Mind Your Head

Last Friday (3 October), for my British Life and Culture class we went to the Tower of London. It was overcast, windy, and frequently drizzled, perfect weather or hearing about beheading, betrayal, and imprisonment. The Tower of London sits on the River Thames adjacent to Tower Bridge. It is quite an impressive sight to see. Once inside we were given a quick tour of the grounds and then left to wander.

First we saw the ravens. Legend has it that if they (6 ravens) ever leave the Tower, a great tragedy will fall upon the Land and/or the Crown. There are 9 ravens who currently inhabit the Tower and there wings are clipped. I think that may be cheating a bit. We walked around the White Tower, the first and biggest, to the site of the beheading. Only those of high royal status were executed in the Tower, the others were executed outside on Tower Hill or on the other side of town at Marble Arch (now a popular shopping district).

Once our tour guide left us we first went to see the Crown Jewels as it was beginning to sprinkle. I was not as impressed as I would have thought. For the big ticket items, you stand on a conveyor belt as it goes past the jewels sitting in a case. Next we went into the White Tower. There is stored the Small Armoury. There are examples of armour, artillery, and war technology throughout the existence of the Tower, which goes back to the 11th Century and Norman the Conqueror.

We also went into the Beauchamp Tower. Prisoners were held here before their execution. Many carved inscriptions of inspiration, family crests, and names into the wall. It was very moving. Part of the horror is that the room looks out onto the place of execution.

As we were about to leave a few of us joined a tour group led by a Yeoman Warder, commonly known as a Beefeater. He told some fun stories and led the group into and Norman chapel where Anne Boleyn and other prominent prisoners are buried.

History came alive today. This is the same place where Henry VIII ruled from. The lives of many famous names ended here. It is hard for me to imagine all the stories in history to be true, but here is where it happened, right in front of me.

Until we meet again,

-Maggie the traveler