The Tower of London is one of the world’s greatest medieval castles, famous for massive fortifications and bloody executions, but the Tower was also a luxurious medieval palace, reaching its full glory in the 13th century under two famous builder kings: Henry III and Edward I.
Its full name today is His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress, the Tower of London - it is still an official royal residence, harking back to when medieval kings called it home.
Dan Snow has special access behind heavy closed doors as the Tower puts its medieval palace on display - from magnificently decorated royal bedrooms to gambling pieces, and a tiny toy knight that a prince or princess may have played with. Curator Charles Farris reveals the secrets of royal life inside these walls.
As well as building the palace, Henry III and Edward I extended the Tower’s defences, supersizing it to create a major symbol of royal power, dominating London. With Tower archaeologist Alfred Hawkins, Dan explores the unique original portcullis that was built into the Byward Tower as it was constructed 750 years ago, and investigates beautiful medieval wall paintings, designed to warn potential fraudsters of the risks of cheating the royal mint.
This is revealing and intimate insight into the life and power of the medieval Tower of London.
_______
To find out more about the Tower’s medieval palace, visit: https://www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london/history-and-stories/the-medieval-palace
Up Next in Medieval
-
Who Killed the Princes in the Tower?
In 1483, the twelve-year-old King Edward V and his younger brother were put in the Tower of London by their uncle, Richard, the Duke of Gloucester. Weeks later, Richard pronounced himself King. The boys were never seen again.
For more than 500 years it has been assumed that Richard III killed hi...
-
The Great Crusader Siege: Kerak
Dan Snow explores Kerak Castle, the massive 750 year-old fortress of the crusader era. Built as the eastern stronghold of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, this is the powerful reality of the “Kingdom of Heaven”, expanding the control of the Frankish crusader states across the River Jordan and even chal...
-
The Greatest Knight
Documentary about the adventures, life and times of William Marshal - an eminent English knight who fought in battles across Europe and survived court intrigue and exile.
7 Comments