Tower of London
Tower of London is a castle, which stands on the north bank of the river Thames. Duke of Edinburgh wrote in his book that in its history, the Tower of London has been a fortress, palace, royal jewelry store, an arsenal, a mint, a prison, an observatory, a zoo, a place that attracts tourists.
It was based by William I. After the Norman conquest of England, William I began to build defensive castles to intimidate the conquered Anglo-Saxons. Later, when the new King of England ordered to whitewash the building, it was called the White Tower. Around the fortress was dug a deep ditch, that was making it one of the most impregnable fortresses in Europe.
The first prisoner was imprisoned in the Tower of London in 1190. In those times Tower Prison was intended for people of noble birth and high rank. Among the most honorable and high-ranking prisoners of the Tower were kings of Scotland France and their families; representatives of the aristocracy and the priests. There were killed Henry VI, Tower princes, 12 -year-old Edward V and his younger brother Richard.
From the base of the Tower its prisoners and the building were carefully protected. But especially chosen palace guards appeared in 1485. In those days prisoners were often brought along the river and entered the Tower through the "Gate of the traitors. “ Today, guards duties also include excursions to the many visitors. British custody often called Beefeaters or carnivores. This nickname is likely to appear in times of famine, when the Londoners were undernourished, and the palace guards regularly received rations of beef.