The Beauchamp Tower is one of the 21 towers that form part of the Tower of London, a historic castle located on the north bank of the River Thames in central London. Here are some detailed points about the Beauchamp Tower:
The tower was constructed in the 13th century during the reign of Edward I as part of the extensive fortifications of the Tower of London. It is named after Thomas Beauchamp, 11th Earl of Warwick, who was imprisoned there in 1397 by Richard II.
Architecturally, the Beauchamp Tower is notable for its relatively simple design compared to some of the other towers, with a square plan and three floors. It features a semi-circular bastion at its south-east corner, which was intended to provide a better defense against attack.
Over the centuries, the Beauchamp Tower has served as a prison for many notable figures. Among those imprisoned here were:
The tower is famous for its extensive collection of prisoners' graffiti, which includes inscriptions, coats of arms, and various carvings. These range from simple names and dates to more elaborate carvings, reflecting the occupants' emotions, status, or political allegiances.
Today, the Beauchamp Tower is part of the visitor experience at the Tower of London. Tourists can visit the tower to see the historical inscriptions and learn about its past residents. The tower is maintained by Historic Royal Palaces, the charity that manages several unoccupied royal palaces in England.