TOWER OF LONDON

Tower of London Tower of London is a historic monument in central London, England, on the north bank of the River Thames. Many people mostly connect it with the oldest part, which is called The White Tower, the original square fortress built by William the Conqueror in However, the tower as a whole is a complex of several buildings set within two rings of defensive walls and a moat.LondonEngland River ThamesWilliam the Conqueror

The tower's primary function was a fortress, a royal palace, and a prison (particularly for high status and royal prisoners, such as the Princes in the Tower and the future Queen Elizabeth I). This last use has led to the phrase "sent to the Tower" (meaning "imprisoned"). It has also served as a place of execution and torture, an armoury, a treasury, a zoo during WWII, the Royal Mint, a public records office, an observatory, and since 1303, the home of the Crown Jewels.The water entrance to the Tower is often referred to as Traitor's Gate because prisoners accused of treason such as Queen Anne Boleyn and Sir Thomas More passed through it.The Tower today is principally a tourist attraction. Besides the buildings themselves, the British Crown Jewels, a fine armour collection from the Royal Armouries, and a remnant of the wall of the Roman fortress are on display.Princes in the TowerQueen Elizabeth IexecutiontorturearmourytreasuryzooRoyal Mint observatoryTraitor's GateQueen Anne BoleynThomas MoreRoyal ArmouriesRoman

Beefeaters The tower is watched by the Yeomen Warders (known as Beefeaters), who act as tour guides, provide security, and are a tourist attraction. Every evening, the warders participate in the Ceremony of the Keys as the Tower is secured for the night. Yeomen WardersCeremony of the Keys

Ravens It is supposed that there have been at least six ravens in residence at the tower for centuries. A legend is if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the White Tower, the monarchy, and the whole kingdom will fall. During the Second World War most of the Tower's ravens disappeared through shock during bombing raids, leaving a sole survivor named 'Grip'.ravensmonarchy kingdom Second World War

Crown jewels The Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower of London since 1303, after they were stolen from Westminster Abbey. After the coronation of Charles II, they were locked away and shown for a viewing fee. However, this arrangement ended when Colonel Thomas Blood stole all the Crown Jewels. Then, the Crown Jewels were kept in a part of the Tower known as Jewel House, where armed guards defended them. They were temporarily taken out of the Tower during World War II and were secretly kept in the basement vaults of the Sun Life Insurance company in Montreal, Canada.Westminster AbbeyCharles IIThomas BloodWorld War IISun Life InsuranceMontreal Canada

Ghosts The Tower of London is reputedly the most haunted building in England. The ghost of Queen Anne Boleyn, beheaded in 1536 for treason against King Henry VIII, has allegedly been seen haunting the chapel of St Peter-ad-Vincula, where she is buried, and walking around the White Tower carrying her head under her arm. Other ghosts include Henry VI, Lady Jane Grey, Margaret Pole, and the Princes in the Tower. In January 1816 a sentry on guard outside the Jewel House witnessed an inexplicable apparition of a bear advancing towards him. Reportedly the sentry died of fright a few days later.Anne BoleynKing Henry VIIIHenry VILady Jane Grey Margaret PolePrinces in the Tower

Comprehension + conversation questions What does the White Tower mean to most people? What things are o display now? What are the tour guides called? What is the legend about the ravens? Where are the Crown jewels kept and why? What ghosts can you see here? Would you like to visit the Tower of London? What would you like to see most? Would you try to speak to the beefeaters? Do you believe in ghosts?

What words are missing? Tower of London is a historic monument in central …, on the north bank of the…. Many people mostly connect it with the oldest part, which is called…. The tower's primary function was a…, …, and a… The tower is watched by the… The … have been kept at the Tower of London since 1303, after they were stolen from Westminster Abbey. Westminster Abbey

What sentences are true (T) or false (F)? Tower of London is a historic monument in central London, England. LondonEngland The Tower of London is reputedly the most haunted building in Wales. The Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower Bridge since The ghost of Queen Elizabeth I), beheaded in 1536 for treason against King Henry VIII, has allegedly been seen haunting the chapel of St Peter-ad-Vincula, where she is buried, and walking around the White Tower carrying her head under her arm. Elizabeth IKing Henry VIII