murdered princes, sons of Edward IV. They were removed in 1678 by Charles II.'s orders to Westminster Abbey, and placed in a small sarcophagus against the east wall of the north side of Henry VII.'s chapel. St. John's Chapel was long used as a repository for records, but on the erection of the Record Office the records were transferred thither in 1857, and the chapel once more dedicated to its proper uses, divine service being now occasionally celebrated therein. It was in this chapel that, at the creation of the Order of the Bath by Henry IV. at his coronation, the forty-six noblemen and gentlemen first installed knights thereof performed the chivalrous ceremony of watching their armour from sunset to sunrise. Here, kneeling at his prayers before the altar, Brackenbury is said to have received and rejected Richard's proposal to murder the young princes. And here the remains of Elizabeth of York, Queen to Henry VII., lay in state in 1503 previous to her magnificent funeral. The Council Chamber, in the second storey, and communicating directly with the triforium of the chapel, was the old council room of the English Sovereigns. Here Richard II. was compelled formally to resign his crown to Henry of Bolingbroke. I have been King of England, Duke of Aquitaine and Lord of Ireland about twenty-one years, which seigniory, royalty, sceptre, crown, and heritage I clearly resign here to my cousin Henry of Lancaster; and I desire him here in this open presence, in entering of the same possession, to take this sceptre.-Froissart. Here also was Hastings denounced, arrested and hurried to the block by Crookback Richard: the gallery which, cut in the solid wall, runs round the whole of the Council Chamber probably serving as the hiding-place for the soldiers whom Richard had in readiness to carry out his foul plans. The vaults of this Tower formed dungeons of the most dismal kind. Here was one called by the suggestive name of "Cold Harbour"; another "Little Ease," where Guy Fawkes was for some time confined, was a mere hole in the wall closed by a heavy door, and was so small that the prisoner could neither stand upright nor lie down, but was obliged to remain in a bent and cramped position. In another of these dungeons was placed the rack, and here the victims could be tortured without fear of their cries being heard. The principal tower in the outer line of defence is the St. Thomas Tower, a fine old edifice, under which extends the wide stone archway, guarded by two strong water-gates, already mentioned as Traitors' Gate. From the landing-place here a flight of stone steps leads to the gate of the Bloody Tower. The heavy portcullis of this latter gateway is one of the very few still to be found in England in working order. The Bloody Tower, the only rectangular tower of the inner ward, is the traditional scene of the murder of the young princes Edward and Richard. The Bell Tower is asserted to have been Elizabeth's lodging when confined in the Tower by her sister: here also Bishop Fisher is said to have been confined; but during the restoration of the White Tower a few years ago a small cell was discovered in the vaults with an inscription, pointing to the White Tower as the Bishop's more probable prison. The Beauchamp or Cobham Tower was probably built about the beginning of the 13th century, and received its name from Thomas de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick, confined here in 1397 previous to his banishment to the Isle of Man. This tower was for many years the principal state prison, and the walls of the prison room (with its two recesses probably formerly used as cells) on the first floor are covered with inscriptions chiselled in it by various occupants. Amongst the innumerable prisoners from time to time. confined here may be mentioned: Anne Boleyn (in the upper chamber) 1554; John Dudley, Earl of Warwick, eldest son of the Duke of Northumberland, condemned to death for his part in the conspiracy to place Lady Jane Grey on the throne, was reprieved but died shortly afterwards in his prison room: he left a most elaborate carving, in which his brothers Ambrose, Robert, Guilford, and Henry are symbolised by twigs of oak with acorns, roses, geraniums and honeysuckle. Guilford Dudley, 1554; and Lady Jane Grey (who probably inscribed her name "Jane" on the north wall), 1554; Edmund and Arthur Poole (the great grandsons of George, Duke of Clarence and brother of King Edward IV.), who were confined here from 1562 till their death; Philip Howard, Earl of Arundel, confined here from 1584 to his death in 1595; his body was buried in St. Peter's ad Vincula, but removed to Arundel in 1624; Dr. John Store, Chancellor of Oxford under Queen Mary, and noted for his cruel persecution of the Protestants, executed at Tyburn for high treason 1571, etc. etc. The Devereux Tower, standing at the north-west angle of the inner Ballium wall, derives its name from Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex. The Flint Tower, of which all but the foundation walls are of modern date, contained dungeons of such a rigorous character as to receive the designation of Little Hell. The Bowyer Tower, formerly the residence of the King's Bowyer or "Master Provider of the King's Bows," is the reported scene of the murder of George Duke of Clarence in 1474. The fire of 1841, which destroyed the barracks and great storehouse, originated in the Bowyer Tower. The Brick Tower is assigned as the place of confinement of Lady Jane Grey during a portion of the period of her incarceration. In the Jewel or Martin Tower the Crown jewels were formerly kept; it also served as a prison-house. The Constable and Broad Arrow Towers served the same purpose. The Salt Tower is probably of Norman origin, and contains the curious sphere with the signs of the zodiack engraved on its walls, May 30, 1561, by Hugh Draper of Bristol, committed on a charge of sorcery. Wakefield Tower, which received its name from the imprisonment of the Yorkists after the battle of Wakefield, is now the receptacle for the jewels. The The Jewel House within the Tower was kept by a particular officer called "The Master of the Jewel House." He was charged with the custody of all the Regalia, had the appointment in his gift of goldsmith to the King, and was even esteemed the first Knight Bachelor of 66 The office was held by England, and took place accordingly." 1 Thomas Cromwell, afterwards Earl of Essex. profits were formerly very large, but after the Restoration they diminished so much that Sir Gilbert Talbot, the then Master, was tacitly permitted by the King to show the Regalia to strangers. The Master of the Jewel House hath a particular Servant in the Tower intrusted with that great Treasure, to whom (because St Gilbert Talbot was retrenched in all the perquisites and profitts of his place, and not able to allow him a Competent Salary) his Majesty doth tacitly allow him that he shall shew the Regalia to Strangers; which furnished him with so plentifull a livelyhood that S Gilbert Talbot, upon the death of his Servant there, had an offer made to him off 500 old broad peeces of gold for the place. Harl. MS., 6859, p. 29. The treasures of the jewel house were diminished during the Civil Wars under Charles I. The plate amongst the Regalia "which had crucifixes or superstitious pictures" was disposed of for the public service; and what remained of the plate itself was subsequently delivered up to the trustees for sale of the King's goods to raise money for the service of Ireland.3 The Regalia is arranged in the centre of a well-lighted room, with an ample passage for visitors to walk round. Observe-St. Edward's Crown, made for the coronation of Charles II. to replace the old crown (lost in the confusion of the Civil Wars), which Edward the Confessor was supposed to have worn, and used in the coronations of all our Sovereigns since his time. This is the crown placed by the Archbishop of Canterbury on the head of the Sovereign at the altar, and the identical crown which Blood stole from the Tower on May 9, 1671. The New State Crown, made for the coronation of Queen Victoria; composed of a cap of purple velvet, enclosed by hoops of silver, and studded with a profusion of diamonds; it weighs one pound and three-quarters. The large unpolished ruby is said to have been worn by Edward the Black Prince; the sapphire is of great value, and the whole crown is estimated at £111,900. Prince of Wales's coronet, of pure gold, unadorned by jewels. Queen Consort's Crown, of gold, set with diamonds, pearls, etc. Queen's Diadem, or circlet of gold, made for the coronation of Mary of Modena, Queen of James II. St. Edward's staff, of beaten gold, 4 feet 7 inches in length, surmounted by an orb and cross, and shod with a steel spike. The orb is said to contain a fragment of the true Cross. The Royal Sceptre, or Sceptre with the Cross, of gold, 2 feet 9 inches in length; the staff is plain, large table diamond; The Rod of Equity, or Sceptre with the Dove, of gold, 3 feet 7 inches in length, set with diamonds, etc. At the top is an orb, banded with rose diamonds, and surmounted with a cross, on which is the figure of a dove with expanded wings. The Queen's Sceptre with the Cross, smaller in size, but of rich workmanship, and set with precious stones. The Queen's Ivory Sceptre (but called the Sceptre of Queen Anne Boleyn), made for Mary of Modena, consort of James II. It is Harl. MS., 6859, p. 27; MS. dated 1680. 2 Whitelocke, ed. 1732, p. 106. 3 Ibid., p. 418. The The mounted in gold, and terminated by a golden cross, bearing a dove of white onyx. Sceptre found behind the wainscoting of the old Jewel Office in 1814; supposed to have been made for Queen Mary, consort of William III. The Orb, of gold, 6 inches in diameter, banded with a fillet of the same metal, set with pearls, and surmounted by a large amethyst supporting a cross of gold. The Queen's Orb, of smaller dimensions, but of similar fashion and materials. The Sword of Mercy, or Curtana, of steel, ornamented with gold, and pointless. The Swords of Justice, Ecclesiastical and Temporal. The Armillæ, or Coronation Bracelets, of gold, chased with the rose, fleur-de-lys, and harp, and edged with pearls. The Royal Spurs, of gold, used in the coronation ceremony whether the Sovereign be King or Queen. The Ampulla for the Holy Oil, in shape of an eagle. The Gold Coronation Spoon, used for receiving the sacred oil from the ampulla at the anointing of the Sovereign, and supposed to be the sole relic of the ancient regalia.1 The Golden Salt Cellar of State, in the shape of a castle. Baptismal Font, of silver gilt, used at the christening of the Royal children. Silver Wine Fountain, presented to Charles II. by the corporation of Plymouth. The Tower Menagerie was one of the sights of London up to the reign of William IV. and the removal of the few animals that remained to the Zoological Gardens in the Regent's Park. Henry I. kept lions and leopards, and Henry III. added to the collection. I read that in the year 1235, Frederick the emperor sent to Henry III. three leopards, in token of his regal shield of arms wherein those leopards were pictured; since the which time those lions and others have been kept in a part of this bulwark [the Tower], now called the Lion Tower, and their keepers there lodged. King Edward II., in the 12th of his reign, commanded the Sheriffs of London to pay to the keepers of the King's leopard in the Tower of London sixpence the day for the sustenance of the leopard, and three halfpence a day for diet of the said keeper. More in the 16th of Edward III., one lion, one lioness, and one leopard, and two cat lions in the said Tower, were committed to the custody of Robert, the son of John Bowre.-Stow, p. 19. September, 1586.-The keeping of the Lyones in the Tower graunted to Thomas Gyll and Rafe Gyll with the Fee of 12d. per diem, and 6d. for the Meat of those Lyons.-Lord Burghley's Diary in Murdin, p. 785. A century ago the lions in the Tower were named after the reigning Kings; and it was long a vulgar belief "that when the King dies, the lion of that name dies after him." Addison alludes to this popular error in his own inimitable way :-- Our first visit was to the lions. My friend [the Tory Fox Hunter], who had a great deal of talk with their keeper, enquired very much after their health, and whether none of them had fallen sick upon the taking of Perth, and the flight of the Pretender? and hearing they were never better in their lives, I found he was extremely startled: for he had learned from his cradle that the lions in the Tower were the best judges of the title of our British Kings, and always sympathised with our Sovereigns. Addison, The Freeholder, No. 47. The Menagerie was removed in November 1834. refreshment-room, by the ticket-house, occupies the site. 1 Archæological Journal, vol. i. p. 289. The present The Armouries contain a very fine and valuable collection of armour and weapons. This collection was historically arranged by Sir Samuel Meyrick, and rearranged and classified by J. R. Planché in 1869. Amongst this collection are also many of the old instruments of torture, etc., but we must refer to the Official Catalogue for particulars. Eminent Persons confined in the Tower.-Wallace; Roger Mortimer, 1324; John, King of France; Charles, Duke of Orleans, father of Louis XII.; The duke, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Agincourt, acquired a very great proficiency in our language. A volume of his English poems, preserved among the Royal MSS. in the British Museum, contains the earliest known representation of the Tower, and has often been engraved. Queen Anne Boleyn, executed May 19, 1536, by the hangman of Calais, on a scaffold erected within the walls of the Tower; Queen Katherine Howard, fourth wife of Henry VIII., beheaded on a scaffold erected within the walls of the Tower, February 14, 1541-1542; Lady Rochford was executed at the same time. Sir Thomas More, 1534; Archbishop Cranmer ; Protector Somerset, 1551-1552; Lady Jane Grey, beheaded on a scaffold erected within the walls of the Tower, February 12, 1554; Sir Thomas Wyatt, beheaded on Tower Hill, April 11, 1554; Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, beheaded on a scaffold erected within the walls of the Tower, February 25, 1601. It is said I was a prosecutor of the death of the Earl of Essex, and stood in a window over-against him when he suffered, and puffed out tobacco in disdain of him. But I take God to witness I had no hand in his blood, and was none of those that procured his death. My Lord of Essex did not see my face at the time of his death, for I had retired far off into the Armoury, where I indeed saw him, and shed tears for him, but he saw not me.-Sir Walter Raleigh's Last Speech. Sir Walter Raleigh. He was on three different occasions a prisoner in the Tower; once in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, on account of his marriage, and twice in the reign of King James I. Here he began his History of the World; here he amused himself with his chemical experiments; and here his son, Carew Raleigh, was born. Lady Arabella Stuart, and her husband William Seymour, afterwards Duke of Somerset. Seymour escaped from the Tower. In the meane while Mr. Seymour, with a Perruque and a Beard of blacke Hair, and in a tauny cloth suit, walked alone without suspition from his lodging out at the great Weste Doore of the Tower, following a Cart that had brought him billets. From thence he walked along by the Tower Wharf by the Warders of the South Gate, and so to the Iron Gate, where Rodney was ready with oares for to receive him. -Mr. John More to Sir Ralph Winwood, June 8, 1611 (Winwood, vol. iii. p. 280). Sir Thomas Overbury: he was committed to the Tower on April 21, 1613, and found dead on September 14 following, having been poisoned at the instigation of the profligate Countess of Somerset. Sir John Eliot, who wrote here his Monarchy of Man; he died in the Tower, November 27, 1632. Earl of Strafford, 1641. Archbishop Laud, 1640-1543. John Selden. Lucy Barlow, the mother of the Duke of Monmouth. Cromwell discharged her from the Tower |