Surely Kenneth Grahame had the Tower in mind when he wrote that passage of WitW.
The name "The Tower of London" is more than a little misleading. The Tower was the original castle built just to the east of the city of London on the Thames.
There are, in fact, a number of towers within the complex. The White Tower is the name of the original castle with four turrets, three of which you can see in this picture. In addition to the White Tower, we saw Martin Tower, Beauchamp Tower, the Bloody Tower, etc.
We arrived before the Tower opened and made our way down to the Thames.
The Tower Bridge is impressive and quite nearby.
From the Thames you can also see a great deal of new construction, much of which I suspect is associated with the 2012 Olympics, which London is hosting. In this shot you can see 3 cranes. From the living room windows of our apartments you can see no fewer than 8.
This "attractive" building is London's City Hall. Really?
Strolling back to the Tower complex, Jordan took this great shot of a young man mowing the moat. The Yeoman Warder who guided our tour explained the Duke of Wellington had the moat drained in 1845 and filled in because it had become the largest stagnant cesspool in London.
The twinkies anxiously await the opening of the Tower.
The ceremony that marks the opening of the Tower each morning.
The White Tower
No Laughing Matter.
That is a submachine gun that the guard is holding. He was standing guard outside the Jewel House. We did have a little incident when Robert and Carl asked to try on a couple of the princesses tiaras. Fortunately, no one was harmed.
The Kings and Queens of England maintained a menagerie of exotic animals. The animals were eventually donated to the City of London and became the basis for the London Zoo.
The current menagerie, part of which is pictured here, is made from chicken wire.
The current menagerie, part of which is pictured here, is made from chicken wire.
As you can see from this and previous pictures, the Tower has a multitude of architectural styles and building materials.
Another picture of the White Tower. This four-story castle has four turrets, three are rectangular and one is round. The round turret housed on observatory.
A view of the top of the Tower Bridge from the precincts of the Tower.
This implement of war was a crossbow. The wheels were used to draw back the string on the bow you see mounted at the front.
The Bell Tower
The King's Council Chamber
The place at which the Gunpowder Revolution led by Guy Fawkes was adjudicated.
Traitor's Gate
The river entrance to the Tower.
Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula
Three wives of Henry VIII are buried in the chapel. During our tour, an incredible pink and white arrangement stood at the front of the chapel in honor the death of Anne Boleyn 475 years ago.
The Bloody Tower
The Apartments Henry built for Anne Boleyn. She never got the opportunity to live there. He had her beheaded before they were complete.
The towers at the entrance of the Jewel House
One of the famous ravens of the Tower. Traditional lore holds that if the ravens ever leave, the Tower will crumble. To prevent this circumstance, they have six ravens caged on the Tower grounds.
Jordan with the Yeoman Warder who conducted our tour of the Tower
Loved this hat as well as the hats of the lads standing guard. Checked the gift shop, but neither was available for purchase. Must say, after the recent wedding and touring London, the British do headgear well. Will check Harrod's later in the week.
Headed for a tour of the White Tower.
The walls of the White Tower are 15 feet thick at the base and 11 feet thick at the top. This is a shot on the third story of the four story castle.
The munchkins in red at the feet of this costumed character are school children. He was explaining the intricacies of armor and having quite a difficult time showing the many ways that the visor of the suit of armor could be opened.
The chapel in the White Tower was one of my favorite spaces in the entire complex.
Although we couldn't find any suitable headgear at any of the many gift shops, Carl and I were able to find matching suits of armor for purchase. We look forward to wearing them to the next faculty function. Fortunately, Robert will be able to borrow Carl's suit of armor for important functions on his social calendar.
This dragon's head is a tail piece for a horse's suit of armor. It was affixed so that the horses tail passed through the mouth of the dragon, making it look like he was streaming fire from his mouth. Want one!
This amazing dragon is assembled completely from weapons and armor. He stands on gunpowder kegs. His toes are revolvers. The spines of his wings are rifles.
One of two chopping blocks on display in the White Tower.
Cannonballs!
An oubliette. Had only read about them. First time to see one.
Robert and Jordan prepared to defend the Tower. I would try to think of something snarky to say about this picture, but I really don't think there is any need. This picture is worth a thousand words.
Contrast the architecture from the 11th century to the 20th century.
What a difference nine centuries makes. Guess which of these buildings is called "The Egg."
Doesn't look like an egg to anyone in our party.
The Changing of the Guard
Evidently, they are guarding the apartments of the Yeoman Warders, who live with their families in these apartments on the Tower grounds.
Again, love the hats!
matching suits of armor -- LOL
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