Tower Bridge and the Tower of London

Ahhh a most beautiful sight wouldn't you agree?  THIS is Tower Bridge, not to be confused with London Bridge.

This beauty was built in 1886 to 1894, she crosses the River Thames near the Tower of London.  You can cross by car and foot.  There is now even a tour you can take explaining many aspects of her construction.  A bridge committee was formed in 1877 and over 50 designs were submitted.  Since traffic was becoming a concern and the London Bridge had a hard time handling the influx of residents a new bridge was in order.  But it couldn't be just any bridge, one with accessibility for tall masted ships needing to reach the port in London between the "old" bridge and the Tower of London.

432 construction workers were employed to build the bridge.  The bridge was officially opened by The Prince of Wales (who was the future King Edward VII) on June 30, 1894.

This shot was taken from the Hop On Bus.

The Tower of London 

Quite the fortress.

On the North bank of the River Thames in Central London was built a luxury palace for William the Conqueror.  But it's history also shows us that more devious things went on here.  We may think of it only as a prison (from 1100 to 1952)  holding area complete with trials and beheading.  Towards the end of 1078 this majestic compound was founded.  A grand palace in its early days, became a much resented symbol of oppression by the country's ruling elite.  Truly though for all of what we think of as it's bloody history, only seven people were actually executed here before the 20th century World Wars. More executions - namely 112 of them over a 400 year period were more commonly held north of the castle on Tower Hill. 

Monarchs would spend the night here before proceeding to Westminster Abby for their coronation.  During the reign of King John around 1200 animals were kept here as a symbol of power and as entertainment for the royal court, the inhabitants included  Elephants, Tigers, Kangaroos, and Monkeys.  Oh and Ravens, let us not forget the Ravens.  History goes that the Ravens originally protected the Crown and the Tower, and that if at any point they fly away the monarchy will dissolve.  Really?  So for superstition sake the current Raven population (about 7) have their wings clipped.

Actual bed chamber.  As posh as it looks I'm certain the bed was uncomfortable at best, and it was cold and dark in the winter and hot as......in the summer months.

                                                                                                     
Creepy stairs


                                      

    Chapel

                                                                             Model of the layout.

Annnnnd now for the creepy dirty stuff you wanted to know.  Did I feel a presence while inside?  Yes, the presence of a few hundred people all jockeying for a position to take photos.  Although I didn't feel any souls following me it was to say the least a very creepy site.

This is the Traitor's Gate - during the Tudor rule (you were wondering when Henry's name was going to come up weren't you) prisoners came to the Tower on a barge down the Thames going under London Bridge.  When people were executed they would display the heads on spikes on London Bridge.  Intimidated much?  Unfortunate Queen Anne Boleyn came to the tower thru this gate.  Bet she wasn't feeling the love was she?

This is the Bloody Tower, which was originally named the Garden Tower as it overlooked the beauty outside on the parade grounds of the royal residence.  But this tower became infamous because of the mysterious murder of the two young Princes being Edward V and his brother Richard the Duke of York. It doesn't matter who did the dastardly deed the fact remains that the boys were killed in this tower where they were being held on "order of protection" by their Uncle.  Yeah right, we know how this story ended because of rivalry for the crown.  Growing up I always wanted to be a Queen. Oh just picture it now, the dresses, the china, the crystal, the parties.  Things girls aspire have and be.  But then I started reading, reading A LOT about the monarchy, the succession, and I came to realize that literally everyone wanted to kill you so they could sit on the throne. 

                                                    

Didn't totally change my mind about it though.  I sit on my own throne in my own kingdom as Queen of my family.  Nobody and I mean NOBODY will ever usurp Queen Beth.

The wife of Henry VIII for only 3 years, Queen Anne Boleyn was beheaded in the Tower of London for treason.  Her remains were lovingly prepared by her ladies in waiting and buried in the floor in front of the High Alter within the Chapel of St Peter’s ad Vincula adjacent to the site of execution.

A memorial sculpture pictured at right is situated directly on the spot of her execution.   This was placed here in September 2006 noting the 10 persons including Queens, Nobles and a couple Scottish Soldiers who were executed here.


And let us not forget the Crown Jewels.  Yes the Tower of London holds some of the most beautiful of crowns, swords, scepters, rings, also known as Regalia, there are even bracelets and robes.  Many of these items are used even in present day. Since the early 14th Century the jewels have been housed here when Westminster Abby was found to be unsafe.

View of Tower Bridge from London Bridge

On a side note, directly outside the walls is of course a shopping area with food and souvenirs.  Also rest room facilities. Now in London you have to pay to potty, it's like .50 but still c'mon.

Inside I couldn't help but think.....oh look just like a cruise ship everyone has their own port hole.