Detailed History of Tower of London | Timeline, Events, & More

William the Conqueror: 1070s

1070s

What is the starting point of the historical journey of Tower of London?

William the Conqueror invaded England and proclaimed himself King. However, he was nervous about rebellion, pushing him to build a castle that protected him and caused fear in his enemies’ minds. He began building his castle in the 1070s, employing masons from Normandy. William Rufus, William the Conqueror’s son, expanded the Tower, building a curtain wall and adding a moat three decades later.

Elation and Despair: 12th Century

The 12th century was a time of change and unrest in England. Written neatly in history, events in the Tower of London reflected it, as it saw elation and despair in equal measure. It saw the imprisonment of King Stephen and the coronation of Henry II. In 1141, King Stephen was imprisoned by his rival, Empress Matilda. He was held in the White Tower for several months before being released. Later, in 1154, Henry II was crowned King at the Tower of London. A strong and effective ruler, he made the Tower of London his seat of power.

Expansion and Utility: 13th Century

As years passed by, the Tower of London became an experimental ground. From a royal palace to a prison, it served several purposes in the 13th century. The castle was expanded and fortified as a palace but saw many executions, including those of William Wallace and Simon de Montfort. King John was imprisoned in the Tower after losing to the French at the Battle of Lincoln in 1216. John died in the Tower in 1216, and his young son, Henry III, was crowned King. Henry III ruled for over 50 years, and the Tower later became a prison.

Royal Deaths: 14 Century

As history progressed, King Edward II was deposed and imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1327. He was later murdered, and his body was buried in an unmarked grave. Decades later, in 1381, the Peasants' Revolt reached London. The rebels stormed the Tower, capturing the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chancellor before executing them on Tower Hill. This was after the time of King Edward III, who was crowned in the Tower and died in it due to the Black Death.

War Reaches the Tower of London: 15th Century

The Tower of London was central in the Wars of the Roses, a Civil War in England. In 1461, King Henry VI was captured by the Yorkists, imprisoned in the Tower, and later murdered there. Thereafter, Richard III became King after the death of his nephews, Edward V and Richard, Duke of York. It is believed Richard III murdered his nephews in the castle. Years later, Henry VII defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field and became King, kickstarting a new era in English history.

The Transformation: 1600s - Present

The Tower of London’s fate remained uncertain until London became peaceful again. Deaths, imprisonment, and torture were actively carried out within the Tower, but it found use as a royal menagerie between 1660 and 1688. A century later, the Royal Mint moved to a new building and left the Tower of London as a centre of history and heritage. The Tower of London became a symbol of London’s rich but equally dark history, attracting millions of visitors. As a result, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the 20th century.