Work on the White Tower – the central stone keep – began not long after William the Conqueror’s invasion, under order from the new king himself, who was keen to cement his authority on his new turf by building forts and castles all over the country. (Some centuries afterwards the story got around that it had been built by Julius Caesar: there is a reference to this theory in Shakespeare’s Richard III – but no evidence for it.)

The building of the White Tower took William’s men about 20 years, and his successors added to the complex over the following decades – the Bell Tower, the royal residence, the kitchens. the Wardrobe Tower, and so on. The reign of Henry III saw the most significant programme of work on the Tower complex, with the king spending a massive £9,000 on it; among other things it was during this reign that the Wakefield Tower was built, the Great Hall re-built, and the central tower was whitewashed – that building that has since come to be known as the White Tower. The reign of Edward I saw the appearance of the Beauchamp Tower, and the completion of the outer wall fully enclosing the site.

The Tower of London was built as a fortress, a military stronghold. But over the centuries it would come to fulfil many other roles – it was a royal residence, the home of the royal wardrobe and the public records and a garrison, the royal mint, the armoury, somewhat surprisingly the home of the monarch’s private zoo, and famously a prison.

Traitors' Gate

Those unlucky enough to be imprisoned in the Tower would be brought down the river to Traitors’ Gate, and from there taken to their, often rat-infested, cell. A few more fortunate were treated rather better – some of the Tower’s charges were wealthy men and women who were give more spacious apartments and allowed to fit them out with their own belongings (sometimes even their own servants). It was said of Walter Ralegh – a frequent resident – that he was “lodged and attended as well in the Tower as in his own house”.

Elizabeth I and her mother, Anne Boleyn, were both imprisoned here, Elizabeth before being reprieved and taking the throne, Anne before having her head chopped off. And Anne Boleyn was only one of the countless unfortunates who lost their lives here in public view on or near Tower Hill – other celebrated executees included Anthony Babington (for plotting to assassinate Elizabeth I) and Thomas More (for refusing to acknowledge King Henry VIII as head of the church, at the start of the Reformation). And of course there were the two famous "princes in the Tower", sons to Edward IV, whose suspicious deaths were rather less public…

A few prisoners managed to escape, of course; but the fate for those who didn’t was grisly. Some of these poor wretches may be among the many ghosts said to walk the Tower to this day…

Open to all

Not long after the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, following the Civil War, the newly created Crown Jewels went on display to the public here, and the Tower became a tourist attraction.

Visitors could pay a modest admission fee that would allow them in to see the jewels, the animals, the collection of suits of armour and much more. It has been open to the public ever since.