April 6th, 2018   London, England

We took the train from Paris, rode UNDER the English Channel, (some of us couldn't think about that and pretended we were in the subway for a long time instead) and emerged in the merry old land of England.  Oh, to hear the populous speaking that wonderful language of our homeland!  I think Simon did a happy dance on the inside.  He had been counting down the days of non-English speaking countries.  The house we rented for five nights on the West side of London (about 25-30 minute train ride into the city) was the home of a family with four young children.  They went on holiday and rented out their house.  It was great for the kids!  There were games and a piano.  On the piano was a lesson book that all the kids had gone through back in Allendale with Mrs. Boers!  Look who jumped on the piano first!

https://youtu.be/xRKJn0F2PK0


Our first attraction was the Tower of London.  In the 1070's, William the Conqueror, fresh from his victory but nervous of rebellion, began to build a massive stone fortress in London to defend and proclaim his royal power.  Nothing like it had ever been seen in England before.  The tower took around 20 years to build.
-Katie

Outside the Tower.

This gives you an overview of the Tower.  There are many buildings.  It was like a little town.

The famous Yeoman Warders have been here for centuries.  Originally part of the Yeoman of the Guard, the monarch's personal bodyguard who traveled with him.  King Henry VIII (1507-47) decreed that some would stay and guard the Tower permanently.

The building where the English Crown Jewels are kept.  No photos allowed.  They were amazing because they are still in use!  We have seen these on television when England has official happenings!

The White Tower.  In 1240, Henry III had the Tower's great keep painted white making it the White Tower.

Guard outside the Crown Jewels.

Waiting to go in.

The Tower Ravens.  The story goes that should the Ravens leave the tower, both the Tower and the kingdom will fall.  They keep 6-7 birds at all times, clipping their flight feathers so they don't fly off.

Getting a blessing from one of the Tower inhabitants.

White Tower.  Medieval kings and queens lived in luxurious apartments at the Tower.  Although long since vanished, there was once a splendid royal palace to the south of the White Tower.  Henry VIII modernized the rooms inside in preparation for the coronation of his new bride, Anne Boleyn in 1533.  She and the King feasted here in splendor the night before Anne processed in triumph through the City of London to Westminster Abbey.  Three years later Anne was back at the Tower, this time accused of adultery and treason.  She was held in the same luxurious lodgings before being executed by sword on Tower Green.

The 1540 armor of King Henry VIII.

You can never have too many pictures of castle toilets, can you?

Inside the White Tower.  It was a living space for Kings and Queens for many years.

St. John's Chapel

A chopping block and ax.  See below.

Two creepy knights, Sir Stout and Sir Short.

Crown Jewel guards.

We came upon this in progress.  Not sure what's going on.   https://youtu.be/8bCFMg-ZqgM

Actors on the Tower Green.

The White Tower with some actors putting on a show.

There is so much history to this place!  We barely scratched the surface.  I didn't even get to the queens that were beheaded here and buried in haste in the floor of the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula.  They didn't even get a funeral!  For a trip down history lane, google the Tower of London and learn much more.
-Katie