Meeting a Yeoman and Learning about the Tower of London on Valentine's Day

After breakfast we went to the Tower of London and were in time for a tour of the buildings. Not a good student in history, I didn't know much about the Tower until we went through the tour and exhibitions at the castle.

The tour was free with our admission to the Tower of London and it was conducted by a Yeoman who gave us a lot of interesting information. We also learned a lot about the role of the Yeoman serving at this historical place. The Tower of London is almost 1000 years old and it is named after its oldest building, the White Tower. Visitors to the Tower can explore the ancient walls and towers built to protect the White Tower.

William the Conqueror built the White Tower after he invaded England from northern France in 1066. He built the Tower within the existing Roman city walls to help defend it from attack. Kings and queens added to the castle over many centuries. This famous landmark dominated London and its people and showed the power of the new king. It served three different functions:

1. A secure fortress and palace where the English kings and queens used to reside. 2. A prison where some famous prisoners were held and executed - From the 1100, the Tower of London became an infamous prison. Between 1483 and 1941, 22 prisoners were executed insdie the wall, including Anne Boleyn, second wife of King Henry V111, in 1536.

3. A place where the royal jewels, records, weaponry and firearms were kept and protected

Today the Tower of London protects the Crown Jewels. In the 1660's Charles II was the first king to display them to the public at the Tower. A new king or queen uses the crowns and other ceremonial objects when they are crowned.

There was some entertainment during the tour with half a dozen of costumed actors reenacting the life at the Tower in the ancient times. The London Tower is a historical place with magnificent buildings; it is full of interesting and some bloody history of the British kings, queens and its people. I was gald we had the opportunity to visit this famous landmark.

What made our visit to the London Tower even more special was we were there on Valentine's day! After the tour, we visited the Tower gift shop and my hubby bought me a ring as my Valentine's Day gift! I will always remember our visit to the Tower of London everytime I wear this nice ring.

We spent our evening enjoying a special Valentine dinner at our hotel's restaurant. It was a marvellous day and I love my Valentine gift from my husband!

RT Tower of London London, UK