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The Tower of London was also used as a royal residence until the 17th century, but it would become better known for having other more infamous residents—prisoners. The Tower of London was used as a prison from 1100 until 1952.
This famous London castle and fortress has served many purposes throughout the years. From being home to the royal mint, to being used as a menagerie, a records office, an armory, and barracks for troops.
The Tower of London was a very stratified prison, and your wealth or title would have an impact on your experience as a prisoner.
The Tower of London is composed of a series of buildings and fortifications. It was expanded through the years. Currently, the complex spans over 12 acres (5 hectares).
Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London was strategically placed to be used as a fort since 1066. It featured defensive walls and a moat.
Josef Jakobs was in England spying for the Nazis. His mission didn’t go very well, however, as he ended up being captured by the MI5 and was killed by firing squad at the Tower of London in 1941.
Sources: (Grunge) (Live Science)
See also: Prison break: insane inmate escapes
Despite being surrounded by a moat and a river, throughout the years many prisoners attempted to escape, and some indeed succeeded. The first prisoner of the state was also the first to escape, in 1101.
In 1101, Bishop of Durham Ranulf Flambard’s friends managed to smuggle in some alcohol and a rope. He managed to get the guards drunk enough to pass out, and he slid down the wall using the rope!
In 1554, the then-princess Elizabeth was imprisoned in the same apartments where her mother, Anne Boleyn, stayed before being executed. But by 1559 she had been released and crowned the Queen of England!
On November 5, 1605, Fawkes was caught with barrels of gunpowder in a cellar under Parliament, and subsequently arrested. Fawkes signed a confession and was eventually sentenced to death.
While most royal prisoners would be beheaded, there is an account of a somewhat bizarre execution that took place in 1483: the Duke of Clarence was reportedly drowned in a barrel of wine.
In the late 1200s, 600 Jewish people were imprisoned in the Tower following accusations of trimming coins down.
Catholic conspirator Guy Fawkes, infamous for his plot to blow up the House of Lords, went down in history as one of the most notorious prisoners of the Tower of London.
While imprisoned in the Tower, Fawkes was put in a tiny cell called "Little Ease," which was too short to stand up in and too small to lie down in, making it extremely uncomfortable and indeed a torture method.
In the 1500s, Bristol innkeeper Hew Draper was sent to the Tower for attempted sorcery. He carved this fantastic astrological engraving in his cell.
Access to fire, a bed, or even food was a luxury that not all prisoners had. There is one account of a Lancastrian knight who befriended a cat that would bring dead pigeons to his dungeon. He would then ask a guard to cook them.
But even though they managed to escape the Tower, they were captured outside. Bawd was sent back and hung over the walls to die after being tortured. Tankerville was chained on an embankment to die by drowning by a rising tide.
Sir Roger Mortimer was imprisoned in 1322 for rebelling against King Edward II. While there are several versions of how he escaped, one in particular is quite peculiar: he drugged the guards.
Alice Tankerville was shackled and thrown into a cell in the Tower of London after being involved in a robbery in 1531. She and prison guard John Bawd fell in love and plotted an escape.
There are over 268 inscriptions written and carved in the Tower of London, during a period spanning over four centuries.
Another torture method commonly used at the Tower of London was the Scavenger's Daughter. This device did the opposite of the rack: it slowly crushed the person.
Earl William Maxwell took part in the Jacobite Rebellion and was sent to the Tower. His wife, Lady Winifred, found a way to help him escape on the day he was supposed to be executed. She smuggled an extra dress under her skirt, and Earl Maxwell managed to leave the Tower dressed as a woman!
Heavy manacles, which were basically iron handcuffs, would be placed around the wrists, and the victim would be suspended by them (with their feet off the floor).
Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, was sent to the Tower in 1536, but unlike some other prisoners who didn’t even have access to exercise or candles in their cells, she stayed in a luxurious accommodation. However, Boleyn was eventually executed.
Today one of London’s most-visited tourist attractions, the Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels, ravens, the Yeomen Warders (aka the Beefeaters), and a lot of history—some of it, quite dark. The Tower has served numerous purposes throughout the years, but there is one in particular that we'll focus on in this gallery: its use as a prison.
We travel back in time to bring you some of the most fascinating facts about the Tower of London. Browse through to find out what really happened there.
In addition to the previously mentioned, other methods were also used, including water cure (forced drinking), burning, cracking teeth, and thumbscrews, among others.
Torture was used for many years in the Tower of London. A popular torture device used was called the rack, and was a sort of wooden bed where prisoners had ropes attached to their wrists and ankles. The ropes would then be stretched, so you can imagine the damage it inflicted!
Common prisoners, on the other hand, were usually hanged in public. They were also sometimes burned at the stake.
Exploring the history of the Tower of London
From torture to epic escapes
LIFESTYLE History
Today one of London’s most-visited tourist attractions, the Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels, ravens, the Yeomen Warders (aka the Beefeaters), and a lot of history—some of it, quite dark. The Tower has served numerous purposes throughout the years, but there is one in particular that we'll focus on in this gallery: its use as a prison.
We travel back in time to bring you some of the most fascinating facts about the Tower of London. Browse through to find out what really happened there.