The Tower of London's Most Gruesome Execution Methods

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In the aftermath of the Norman Conquest, as London's mist-shrouded skyline bore witness to a new era of English history, William the Conqueror made a decision that would forever alter the landscape of British power. In 1078, he commissioned the construction of what would become one of history's most formidable fortresses: the Tower of London. Standing proudly on the northern bank of the Thames River, this architectural marvel was strategically positioned to both defend the city and serve as a stark reminder of Norman authority over the newly conquered Anglo-Saxon population. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle recorded the local population's reaction: "In this year (1078) the king built the great tower at London, and many shires which owed works of service were greatly oppressed in the making of the castle." The White Tower, the fortress's central keep, rose from the ground like a testament to Norman engineering prowess. Its walls, reaching heights of 90 feet and measuring up to 15 feet thick at their base, were constructed from Kentish rag-stone and reinforced with Caen stone imported from William's native Normandy. The distinctive Norman architectural style, with its rounded arches and robust cylindrical pillars, created an imposing silhouette that dominated London's medieval skyline. The tower's dimensions were impressive for its time: 118 feet by 105 feet at the base, making it the largest building of its kind in Christian Europe. Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester, known as "the Builder Bishop," supervised the construction and incorporated innovative features like the forebuilding - a defended entrance reached by wooden stairs that could be destroyed in times of siege. The chapel of St. John, within the White Tower, remains one of the finest examples of Norman ecclesiastical architecture in England. The original structure underwent significant expansion under subsequent monarchs, each adding their own architectural flourishes and defensive improvements. Richard the Lionheart, during his brief stays between crusades, initiated the construction of the moat in 1190. His brother, King John, further strengthened the fortress's defenses. However, it was Henry III who truly transformed the Tower during his reign. He ordered the addition of the Wakefield and Lanthorn towers, creating comfortable royal accommodations decorated with elaborate paintings and colorful tapestries. According to royal records from 1236, Henry III ordered the walls of the Queen's Chamber to be painted with roses and lined with "winter and summer" branches. The royal menagerie, established in 1235, housed exotic animals including a polar bear gifted by the King of Norway in 1252; the bear was regularly taken to the Thames on a long chain to fish for its dinner, much to the amazement of Londoners. 00:00 Journey Through Nine Centuries of History 10:31 The Chilling Role of Executioners at the Tower 22:49 The Tower’s Most Dramatic Executions Through History 30:30 The Tower’s Ghostly Residents and Unresting Souls