A
lot less than most people imagine. While The Tower
is one of the most important buildings in the history
of England, it is not much taller than a four story
house. But the real treasures are inside, where the
Crown Jewels are kept, including The Star of Africa,
which at 530 carats is the largest diamond in the
world. The jewels are the highlight of the visit,
and to keep the throngs of gawkers moving along, a
peoplemover has been installed. The Tower has a long
and bloody history, illustrated in detail by the Royal
Armoury, which holds 40,000 artifacts from armor to
iron maidens. This is where Henry VI was killed in
1471, where two of Henry VIII's wives were executed
(Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard) and where Lady
Jane Grey and Robert Devereux, the Earl of Sussex,
met similar fates. The Tower of London has been guarded
by a detail of Beefeaters since 1485.
The Tower of London is considered one of the most
haunted places in Britain.
The
ghost of Thomas A. Becket first appeared during construction
of the Traitor's Gate in the 13th century. A priest
saw him striking the gate with a crucifix, causing
it to collapse.
It
is said that the headless ghost of Anne Boleyn walks
the corridors of the White Tower.
The
ghost of Anne Boleyn has also been seen moving from
the Queen's House to the Chapel of Saint Peter ad
Vincula. Once at the chapel, she reportedly moves
down the aisle to her grave under the altar.
It
is said that the ghost of Catherine Howard screams
for help in the corridor in front of the room where
she was kept before being executed.
Ghosts
have been seen reenacting the death of the Countess
of Salisbury. The spirits relive the time when she
refused to put her head on the chopping block like
a common treasoner and was chased around the tower
grounds by the executioner chopping bits out of her
with his axe. Specifically, she was hewn to death.
The
ghosts of 12-year-old King Edward V and his 9-year-old
brother Richard Duke of York have also been seen in
the Bloody Tower wearing white gowns.
The
ghost of 16-year-old Lady Jane Grey has been seen
on the battlements on the anniversary of her husband's
beheading.
Phantom
funeral carriages have been seen on the grounds.
A
phantom squad of soldiers has been seen marching on
the grounds.
The
ghost of a woman in mourning garments (possibly a
"gray lady") has been seen. There is a black
void where her face should be.
Unknown
foggy apparitions have been seen on the battlements.
It
is unknown what haunts the Salt Tower, but it must
be pretty bad since some say dogs refuse to enter.
The ghost of Sir Walter Raleigh haunts the Queen's
House near where he was imprisoned.
There
are always ravens at the Tower. They are cared for
by the Beefeaters. It is believed that if the ravens
ever leave the tower, England will perish.
