Editor’s note: Today’s post is authored by Tracy Borman, joint Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, based out of London.
The story of the Tower of London is, in many respects, the story of England. Throughout its almost 1,000-year history, this world-famous monument has not just witnessed but played a pivotal role in some of the most seismic events in the country’s history. From the Norman Conquest to the Great Fire of London, this indomitable fortress has remained a potent, often terrifying, symbol of royal power.
As Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces, I’ve enjoyed unparalleled access to this extraordinarily historic site, walking in the footsteps of some of the most famous characters in history — Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Elizabeth I, Guy Fawkes and Thomas Cromwell. These are characters I have spent my career researching and writing about, so to have been able to explore the places where they were entertained, interrogated, imprisoned and in some cases executed has brought their stories to life in a way that books and archives alone could never do.
Now, thanks to our collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, people around the world can explore this iconic site — even some of the places that visitors don’t get to see, such as the King’s House, where the Gunpowder Plotters were interrogated in 1605 — and dive into its history through digital storytelling, virtual tours and beautiful art in high-resolution imagery, all coming together at goo.gle/toweroflondon.