---

History of the Tower

A history of the Tower's development and a timeline of some of its most significant events:

• A building history 
• Events timeline 

---

Palace people

Explore 'Palace people' for profiles, stories and little-known facts about some of England’s famous monarchs and interesting characters associated with the Tower.

Monarchs often associated with the Tower:

• William the Conqueror (r 1066-87) 
• Henry III (r 1216-72) 
• Edward I (r 1272-1307) 
• Edward III (r 1327-77)
• Richard II (r 1377-99) 
• Henry VI (r 1422-61, 1470-1)
• Richard III (r 1483-1485) 
• Henry VIII (r 1509-1547)  
• Queen Mary I (r 1553-8)
• Queen Elizabeth I (r 1558-1603) 

For more profiles of famous kings and queens, click here.

Interesting characters associated with the Tower:

• Crawford Butler, Yeoman Warder
• Perkin Warbeck, Imposter
• Guy Fawkes, Conspirator
• Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington
• Prisoners at the Tower 

---

Historic hotspots

Visit the 'Historic hotspots' where dramatic events and quirky moments in the Tower's history unfolded:

• An attempt to steal the Crown Jewels 
• Anne Boleyn executed on Tower Green 

---

Ghosts stories

Discover eerie 'Ghost stories' from the Tower:

• Arbella Stuart
• A phantom bear at the Tower?  

For more stories from across the palaces, click here.