Tower of London

The Tower of London, built by William the Conqueror on the Thames River in London in 1066, is a famous British prison. The Tower of London is historically significant and is listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site for its value.

It functioned as a state prison from 1100 to 1952. Prisoners at the tower were held for few special offenses specifically committed against the State – treason, assassination of the ruler, speaking ill of said ruler, or counterfeiting.

22 executions occurred in the Tower of London, which is said to be haunted by the deaths that took place there. The last execution on Tower Hill was of a treasonous man, and took place in 1747.

Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth I were both held there; Boleyn was executed there. More monarchs were killed there as well. It is known as the Bloody Tower, and is the location of the assassination of Edward IV’s sons.

The tower was also famous for its torture. The most-used methods of terrorizing inmates were the rack and the manacles.

Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site receives over 2.4 million visitors yearly, a shining example of Norman architecture and quite the tourist attraction. It also houses the Crown Jewels.