Publisher Description

The Tower of London is an icon of England's history. William the Conqueror built the White Tower after his invasion and conquest in 1066 to dominate London, and it has become infamous as a place of torture, execution and murder.The deaths of royals attracted most attention: the murder of the Princes in the Tower, the beheading of Henry VIII's wives Anne Boleyn and Katherine Howard, and Lady Jane Grey, Henry's great-niece, and queen for just nine days. Few prisoners recorded their experiences, but John Gerard, a Catholic priest imprisoned during Elizabeth I's reign, wrote of being questioned in the torture room, which contained 'every device and instrument of torture'. After being hung from manacles, his wrists were swollen and he could barely walk. Members of the aristocracy could not be tortured, and those incarcerated for a long time used their time to write. Sir Walter Raleigh wrote his vast History of the World in the Tower.Control of the Tower was vital at times of crisis, during rebellions and civil wars. It has also been the country's principal arsenal. It housed the Royal Mint, the national archives, the Crown jewels and wealthy Londoners' riches, and in the royal menagerie it contained one of the earliest zoos. Stephen Porter's landmark history traces the evolution of the Tower and its changing role, the many personalities who lived or were imprisoned there, and the 'voices' of contemporaries during the Tower's long history, spanning more than 900 years.

Notes

A landmark new history of the infamous Tower tracing its evolution and changing role, the many personalities who lived or were imprisoned there, and the 'voices' of contemporaries during its long history, spanning almost 1,000 years. Now in paperback.

Author Biography

Stephen Porter is an acknowledged expert on London's history. His other books include The Great Plague, London: A History in Paintings & Illustrations and Pepys's London. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and of the Royal Historical Society. Sadly he passed away before the publication of his work 'Edward III's Faithful Knight'.

Review Quote

Following the popular poppies display, the timing of this comprehensive history of London's iconic tower is rather apt.

Description for Sales People

Praise for the hardback: 'Withsuch rich history at his fingertips, Stephen Porter weaves together a colourfuland absorbing narrative'. THE GOOD BOOKGUIDE Author isa leading expert on London's history A brilliantly written narrative history extensively illustrated with over 100 images Includes'voices' of the prisoners, visitors and residents of the Tower, many reproducedhere for the first time Reviews in the paperback sections of the national broadsheets and Londonpress

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