TOWER OF LONDON (LONDON) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3250 words

TOWER OF LONDON (LONDON) - Essay Example The Tower of London which is also known as ‘Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress’ is the royal palace of England which is made up of several buildings. The Tower of London was made in order to control and protect the whole city. The architecture is a complex that consists of several buildings and is surrounded by a moat and defensive walls. It is a significantly important landmark in London famous for the several features that it has. The White Tower was built in 1078 by William the Conqueror and was marked as a symbol of oppression which was imposed by the new elites. The castle has been used for many purposes from being a prison to a royal residence. One of its most important features is that its Jewel House houses the Crown Jewels which include symbols of royalty, a collection of crowns, swords, rings, and scepters. These historical items and the layers of history which is related to the Tower of London is what make it significant since it was built and till today (Cline 14). The Tower of London was built in 1066 by William the Conqueror and it holds immense universal value because of its cultural features and qualities. Its finest quality is its landmark setting in the City of London which is suitable for both controlling and protecting the city. It is set as a gateway to the capital and previously as the gateway to the Norman kingdom. Its location was chosen strategically at the north-end of Thames River and it serves as a separation point between the powerful monarchy and the developing capital city. The tower served a double role as a protection provider for the city through the defence walls and structure as well as the structure to control the citizens. The tower was a very tall building and it was the highest in its surrounding till the 19th century (Parnell 32). The tower also served as a symbol of Norman power as it was built to demonstrate the Norman power. The Tower significantly represents the Norman Conquest of the 11th century more than