Tower Hamlets in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Coldharbour Gate tower and Innermost Ward wall
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 27, 2018
1. Coldharbour Gate tower and Innermost Ward wall Marker
The Coldharbour Gate foundations and this ruined wall are all that survive of the formidable late-1230s defences built by Henry III to protect his royal palace. Coldharbour was later used as a prison, though it wasn't escape-proof. Alice Tankerville, charged with piracy, broke out with help from a lovelorn Tower servant in 1533.
Coldharbour was defended by huge cylindrical turrets but was sadly demolished in the 17th century. The Inmost Ward wall had arrow loops which allowed archers to fire on any attackers who breached the Bloody Tower gate. The wall was concealed for centuries by later buildings until it was re-exposed in 1940 by Second World War bomb damage.
( the text is also presented in ten additional languages)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1533.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 51° 30.475′ N, 0° 4.597′ W. Marker was in Tower Hamlets, England, in Greater London. It could be reached from the intersection of Tower Hill and Trinity Square, on the left when traveling west. Located
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in London and in the Greater South East. Globally, it was on the Atlantic Ocean, in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in Atlantic Europe, on one of the British Isles, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Guarding the Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Pushing Back the River (within shouting distance of this marker); Royal Beasts (within shouting distance of this marker); Traitors' Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); St Thomas's Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron 24 pounder Guns (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron 36 pounder Guns (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron 32 pounder Gun (within shouting
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 27, 2018
2. Coldharbour Gate Tower and Innermost Ward Wall
Other markers no longer nearby. White Tower and the Two Princes (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); The Lost Palace (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Royal River View (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Bell Tower (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . .
1. Tower of London. (Submitted on May 23, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
2. Tower of London on Wikipedia. (Submitted on May 23, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 23, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 2,354 times since then and 157 times this year. Last updated on September 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 23, 2018, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Transcription of the non-English texts. • Can you help?
