The Tower

The Tower of London is a very old building. It's more than 900 years old. It was a fortress, a royal palace and a state prison.

 It was built in 1066 by the new king, William I (William the Conqueror) to protect the city London and its name was The White Tower. Later kings and queens built more buildings round this tower.

English kings lived in it until the 17^th century, when it became a prison. Many famous people died there, including Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, King Henry VII's wives. The Tower of London is famous for its prisoners, like Sir Tomas More (a famous an English lawyer) and Guy Fawkes.

Now it is a museum which houses the Crown Jewels and other treasures. The largest diamon, the star of Africa, is there.  It's a very popular place among tourists. There are always black ravens in the Tower. The legend says that without them the Tower will fall. The Tower is guarded by "Beefeaters". (бифитеры, "мясоеды" (прозвище дворцовой стражи)