Tower of London

Tower of London, ancient fortress on the Thames River in the eastern part of London. Built 1078–1300, mainly by William the Conqueror and Henry III, its massive stone buildings are enclosed by high walls and a moat. It has been palace, prison, arsenal, and mint. Today it houses the crown jewels and an armor museum. Here Thomas More, Anne Boleyn, and Roger Casement were executed. Convicted Nazi war criminal Rudolf Hess was its last prisoner.