Beauchamp Tower - design for alterations

By the middle of the nineteenth century there was a growing desire for greater access to the Tower, parts of which had fallen into a poor state of repair. This clamour for access was driven in part by publications such as William Harrison Ainsworth's 'The Tower of London' (1840), a work of romantic fiction which drew attention to the graffiti carved into the Tower's walls by former prisoners.

Architect Anthony Salvin was appointed to oversee the restoration of the Beauchamp Tower, which contains several notable examples of historic graffiti, in 1852. Salvin had developed a reputation as an accomplished restorer of medieval castles, so was an obvious choice to direct the work at the Tower.

This drawing was produced by the Office of Works - the government department responsible for public buildings - and sent to Salvin so that he could communicate his instructions. Salvin directed that the modern houses surrounding the Beauchamp Tower, which included Yeoman Warders' residences, should be pulled down to reveal the frontage of the Tower.

If you look carefully, you can see Salvin's signature alongside his instructions at the bottom of the sheet. Drawings such as this served not only to provide information, but also acted as tools of communication.