The Tower of London is one of the most famous prisons in history. Over the course of its history, it has housed some very important prisoners in British history including queens, traitors, and even the children of political threats. Here are some interesting facts about the Tower of London’s long history.
It’s Over 1000 Years Old
The Tower of London was initially built as a fortress and symbol of power in 1007 by William the Conqueror. That’s more than three times the age of the United States! As with any building that old, the Tower has gone through many changes over the years. It’s received many additions to its original building, and the uses for it have evolved over time as well. Today, you won’t see any executions there, but you can buy tickets to walk the grounds and see the historic site.
It Was Originally Called The White Tower
No one calls it this anymore, of course. “The White Tower” was the name given to the building when it was built because it was made of white limestone. It was intended to be a royal residence, as well as a fortress that would receive additional construction throughout the first couple of centuries of its existence. When the Tower of London was built, it was one of the tallest buildings in the area, and its white tower dominated the skyline next to the River Thames. Today, the “White Tower” refers specifically to the tall building at the center of the rest of the fortress, and the entire property is known as the Tower of London.
It Holds The Crown Jewels
Since the Tower of London was originally built as a fortress, it makes sense to assume it would be a secure enough place for important items such as the Crown Jewels as well as prisoners. They were moved to the Tower in the 14th century after a series of thefts were attempted in Westminister Abbey. The Jewels are still there today, and can be viewed by the public. Besides a precautionary removal during WWII (as well as briefly for any ceremonial reasons), the Crown Jewels have been on the grounds of the Tower of London for over 700 years.
There Have Only Been 22 Executions
Over its long history, most people expect exesutions to be a common occurrence in the Tower of London. In fact, only 22 people have been executed there- including Anne Bolyne, the famous second wife of King Henry VIII. Though the number of actual executions is relatively small compared to the age of the Tower itself, the Tower has imprisoned many famous members of British history that you might know: William “Braveheart” Wallace, Thomas Cromwell, Guy Fawkes, just to name a few. Even Queen Elizabeth I herself was held there for a brief time in 1554 before she eventually took the throne.
The Tower Has Been Used Within The Last Century
Though the Tower of London isn’t a functioning prison today, it was used in the 20th century quite a bit. During World War II, the Tower held Hitler’s second-in-command, Rudolf Hess, for several days before he was transferred to a military prison. There were several other Nazi spies who were imprisoned there during the war, including a German spy named Josef Jakobs. Jakobs was the last person to be executed on the Tower’s grounds when he was sentenced to death by a firing squad in 1941.
Call A-EZ Out Bail Bonds For A Quick Release
The good news is that you will probably never find yourself in danger of being imprisioned in the Tower of London. However, if you find yourself faced with the possibility of arrest, don’t hesitate to contact A-EZ Out Bail Bonds to ensure you don’t spend any unecessary time in custody here in Dallas, Texas.