Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
The Tower of London: History and legend

The Tower of London: History and legend

Description of the history and traditions of the Tower of London.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    Hieroglyphics weren't the only form of ancient Egyptian writing—just the first.
    Media Editors: Meg Matthias , Lauren Sims
    Why Ancient Egyptian Writing Is More Than Just Hieroglyphics
    Stone with Egyptian hieroglyphs and a pottery shard with Greek script, linked by a blue arrow; faint pyramids in the background.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    English and Czech and Swahili, oh my!
    Media Editor: Lauren Sims
    Why We All Use the Latin Alphabet
    The letters A, B, and C appear in white lettering on a green chalkboard background superimposed with a world map.
  • Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
    Media Editor: Lauren Sims
    How to Pronounce Rio de Janeiro
    White text on a textured blue background reading Rio de Janeiro.
  • © UK Parliament Education Service (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
    Learn about the voting process and different types of elections in the United Kingdom.
    Know about different types of elections and understand the electoral process in the United Kingdom
    Know about different types of elections and understand the electoral process in the United Kingdom
  • Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © David Clarke/Dreamstime.com
    Take a video tour of London.
    Explore London city's famous and historical landmarks, neighborhood, markets, shopping at Bates, St. Paul's Cathedral, Notting Hill, and Tower Bridge
    Explore London city's famous and historical landmarks, neighborhood, markets, shopping at Bates, St. Paul's Cathedral, Notting Hill, and Tower Bridge
  • Contunico © ZDF Studios GmbH, Mainz; Thumbnail © Freesurf69/Dreamstime.com
    Discussion of castles along the Rhine River, with a look at their upkeep.
    Maintaining a historical castle
    Maintaining a historical castle
  • © UK Parliament Education Service (A Britannica Publishing Partner)
    Exploring the three branches of the U.K. Parliament—the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the monarch—and how a bill becomes law.
    Learn about the structure of the U.K. Parliament - the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the monarch
    Learn about the structure of the U.K. Parliament - the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the monarch
Related Articles: Tower of London , yeoman warder

News •

Donnie Dunagan, Original Voice of Bambi, Dies at 92 • Nov. 9, 2026, 9:22 AM ET (The Hollywood Reporter)

Transcript

The Tower was originally a castle and royal residence. Its origins go back to William the Conqueror, who sought to control traffic on the Thames. The fortifications have also served as an armory and home to the Crown Jewels. Ravens with clipped wings are kept on the Tower grounds by the yeoman ravenmaster. A legend from the time of King Charles II, who reigned until 1685, states that, should the ravens leave the Tower, England would fall.
Last Modification: