Tower of London architecture: From Norman roots to Victorian restorations

Founded the Tower towards the end of 1066 and commissioned the construction of the White Tower in 1078, establishing the castle's Norman core as a symbol of his power.

Entrusted by William the Conqueror to oversee the construction of the White Tower, bringing his expertise in building in stone, a hallmark of early Norman architecture.

During his reign, the castle's size was effectively doubled with the digging of a moat to the west of the innermost ward, a significant expansion of its defensive structure.

Undertook substantial expansions in the 13th century, creating the inner ward's east and north walls and adding numerous towers, significantly shaping the Tower's layout.

Further extended the Tower, creating the outer ward and a new defensive perimeter, including Legge's Mount and a new moat, solidifying its late medieval form.

Led a significant restoration effort in the 19th century, aiming to return the Tower to its perceived medieval appearance by removing post-medieval structures.

Succeeded Salvin in the restoration work, continuing the focus on reinstating medieval architectural elements, sometimes through the removal of later additions.

Dominating the Tower complex, the White Tower is a prime example of early Norman keep design. It has a rectangular structure, with flat buttresses and projecting square towers at the western corners. Originally three stories high with an elevated entrance, it was later modified to add enlarged windows and a top floor. Kentish ragstone with Caen stone detailing (later replaced) was used.

The concentric rings of defensive walls, added in the 12th and 13th centuries, showcase medieval military architecture. The inner ward's curtain wall, punctuated by thirteen towers like the Bell, Beauchamp, and Bloody Towers, provided strategic vantage points for defense. Edward I's outer wall further strengthened the castle, featuring bastions such as Legge's Mount with its rare surviving medieval battlements.

Built by Edward I, St. Thomas's Tower served as a significant water-gate, providing river access to the castle. Its unique design, with arrowslits facing the water and a portcullis, highlights its defensive purpose. The luxurious lodgings on the first floor indicate its secondary role as a royal residence. Its stone construction and strategic positioning on the Thames underscore its importance as an entry and defense point.

Originally dug by William Longchamp and later enhanced by Edward I, the moat surrounding the Tower served as a defensive barrier. Its significant width and depth (originally deeper in the middle) would have presented a formidable obstacle to attackers. While partially filled in over time, the remaining moat still provides a visual reminder of the Tower's defensive planning and its relationship with the surrounding landscape.

Inside, the original three-story layout reveals the functional design of a Norman keep. It is divided into three chambers per floor, the largest in the west, with latrines and fireplaces indicating its residential purpose. The round tower housing the spiral staircase and the semi-circular apse of St John's Chapel are notable architectural features. While the basement's interior largely dates to the 18th century, St John's Chapel retains a stark simplicity of its Norman origins.

Located within the White Tower, St John's Chapel is a significant example of early Norman ecclesiastical architecture. Its rounded apse, plain stone walls, and barrel-vaulted ceiling evoke a sense of grandeur. Despite later decorations, its current unadorned state echoes its original Norman design, a contrast to the more ornate chapels built in subsequent periods. Its integration within the keep highlights the importance of religious space even within a military stronghold.

While largely removed in the 17th century, historical accounts of the royal lodgings within the innermost ward reveal their evolution into a palatial residence. Renovated and elaborated during Henry III's reign, these chambers, including the queen's whitewashed chamber painted with decorative elements and a great hall, demonstrate the Tower's dual role as fortress and royal dwelling. The construction of Wakefield and Lanthorn Towers as private residences further underscores this shift towards greater comfort.

Constructed in the castellated Gothic Revival style with Tudor details in the 19th century, the Waterloo Block currently houses the Crown Jewels. Its architectural style reflects the Victorian interest in medieval aesthetics, with battlements and detailing intended to harmonize with the Tower's architecture. This purpose-built structure showcases how later architectural movements adapted historical styles to new functions within the Tower complex.