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The Tower of London...to torture, or not to torture
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In central London, on the north bank of the River Thames, lies a fortress that has served as one of England’s greatest assets in detouring treachery, resistance, and conflict through the Medieval age. Bearing witness to a thousand years of peace, chaos, and war, Her Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, has served as a nightmarish gargoyle overlooking all of Europe. Its mere presence threatens all who dare cross the Royal Crown. And just like the no-nonsense Yeomen who devoutly guard her walls, the ominous structure warrants no clever moniker, instead, is bluntly known as...The Tower of London.
The first prisoner and the first escapee of the Tower was Ranulf Flambard, who, in 1100, was found guilty of extortion, but managed to escape by repelling from a tower window. This was certainly not the growing trend. Since that time the fortress has held countless “guests”, none of which managed such an easy escape. These prisoners range from lower-class conspirators to the most notorious of traitors, from foreign diplomats who erroneously offended the royal court, to kings and queens of not just rival nations, but even England’s own. Some of the more notable prisoners include Thomas More, Queen Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, a young Elizabeth I before she was queen herself, and the rebellious Scotsman, William Wallace. Even an American, Henry Laurens, temporarily bared witness to the Tower’s horrid conditions in 1780.
The Tower is fully staffed with thirty-five Yeomen Warders, otherwise known as Beefeaters, who protect the gates, guard the Crown Jewels held within, and dutifully guide the tours. A mainstay of the fortress, the Yeomen are not the only residents of the Towers...for also gracing the grounds since the reign of King Charles II (1630-1685), is a murder of flightless ravens who have been shackled to the Tower, adding to the intimidating aura. Legend has it that King Charles II was warned that should the ravens leave the tower, the monarchy would fall, and he bowed to the warning, ordering a population always remain, making the ravens the longest running prisoners.
The Tower tour begins when you meet a soldier dressed in Tudor garb. This is one of thirty-five staffed Yeomen Warders, more familiarly known as the Beefeaters. They will serve as your guide and historian throughout the tour. With his unequivocal British brand of humor, the guiding Yeoman will begin with an introduction into the Tower's history, following with an interrogating question and answer session, testing his audience's knowledge of British history before beginning the tour. Pronounce something with a French pronunciation and he will immediately correct you with, "While in England, we pronounce our words in English." And also, referring to the Battle of Agincourt (in which the English routed the French), "If the English won the war, then it is pronounced in English." On the tour you will visit the cell of Thomas More, King Henry VIII’s chief minister, where you can learn of More’s downfall and his eventual death. You will be able to view the Crown Jewels housed there. It is said that lower-class offenders were usually designated to the gallows in a public hanging, while the more infamous prisoners were "respectfully" beheaded on Tower Hill in front of a limited crowd. Of those executed at the Tower a half-dozen or so are still buried within the Tower's walls, including William Hastings, Anne and Jane Boleyn, and Catherine Howard, among others. Also on display are the Green and White Towers where some of the most famous prisoners were held, and the Traitor’s Gate, where many unfortunate prisoners entered the Tower of London never to see freedom again. The most memorable experience will most likely come within the Torture Room, where you will be exposed to the well-thought, horribly-intentioned instruments like the Rack, the Vice, the Manacles, and the Scavenger’s Daughter. It is here that you can still hear the echoes of the ropes tightening, the metal twisting, the bones shattering, and the truth finally revealed...whether true or not. And when the Beefeater informs you of the rumor of the Tower being one of the most haunted places in all of England...you believe him. At last, a scene displaying the pomp of English regality, is the “Ceremony of the Keys”, which takes place every night at the Tower and is certainly worth staying to view.
Tours are based on time and price and for information regarding such, visit: http://www.hrp.org.uk/toweroflondon/. Tickets generally range around seventeen pounds for adults, with discounts available for students and the elderly, and also lower rates for group and family packages.
Though the last prisoner executed was German spy, Joseph Jakobs, in 1941, the Tower of London still serves as an intimidating heirloom to England’s uncompromising power through the ages, and certainly warrants visiting while in London. The ticket prices won't shackle you, and the experience is anything but torture. It is a must see while in London.
For more articles by Christian White, visit: http://www.examiner.com/x-18603-New-Orleans-Offbeat-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d29-Stumbling-Upon-ParadiseBarbados, http://www.examiner.com/x-18603-New-Orleans-Offbeat-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d8-All-hail, http://www.examiner.com/x-18603-New-Orleans-Offbeat-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d10-The-Statue-of-LibertyA-beacon-for-the-world, http://www.examiner.com/x-18603-New-Orleans-Offbeat-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d25-Nature-in-a-cement-world--Central-Park, http://www.examiner.com/x-18603-New-Orleans-Offbeat-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d3-Running-the-roads--New-York-City-travel-and-transportation.
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