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Founded nearly a millennium ago, The Tower of London has been expanded upon over the centuries by many a king and queen. The first foundations were laid in 1078 and the castle has been constantly improved and extended.
In 1066 the Normans came calling. William the Conqueror began building the Tower of London to keep the Londoners in line, and the Tower has been expanded and added to many times since. It has seen executions, murder, and dramatic escapes over the centuries. A list of the prisoners who have been held within its walls reads like a who's who of English history.
The Tower of London is the oldest palace, fortress and prison in Europe. History has it that King Edward of England backed down on his promise to give the throne to William, Duke of Normandy and ended up giving the throne to Harold Godwinson, his English brother in law.
The Tower began its life as a simple timber and stone enclosure. The original structure was completed by the addition of a ditch and palisade along the north and west sides. This enclosure then received a structure of stone, which came to be called The Great Tower and eventually The White Tower, as we know it today.