A couple weeks ago I watched a program on PBS with my dad called Secrets of the Tower of London. All the juiciest secrets about these towers seemed to revolve around Henry the Eighth and all his wives. The 55 minute program can be watched at http://www.pbs.org/program/secrets-tower-london/.
The show covered some of what I already knew, but since it focused on the towers, there was a lot of new information as well. For instance, within the castle walls is a door a select few have access to, called The Queen’s House, the entrance to what used to be one of King Henry’s prisons.
This particular dungeon, The Queen’s House, held Sir Thomas Moore, who refused to accept King Henry as The Supreme Head of the Church. Now, this prison was no dank dungeon with rats, no, Moore was too high in the social rankings for that. Instead, he was locked in this room with his books, rugs, furniture, and even his own servant. Moore could even get visits from his family who bore gifts.
As the year goes on though, things take a turn for the worst. King Henry sees Moore is not about to change his mind, so his prison is striped. No more books or pens to write with, no more family visits, no more servant. Eventually, Moore dies, still imprisoned, on July 6th 1535. Following what seems to be English tradition; his severed head is displayed on Traitor’s Gate.
His first wife to be beheaded, Anne Boleyn, was executed on the Tower Green, fallen from Queen to traitor in a mere 3 years, the tower bell rings before and after the execution, another disturbing Tower tradition.
Some of the tower’s more famous prisoners include Queen Elizabeth I, before she became Queen, and Guy Fawkes. It was within these walls Guy Fawkes was tortured.
Some of the tower’s more famous prisoners include Queen Elizabeth I, before she became Queen, and Guy Fawkes. It was within these walls Guy Fawkes was tortured.
With all this history, the Tower is a must-see for tourists- including my family. The most famous prisoners we saw where the ravens, who have clipped wings. Why? To uphold an English legend. The legend is that if the birds leave, the towers will fall. So, the birds stay, and the tower remains.
Works Cited
Photos Courtesy of John Richards.
I loved your blog post! I really like that you blogged about a topic we touched upon in school, but you expanded on it. I also like that you showed how this one place connected to many different times and people we have learned about so far this year. I wish you had made a the paragraphs transition a little bit smoother, especially between paragraphs 4&5. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all the connections that you included in your post about what we learned about England. It was interesting to read about the treatment of the prisoners, and the differences between the stereotypical prison. I also agree with the previous commentator, smoother transitions would give the post more flow. It is interesting to note the treatment of Moore compared to Guy Fawkes. Overall interesting and good citations etc format.
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