Tower Hamlets in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
The White Tower and Royal Armouries
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 27, 2018
1. The White Tower and Royal Armouries Marker
William the Conqueror began building his great keep, known as the White Tower in the 1070s, and it was probably finished by his sons. They built the White Tower on this spot to frighten invaders arriving from the river and to intimidate the conquered Londoners. Inside it had two floors above a deep basement. A thick central wall divided each floor into two large rooms, with a chapel on the upper floor. The earliest record of painting the building white was in March 1240 during Henry III’s reign.
Designed as a royal residence for the Norman kings, the keep soon became more useful as a safe place to keep things. For over 700 years the White Tower's main use was as a military storehouse and is still used today by the Royal Armouries to display weapons and armour.
( 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 month for this entry is March 1240.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 51° 30.47′ N, 0° 4.536′ W. Marker was in Tower Hamlets, England, in Greater London.
this page online
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: Wardrobe Tower (here, next to this marker); Bronze 24-pounder Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); Bronze Fortress Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Bronze Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Royal Logistic Corps Departure (within shouting distance of this marker); Army Stores and Soldiers (within shouting distance of this marker); Medieval Jewish Prisoners (within shouting distance of this marker); Queen Eleanor of Provence
Photographed by Michael Herrick, April 27, 2018
2. The White Tower and Royal Armouries Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. The White Tower and Roman City Wall (was here, next to this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); White Tower and the Two Princes (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).
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 283 times since then and 31 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 text. • Can you help?
