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Published: August 5th 2007
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After a restless night's sleep in the King's College dorm (thinking about all the things I wanted to see the next day), I got up early, showered, and headed out. I was staying in Waterloo, on the South side of the Thames River, near the London Eye.
After all the rain of the past few days, it was a relief to see the sun shining. I went towards the Thames and walked along the bank of the river, stopping to take pictures on the way. I passed by the Globe Theatre, but unfortunately, all the tickets for Love's Labour's Lost were sold out for that night. Lots of joggers were out, but nothing seemed to be open yet... which was unfortunate, since my stomach was growling. Finally, I found an Italian coffee shop and got a hot chocolate and a chocolate toffee muffin... both of which I probably walked off in the first hour of the day. It was a loooong day. 😊 Shortly afterwards, I passed the Clink prison museum. It was closed, and I've heard it's not worth it, but this is where the expression "thrown in the clink" comes from.
I crossed the river at London
Bridge (satisfyingly sturdy, let me assure you) and headed towards the Tower of London. I had been to London for a couple days seven years ago with Mom, Jim, and Grandfather, so I wanted to try to see things I had missed before. The Tower was the exception. I wanted to repeat the gory history.
The first thing I saw when I entered was the Traitor's Gate - it sits down low, and traitors to the crown were brought in by boat. Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth I both passed through here. They say Elizabeth simply sat down on the steps and refused to move. This was when her older sister (Catholic) Queen Mary I was on the throne and persecuting all the Protestants, like Elizabeth.
Fortunately, I got there before it was crowded, so I headed straight for the crown jewels. I remember waiting in line a long time last time, but at least they show you videos of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation, over 50 years ago. Maybe she'll give Victoria a run for her money. Speaking of Victoria, that's my favorite thing in the display - Victoria's teeny tiny diamond crown that looks like it would
fit a doll. Since they won't let you take pictures inside, here is the link to the Wikipedia entry on it, complete with a picture of Victoria modeling it.
After that, I went and got up close and personal with a couple of the six ravens that live in the Tower. They say that if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the British monarchy would fall, so, of course, they clip their wings. These guys are huge and loud, and supposedly they bite... but they just posed for me. There's a yeoman warder specially tasked with their care. His latest worry is bird flu.
I had gotten the audio guide, so I wandered in and out of towers, including the Bloody Tower, where people were poisoned and two young princes, nephews of Richard III, were supposedly murdered so that he could inherit the throne. I also went in the Beauchamp Tower, where prisoners languished and carved intricate inscriptions in the stone. This overlooks the site where the likes of Anne Boleyn and Lady Jane Grey were beheaded. You just get shivers. The Tower has also imprisoned Sir Walter Ralegh (who lived in relative comfort there with his family
and servants for thirteen years - he was sent here by Elizabeth I, who had no problem imprisoning people where she had earlier been a prisoner herself), Guy Fawkes (who tried to blow up Parliament and was tortured into confessing), and Rudolf Hess (Nazi bigwig).
Finally, I entered the White Tower, which is the huge bastion at the center of the complex, originally built by William the Conqueror in 1078. It boggles the mind to think buildings can last for over a century. Well. It's full of the armor of past kings of England, including the armor of Henry VIII.
After centuries of bloodiness and torture, there are ample stories of hauntings. I didn't see any ghosts (certainly not Anne Boleyn walking around with her head under her arm), but Sir Thomas More was running around - there are several actors in period costumes who liven up the place.
So, after soaking all this up, I proceeded out of the Tower (some prisoners did manage to escape) and grabbed a sandwich, which I ate on my way to St. Paul's. However, I think I'll put that in the next entry and give you (and myself) a break.
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