Are you brave enough to come to the Tower?

Day 18

We got up and headed out with a quick realization that the weather in London was going to be rather fickle.  The day before had been nice and warm and now today was cooler, and eventually got rather cold as it got wet.  Not to be stopped by weather, as it hadn't stopped us yet, we headed out to the Tower of London.  The name of our stop apparently had two stops, but we got off on the first one and so had the fun opportunity of crossing the Tower Bridge to get to our sight.  And since the Olympics are about to start we saw it decorated with the 5 Great interlocking Rings: Blue for Europe, black for Africa, Red for Americas, Yellow for Asia, and Green for Oceania--as I have come to learn.  I wish I could have seen an event, "Faster, Higher, Stronger!"

Tower Bridge

There were signs all over London that I now make jest of: Umbrellas are Great (Britain)!

What a thing to see in the middle of the modern business world.

Tower of London

A Royal Palace and Fortress, which do you remember?

Very windy

In it's great days there was a menagerie on the outer regions and these statues remain as a memory.  How wonderful that must have been as a Royal to have your own personal Zoo that also added more defense to you palace that you could not plan for or measure.

An entrance of the ages.

This area was once all mote, it was terribly wide and just plain filthy.

Yeoman Warder guided tours: FREE and Well Worth the time.

Aren't there underdress uniforms just plain fun?

 Housing, did you know that the yeoman actually live in the Tower, paying rent.  They were created by Henry VII, first of the Tudor Line, in 1485 and there are still 37 of them today living there.  Eligibility is limited to those that are retired from the Armed Forces of the Commonwealth Realms and former senior non-commissioned officers (NCOs) with at least 22 years of service and they must be recipients of the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.  Plus they have to have a residence outside the tower for when they retire.  I don't know about you, but I was stunned to think of this place known for death and pain as a home. 

Traitor's Gate

I don't think any wanted to enter through this way, but it did not originally mean death to all who entered.  Among them that passed down the Thames under the London Bridge (where heads of the recently executed prisoners were displayed on pikes---ominous a bit) were Queen Anne Boleyn (Henry VIII's 2nd wife), Sir Thomas More (Henry VIII's friend that was a bishop unwilling to give him a divorce from his 1st wife), and Queen Catherine Howard (Henry VIII's 5th wife).

Does anyone else see a pattern about those that came here?

Our Guide 

or Beefeater, a nickname given them by the fact that they were given a generous portion of beef to eat possibly even from the King's table.  Our guide pointed to his great girth and mentioned that he definitely was not missing any meals.  He was absolutely hilarious; I wish I could have recorded the tour for he said many things I could not write down or remember enough of to share, but it was so worth every minute.

For example he spoke of how the Crown Jewels did not belong to the Queen or King, but to the members of the commonwealth; he welcomed Australians as being home and a part owner with himself in the riches, but mentioned that we Americans did not have a share as we were obnoxious rebels (while smiling greatly).

His other favorite was to tell of the gruesome stories of the Tower, describing to us the difference between the public executions on the Tower Hill that were done for warning and entertainment and the private executions of the noble on the Tower Green.  For example Queen Anne Boleyn called for a swordsman from France to perform her execution rather than an ax man and he had her look up to the heavens in prayer and surprised her by sweeping off her head cleanly and with shock still visible on her face.

It was here that I also learned of the 9-Day Queen, Lady Jane Grey.  I had heard her name several times in the many stories that I have read about the time of Queen Elizabeth II, but had never realized just what part she played in the story.  She was beheaded here and so was her husband and father I believe.  I decided to get a book or two on her and learn more.

The Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula

Our guide was very kind to warn us all of a step at the entrance where many trip and fall or nearly fall on their faces.  And to add to his generosity he mentioned that any lady could count on him to catch them and hold them slightly longer than is proper and enjoy himself and any gentleman that falls can expect him to laugh and mock him in front of the entire company.

 As we were learning about ownership of famous things, our guide told us that this Chapel was owned by Queen and Royal Family and not the Anglican Church as one might think.  And for this and other reasons you are not to wear hats or take pictures or video within.  (The photo below is a published one to give me a remembrance and you an image.)

Another slightly gruesome bit of story we that was shared with us was that those buried here have none of their heads except one or two.  

One person holds their head under their arm, I think so that it would not be mocked, showing Henry VIII's great kindness to the family--ha ha.

This story is kind of gruesomely odd: one man was beheaded and his head paraded and stuck on a pike but then his family wanted or had started a portrait of him but had not gotten the face done yet, so they brought his head back, sewed it on and painted it from there.  Therefore this nobleman had his head attached when he was buried; it had just been detached once.

White Tower

Home for the Queen or Royalty, now a museum inside.

"Never poke a sleeping dragon in the eye."

I mean look at it; they made it out of all the things they used in medieval times and it looks so cool.

Angel lion

 We found the Royal guards again in there redcoats.  We really wanted to walk up and try to make him laugh, but we were afraid they might kick us out.  Why is it so hard to repress our childish desires?  Why do we have to repress them? Wouldn't it be more fun if we did our silly things more often?

 To joke or not to joke, that is the question.

 As you walk around the outer walls you can look down and see all the cute little houses that have been tended and taken care of by conscientious old people.  Sometimes I think that we should all have green thumbs and help things to grow and live and make our homes and cities beautiful.  We saw them more often than I thought we would when I left and it made me very happy.  I think that my home will have to have plants in it or flowers or all.  I just hope I don't kill them all.

The walls inside the Beauchamp Tower, and several others,  are covered with carvings by prisoners to show that they were there and possibly to use up all their time, although some of the carvings were done by professionals paid for by the prisoners.  It was rather amazing to see.  And even tragic as you realize that these are the final thoughts and signatures of many of these prisoners.

Lady Jane Grey, 9-Day Queen

Sir Thomas Moore

Now that is a signature.

 Professional?

 I mean seriously this is just impressive and crazy.  To imagine deciding what to put and what to say and then to realize that may be all that is remembered and might possibly never be understood.

A coat of arms or a vase of flowers?

 The had all of the carvings covered so that people would not touch them and wear them away, plus they used the empty wall space to put up these little squares to explain what some of them said or why they were carved.

There is a superstition that says, "If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall and Britain with it."

So they keep six ravens required and a seventh in reserve.  And this tradition goes back supposedly to Charles II wanting to not have them in the way of his telescope but knowing it was back luck to kill a raven, so just clipping their wings.  Others say they were brought or drawn there by the executions and left to add to the gruesome atmosphere.  It is said, "Even the ravens of the Tower sat silent and immovable on the battlements and gazed eerily at the strange scene.  A Queen about to die!"

Atmosphere

They have men and women dressed up and talking in the style of Elizabethan England.  They were very funny telling stories of themselves and chatting about all the "latest" social events that gave them all the new gossip about everyone at court.  I think on most days it must have been very hot and slightly uncomfortable work, but the day that we were there it began to rain and the wind blew to the point that I was shivering and thought they looked very comfortable.  It took time, but I learned to always have a jacket in London and possibly always an umbrella. 

Probably one of the best touristy things we ever did.  What a historical treasure and about a time period that I have been slightly over obsessed about since I was in middle school.

This was the bus we took from the Tower.  Isn't just the cutest old fashioned bus?  We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves getting on and off and talking to a conductor who came and collected tickets and called out the stops since all the technology on the bigger buses weren't there.

Trafalgar Square

We didn't stay long but it was very pretty and fun.  It is historical but not much to do except go in the museum or eat or play in the water of the fountains...oh but you probably aren't supposed to do that.

There was also this counter that told you exactly how long until the Olympics.  Fun.

Regent Street

Speaking of the Olympics this is what we saw when we went shopping after our touristy time.  I think countries get a little excited about hosting the Games.  What an amazing chance to experience that atmosphere and joy and pride in your own country.  May we never forget just how lucky we are to live where we do and to be able to use our bodies to do such amazing feats.

Hamley's Toy Store

I am not sure what it is with me and toy stores, but they are just too fun.  This one is also pretty famous and has about 5 floors.  Each one making you smile.  A barbie floor, a movie floor, a stuffed animal section, candy section, and so much more.

A Lego section...I wasn't able to take a picture of the real Crown Jewels, so I took a picture of these.  When we actually saw the Jewels at the Tower of London, Aubrey and I had very different reactions. 

Mine: Those would be heavy (about 5 lbs for the crown...talk about a headache)

Aubrey: There's one way to fix your economy and get out of debt.

Queen Elizabeth II on her Diamond Jubilee (60 years of reigning)

The longest reign in British history is Queen Victoria of just short of 64 years, so we shall see if Queen Elizabeth II will beat her. Go Ladies for living so long and reigning so well!

Sherlock Holmes

One of my favorite stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.  I have read them all many times and love to see how such a mind as that works.

The Royal Wedding

Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton

Celebration of the Queen's Jubilee and the coming Olympics

The GAP London

We did a lot of window shopping and then some wonderful sales rack shopping here.  It amazed me to see that they had some of the same things we see and here and much we do not.  Also the prices are a little different.  I loved the sales rack there.

Actually not long after we left the store Aubrey's sandals broke, not the strap mind you, but the bottom came off and started flapping whenever she stepped.  They had served there purpose and been fun, but it was rather sad and kind of funny to see and hear her walking home.

 We loved the underground as public transportation, but I would say that if you are going to be there for even a couple of days that you should get a subway card called an Oyster Card because the ticket price is half that of an individual ticket.  Also be forewarned that the subway in summer that get extremely hot and stuffy, even rather smelly.

Bookstore

One the way home we saw a bookstore and I stopped in to get a book on the Lady Jane Grey and am becoming an expert slowly but surely.  They are a little crazy but very fun since they must conserve space as much as possible and still have enough books for interest.  Those are my kind of places.

Indian Food

I have to say that if you like spicy food you have to take the opportunity to have Indian food in London.  It is absolutely amazing and authentic as it is made by native Indians that have moved to the country.  This was good enough to enjoy it well for someone like me who loves Indian food, but has only some tolerance of spice, but also able to make Aubrey--the spice addict--think that it was hot enough to make her sweat a little.  Oh the joy of good food.  That is something I would say is worth the time and money if you are going to travel.  (And we found this place by asking one of the office people at the hostel.)

The second bookstore we stopped at that night just for fun.  The prices were better than they are in the States.  2 pounds for a paperback, I like it.

That night we just hung out at the hostel in our room and got to know some of our neighbors. :)  It was always fun to make friends for an hour or so everywhere we went.