The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror to protect and control the city of London. When it was first built it lay within the old Roman City Walls. In the 13th century it was enlarged beyond those walls. Including the moat, it now covers 18 acres.
	The White Tower is the only remaining Norman building. Since successive monarchs have modified it and added to it, most of the architectural styles popular over the centuries can be found within The Tower's walls.
	The Tower has been used as fortress, a palace, and a prison. It has housed the Royal Mint, the Public Records, and the Royal Observatory. And from the 13th century until 1834 it housed the Royal Menagerie.
	For centuries it was the arsenal for arms and armor. And, since it is one of the strongest fortresses in England, it has guarded and continues to guard the crown jewels.
	The Tower was occupied as a palace by all the Kings and Queens down to James I.
	It was customary for each monarch to lodge in the Tower before his coronation and to ride in procession to Westminster through the city of London from the Tower.
	John Stow wrote during the reign of Elizabeth I, The Tower of London was "...a citadel to defend or command the city, a royal palace for assemblies or treaties, a prison of state for the most dangerous offenders; the only place of coinage for all England...The armory for warlike provision; the treasury of the ornaments and jewels of the crown; and general conserver of the most records of the queen's courts of justice".
	In fact the Tower was no longer used as a royal residence, except before coronations, when Stow wrote those words. The Tudors had changed all that.
	More history of the Tower on these pages:   Tower Menu Tower Hill Tower Green Queen's House Tudors Prison     Main Menu E Mail