First published 2018
Janet B. Pascal explores the Tower of London, a fortress that has stood for nearly a millennium since William the Conqueror first erected it in 1066. The author traces how this imposing structure served multiple roles throughout English history as a royal fortress, a palace for kings, an unusual zoo, and the secure home of the Crown Jewels. Pascal examines why the Tower became infamous as a prison, drawing over 2 million visitors annually who come to learn about its dark reputation. She investigates the mystery of two young princes who vanished during King Richard III's reign after entering the castle walls. The book also covers how two of King Henry VIII's wives found themselves imprisoned within the Tower's walls. Pascal brings together nearly a thousand years of hidden stories and secrets that have accumulated within this landmark. The author reveals how a medieval fortress evolved into one of the world's most visited historical sites, where royal ceremonies and executions both took place behind the same stone walls.
Genres: history, travel, non-fiction, architecture
Vibes: atmospheric, informative, thought-provoking
Tropes: hidden-secrets, historical-exploration
Setting: Tower Of London, England
Period: 1066, Medieval, Renaissance
112 pages · Library Binding · Penguin Workshop