Fun Facts About the Tower of London

The Tower of London was originally commissioned in the 1070s by William the Conqueror to assert Norman dominance. The site has transformed from the single stone "White Tower" into a sprawling 12-acre fortress complex containing 21 distinct towers. Throughout its nearly millennium-long history, the landmark has served as a royal residence, an armory, and even the Royal Mint, once overseen by Sir Isaac Newton. For over 600 years, it also housed a royal menagerie of exotic animals—including lions, a polar bear, and an elephant—before these residents were relocated to form the basis of the London Zoo in the 1830s. The fortress is perhaps best known today for its enduring traditions and the protection of the Crown Jewels, a collection featuring over 23,000 precious gemstones. It is famously guarded by the Yeoman Warders, or "Beefeaters," an elite corps of military veterans who have served at least 22 years with honorable conduct. These wardens maintain ancient rituals such as the Ceremony of the Keys, a nightly gate-locking process that has occurred at precisely 9:53 PM for over 700 years. Additionally, the Tower maintains a population of at least six ravens, a practice rooted in a 17th-century superstition that the monarchy will fall should the birds ever depart the grounds. ⁠Listen Ad-Free on Patreon. ⁠ For just $3 per month, you can get ad-free versions of Fun Facts Daily, Who ARTed and Art Smart. Head over to ⁠https://www.patreon.com/cw/FunFactsDailyPod⁠ if you are interested. Want to learn more? Head over to my website www.funfactsdailypod.com and be sure to listen to my other podcasts Who ARTed: Weekly Art History for All Ages or Art Smart. For family fun, check out my son's podcast Rainbow Puppy Science Lab Fun Facts Daily is an Airwave Media Podcast. If you are interested in advertising on this or any other Airwave Media show, email: [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices