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Travel Blog of the Gaps
My father, when in college, majored in history. Primarily European history.
Because of this, I grew up learning the succession of English Royalty alongside the list of US Presidents. Then in my teens, one of the first miniseries aired on television: "The Six Wives of Henry VIII."
Thus, I was personally retrospective when entering the Tower of London on Friday.
For those unfamiliar with The Tower, it is not a single structure (nor as many Americans imagine, a bridge over the Thames). Instead, The Tower is a medieval fortress, filled with royal palaces and related buildings, that William the Conqueror built in order to secure his Norman control over England (following the Battle of Hastings in 1066). He and his progeny have maintained The Tower as a symbol of English monarchical might from the 11th century to the present.
For periods (most often during political crises), monarchs have actually lived within the Tower's 18 acres, but usually this was a temporary arrangement. They have instead left their treasure and their political enemies locked within the walls, safe from intruders or escape.
During my visit I was lucky enough to view the exhibition of armor that had belonged to King Henry VIII. (It is on display in The White Tower, the imposing symbol of William the Conqueror's power.) This armor collection was remarkable both for its preservation and for its illustration of the shifts in cultures since Henry's 16th century reign. No one any longer considers jousting a viable sport.
The Tower was also the site of many executions and incidents of torture. (Anne Boleyn was tried & beheaded here.) In another notable cultural shift, in the 21st century UK capital punishment is no longer practiced, and torture is banned.
So as history teaches, things change. For the better, I hope.
On Saturday, I'm off to France. Next notes will arrive from the Loire Valley.
Because of this, I grew up learning the succession of English Royalty alongside the list of US Presidents. Then in my teens, one of the first miniseries aired on television: "The Six Wives of Henry VIII."
Thus, I was personally retrospective when entering the Tower of London on Friday.
For those unfamiliar with The Tower, it is not a single structure (nor as many Americans imagine, a bridge over the Thames). Instead, The Tower is a medieval fortress, filled with royal palaces and related buildings, that William the Conqueror built in order to secure his Norman control over England (following the Battle of Hastings in 1066). He and his progeny have maintained The Tower as a symbol of English monarchical might from the 11th century to the present.
For periods (most often during political crises), monarchs have actually lived within the Tower's 18 acres, but usually this was a temporary arrangement. They have instead left their treasure and their political enemies locked within the walls, safe from intruders or escape.
During my visit I was lucky enough to view the exhibition of armor that had belonged to King Henry VIII. (It is on display in The White Tower, the imposing symbol of William the Conqueror's power.) This armor collection was remarkable both for its preservation and for its illustration of the shifts in cultures since Henry's 16th century reign. No one any longer considers jousting a viable sport.
The Tower was also the site of many executions and incidents of torture. (Anne Boleyn was tried & beheaded here.) In another notable cultural shift, in the 21st century UK capital punishment is no longer practiced, and torture is banned.
So as history teaches, things change. For the better, I hope.
On Saturday, I'm off to France. Next notes will arrive from the Loire Valley.
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GEGE A VERY INTERESTING PIECE OF ART