Tower of London

The first prisoner… also pulled off the first escape

Rainulf Flambard was the first known prisoner at the Tower. He was held in relative comfort, with servants, but that didn't stop him from fleeing in 1101 using a rope hidden in a barrel of wine. Before leaving, he reportedly hosted a banquet to get his guards drunk.

An escape so outrageous people cried witchcraft

When Rainulf Flambard managed to escape the Tower, the whole affair seemed so improbable that one chronicler of the time flatly accused him of sorcery. The wine barrel, the drunk guards, and the rope from nowhere — the story was bound to raise eyebrows.

The Tower had no permanent torture chamber

Despite its dark reputation, the Tower of London never had a proper permanent torture chamber. This image comes mainly from 16th-century religious accounts and 19th-century writers who enthusiastically kept the place's gloomy side alive.

Fewer executions than you might think

The Tower of London is often seen as a place of mass executions. Yet before the 20th century, only seven people were actually executed inside the fortress itself. Most condemned prisoners were executed just outside, on Tower Hill.

Prisoners who weren't always poorly treated

Being locked up in the Tower didn't necessarily mean a damp dungeon and stale bread. Some high-ranking prisoners could buy better meals, receive visitors, and even live in fairly comfortable conditions for the time.

Walter Raleigh lived there with his family

The famous Walter Raleigh was imprisoned in the Tower, but in very unusual circumstances: his cell was fitted out to house his family. His son was reportedly even born there in 1605. A prison, yes — but clearly not the same treatment for everyone.

A polar bear went fishing in the Thames

In the 13th century, the royal menagerie at the Tower housed a polar bear, a gift from the King of Norway. The most astonishing part? It was let out to go fishing in the Thames. Hard to imagine a more unusual medieval London scene.

An elephant lived at the Tower of London

The Tower also housed an elephant gifted by the King of France. Henry III had a special enclosure built just for it. Sadly, the animal survived only two years in England.

You could get in with a cat to feed the lions

In the 18th century, the Tower's menagerie was open to the public. Admission cost three pennies — or a cat or dog to be fed to the lions. Not quite the family-friendly Sunday zoo experience.

The Lion Tower survived… thanks to its keeper

Even after the animals were moved to Regent's Park, the Lion Tower wasn't demolished straight away. Its last keeper had the right to live there until he died. As a result, the tower stood as long as he was still around.

A man once tried to steal the Crown Jewels

In 1671, Thomas Blood attempted a completely audacious theft: stealing the Crown Jewels. With his accomplices, he overpowered the keeper and managed to grab several pieces, including the crown itself, before being spotted by the keeper's son.

The Crown Jewels have already been destroyed

During the English Revolution, most of the royal regalia were melted down or destroyed. When the monarchy was restored in 1660, almost nothing remained of the original pieces: most of what we now associate with the Crown had to be recreated from scratch.

Traitors' Gate lived up to its name

The Traitors' Gate allowed prisoners to enter the Tower directly from the Thames. Many high-profile captives passed through it, usually in an atmosphere very different from today's tourist visits.

The Tower also served as a royal mint

For centuries, the Tower of London didn't just hold prisoners and jewels: it also housed the Royal Mint, where the kingdom's coins were struck. A fortress, a prison, a palace… and a coin factory.

A moat that became a health hazard

The Tower's great moat was meant to protect the fortress. Over time, it silted up and eventually caused serious health problems for the garrison. In the 19th century, it was finally filled in with earth.

Londoners didn't much like the Tower

Today, the Tower of London is a tourist icon. But in the Middle Ages, it was mostly seen as a symbol of oppression. When a guardhouse collapsed in 1240, locals reportedly celebrated the accident.

The Tower held out… but not always for long

The Tower of London had a reputation as an almost impregnable fortress. Yet during its first siege in 1191, William Longchamp capitulated after just three days. Even great symbols have their less glorious moments.

Prisoners carved their presence into the stone

Some towers, like the Salt Tower or Beauchamp Tower, still bear graffiti carved by prisoners. These marks give the place a very human quality: behind the grand historical narratives, there were also people waiting, hoping, or simply bored.

The Tower held Rudolf Hess for four days

During World War II, Rudolf Hess, a close associate of Adolf Hitler, was held at the Tower of London. He stayed only four days in 1941, but he is considered the last state prisoner to be held in the fortress.

The last man executed at the Tower was a spy

The last execution at the Tower of London took place on 14 August 1941. Josef Jakobs, a German spy, was shot by firing squad during World War II — a far more recent episode than most people realise.

The ravens are taken very seriously

According to an old belief, if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, the monarchy will fall. To this day, at least six ravens are fed and cared for there. Superstition, perhaps — but nobody really wants to test it.

The Tower was bombed during the Blitz

During World War II, the Tower of London was hit by the Blitz bombings. Several buildings were damaged or destroyed, before being repaired after the war to allow the Tower to reopen to the public.