15. King Edward I. dressed in a very curious suit of gilt armour, and in shoes of mail. He has a battle axe in his hand.
16. William the Conqueror the first in the line, though last shewn, sits in a suit of plain armour.
17. Over the door where you go out of the armoury is a target on which are engraved by a masterly hand, the figures as it should seem, of Justice, Fortune, and Fortitude; and round the room the walls are every where lined with various uncommon pieces of old armour, for horses heads and breasts, targets, and many pieces that now want a name.
The other curiosities contained in the Tower, are in the Jewel office, and the manner of coining money in the mint. There are here also the office of ordnance, which has the government of all the above store rooms, and the office of keeper of the records. For which see the articles Jewel Office, Mint, Office of Ordnance, and Record Office, and for the church in the Tower, see St. Peter ad Vincula.
The Tower is a place so considerable and so much frequented by all who visit this metropolis, that it would have been unpardonable to have omitted a view: this in the print is taken from the river, but exhibits a mixture of old and new buildings which are neither remarkable for their beauty nor grandeur.
Tower Court, a court of record held by prescription, at the king’s arms on Great Tower Hill, by a steward appointed by the constable of the Tower, by whom are tried actions of debt for any sum, damage and trespass.
Here also the grand jury, try all persons taken up in the Tower liberties for murders, felonies and other crimes, when if they are found guilty they are committed to Newgate, to take their trials at the Old Bailey.
And in short, in the same house the Coroners inquest sit for the Tower liberties.
Tower dock, near the Tower Wharf.
Tower Hill, a very spacious area to the north, east and west of the Tower ditch, divided into Great and Little Tower Hill. The west end extending much farther to the north is called by the former name, and the east end, in which is the victualling office, by the latter. It must be confessed that Tower Hill has many handsome buildings, particularly among the row of houses which bound it to the west; but though this great area might be rendered extremely beautiful, it is quite the reverse, in almost every other part besides that just mentioned, we find it ill built, and the ground a mere dunghill; particularly in Little Tower Hill, where we see either the backs of the houses next this fine area, or mean edifices in ruins. But as the hill is now improved and rendered more safe by placing strong wooden rails on the outside of the ditch, it is to be hoped that the ground will be completely levelled, and laid out to greater advantage, and that some care will be taken to rebuild the houses that are falling down, particularly as this is a place visited by all strangers.