Arizona weekly citizen., 1896-06-27
The Tower Of London.

In the eastern part Of London end on
the bank Of the Thames stands the i'm.
preserve greystone foretress structures
Of the tower OF London around which
cluster most gbastly scenes and fiendish
acts of the past. The castle occupies
twelve acres; in the centre is the keeI
or massive quadrangulsr White Tower
with it's Norman arches, windows and
turrets at each corner the Inner Ward
surrounding it, is entered by q gateway
called the Bloody Tower. Thirteen tow
ers at different points guard this wall
on the Outer Ward are eight towers
three Of which are large enough to BE-
forts IN themselves. Surrounding this il
moat built In 119O and kept drained
since 1912. In the tower is the ReRo
liza OF England and an enormous collec.
ton OF armor. Tradition tells US the
original tower was built by julius Cae.
sar in SS5. Alfred the Great built bas-
tons of brick on old Roman foundations.
The present White Tower was begun IN
1918 by William the Conqueror and con-
pleted by his son William Rufus in 1898.
The Tower OF London has been used for
a palace at different times by English
sovereigns down to Charles III; most of
the palace buildings have been taken
down. In consequence of the security
OF the walls. the Tower was made pris-
on, the first prisoner was the Bishop of
Durham who escaped: David Bruce of
Scotland was imprisoned here but re-
leased. also arch bishop Holgate of York,
a relative in the past of the writer; Sir
Walter Raleigh was imprisoned here on
various occasions; another prisoner was
Guy Fawkes OF the gun-powder plot.
Traitors Gate or st. Thomas Tower
has finely jointed and JoRgled masonry
which has been greatly admired on ac-
count OF showing the difficulty the ar
chitects OF Henry Ill had to build wa
ter gate 60 tt. wide. Prisoners coming
by boat were usually landed at the steps
under the archway. Among them was
Queen Elizabeth with her usual dignity,
but later she was released.
In Wakefield Tower are crowns, scep-
tres and other objects worn or carried
at the coronation ceremony, sacred ves-
sells used 10 Westminster Abbey at that
time and at certain other religious cere-
monies. Many of them are in large
case, the highest being the crown Of
Queen Victoria made for her coronation
10 1888. The circlet consists OF q golden
band around a crimson velvet cap bor-
dered with ermine. 10 the crown are the
principal jewels worn by George Nv,
the famous ruby which belonged
to the "Black Prince" the whole
number OF diamonds being 27S3 besides
numerous other jewels; in the case is
the orb which at the coronation, 10 plac-
ed in the sovereign's right hand and az
terward borne 10 the left It is OF gold
six inches in diameter having bands set
with jewels and at the summit dia-
mond cross. The Ampulla is vessel
containing the conservation oil used at
the amounting in the coronation cere-
mony, it was made in 1861 in the form OF
a bird with extended wings; the head is
unscrewed 10 receive the oil which is
poured through the besk into the
Amounting Spoon which is Of gold with
beau sifully chased bowl in the style Of
Henry Ill. The handle is engraved and
set with jewels. Here is the Silver Gilt
Communion Service including large
salver engraved with the su bject of the
Last Supper, for the Tower Chapel; the
Baptismal font of silver-gilt used at the
christening of the Royal children.
The walls of the White Tower are 95
feet high and II feet thick. Many So
vereigDs. princes and Statesmen have
been imprisoned in this tower. 1t Is
built to impede ingress, in Norman Dr.
ohitectursl style. St. Johns Chapel in
this tower is one OF the most complete
and finest specimens OF Norman archi.
lecture in EDglsnd. The isles are lighted
by six windows and the gallery by seven;
above the vault OF the roof is low cham
Der which had loop holes to be used in
the defense Of the keep. Henry III filled
the windows with stained glass and pro-
vided a chaplain and an assistant to per-
form mass daily. In 1850 the chapel fur
niture wss removed after which public
records we're kept there. The srmory
contains a few specimens o. Greek
bronze. large number Of beautifully
wrought specimens from the East |
from India and an i'm
mense collection of authenticated and |
historical European armor. Many of |
on chargers; figure OF James II is |
boots; his initisls are on the breast /
plate. The visor OF the casqIe ia perfor-
ated steel showing the royal arme; there
is chain armor, also futed srmor for
man and horse with leg armor terminal
ing at the foot where is an armored
stirrup. This suit was made in the
10Th century in Nuremberg. Here is
collection of helmets and a fine collec-
ton Of various kinds of firearms, match,
wheel and flint locks and the exhibition
Of oriental arms is unequalled. Beauch.
amp tower contains numerous inscrip-
lions to noted prisoners.
In the parade are the officers quart
srs and an extensive collection OF can
non OF all ages; among the French are
,wo triple brass guns made for Louis
XIV and decorated with badges, devices
and the motto, "Ultima ratio regum"
the last argument of kings). There are
also examples OF bar. chain, grape and
stone shot. On Tower Hill iD the fore
ground is the Green, a grass plot in
which is a marked spot which ia paved
showing where the executions for state
,ffepses occurred in the Tudor reiRns.
Anne Boleyn, one wife OF Henry VIII
md mother Of Queen Elizabeth, was
Executed here. also Lord Guildford
Dudley and his wife Lady Jane Grey,
Who was one OF the noblest minded
'oung women CT eighteen who ever
ived. She met her death bravely, her
asst words being, "Lord, into thy
,andes [ commend my spirit" When
he tower gates are closed at night tie
I'd ceremonial is strictly carried OUT,
he sentry cries, "Who comes here?"
The yeoman porter answers "the key"
J, asks, "whose key?" Y. P. replies:
Queen Victoria's key" The guard and
scort salute the key and the Y. P. fin.
shes the ceremony by saying. "God
preserve Queen Victeris," before taking
be key to the queens house.
E. HopKINsoN HeLGATE.
II small bottle OF Shaker Digestive {