William the Conqueror (William I of England) wanted a place of refuge built that he could return to after his conquests and had the Great Tower to be built in 1078 AD. It took five years to complete and William called it the Tower of London. It was also to be a prison for his enemies.

It is its role as a prison that the Great Tower has its notoriety. The prison has been the home for kings (Richard II & Edward V), queens (Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I), royalty (Duke of York), clergy, gentlemen (Lord Hastings & Sir Walter Raleigh), and ladies; as well as many, many common folks. Many of these esteemed prisoners were there for years, but most ended their stay without their head.

In 1240 AD, King Henry III had the Great Tower whitewashed, renamed it the White Tower, and enlarged the grounds to include several more towers, a church, and a great hall. He called the entire complex the Tower of London, as well. It was the home of many kings that followed, all the way to King Henry VII in 1485, except a brief stay by King James I. A few kings and queens have stayed there for short periods of time, but never considered it a residence. It is still referred to as “His/Her Majesty’s Palace and Fortress, The Tower of London” to this day.

It continued to be used as a prison afterwards, as well as to host several special dignitaries, and special events, such as the marriage of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn. Ironically, several years later on that very same day, May 19, she would be executed for giving birth to a girl, and future queen of England, Elizabeth I. The last know occurrence of the Tower being used as a prison was in World War II to house Rudolf Hess.