The Tower of London (Part 1) - The Fortress

Discover the fascination of the Tower, officially His Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, a prominent historical fortress residing proudly on the northern banks of the River Thames. Founded in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066, this castle stands as the ultimate symbol of London’s heritage. 

Join me as we delve into the extraordinary tale of a fortress born from conquest, a journey through the tapestry of almost a millennium of tales and secrets intricately woven within the very stones of the Tower.

The Foundation of the Tower - William the Conqueror

In the wake of his triumphant victory at the famous Battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066, William, Duke of Normandy, known to history as William the Conqueror, was driven to solidify his dominion by fortifying pivotal positions within the realm. As the largest city in England at the time of the conquest, London held paramount significance for him. Its status as the centre of governance was etched by the establishment of Westminster Abbey and the old Palace of Westminster under the reign of Edward the Confessor. Moreover, the city boasted a thriving port, making it imperative for the Normans to promptly assert their authority over this vital hub.

Taking a circuitous route towards London, William charted his path with the founding of multiple castles along the way.

In his quest to secure the capital, an obstinate challenge arose - a fortified bridge that served as the sole entry point to the city, defended by steadfast Saxon troops. Undaunted, William opted to first lay siege to Southwark, before resuming his journey across the expanse of southern England. His ingenious tactic involved targeting key supply routes to the city, a strategy that proved to be staggeringly effective. By December 1066, isolated and intimidated, the leaders of London capitulated without a fight.

Construction of the tower began in 1075 by William and upon his death in 1087, works were continued by his son William Rufus. Even from the beginning of its conception, it would have been an impregnable structure, and such an impressive sight it was on completion, that it is still famously called the Tower today. The foundation incorporated the southeastern corner of the ancient Roman town walls, ingeniously repurposing them as a prefabricated defensive network. With the majestic River Thames providing an additional bulwark from the southern front, it would have provided a formidable obstacle for invaders. The castle comprised a timber palisade encircled by a protective ditch - a design that was echoed in the building of numerous Norman castles throughout England.

The Tower’s Evolution: The reign of Richard I and King John 

There was very little change to the castle that was established by William and his son until the dynamic era of Richard the Lionheart in 1189. A fascinating account gleaned from the Pipe Rolls revealed that from an astounding £7,000 invested by Richard in fortifications across England, a staggering £2,881 was dedicated to enhancing the tower. While Richard embarked on the 3rd Crusade to the Holy Land, the reins of England’s government were handed to William Longchamp, entrusted with both the mantle of Lord Chancellor and the guardianship of the Tower.Under Longchamp’s supervision, the Tower’s expansion continued, all the while under the threat of war with Prince John, who had arrived in England attempting to seize power in Richard’s absence. The newly fortified ramparts faced their baptism by fire in October 1191 when it was besieged for the first time in its history. Yet, in just three days Longchamp’s resolve yielded to the pragmatic pull of surrender, leaving observers to wonder whether the ramparts he had meticulously reinforced would actually hold for a prolonged siege.

1199 saw the royal sceptre pass from Richard to John, unrest was inevitable as John, a cruel and vindictive king, proved to be extremely unpopular with his barons. In 1214, an imminent storm was brewing, and slowly significance of the Tower is being revealed. Seeing his opportunity while John was at Windsor Castle, an army led by the capable Robert Fitzwalter marched on London, preparing to lay siege to the Tower. Despite being largely under-garrisoned, these impressive stone walls resisted, the tide shifting only with the ink of a signature - when John put his name to the historic charter Magna Carta, an accord that quelled confrontation for the moment. 

Following the signing of Magna Carta, Fitzwalter had retained control of London, unsurprisingly it would not be long before John reneged on his promises, and we would once again see the Tower in the midst of political intrigue. The Tower’s guardians cast their lot with the Barons’ cause, and in 1216, the English throne was offered to Prince Louis, the eldest son of the French King. Even following John’s death in October 1216, the Tower and its inhabitants retained their defiant stance, standing resolute until the dominance of the young King Henry III’s supporters became obvious.

Transformations Unveiled - Henry III to Edward I

The reigns of both Henry III and Edward I ushered in a profound transformation in the Tower of London’s visage, shaping it into the iconic structure that graces the London skyline today.

Henry’s reign heralded a shift in the Tower’s purpose, as it changed into a haven of refuge for kings in trouble and a royal residence. In 1238 Henry’s retreat to the Tower was met with dismay at the fortress’s outdated defenses. In response, he decreed that the construction of a mighty fortified gateway be commenced. This was positioned north of the modern western entrance, a building that was completed in 1240.

Under his directive, the castle was encircled by a protective outer wall crowned with eight robust towers, thereby solidifying its resilience. It was at this time that the tradition of whitewashing the White Tower (from which it derives its name) began.

The tumultuous tide of Henry’s reign witnessed many conflicts during the Second Barons’ War in 1258, as discontented barons, led by the enigmatic Simon de Montfort, compelled him to acquiesce to reforms. Among these was the commitment to convene regular parliaments, as well as the relinquishing of the Tower. Henry was full of resentment at this loss of his regal authority and promptly sought permission from the pope to break his oath. Bolstered by mercenaries, Henry entrenched himself within the Tower’s walls while negotiations took place with the barons, although no army attempted to take it. Once again he was left with no choice but to agree to hand over control of the tower, only regaining it with the defeat over the rebels at Evesham in 1265. In the following years there was minor conflict as small pockets of those defeated rose in rebellion, but generally speaking, during these waning years of Henry’s rule this magnificent fortress found respite, basking in a relative calm.

Edward I, a seasoned architect of castle building honed by crusading experience, introduced innovation to his fortification endeavours. His legacy of castle building was cemented in the extensive projects undertaken during the process of his conquest of Wales, and this fact became obvious in his reshaping of the very landscape of the Tower of London.

He commenced by filling in the moat that had been excavated by his father, and constructing a fresh curtain wall along that line, completely redefining the enclosure. A new moat emerged in front of this curtain wall - a watery barrier meant to deter attackers, as well as thwart attempts to undermine the massive stone walls.

As for Henry’s gatehouse, the recently constructed Beauchamp Tower now replaced it, and a state-of-the-art entrance materialized, adorned with intricate defences including twin gatehouses and a barbican, crafting an awe-inspiring portal into the heart of the fortress.We see a picture emerging, by both the zeal of Henry’s yearning for fortified security and the insight of Edward’s visionary fortifications, that by this time, the Tower of London had become a significantly important asset to not only the realm, but to the very heart of the English monarchy.

The Scene of Rebellion - The Peasants Revolt of 1381

June of 1381 witnessed a tremendous upheaval in English history - the famous Peasants’ Revolt. Led by the indomitable Wat Tyler, a colossal peasant army surged into London with a resolute mission in mind. Their goal was the outright downfall of powerful figures like John of Gaunt, Archbishop Simon Sudbury and treasurer Robert Hales, together with other royal council members. The tempestuous mob spared no effort in its rampage, obliterating all symbols of authority in its path. Prisons were ransacked, detainees set free, any locations tied to the legal profession fell victim to the flames, as well as every parchment and book in sight. Amidst the frenzied procession, their prime targets emerged - the opulent Savoy Palace, John of Gaunt’s residence, and the Tower of London itself, the last bastion where King Richard II and his government, Sudbury and Hales included, sought refuge. 

For the young king, a mere 14 years old at the time, witnessing the ever-swelling hordes rage-fueled march westward along the Thames must have been chilling in the extreme. His only recourse was negotiation, a choice that led him to leave the Tower on the morning of June 14, flanked by a small retinue of bodyguards, to meet the rebels at Mile End in East London. Sudbury and Hales remained behind, within the Tower’s confines - was it for their own safety, or possibly Richard felt this tactical distance from his unpopular ministers would be more beneficial to his discussions with the rebels?

As Richard engaged with the rebels at Mile End, the Tower faced a reckoning. Part of the rebel force, about 400 strong, entered the gates unopposed, their path clear in anticipation of the king’s return. Guards, perhaps paralyzed by the sight of the furious throng, did not resist.

Upon gaining entrance, the hunt commenced, the horde unrelenting in the quest for their intended prey. Sudbury, attempting to seek refuge within St John’s Chapel, was met only with brutality, all hopes his attackers would respect the sanctuary of this holy place gone. Together with Hales, William Appleton, John of Gaunt’s physician, and John Legge, a royal sergeant, they were dragged to meet their grim fate - beheading upon Tower Hill.

Not even John of Gaunt’s son, Henry Bolingbroke, was spared the threat of the blades edge, it was only the intervention of John Ferrour, a royal guard, that thwarted his execution. The rebels demonstrated absolute precision in their targets, sparing both Richard’s mother Joan of Kent, and his sister Joan Holland, but for vicious and demeaning taunts. The Tower yielded its treasures of armour and regal emblems, looted in the aftermath. Richard did not return immediately to the tower after treating with the angry crowd. Instead, he sought refuge in his Blackfriars estate, where strategies were woven to fill the void left by Sudbury’s execution, and to reassert authority over the city.The Peasants Revolt, and the very real spectre of rebellion served as just another pivotal chapter in the gripping story of the iconic Tower of London, an enduring testament to its central role in the Medieval theatre of intrigue and power struggles. 

This tale, however, is merely the opening verse of a fascinating saga held within the walls of this formidable emblem of the English Monarchy. There are many stories waiting to be unveiled. Stay tuned for the next chapter, bringing with it the promise of even greater wonders.

In the meantime, if your intrigue mirrors my own, then brace yourself for a journey into the heart of history. Trust me, this is an experience not to be missed. If you would like to read more you can subscribe here

Max

Tower of London photos © Plantagenet Discoveries, Illumination Creative Commons/Public Domain