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Lion's Gate
The Tower of London. Lion's Gate and Byward Tower visitor entrance and Moat.
"The principal entrance to the Tower, or Lions' Gate, so called from the royal menagerie formerly kept here, is on the W. side, in Tower Hill. ... A stone bridge, between two towers (Middle Tower and Byward Tower), leads across the moat (which can still be flooded by the garrison) into the Outer Bail or anterior court".--Baedeker 1915
Part of the Tower of London UNESCO World Heritage site.
DSC_0839 Friday was the day to visit the Tower of London. Our decision to go to the British Museum on rainy Wednesday had paid off, as the weather was now clear. The Underground took us on an interesting journey on the Piccadilly and District Lines from Russell Square to above-ground South Kensington and thence to Tower Hill.
The Tower of London can be seen right at the exit from Tower Hill station. The queue was short to enter the Tower as we presented our London Passes. Inside the Tower, we viewed the White Tower, the Crown Jewels, and Fusilier Museum. A video at the Crown Jewels exhibit showed the Coronation of Elizabeth II as she wore the St. Edward's Crown. The Tower Ravens flew down to visit. Several costumed reenactors portrayed
Defend the Tower!, a living history pageant. Other historical characters meandered about. I even met Anne Boleyn!
Exiting the Tower, we had to stop to view the iconic Tower Bridge and the River Thames. Nearby was a cafe simply called Paul. We had lunch here.
Next stop was to be Westminster Abbey. To return to Westminster, we elected to take a Thames cruise boat, also included in the
Byward Tower
The Tower of London. The Byward Tower was built in 1238 and 1272 by Henry III to provide additional protection to the Tower of London. It retains its original form of two cylindrical towers and is the main visitor entrance.
Part of The Tower of London UNESCO World Heritage site.
DSC_0840 London Pass. It was a lengthy wait for the next boat, but well worth it! Sights along the way to the Houses of Parliament included the modern buildings on the South Bank (the new iconic symbols of London), the Globe Theatre, the dome of St. Paul's, Victoria Embankment, Cleopatra's Needle, and the London Eye. Another glimpse of Big Ben and the Palace of Westminster was afforded on the way to Westminster Abbey. I'm glad we were able to see and hear Big Ben before it was covered in scaffolding and silenced until 2021.
One crosses Parliament Square here, where statues of legendary political leaders are gathered. Winston Churchill is among them, as are worldwide notables, including Lincoln, Ghandi and Mandela. St. Margaret's Church is adjacent to Westminster Abbey. It might appear odd to have two large churches side-by-side. St. Margaret's was established as the parish church for Westminster when Westminster Abbey was still a monastery. (St. Margaret's is noted as the place Winston and Clementine Churchill were married.) Westminster Abbey was overwhelming! Thinking of all the monarchs and notables buried here and the historical events that have taken place. Walking through they abbey one encountered nooks and crannies with
Bell Tower
The Tower of London. Bell Tower. The Bell Tower is located next to the Queen's House, behind the entrance of the Byward Towers. It dates from the end of the 12th century, making it the second oldest tower after the White Tower.
"In the Bell Tower the Princess Elizabeth was confined by her sister Queen Mary, and Arabella Stuart was imprisoned for four years..."--Baedeker 1915
Part of the Tower of London UNESCO World Heritage site. DSC_0846 tombs and one historical figure after another. Mary, Queen of Scots, popped up here, Charles Darwin there. The Poets Corner naturally stood out. It's difficult to process it all. Things were more relaxed at the Chapter House and the Cloisters. The octagonal Chapter House was fascinating. The colored floor tiles from the 13th century and wall paintings from the 14th century are visible.
After Westminster Abbey, we needed to return to our hotel to get ready for a night at the theatre. I had reserved tickets for the musical
Half a Sixpence at the Noel Coward Theatre.
Half a Sixpence is a revival of the 1963 musical that was a vehicle for Tommy Steele. (I saw the American tour production in 1965.) It's set in the Edwardian era and is a lot of fun, brimming with energy, optimism, nostalgia and romance all at the same time. (A sort of British
Music Man, if you will.) This energetic and fast-moving production was a vehicle for newcomer Charlie Stemp, of which more will be heard, I am certain.
On the subject of West End theatre, I was continually dazzled by the sheer number theatrical production posters in the Underground. Everything
The White Tower
The Tower of London. The White Tower.
"The oldest part of the fortress is the White Tower, begun about 1078 on a site previously occupied by two bastions built by King Alfred in 885. The architect was Gundulf, Bishop of Rochester. It is said to owe its name to the fact that its walls were whitewashed in 1240. ... In the centre of the court, upon slightly rising ground, stands the White Tower, or Keep, the most ancient part of the fortress. It measures 107 ft. from N. to 8. and 118 ft. from E. to W., and is 92 ft. high. The walls are 13-15 ft. thick and are surmounted with turrets at the angles. The original Norman windows, with the exception of four on the S. side, were altered in the classical style by Sir Christopher Wren in 1663-1709. Among the many important scenes enacted in this tower may be mentioned the abdication of Richard II. in favour of Henry of Bolingbroke in 1399".--Baedeker 1915
Part of the Tower of London UNESCO World Heritage site. DSC_0848 from
Bat Out of Hell to
Kinky Boots to a revival of
Annie with Miranda Hart as Miss Hannigan. London is without question the world's theatrical capital.
We had accomplished much in our three days in London! Now it was time to embark on the cruise.
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D MJ Binkley
Dave and Merry Jo Binkley
London
London is a town we never tire of....