A Chronology of the Tower of London
A journey through 2000 years of archaeology in the heart of London
By Historic Royal Palaces
Alfred Hawkins, Assistant Curator
Illustration of Roman London from south-east corner by David LawrenceHistoric Royal Palaces
1. Roman Londinium
We start our journey with the Roman occupation of Britannia. Londinium, now London, was established between 43-60AD, and one of its most important features was its defensive walls, built between 190-300AD, which encircled the city and provided protection along the riverside.
Illustrated interpretation of the Tower of London c.1080 by Ivan LapperHistoric Royal Palaces
2. White Tower and the Anglo Norman Kings (1066-1135)
Following his victory at the Battle of Hastings and coronation in 1066, William the Conqueror built a defensive ring-work fortification at the eastern extent of the surviving Roman walls in 1067, creating a defensive point to both dominate and protect the City of London.
Detail of original roof level inside White Tower, Tower of London (2024) by Richard Lea-HairHistoric Royal Palaces
Between 1078 and 1100 the White Tower was built. This massive keep was made to appear as though it had an additional upper floor, adding to the status to the building. The scar of the original roof level can still be seen, revealing the original layout of the building.
White Tower, Tower of London (2024) by Richard Lea-HairHistoric Royal Palaces
When finished, the White Tower was one of the tallest buildings in the country and would have dominated the skyline for miles with its white caen stone. It formed the centrepiece of the Anglo-Norman king's iron grip over England.
Illustration of Tower and surrounds circa 1190 by David LawrenceHistoric Royal Palaces
3. The Angevin Expansion (1189-1216)
The next major expansion pushed the fortress out from the Roman wall and deeper into the City of London. The Bell Tower was constructed and new sections of walls surrounded by a deep ditch created an additional defensive area surrounding the original enclosure.
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The Bell Tower's outer structure is a formidable bastion, built to defend against a concentrated attack. Its base is built from Sussex marble to protect it from erosion by the River Thames.
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Henry III's Tower of London by Chris WormellHistoric Royal Palaces
4. Henry III (c.1220 - c.1260)
This huge period of work expanded the boundary of the castle beyond the limits of the Roman walls. The Inner Curtain Wall surrounded by a deep ditch was constructed during this time. Included in the construction of this outer circuit were the Wakefield and Lanthorn Towers.
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Henry III's Tower of London by Chris WormellHistoric Royal Palaces
As part of his defences, Henry also had a new gatehouse built along the line of Great Tower Street, a principal Roman Road. In April 1240 this gate collapsed ‘as if struck by an earthquake’. The gate was rebuilt but collapsed again a year later!
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5. Edward I
During the reign of Henry III’s son, Edward I, the Tower was greatly expanded in all directions, creating what are the current dimensions of the fortress. By ringing the Tower with an additional wall, the Tower became a formidable concentric castle with an additional Outer Ward.
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Tower of London, Legge's MountHistoric Royal Palaces
A True and Exact Draught of the Tower Liberties (16th Century) by John Gascoyne and William HaiwardHistoric Royal Palaces
6. The Tudor Tower
A huge scheme of works from 1532 renewed the palatial buildings of the Tower, located to the south of the White Tower in preparation for Anne Boleyn's coronation. Sadly these buildings are now lost, though they can still be seen in this sixteenth century plan of the Tower.
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The house is formed of four gables on each range and is made distinct within the Tower complex through its exposed timber framing on the external elevations. It is the finest timber framed building to survive the Great Fire of London of 1666.
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These residences were built in 1680 on the site of stables related to the King's House. Though many of the buildings constructed during this period have been demolished, archaeologically recording those that survive helps us to better understand life in the Stuart Tower.
8. Re-medievalisation
By the middle of the nineteenth century the perception of the Tower had begun to change from a garrison, storehouse and foundry to a site of historic importance. In the latter half of the century Anthony Salvin and John Taylor led the process of re-medievalising the fortress.
Cradle Tower (2024)Historic Royal Palaces
These works touched most of the Tower’s buildings, even rebuilding ‘lost’ elements of its towers and walls including the upper storey of The Cradle Tower, which had been built during the reign of Edward III.
The Tower of London - proposed restoration of Ballium Wall (c.1890) by The Tower of London. Proposed restoration of Ballium Wall between the Wakefield Tower and the Lanthorn Tower. Plans and sections.Historic Royal Palaces
Alongside this was the reconstruction of the Inner Curtain Wall between the Salt & Wakefield Towers, including the Lanthorn Tower. Though often seen as destructive, this period in the Tower's history created the fortress as we know it - along with many of its myths.
The Tower of London and River Thames (2021) by Richard Lea-HairHistoric Royal Palaces
9. The Future
The story of the Tower of London spans over 2000 years of development at the heart of London, but it isn’t over yet. The Tower requires constant maintenance and conservation in order to conserve and repair its historic fabric and keep the site safe.
