Welcome to the British History Podcast. My name is Jamie and this is episode

460, The White Tower. This show is ad-free due to member support and as a way of thanking members for keeping the show independent,

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It's one of the most famous landmarks in the world, the White Tower,

or more recently, the Tower of London. If you visited London you've likely

taken time to go see it and these days it's famous for the ravens and the

bee feeders and for some really unfortunate family dynamics.

But despite its modern association with the tutors, the White Tower wasn't Henry the Eight's Castle, at least not at first.

It was Williams, and its story began, predictably, with the Norman conquest.

Shortly after the Battle of Hastings,

two Norman fortresses were constructed in London.

One was erected prior to William even entering the ancient city, and the other was constructed shortly after his coronation as king.

Both of the fortifications would have been made in the standard style of the Norman Mott and Bailey

castle and both of them would have been military hard points for these occupiers in the heart of

southern England. The Normans used these castles for lodging and

logistics and in the event of any sort of local uprising they would become the

center for defense.

Essentially, by plunking these things in London,

William was digging himself into the English political and economic world, permanently.

...