St Katharine's & Wapping in Tower Hamlets in Greater London, England, United Kingdom — Northwestern Europe (the British Isles)
Royal Beasts
Discover the Palace Story
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 11, 2026
1. Royal Beasts Marker
[English:]Medieval kings gave and received wild animals as gifts. King Henry III received a polar bear from the King of Norway and an elephant from the King of France in the 1250s. This picture was drawn from life when the elephant arrived here.
The polar bear was allowed to swim in the river on a strong rope. Other creatures had less freedom. For centuries, caged lions and other big cats impressed visitors to the Tower.
Les rois de l’époque médiévale donnaient et recevaient des animaux sauvages comme présents. Le roi Henri III reçut un ours polaire du roi de Norvège et un éléphant du roi de France dans les années 1250. L’ours polaire pouvait nager dans le fleuve au bout d’une longue corde. D’autres créatures ne jouissaient pas d’une telle liberté. Pendant des siècles, des lions et d’autres félins en cage impressionnèrent les visiteurs de la Tour.
Los reyes medievales daban y recibían animales salvajes como obsequios. El rey Enrique III recibió un oso polar del rey de Noruega y un elefante del rey de Francia en la década de 1250. Al oso polar le dejaban nadar en el río sujeto a una cuerda fuerte,
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Os reis medievais davam e recebiam de presente animais selvagens. O Rei Henrique III recebeu um urso polar do Rei da Noruega e um elefante do Rei de França na década de 1250. O urso polar podia nadar no rio, preso por uma corda bem forte. Outras criaturas tinham menos liberdade. Durante séculos, os leões e outros felídeos enjaulados impressionaram os visitantes da Torre.
I re medievali offrivano e ricevevano animali selvaggi in dono. Re Enrico III ricevette un orso polare dal re di Norvegia e un elefante dal re di Francia negli anni intorno al 1250. All’orso polare era consentito di nuotare nel fiume, legato a una corda spessa. Altre creature godevano di minore libertà. Per secoli, leoni e altri grandi felini ingabbiati impressionarono i visitatori della Torre.
Im Mittelalter waren wilde Tiere ein beliebtes Geschenk unter Königen. Um 1250 erhielt König Heinrich III. vom norwegischen König einen Eisbären und vom französischen König einen Elefanten.
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 11, 2026
2. Royal Beasts Marker
The marker is located just east of Wakefield Tower.
Średniowieczni królowie często przekazywali i otrzymywali w darze dzikie zwierzęta. W latach 50. XIII wieku Henryk III otrzymał od króla Norwegii niedźwiedzia polarnego, a od króla Francji — słonia. Niedźwiedź polarny, którego trzymano na mocnej uwięzi, pozwalano pływać w rzece. Inne zwierzęta nie miały tyle swobody. Przez stulecia gościom twierdzy pokazywano trzymane w klatkach lwy i inne wielkie koty.
Средневековые короли подносили и принимали диких животных в качестве
Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, September 11, 2026
3. Royal Beasts Marker
There is an additional exhibit on the treatment and torture of exotic animals at the Tower of London exhibit.
মধ্যযুগীয় রাজারা উপহার হিসেবে বন্য প্রাণী দিতে ও গ্রহণ করতো।
রাজা তৃতীয় হেনরি নরওয়ের রাজার কাছ থেকে একটি মেরু ভাল্লুক এবং ফ্রান্সের রাজার কাছ থেকে একটি হাতি পেয়েছিলেন। রাজার রাজার কাছ থেকে 1250 এর দশকে একটি মেরু ভাল্লুক এবং একটি ভাল্লুকটিকে একটি মজবুত দড়িতে বেঁধে নদীতে সাঁতার কাটতে অনুমতি দেওয়া হয়েছিল। অন্যান্য প্রাণীদের এত স্বাধীনতা ছিল না। কয়েক শতাব্দী ধরে বন্দি সিংহ ও অন্য বড় বিড়াল জাতীয় প্রাণীরা টাওয়ারের দর্শনার্থীদের আকৃষ্ট করতো।
中世纪的国王将野兽作为礼物相互赠送。13世纪50年代，挪威国王和法国国王分别向国王亨利三世赠送了一头北极熊和一头大象。
北极熊在拴上一根结实的绳子后，被人放于河中游泳。其他动物的自由活动空间很少。几个世纪以来，狮子和其他大型猫科动物被关在笼里，供伦敦塔游客参观。
中世の国王たちは、野生動物を贈り物として交換し合いました。ヘンリー三世は、ノルウェー王からホッキョクマを、フランス王からゾウを受け取りました。ホッキョクマには綱を付けて川で水をやせたといいます。ほかの動物にはそんな自由はなかったようです。幾世紀にもわたり、檻内のライオンやその他ネコ科の猛獣たちがロンドン塔の見物客を楽しませました。
Erected by Historic Royal Palaces.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Forts and Castles.
Location. 51° 30.45′ N, 0° 4.589′ W. Marker is in Tower Hamlets, England, in Greater London. It is in St Katharine's & Wapping. It can be reached from the intersection of Tower Bridge Approach and Tower Hill, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tower Hamlets, England EC3N 4DT, United Kingdom. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in London and in the Greater South East. Globally, it is 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 finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Pushing Back the River (here, next to this marker); Iron 24 pounder Guns (a few steps from this marker); Traitors' Gate (a few steps from this marker); Iron 36 pounder Guns (a few steps from this marker); Iron 32 pounder Gun (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Iron 32 pounder Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Iron 12 pounder Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Iron 12 pounder Gun (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tower Hamlets.
Other markers no longer nearby. The Lost Palace (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); A Royal River View (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Also see . . . Royal Beasts Exhibition.
For over 600 years, animals were held captive at the Tower in the Royal Menagerie – including lions, tigers, monkeys, elephants, zebras, alligators, bears and kangaroos.(Submitted on September 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York.)
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 27, 2026, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
