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The Tower of London functioned as a fortress, prison, and royal palace. It consists of the Inner Ward and Outer Ward. This entry focuses on this UNESCO World Heritage site’s Outer Ward.
History
The Outer Ward was created during the reigns of King Henry III and his son, King Edward I, as they expanded the Tower outwards. He completely surrounded the castle with walls and built new bastions. He also built a new entrance in the southwest corner and a new water gate on land that was previously submerged by the River Thames.
Moat
As soon as you pass through the entrance to the Tower of London, its importance as a defensive building is obvious. As you cross the bridge, you get a good glimpse of the wide moat that surrounds it.
Byward Tower
On the other side of the bridge is the Byward Tower, which is one of 21 towers at the Tower of London. It was built by Henry III between 1238 and 1272 and was the gatehouse to the Outer Ward. Today, it serves as the main tourist entrance.
Outer Ward
Once passing under the Byward Tower, you enter the Outer Ward. This is the section between two sets of defensive walls. The only section visitors can really explore at ground level is Water Lane, which is on the south side of the Tower running parallel to the River Thames.
From Water Lane, you can access the Medieval Palace at St. Thomas’s Tower, the Inner Ward, and exit the complex. Just east of the Medieval Palace, you’ll find a row of cannons on display.
Bell Tower
Just opposite the Byward Tower is the Bell Tower. It’s the second oldest tower in the complex and may have been commissioned by Richard the Lionheart. It takes its name from the small wooden turret at the top, which contains the “curfew bell”. The bell was rung to inform prisoners it was time to return to their cells. Famous prisoners held inside the Bell Tower include Sir Thomas More, Bishop John Fisher, and Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth I).
Royal Mint
On the west side of the Outer Ward is the former Royal Mint. The mint was moved to the tower around 1279 by Edward I and operated there until 1812.
Today, the building is an interactive museum telling the history of the mint and displaying unique objects and coins.
Traitors’ Gate
The Traitors’ Gate is a water gate under St. Thomas’s Tower. It was built by Edward I and replaced the Bloody Tower as the castle’s water gate.
Prisoners were brought to the Tower of London through the Traitors’ Gate. They would pass on a barge along the River Thames under the London Bridge, where heads of executed prisoners were displayed on pikes. The prisoners would then be escorted to their cells.
