Travel Is Awesome

In the United Kingdom!

Home United Kingdom North America Australia Azeroth Guest Articles Photo Gallery Meander with Mona

London and Environs

Tower of London - Life in the Tower as a Medieval Palace

Medieval London was still enclosed for the most part within its ancient Roman walls. By the end of the 12th century the great majority of its 20 to 40 thousand inhabitants still lived within the semicircular area of 326 acres enclosed by those walls, even though groups of inn, monasteries, kennels, and schools were rapidly growing outside each of the city gates. Along the southern bank of the Thames Southwark was growing; the wild part of the city, it was filled with criminals, drunks, taverns, and houses of ill repute. Along the country road that led from Ludgate, the southwest gate of the city, toward Westminster Abby was found an ever growing line of palaces and mansions belonging to the rich merchants and bishops, although it was not until the middle of the 16th century that London really began to spread out from the Roman walls to a great extent. A short ride through the city gates brought you rapidly into the countryside and hunting lands.
In 1135 a fire ravaged London and by 1189 laws were passed that required the lower parts of buildings to be made of stone and to have roofs made of tile. In spite of that most of the people continued to live in houses made of wood and even rushes and stubble were hardly rare. Inside the Tower, and as early as 1140, a fine palace had been created and it had become one of the principal residences of the English monarchs.

During King Henry III’s (1216-72) reign the area enclosed by the outer walls of the Tower of London had grown to more than 12 acres encircled by a deep moat. The southern side bordering the Thames held a large and busy wharf. The Lion Tower already held the King’s menagerie, the Middle Tower, Byward Toward, Bell Tower, Robyn the Devylls Tower (Devereux Tower), Flint Tower, Bowyer Tower, Brick Tower, Martin Tower (where the crown jewels were kept), Constable Tower, Broad Arrow Tower, Salt Tower, Lanthorn Tower, Hall Tower (Wakefield Tower), White Tower, St Thomas’s Tower, Garden Tower (Bloody Tower), and Wardrobe Tower were built and in use.

While the outer walls and bastions of the fortress were foreboding and awe inspiring, the inner wards were kept attractive and colorful filled with tents, awnings, stables, and many types of wooden buildings, all painted in bright colors. Tradesmen from both inside the Tower and from the neighboring city plied their trades, selling pies, fish, and various services.

There was a dairy, pigeon loft, brewery, bakery, forge, beehives, and sheds for the gardeners and fruit storage. Animals were kept for cooking and gardens planted for flowers as well as food and herbs. Imported spices were stored for daily use as well as sugar, rice and almonds.

The most important households and officials kept a large number of servants and attendants in the tower. These households ran the country. Along with them lesser officials including such members as clerks, chaplains, lawyers, huntsmen, guards, minstrels, bakers, and water carriers also were housed and fed in the Tower.

The main meal of the day in the Tower during this period was served around 11 a.m. There were often as many as 6 meat courses and each course could contain several types of food. Fruits and confectionaries were served between courses; wine, most of it imported was served. Breakfast; taken early in the morning was usually no more than bread and wine. Dinner was formal and prolonged and often a social occasion as well as a necessity.

Furnishings at the time were sparse but apparently brightly painted. King Henry III’s records show he spent great amounts of money on paint and decorations of brightly colored objects.

Hunting was a popular pastime, for both men and women, as was falconry.
 

Articles and photographs used in this website are the property of Mona Sims unless otherwise indicated. All Rights Reserved.