The Tower of London: Millennia of History
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- The site on which the Tower of London now stands is truly historic... over the next 25-ish minutes I plan to provide a "whistle-stop tour" of around than 2000 years of that history!
I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!
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Email: readingthepastwithdrkat@gmail.com
Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):
Google map showing the Tower of London: www.google.com...
Collected artworks by Ivan Lapper (including the examples shown in this video), hosted at artuk.org/disc...
Mike Calder, image of Civitas Londinium, Agas' Map of London, c. 1570-1605. From “Maps of Old London”, London, Adam and Charles Black, 1908. Scanned & corrected Mike Calder.
Image from the Bayeux Tapestry showing William with his half-brothers. William is in the centre, Odo is on the left with empty hands, and Robert is on the right with a sword in his hand (12th century). Held by the Musée de la Tapisserie de Bayeux.
Photograph of St John's Chapel inside the White Tower at the Tower of London, England, taken by Bernard Gagnon (2007).
Photograph of the reconstitution of Edward I of England’s apartments at the Tower of London, taken by Bernard Gagnon (2007).
Photograph of one of the 13 sculptures of Royal Beasts made by Kendra Haste (2011). Patrick Davies Contemporary Art (Sculptor, Kendra Haste; Photographer, Patrick Davies)
I used to live in the USA although I am British. In the 90s I brought my young son over to show him some of the sights. It was the year when the trains were striking on Wednesdays. We decided to go ahead with our planned visit to the Tower. We walked down to Greenwich and through the tunnel and got on the Docklands Light Railway to the Tower.
The Tower was virtually deserted! The Beefeaters were wonderful; one sort of adopted us and became our personal tour guide. He was funny and friendly and full of information. My son was entranced. It was a super day as the place was so quiet and our Beefeater was so lovely.
An unforgettable day!
I love going to the Tower! The Beefeaters are amazing.
I was there in 1976, and I still remember the Beefeater guys being funny and informative. They do their job very well.
I recently read The Tudors - The Complete Story of England‘s Most Notorious Dynasty, by G. J. Meyer. It was really interesting, if you‘re into history I recommend it. Also, by the same author, A World Undone, about the Great War. A great and informative read (also depressing, as one would expect).
@@georger64 For A levels my history class included England under the Tudors and the Stuarts. Are you familiar with the Duke of Buckingham who was around during the reign of the Stuarts?
So happy you have that wonderful memory with your son!! That's been my goal since my son was born - to take him on a trip across the pond, and then over the channel to the places where i grew up. Reading your story has renewed that dream :) thank you for sharing it!
Hello friends, I hope you have all had a lovely weekend! Thank you all for the lovely comments on this video and the brilliant suggestions/requests for the bits you would like more detail on ... I've made a list 🌟
Superb video! I got me thinking about 'a day in a yeomen warder's life"...living in a detached world, and how and why they have come about. Thank you as always.
This is the most informative video I have ever seen about the Tower of London. Thank you so much for the wonderful illustrations. I'm a visual learner and they really help. I would like to know more about an escapee who didn't quite make it: Gryffud ap Llewellyn, son of Llewellyn ap Iorweth, (Llewellyn The Great) in the 1200's. He went out the window using knotted bedsheets, etc. But, having grown fat in prison, the "ropes" couldn't take his weight, they broke, and he fell to his death. I've read somewhere that you can still see the outline of bricked-in window that he went out of. Is this true? Do you know where it is? Thank you again for a wonderful presentation.
I would love to know more about it's prehistoric past and it's time as a wood (motte and bailey?) castle, please.
Dr. Kat, you stated that you had no idea how to present this material. You did an excellent job. This is one of my favorite videos!! Thank you!!!
Yes! I agree. Fantastic work ☺️
I’d like to echo this sentiment. Wonderful presentation.
She could talk about how the grass is mowed and I would still listen. Shes my fav.
Made an excuse that I was putting away the laundry when really I’m hiding so I can watch this in peace!
I am so glad I was not alone in using that excuse!
I do this too 😹
Know the feeling lol
Same here
I felt this
A bit of levity: When you mentioned that the Tower was "the home of royal beasts", I couldn't help but think that it has also been the home of beastly royals.
Truth! Also, wish I'd thought of this pun!
LoL! I see what you did there... Brilliant!
quite, quite! well done!
clever
Lolol nice 👌 👍
This is your best content yet! The idea of using Mr. Lapper’s wonderful reconstructions is brilliant, it really brings your talk to life. His drawings are great, they really show aspects of the site that aren’t very apparent in maps, like the topography and the ancient pathways and roads. I especially enjoyed the pre-Norman history, almost every other discussion about the Tower begins “In 1066...”. England has such a rich, interesting medieval and modern history that earlier ages are often neglected a bit in popular history discussions. I know there are fewer archaeological remains going back in time, but the pre-Norman history of England, the Iron Age, Roman, and Anglo-Saxon periods, are fascinating, too.
L¹1
Sey rtttttt
My father, Alan, did his NS at the Tower. He was Sgt. Pepper. Seriously.
Richard Pepper I used to work with a woman who used to be a police officer -and her surname was Officer - so She was Officer Officer, and her husband worked also for the police and he was Sgt Officer, who later was part of Royal protection team for Prince Charles
I also worked with some one called William Shakespeare - why fight it eh? And finally a colleague with the surname Willy - his first name Richard and went by the name Dick. I should say that he had a rather loud voice, and used to answer the phone by virtually shouting just his surname which reverberated round the office......
I work with a doctor
Her name is Dr doctor
Did he know or was known of by the Beatles?
A friend of mine knows a Dr Doctor too - her name is Hilary.
This is excellent!
This was a wonderful overview! I definitely appreciated you pointing out the psychological importance of the Tower, as well as its military and housing importance. But, Dr. Kat - RAVENS! I think we need to hear some of the superstition and legends that surround the Tower as well. Again, thanks - it was so helpful to watch the Tower morph from a settlement into the structure we visit today.
For those who are interested in learning more in depth about the Tower of London, I highly recommend checking out Secrets of Great British Castles with Dan Jones. Season 1 Episode 2 is the Tower episode, but the entire two Seasons are brilliant and well worth the watch!!!!
Additionally, I recommend a 10 episode series named "The Tower" on Amazon Prime. My whole family really enjoyed it!
@@kmd2210 Can't find that series, title, on Netflix in the US.
If you can’t find “The Tower” on Netflix try Amazon Prime Video.
kmd2210 great to know!! I’ve seen that on Netflix but never gave it a second thought but I’m gonna check it out! Thank you! ❤️
@@donaldwesterhazy9333 it's on Amazon Prime. My apologies for my error.
I never even considered it was being used before William the Conqueror. I would love to know more about the time before the romans
It wasn’t built until William’s time
I have read that in pre-Roman times, Tower Hill was the site of a shrine to Bran, the Celtic god of death and resurrection; and that an oracular skull was kept there. This might explain its association with ravens (Bran's sacred bird), and with beheadings as well. It would be fascinating to know whether any archeological excavations would support this hypothesis.
When I saw the title of the video, I thought, "How?" But you did a great job, Dr. Kat, and I have no suggestions for improvements except maybe to make a separate video on every "era" of the Tower. I am sure it wouldn't hard to fill 20-25 minutes with the more intimate details of each major time period that you (and the artist) covered in this installment. Well done!
I used to work in an office which was directly across the river from the Tower - I could look up from my desk and there is was - lovely
Oh wow I am jealous! That has to be amazing!
Oh don’t worry! I’d listen to “How Paint Dries” by you for 30 minutes and have a blast!
You do such a great job with your subject matter, like I’ve said before, I’ve learned more from you in 30 minutes than ANY documentary I’ve seen seen or watched on TV.
THANK YOU for that! 😘❤️😘
Ditto on the paint drying documentary.
Cathi Shaner I know right? I could just listen to Dr Kat for hours! And she COULD make “Watching Paint Dry” interesting! 👍🏼❤️
Fascinating subject. Glad I got to see the Tower of London a couple of years ago when I visited England 🇬🇧 for the first time.
You have interesting information, a pleasant voice and a straightforward presentation style which makes your channel stand out from others.
I'm so glad you did this video! I'm also exceedingly happy that the information about white washing and the image of the Water Gate apartment with the white wash paintings and flowers is historically accurate. It's so interesting that we've believed for so many years that the stone ruins we see today were the same stones that people were looking at in history, when in reality the walls were painted and ornate. Much like how the renaissance artists thought Greek and Roman marble was stark white and sought to emulate only for us to find out through the use of technology that classic Greek and Roman statues and buildings were also painted extravagantly with vibrant color!
Holy cow! That was so comprehensive. I had no idea its history went back so far. Excellent job! Thanks Dr. Kat!
Thankyou for this Dr. Kat. I'm lucky enough to have lived and worked in Central London for many years and the Tower of London has always been my very favourite landmark.
If you add up the actual amount of time that I've spent there it probably comes to months in total lol!!!
Thankyou also for reminding us of the work of Ivan Lapper, I also fell down the rabbit hole of the brilliant artuk website whilst looking up his work. What a veritable treasure trove that is!!!
For me the Tower encapsulates the whole history of England's capital city, both good and bad, and for that reason imho it's pretty unique and special. The fact that it has been in constant use for millennia never fails to intrigue me.
Hope that you are keeping safe and well ❤.
I adore your channel and videos. They're always so informative and captivating. And I love your accent!!
Very interesting, I love watching your channel. I was there many years ago and fascinated by the history. I found the early years of the site most interesting. The pictorial images really help to understand how this fortress transformed over the millennia. 🇨🇦 Many Thanks from Canada.
Well done! I loved this! As an architectural artist, I was fascinated by the artwork! Thanks Dr. Kat 🥰
Thank you, Dr. Kat for an amazing timescape of the Tower! I am not on social media but I wanted to say that I loved the artist impressions of the Tower through time. Especially meaningful to me was the last one, 1999. This is how the Tower looked the first time I saw it - my first trip to London, just after my mother passed away. I went to see a place of pain and hope that allows Time to wash through it, to alter it, but never conquer it. That visit gave me strength I didn't know I had, and every time I come to London, I stop by and say hello to the old, the ancient, and the new stones that keep their secrets, still standing. Thank you!
When I was little and first learning of the Tower, I had this larger than life image in my head about it, so large and looming, that when I finally saw a picture of it, I was almost disappointed. It's more the history and happenings within it that make it so intimidating, rather than its size (I imagined a very tall tower, more like a castle tower than a fortress). Of course, I'd never seen it up close so who knows how I'd feel about it then?
Imagine all other buildings in London being wood and one story or two stories tops. And this massive stone thing looming over the city.
It was just the opposite for me, it was much more massive than I imagined, when I saw it.
I used to drive past tower hill regularly crossing Tower bridge and it always saddened me how such a majestic and historical building looked so small and insignificant against the back drop of growing city blocks. When it was said in the video how it was built on a hill and could be seen for miles around it struck a sad chord in my heart.
Would love to hear more about Sir Isaac Newton's time at the Royal Mint, located at the Tower of London.
Just ordered a book from amazon on the remains that were found in the Chapel of St Peter ad Vincula enjoy your videos kat👍👍
I'm a Yank living in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and at first glance I thought that I'd give this video a couple of minutes here, skip forward some, give it a couple of minutes there, and so on. Surprise to me that I was hooked in the first few minutes and before I knew it, over 20 minutes has elapsed! Terrific presentation on all accounts. This Yank thanks you for enlightening me on the Tower's history in such a captivating way.
Nicely done. Touched on the huge effect this amazing landmark has had over a millennia, but also on the massive changes it has undergone from palace to prison, zoo, and historical place. A lovely summary of all that it has been, and what it could also become.
Palace, Prison. Mint, Zoo - an amazing place served very well by those beautiful illustrations. Am still trying to see the Crown Jewels! Thank you for a fabulous talk, much appreciated.
Thank you Dr. Kat for the informative look into the Tower of London and its history. It is my greatest dream to visit the UK someday to see the Tower up close. Thank you for making me feel like I went there today.
I am loving Fridays...a new Dr Kat video!!!!! Also adore the Monarchs Anonymous ones too. This is a great topic done in your wonderful way thank you.
Thank you making history come alive xxx
Also, we *just* visited the chateau of William the Conquerer, this is awesome for my older homeschoolers ♡
I was wondering if any homeschoolers used these videos. I always hear something in them that puts me to looking up things to learn more.
@@kdcats4092 Well, my kids hum the tune, now. I guess we've watched it enough! :)
That was fantastic. Thank you Dr Kat. I took my teenage daughters there on a post school visit five years ago and it was amazing. We were there for hours and it seemed like moments.
Another fascinating and beautifully presented video. Thank you Dr Kat. Could listen to you for hours. Stay well and healthy 💕
Put off watching this, because mistakingly thought I knew enough about the tower! You opened my eyes to the range of its history and uses of this site! Continue to surprise us and awaken our history obsession! Blessed and safe days!
This was the first of your videos I have seen, it certainly will not be last. a pleasure to listen to someone giving just straightforward information without lots of "added entertainment". Excellent.
Thank you very much for this interesting video. You always put a lot of effort into each topic😊
Thanks Dr. Kat!
I visited theTower a while ago and it was
Unforgettable! What a history it has-
It has since and always will make me feel so sad for Anne Boleyn- I know ill watch this again to absorb all the facts
Thanx again❣️✌🏼
Hi Dr Kat,👋 that was a brilliant video, well done to you. I too would love to hear more about Tower Hill.
One of my fun memories of London took place here. We had been warned to get there early to get on line for admittance at noon , as I remember. So, we were there at least an hour before. The line had grown as far as we could actually see soon after. A group of German tourists tried to break into the line! Bad move! Everyone started shouting “ queue“ and got shoulder to shoulder, lest the interlopers got in. One English lady went to summon the constables. They came , and astonishingly, the Germans were understanding English! They were sent to the very end of the line with the constables supervising the trip. The line must have been a mile long! I often wondered if the Germans even got in before closing!!
Another fabulous video by my favorite historian. Please keep up the good work.
I would love to hear about the ravens of the tower, what they were originally placed there for, the myths around them and where they began. I really enjoyed this video!
Hi. Ravens are a Victorian addition, they are not mentioned in any guidebook before the First World War. The whole ' if the Ravens leave the Tower will fall' legend is a probably a Second World War addition. Still they have been there for nearly 200 years so it a respectable amount of time now
@@bogarte7185 Thank you. I have a soft spot for creatures! I read recently that the ravens were becoming bored due to lack of visitors due to Covid19, and were leaving. I felt that was quite fitting with 2020 going the way it is!
@@bogarte7185 why were they introduced?
@@gummiberryjuice In the mid 19th century the Tower gradually went from being primarily a Military Fortress to a tourist attraction. Keeping Ravens was also a popular fad, (Dickens had a raven called Grip) gothic stories involving ravens etc. It is assumed that the birds were originally introduced to add an air of mystery and gothic colour to the Tower. Then, as ravens can live up to 40 years the people who introduced them left the Tower, the original reason was forgotten and ravens were replaced when they died off. They have their own graveyard in the moat. The first mention of them is in a guidebook written in the First World War by Younghusband who basically says ' we have Ravens, what jolly chaps they are playing tricks on the visitors' (I have always assumed he was a relation of the Colonel Younghusband who rampaged across Tibet)
@@bogarte7185 aww brilliant, thank you! :)
I loved the way you presented this! I will be watching a second time to take more time to look at the pictures :).
Thanks for the info update. Years and years ago I was able to be part of the Ceremony Of The Keys and will always remember the experience
An excellent condensation of an ancient history of a seat of power of an ancient nation. Thank you
Thank you! So much detail = so much work. It's appreciated.
I don’t know if you know but when I was in the Scots guards in 1968 the guard room was in the white tower . I feel part of history and proud to have slept in that historic building .
I would love to see each of those drawings that you showed us laid out end-to-end or overlaid (in scale) with one fading into another in chronological order in order to see the progression of this site.
Thank you so so much. Some read and ask questions. Some read and yearn for more detail. Not so many have access to the one thing that England does very well…..access archives that were meticulously recorded through the Centuries. Enduring respect and gratitude to them. Those of us that actively seek out and find Sites like yours, appreciate the ‘mutual’ interest, awe and passion. Perhaps I have arrived a little too late to discovering this episode (by 2yr), but a mere ripple in the enormous sands of time!
It is rare (maybe once or twice a year) that I would plan to watch a video/documentary more than once. Having watched this video today (14 September 2020), I will be watching it again before the end of the week. There is just so much good quality material that has been presented in a clear and interesting way that the entire subject matter comes alive from the very start. What a story! Fascinating!
So enjoyable as always! Looking forward to the next
Great job Dr. Kat! The artwork along with your comprehensive commentary made the video very interesting and understandable for people of all ages. Thank you!
It must be Friday, there's a new Dr. Kat video! This was a great way to approach the history of the Tower of London, and the images are very helpful. I'd love to hear more about the menagerie and the jewel house, please!
Fridays. Love them! ♡♡♡♡♡
I loved this video, thank you! I have only been able to visit the Tower once but I so badly want to go again when I am able.
Fascinating! Thank you for keeping me entertained during 2020.
Can you possibly do a video on the siege of Gloucester? I live here and would find it interesting to know more about it and why we no longer have a city wall.
Excellent snapshot of the Tower of London. Appreciate your research
This was a very informative and interesting video, thanks Dr. Kat! Great idea to use the artwork to illustrate the changes over the centuries, it really helps to solidify the impressions in my mind.
I'd like to see a video all about the Tower's first prisoner!
Thanks again, have a great day!
Fascinating, Dr. Kat. Loved the artist’s renditions, tracing the Tower throughout history.
Absolutely fascinating Dr.Kat. Thank you again.
The videos you present are wonderful. I especially loved this one. As an architect I very much enjoy seeing the progress and development of places over time. Especially pre-Roman, thru Roman occupation & beyond and how the built environment ties to historical events and people. Great overview. More like this please!
Thank you for this video Dr. Kat! Watching you helps me manage panic attacks. And I learn while I calm down.
I discovered your channel last week and I’ve already watched a dozen videos. I love your knowledge and presentation style. I like to watch before bed, it’s engaging and relaxing. Thank you for your amazing videos!
I have been binge watching for a week now! You always find so much new info that ive never seen before.
Excellent as always. Thank you! 🙂❤
Fantastic. Thank you Dr Kat.
FANTASTIC! This is wonderful! I learn things visually and this is simply brilliant! Thank you!
Dr. Kat, excellent video. I visited the Tower of London over 30 years ago and was impressed by it, thank you for the history.
You do awesome putting all that into a short video! For most people it was the perfect amount of information and overview. Thank you!
I knew bits of history about the tower, but the visual representation of its development over the centuries put it all in much better context. Thank you!
I so enjoy the material you present and the way you present the facts and your opinions. It is refreshing, direct, and additive to learn more
Always so very interesting, thank you 😎
For someone who was not sure she could do this I think you have made a cracking job of it. Thoroughly enjoyed it as with all you other works. Thank you very much.
Excellent! The artist did a splendid work on the beautiful watercolours. No computer can match his/her skill! I went to see the Ceremony of the Keys, 1968. I was part of a group of Sea Cadets from Bermuda. Leaving the 'tourist' tour we met a fellow who asked who we were. He told us he was the Queen's ' Physician. Anyhow, he made arrangement for us to come back to The Tower the following night to se The Keys.
As per usual, great job Dr. Kat! Thanks!
One your best and most informative videos.
very informative. I love your videos. I would be interested in learning more about the coronation service and the objects used.
The Tower and its lore is very much alive for all of us in the Anglosphere. I am an American and I learned tales of the Tower so young I don't remember who told them to me. I' wish I had seen this video before I visited the tower in my 20's. Great work!
possibly, my favourite of your videos, so far. I've been there at least 6 times and still learned so much from your video
Watched this twice! It was so fascinating!
I love listening to you and learning whenever I'm working!
Best documentary ive seen on towers history you have me hooked ! great stuff dr kat keep em comin.
Wonderful narration and wonderfully informative. Thank you 🙏🏼
Well done!! 👌 I REALLY enjoyed watching this video, you did a fabulous job in pointing out the Manjarory and a place of worship. In the time you had to do this in, you absolutely smashed it! Can't wait to see more of your videos Dr Kat! 😘👏
Thanks for this history. I truly enjoyed my visit to the Tower during the week Her Majesty turned 90 years old. I look forward to another visit!
Very well done there Dr Kat!!. I was mesmerized in your narration. It was a great presentation!!
Great video, glad I stayed until the end. Nice to see history being done correctly on RUclips.
I would love to see an expansion on this topic, if possible, to include the various buildings and what they may have looked like at the time of their use(s). I am particurlarly drawn to the Beauchamp Tower (I enjoyed the sad graffiti that is now protected). Oh! Another topic...various medieval/ancient graffiti of Britain. I was at the ruins of Monster Lovell in the Cotswalds and was just fascinated by it. Great video! Thank you for keeping me entertained whilst slaving away at my computer for work.
I second that request! :) I used to live very close to Old Minster Lovell (so lucky) and I totally agree it’s magical. I used to take my books and study by the ruins and the river. Thanks for reminding me. 🌻
I heartily agree that an exploration of ancient and/or medieval graffiti of Britain would be fascinating!
I apologize for 'Monster' and not 'Minster'....Stupid phone (and fat thumbs haha)
Amy Leibman no apology necessary! Knew where you meant and enjoyed the shared love of the place! My keyboard gets away from me all the time.😊
Comparing yourself to a slave. Hmmm.
Well done on a fantastic video. The history of the Tower, London and the UK is fascinating. Thank you and keep up the good work!
This was SO interesting! Thank you so much. The portraits were lovely.
I have visited the Tower of London during my tour duty with the US Air Force at RAF Chicksands. Your video answered many questions that I should have asked during my visit. Thank you.
I have always been fascinated by this wonderful place, I used to live in the closest London borough Tower Hamlets which from it's close proximity to the Tower of London got it's name. I fondly remember those school day trips to this place, being mesmerised by all the surroundings and the splendour of the housed jewels. I have taken my Children several times and I'm still as fascinated by this wonderful place today. I'm not sure how to describe it other than saying It's quite a magical place to me!....Loved this video, glad I found this channel!
Dr. Kat, you're the greatest! i really enjoyed this video. I visited the Tower on August 2022 this year, and really enjoyed my visit. I also have seen the moat with the flowers
Kat, I love the amount of work you put in for us. Thank you!
My history speciality is architectural and landscape history, so this hit all the right buttons and more! Fab video and loved the span of time it covered. Very well done, Dr Kat. :)
Thank you Dr. Kat. This was an insightful presentation made relatable by your narrative and your artistic renderings.
i absolutely adore you and this channel. i’m a huge british history buff along with other medieval history and lore. i have a few books on the tudor dynasty and am simply obsessed. was supposed to go to england back in the spring but due to the virus had to postpone twice :(
cannot wait to finally get out there !
but i’m so glad i happened across you and i just can’t wait for more videos and too catch up on the previous ones. keep up the fabulous work! you are gorgeous!!!
I'm so happy I visited it last year!!!! I hope to visit london again when I have money
This is a very fascinating video, My grandfather, Mr H.T. Johns (Henry) was a Yeoman Quartermaster and was, for many years up until the early 1970's, the keeper of the ravens. I have very fond, although limited memories of actually living in the Tower as I was very young, we actually lived in the Well tower (most of which is now part of the Yeoman Warders (Beefeaters) private clubhouse). I remember feeding time for the ravens after visitors had gone and my grandfather whistling to attract the birds from all over the White Tower area (mostly Tower Green). Happy times.
I was hoping to find another resident amongst the comments! I grew up in the tower, 1981-2000. Incredible place to live, miss it greatly and find it hard to visit as an ‘outsider’ now.
@@DangerBruce Absolutely, it was often hard then to see the reality that this wonderful place was in fact in the centre of London!