The Tower, though all save the keep is later, and most of it considerably later than the eleventh century, well supplements the original design. The area enclosed and the strength of the walls and gates are in keeping with the dimensions and impregnable character of the keep; and the circumscribing ditch, though unusually broad and deep, was by no means too secure a defence against a turbulent and notoriously brave body of citizens.
PLAN OF THE TOWER OF LONDON IN 1866.
REFERENCES
- A.Tower Stairs and Petty Wales.
- B.Wharfinger’s Quarters.
- C.Middle Tower.
- D.Byward Tower.
- E.Byward Postern.
- F.Queen’s Stairs.
- G.Bell Tower.
- H.Police Quarters.
- I.Beauchamp Tower.
- J.Chaplain’s Quarters.
- K.Devereux Tower.
- L.Legge’s Mount.
- M.Flint, N, Bowyer, O, Brick, and P, Martin’s Tower.
- Q.Jewel House.
- R.Constable’s, and S, Salt Tower.
- T.Galleyman’s, and U, Cradle Tower.
- V.Traitor’s Gate.
- W.Wakefield, and X, Bloody Tower.
- Y.Main Guard.
- Z.Scaffold.
(From Lord De Ros’s Memorials of the Tower.)
The Tower, in its present form, is a fine example of a concentric castle, of mixed composition, but general harmony of design, and covering, with its circumscribing ditch, about twelve acres of ground.
Nearly in the centre, but now detached and alone, stands the keep, “La blanche Tour” of Edward III., the oldest and most stable part of the fortress. Around it is the inner ward, in plan generally four-sided, but with a salient on the north front, and contained within a wall strengthened by a gatehouse and twelve mural towers.
Encircling this is the outer ward, following the same general plan, and contained within a wall rising from, and forming the scarp of, the ditch. Upon it are bold drum bastions, at the angles of the north front; and the south, or Thames front, is protected by five mural towers, of which one covers the land and one the water gate, and two others are connected with posterns.
The ditch, which completely girdles the fortress, is divided from the river by a narrow strip of land used as a wharf, but also ingeniously contrived to cut off the water of the ditch from the tidal stream.