Tower of London

Photos by ML Allan © 2006 All rights reserved The last execution block and axe used
	Our Yeoman Warder Guide (Also called Beefeater) He told us the true story of James Scott, the illegitimate son of Charles II. Circa 1500s. He had been accused of treason and ordered beheaded in the Tower. The executioner at the time was also the town butcher and town drunk. He took not one but 5 attempts to sever the head of John Scott and finally had to finish off with his pocket knife what was hanging by a thread of skin. From there the torso was buried in the Tower grounds but head was take to London Bridge and put on a pike for display and to warn the citizens of their fate should they commit a similar crime.
All seemed well until it was realized that although James Scott was illegitimate he was still born of royalty and there was no existing painting of him. So with great haste orders went out to exhume the body and retrieve the head from London Bridge immediately! Summoned quickly, the royal surgeon was instructed to sew the two parts back together. Meanwhile the court painter was called in. He said he could have the portrait finished within a few days, but was informed he had 24 hours to complete it or suffer the same fate! The head was getting quite ripe. A scarf was tied around Scott's neck to hide the stitches and the portrait was made. Immediately after the last brush stroke was applied the body was removed, torso going one way and the head returned to London Bridge.
Portrait of James Scott

Guarding the Crown Jewels

The White Tower contains displays from the Royal Armouries' collection and more.

The Ravenmaster Legend has it that should the ravens ever leave the Tower of London the White Tower will crumble and a great disaster shall befall England. There are always at least 6 ravens at the tower at all times

Tower Green, providing accommodations for Tower of London officials for 300 years. At present, at least 150 people live and work in the Tower of London. A guard stands at attention.
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Henry VIII's Armour

Armour for the Earl of Southhampton

Armour for princes
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Armour for a giant and... the other is said to be a model



Tower Bridge
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The oratory in St. Thomas's Tower, the kings private hall

Crest of the Monarchy

Small canons
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Elizabeth I

Wooden heads. Of the executed?

Henry VIII and his armour
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Horses and armour of Kings throughout the ages


Armour for King James I
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Inscriptions on the wall of the holding cell for aristocratic prisoners

One of the treasured ravens

Upper chamber of the Wakefield Tower built for Henry III between 1220 and 1240 AD
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The grounds of the Tower of London

A view of Tower Bridge from, if I remember correctly, the Bloody Tower


Weapons of destruction....for men?
	The weapon on the left is called a Morning Glory
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