The Tower of London was built by William the Conqueror in 1708 as
a castle and a place. Since that time it has been expanded to its
present size, and used as an armory, zoo, a royal mint, a prison, and a museum.
At the time when it was a prison a lot of people were being locked in the tower
for their religious beliefs or suspected treason. Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter
Raleigh and Elizabeth the First were being shut up there too. Spies imprisoned
in the tower during both World Wars. Some of the prisoners were allowed to walk
in the grounds, live in comfortable rooms and receive visitors. Many convicted
were publicly executed on Tower Hill. They were beheaded with the block and
axe, which was kept and shown in the Tower Armory now. The Jewel House
was situated at the Tower. The collection of the Crown Jewels were kept
in it. Saint Edward’s Crown, The Imperial State Crown was being used for the
coronation ceremonies. 3000 precious jewels were contained in the Imperial
State Crown. In 1671 a daring attempt was being made to steal the Crown Jewels
by a man named Captain Blood.