The Tower of London, which stand on the north bank of the River Thames in
London, is a mediaeval castle and includes an ancient fortress, a prison an
early Norman chapel and a former royal residence. The group of buildings is
surrounded by a high stone wall and a moat. The Tower Today is a peaceful place,
a showplace and museum frequently by eager tourists and sightseers. The Corps of
Yeomen Warders, sometimes referred to as Beefeatures, help to guard the crown
jewels, which are kept in the Wakefield Tower. In the Museum is an extensive
collection of armor, begun by Henry VIII. Soldiers from the regiments of
foot-guards usually provide the Tower’s garrison.
The Tower of London holds an important place in English history. The
construction of the Tower was started by William the Conqueror and until the
reign of James I, the Tower was a royal residence. Many famous people, however,
have been imprisoned there. Sometimes the prisoners were taken there by boat,
entering by the river entrance known as Traitor’s Gate. among the famous
prisoners to have been there are Lady Jane Grey, Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh
and Sir Thomas More. The last well Known prisoner there was William Joyce,
sometimes called ‘Lord Haw Haw’. Joyce was confined in the Tower Until His
execution for treason in 1946.
If you though that the clock in the tower of the Houses of Parliament in
London was called Big Ben, you would be wrong. The tower itself is called
St.Stephen’s Tower, while the clock is called the Westminster clock, and it is
the bell that strikes the hour which is called Big Ben. This bell weighs
thirteen tons. so it is no wonder that it is called Big Ben!
Many people think this is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world
and it is regarded as the finest examples of Islamic architecture. It was built
on the Jumna River near Agra in India by Shah Jahan, emperor of India, between
1631 and 1653as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal (‘Jewel of the Palace’) The
whole building is covered with white marble inlaid with colored stones in
abstract patterns. It stands on a rectangular platform 580m(635 yds) by 304 m
(333yds) and the whole edifice is reflected in a pool lined with cypress trees.
According to traditions, it is best to see it is best to see it by moonlight.
Shah Jahan, who reigned from 1628 to 1666,
belonged to the Mughal dynasty,
and his court was famous for its artists, especially painters.
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