The Tower of The Tower of LondonLondonJana PokornáJana Pokorná

History of the TowerHistory of the Tower

Its history goes back to the 11th Its history goes back to the 11th century –century – it is more than 950 it is more than 950 years old.years old.

King William the Conqueror King William the Conqueror ordered ordered the construction the construction of this fortress to protect of this fortress to protect London.London.

It was a castle, a royal palace, It was a castle, a royal palace, a a pprison, a mint, a zoo and rison, a mint, a zoo and a museum.a museum.

The White Tower was the tallest The White Tower was the tallest building in London when building in London when finished in 1097, it´s 27 meters finished in 1097, it´s 27 meters tall and it´s also the oldest tall and it´s also the oldest buildingbuilding..

Famous PrisonersFamous Prisoners The kings and queens put their The kings and queens put their

enemies there, some of them enemies there, some of them died – they were executed.died – they were executed.

Among the prisoners were two Among the prisoners were two wives wives of King Henry VIII, of King Henry VIII, two little Princes two little Princes or Sir or Sir Walter Raleigh (it is said that Walter Raleigh (it is said that headless Sir Walter Raleigh visits headless Sir Walter Raleigh visits the Tower as a ghost).the Tower as a ghost).

Two little Princes were the sons Two little Princes were the sons of King Edward IV. When their of King Edward IV. When their father died, their uncle Richard father died, their uncle Richard arrested them in the Tower. They arrested them in the Tower. They disappeared and nobody knows disappeared and nobody knows where. It is said that King where. It is said that King Richard killed them.Richard killed them.

For the last time it served as a For the last time it served as a prison during the World War II.prison during the World War II.

The Jewel HouseThe Jewel House In the Jewel House we can see In the Jewel House we can see

the Crown Jewels. the Crown Jewels. The exhibition includes the The exhibition includes the

crowns, scepters, orbs, swords crowns, scepters, orbs, swords and other jewellery used by and other jewellery used by British kings and queens.British kings and queens.

They are very valuable, in fact They are very valuable, in fact priceless.priceless.

We can see here the largest cut We can see here the largest cut diamond in the world – the First diamond in the world – the First Star of Africa.Star of Africa.

In 1671, Colonel Thomas Blood In 1671, Colonel Thomas Blood tried to steal the jewels, but the tried to steal the jewels, but the guards caught him.guards caught him.

Today, the Crown Jewels are Today, the Crown Jewels are secured and it is almost secured and it is almost impossible to steal them.impossible to steal them.

The BeefeatersThe Beefeaters

Inside the walls of the Inside the walls of the Tower we can meet Tower we can meet men in historical men in historical uniforms – they are the uniforms – they are the Yeoman Warders, Yeoman Warders, sometimes called „the sometimes called „the Beefeaters“. Beefeaters“.

Originally they Originally they guarded the prisoners.guarded the prisoners.

Today they live in the Today they live in the Tower and they also Tower and they also guide tourists.guide tourists.

The RavensThe Ravens

When we wander When we wander around the Tower, we around the Tower, we can see black birds on can see black birds on the grass. These are the the grass. These are the famous ravens. famous ravens.

The legend says that The legend says that London and the London and the kingdom will fall when kingdom will fall when the ravens leave the the ravens leave the Tower.Tower.

The ravens are allowed The ravens are allowed to stay in the Tower and to stay in the Tower and their wings are clipped their wings are clipped so they can´t fly away.so they can´t fly away.

Plan your visitPlan your visit

The Tower is one of The Tower is one of the most popular the most popular tourist attractions in tourist attractions in London.London.

It is located near the It is located near the River Thames.River Thames.

Up to 3 million Up to 3 million visitors come to the visitors come to the Tower every year.Tower every year.

You will be next – You will be next – so….. so….. ENJOY YOUR ENJOY YOUR VISIT !!!VISIT !!!

Kociánová, Z., Kocián, P.: Kociánová, Z., Kocián, P.: New New English English

for You 4 – učebnice AJ pro 7. for You 4 – učebnice AJ pro 7. ročník ZŠročník ZŠ. Praha, Educi 2004.. Praha, Educi 2004.

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