprisoned here in the time of Elizabeth.

It was in the Bloody Tower that Raleigh was detained prior to his ill-fated voyage to Guiana in search of Eldorado, his wife being allowed to stay with him.

THE WAKEFIELD TOWER

Leaving Tower Green and descending the steps near the White Tower, the Main Guard is passed and the Wakefield Tower is reached.

This is where the Crown Jewels used to be kept before the moving to the new purpose built Jewel House.

The deep window-recess in this apartment was formerly an oratory, and it was here that Henry VI is traditionally said to have been murdered in 1471, whilst at prayer.

TOWER WHARF

On returning through the Middle Tower, one should pass on to Tower Wharf, for the views of the river and its shipping and of the outer walls of the Tower on this side. Arranged along the wharf are a number of old cannon.

• Tower of London - Introduction
• 1 - Synopsis
• 2 - The Castle of London
• 3 - Officers and Garrison
• 4 - The Fortified Walls
• 5 - The White Tower
• 6 - Tower Green
• 7 - Other Towers