Having loomed over the landscape of Britain’s capital city for a thousand years, the Tower of London is as imposing now as it was in the Middle Ages. Indeed, the Tower’s history is deeply tied to the history of Britain; in times of both war and peace, it has stood as a mirror image of both the best and worst of English power and authority.

Despite its place as a central symbol of British culture, the Tower of London’s actual history stretches back to the Norman government of William the Conqueror. After successfully defeating Harold II at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, William’s troops began their occupation of Britain in earnest; after taking London, one of William’s first projects was to build massive structures around the city in the Norman style.

To continue reading, please visit Annesley Abercorn's London travel blog!