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London and Environs
Tower of
London - Gundulf and the design of the White Tower
Gundulf (1024-1108) Bishop of Rochester from
1077
Gundulf was born near Roúen
around 1024; he began his career as a clerk of the cathedral there. It’s
said that during a particularly bad storm at sea he vowed to become a
monk. He kept his word and proved to be a very devout and dedicated
Benedictine monk, even bursting into tears occasionally in an over
abundance of religious fervor. He became known as the “weeping monk of Bec.”
It was said he had a very pleasant and generous nature and many were
strongly drawn to him and loved his company.
When his devoted friend, and employer, Lanfranc was appointed Archbishop
of Canterbury in 1070 he took Gundulf to England with him, where Gundulf
served as a highly efficient steward of the cathedral’s estates. In 1077
the weeping monk was made Bishop of Rochester where he served for 30 years
and was later buried.
A contemporary source for the life of Gundulf says he was “very competent
and skilful at building in stone.” He oversaw the building of King
William's abbey at Caen (1063-70), Lanfranc's cathedral at Canterbury
(1070-7) and his own cathedral at Rochester (c. 1078-87). Gundulf also
worked on Rochester Castle for William II and Colchester Cathedral among
other works. It was a year after his appointment as Bishop that he was
employed by William the Conqueror to design the White Tower (at the Tower
of London).
Gundulf was also the founder of the hospital of St. Bartholomew just
outside Rochester and of the Benedictine nunnery at West Mailing and
fragments of his buildings in both places can be seen. There are also
remains of several early Norman parish churches in West Kent which were
probably started in Gundulf's time.
 Tower of London
It is important that we realize the use and purpose of the Tower of London
from the time of it’s creation in the 1070’s until the late 19th century.
It was never intended to provide protection from outside invasionary
forces, although it became one of the most invulnerable strongholds in
Europe, but to provide a base of royal power in the City of London. It was
never designed to be beautiful or a residence. It was built as a
stronghold of retreat for the royal family to protect it from its own
subjects if necessary. It was created to dominate, impress, be formidable,
and be a constant reminder to the local citizens of the power of their
Norman rulers. A job it did admirably. Built with immensely thick walls,
it was some 118 feet by 107 in size and soared above London. Soon
whitewashed so it shone it was the unmistakable master of the city. It was
soon considered one of the principal wonders in Europe, a true marvel of
military architecture soaring above the roofs of England’s great capital.
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