Topic “The Tower of London”

London is the capital of Great Britain or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is an old city, its history counts more than two thousand years. London is both the capital oi the country and a huge port. London is located upon both banks of the Thames, about forty miles from the mouth and is divided into two parts by the river: north and south. There are 17 bridges that cross the river. The population of London is more than 9 million people.

The history of London goes back to Roman times. Due to favorable geographical position, soon after the Roman conquest, a small town became an important trade centre. Actually, London can be divided into several parts: the City or Downtown of London, Westminster, the West End and the East End. The City is the oldest part of London with narrow streets and pavements. There are many offices, companies and banks in this part of London. The City of London is the financial center of the United Kingdom. Only a few thousand people live there, but in the day-time it is full of people: as about half a million people come to work there. The biggest Banks and offices are concentrated in the City. The West End is the center of London. It is full of richest hotels, largest supermarkets, best cinemas and concert halls. There are a lot of beautiful houses and gardens. Only well-to-do people can live there.

Another important district of London is Westminster, where most of Government buildings are situated. Westminster Palace is the seat of the British Parliament. Westminster Palace was founded in 1050. It is located in the center of London. Many great Englishmen were buried in the Abbey: Newton, Darwin and others.
The Towers of the Houses of Parliament stand high above the city. On the highest tower there is the largest clock in the country which is known to the whole world as Big Ben. One can hear Big Ben strike every quarter of an hour. The clock “Big Ben” came into service in 1859. Big Ben is the biggest clock bell in Britain. The official London residence of the Queen is Buckingham Palace. It was built in the 18th century.

There are many nice squares in London. Trafalgar Square is one of them and it is in the center of the West End. One can see a statue of Lord Nelson in the middle of this square. There are many museums, libraries and galleries in London. The Tate Gallery is one of the well-known galleries in London. Henry Tate was a sugar manufacturer. He was fond of paintings and collected many pictures. The British Museum is a very interesting place in London. It was founded in 1753. The library of this museum has lots of books.

The East End of London is the industrial area and the place where the working people live. There are many factories, workshops and docks there. The East End, lying eastwards from the City is very large and crowded. There are many cars and buses in London. There is the Tube (an underground) in London too. The underground, constructed in London, was the first underground in the World.

Text about London. Translation of the topic into Russian

London is the capital of Great Britain or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. It is an old city, its history goes back more than two thousand years. London is both the capital of the country and a huge port. London is located on both banks of the River Thames, approximately forty miles from the mouth and is divided by the river into two parts: northern and southern. Seventeen bridges cross the river. London's population exceeds 9 million people.

London's history dates back to Roman times. Due to favorable geographical location, soon after the Roman conquest, the small town became an important trading center. In fact, London can be divided into several parts: the City, or business center of London, Westminster, the West End and the East End. The City, with its narrow streets and pavements, is the oldest part of London. This part of London is home to many offices, companies and banks. City of London is financial center Great Britain. Only a few thousand people live there, but during the day it is full of people: approximately half a million people come here to work. The largest banks and offices are located in the City. The West End is the center of London. It is full of the richest hotels, the largest supermarkets, the best cinemas and concert halls. There are many beautiful buildings and gardens here. Only wealthy people can live there.

Another important area of London is Westminster, where most government buildings are located. The Palace of Westminster is the seat of the British Parliament. The Palace of Westminster was founded in 1050. It is located in the center of London. Many great Englishmen were buried in this Abbey: Newton, Darwin and others. The towers of the parliament buildings rise above the city. The tallest tower has the largest clock in the country, which is known throughout the world as Big Ben. The chime of the Big Ben clock can be heard every quarter of an hour. The Big Ben clock began its service in 1859. Big Ben is the largest bell clock in England. The Queen's official London residence is at Buckingham Palace. It was built in the 18th century.

London has many beautiful squares. Trafalgar Square is one of them, located in the center of the West End. In the center of this square you can see a statue of Lord Nelson. London has many museums, libraries and galleries. The Tate Gallery is one of the well-known galleries in London. Henry Tate was a sugar manufacturer. He loved paintings very much and collected many paintings. The British Museum is a very interesting place in London. It was founded in 1753. The library of this museum has a large number of books.

The East End of London is an industrial area and a place where workers live. There are many factories, workshops and docks there. The East End is east of the City and is very large and crowded. There are many cars and buses in London. There is a subway in London called the "tube". The Underground, built in London, was the first subway in the world.

Questions (questions for the story about London):

1. Is London a young city?
2. Where is London located?
3. How many bridges cross the river Thames?
4. What was that favorite feature which made London to be an important trade center soon after the Roman conquest?
5. What is the oldest part of London?
6. What is located in the West End?
7. Can poor people afford to live in the West End?
8. Where are most of Government buildings located?
9. Where is the largest clock in the country located?
10. How often does Big Ben strike?
11. When did the clock “Big Ben” come into service?
12. What is the official London residence of the Queen?
13. What square is in the center of the West End situated?
14. When was the British Museum founded?
15. How is the area where most working people live called? » 6. How is London underground called?

Vocabulary (words with translation for the topic “London”):

to count - to count
huge - large, gigantic, huge, enormous
bank - bank (of a river)
mouth - mouth
due to - thanks; as a result; as a result
favorable - favorable
conquest - conquest (the process of conquering peoples, lands, etc.)
trade - trade
downtown - business district, business part of the city, business center
narrow - narrow, cramped
pavement - pavement, sidewalk
well-to-do people - successful, wealthy people
district - district; district; region
to be buried - to be buried, entombed
to strike - to strike, beat (about a clock)
quarter - quarter, fifteen minutes
eastwards - to the east, in an easterly direction
crowded - crowded, overpopulated
the Tube - “pipe” (London Underground)

Text source

Timoshchuk V.A. Kubarkov G.L. "New topics in modern English." - Donetsk, 2010. - 416 p.

Tower Castle and Tower Bridge have been unshakable symbols of London for centuries. Today, this is a complex of buildings from different times, surrounded by two rows of wide fortress walls with towers, the Tower is located on the north bank of the Thames.

History of the Tower of London

The Tower of London is the best preserved castle in Europe, and the castle is “venerable”, it is more than 900 years old! The Tower has never been taken by storm; the thickness of the castle walls is more than 4.6 meters. The Tower of London was both the home of kings and a prison for persons of noble origin, including royalty.

It would take a lot of time to tell even a brief history of the Tower, since it began long before its official foundation in 1066. The founder of the castle was William the Conqueror, but long before that, Roman fortifications were founded on the site of the modern Tower, and today's castle preserves parts of them.

Large-scale reconstruction and strengthening of the Tower was carried out by Henry III, reconstruction began in 1238, despite the young age of the king, he was only 9 years old, this is the most ambitious work to strengthen the Tower. During the reconstruction, a new defensive wall with nine new towers appeared. In 1240 the walls of the tower were painted in White color, later the Tower received a new name - the White Tower.

Over its 900 years, the Tower has been both the residence of kings and the mint, a state archive where many historical and legal documents were kept.

Tower of London - a prison for royalty

The fact that the Tower was a state prison from the day of its foundation brought it an ominous reputation; the first prisoner was imprisoned in the fortress in 1190. Over the centuries, the walls of the Tower have witnessed human grief and tragedy.

Famous prisoners were imprisoned in the fortress: King James I of Scotland, John II, King of France and the French Prince Charles of Orleans, Henry VI; children were not spared; it was here that the murder of two little princes Edward V and Richard took place. Three English queens were executed on the grounds of the Tower, two of them Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard were wives Henry VIII, as well as “queen for 9 days” Jane Grey.

Black Ravens of the Tower

Black crows that live in countless numbers in the Tower of London are not only the main legend, but also real symbols of the castle. The first raven appeared in the Tower in 1553 during the nine days of Jane Gray's reign and said the famous "Vivat!" Since then, the black raven has been a harbinger of terrible punishment, he invariably appeared to those who were doomed, this happened until the Tower became just a museum.

There is now a belief that as long as winged guards live in the Tower, the British crown will prosper. Charles II issued a decree according to which at least six black ravens were to be kept in the castle at all times, and a special keeper was to keep them. This tradition is strictly observed today; a substantial budget is allocated for the maintenance of seven ravens (one in “reserve”). Each raven has a name and a spacious enclosure, each with its own character. Their daily diet includes 200 grams. fresh meat, blood biscuits, fried toast. Tourists enjoy watching living legends.

Ghosts of the Tower

London with its history is considered the leader in the number of ghosts living in it. It is full of ghosts of kings and queens, and of course the Tower, with its tragedies and bloody executions, was no exception.

It is said that the ghost of King George II often looks out of the windows, watching the weather vane. The beheaded Anne Boleyn often walks through the park of the fortress; the ghosts of children and the murdered twelve-year-old King Edward V with his nine-year-old brother Richard have also been seen here. But these are legends, it’s up to you to believe in them or not, but the Tower of London is also centuries-old traditions, ceremonies, the holding of which has remained unchanged for centuries. One of them is the Ceremony of Keys.

Ceremony of the Keys in the Tower

This tradition has been unshakable for seven hundred years. Every day, at exactly 21.53, the key keeper leaves the Byward Tower, and the Key Guard comes to meet him. The Keeper is dressed in Tudor costume. The guards lock the Main Gate and approach the Bloody Tower, a traditional dialogue is heard that begins with the words: “Wait, who’s coming?” and ends: "God save Queen Elizabeth." At night, the keys are kept in the manager's residence.

An interesting fact is that this tradition is unshakable under any circumstances; it was delayed for half an hour in 1941, during a direct attack on the Tower by Nazi bombers.

Entrance to the ceremony of keys is by invitation cards, which anyone (!) can receive by writing a letter in advance (two months in advance).

Mailing address:
The Ceremony of the Keys,
HM Tower of London,
London EC3N 4AB.

Tickets will be sent to you by mail absolutely free of charge.

Royal Treasury

One of those places that you simply must visit is the Royal Treasury, where the royal regalia are kept today. The oldest artifacts from the Restoration were stolen and melted down by Cromwell, but today you can admire the Queen Mother’s crown with the Koh-i-noor diamond. Diamonds "Cullinan-I" and "Cullinan-II" in the scepter of Edward VII and in the crown of the British Empire.

In 1671, Colonel Blood made an unsuccessful attempt to steal them, but Charles II not only did not execute the insolent man, on the contrary, he was awarded a lifelong pension for insolence and courage.

The White Tower, the Queen's House (XVI century), the Royal Church (1080), St. John's Chapel - this is only part of the attractions of the Tower of London, which still holds many secrets.

Working hours

Summer time from March 1 to October 31:
Tuesday - Saturday9.00-17.30

Last entry 17:00
Winter time from November 1 to February 28
Tuesday - Saturday9.00-16.30
Sunday – Monday10:00 – 17:30
Last entry 16:00

The Tower of London is closed from 24 to 26 December and 1 January every year.
It is recommended that I spend less than 2-3 hours exploring the Tower of London.

Entrance prices

Adult ticket £20.90 (€ 26.54)
Ticket for a child (under 16 years old) €10.45 (€ 13.27)
Tickets for students and pensioners €17.60 (€ 22.35)
Family ticket (2 adults + 6 children) €55.00 (€ 69.84)

Prices for audio guide in Russian

for adults €4.00 (€ 5.08)
for a child (up to 16 years old) €3.00 (€ 3.81)
For a family (2 adults + 6 children) €12.00 (€ 15.24)

How to get to Tower of London

Tower Hill, EC3, entrance via Tower Moat.
Metro: Tower Hill station (single € 4 (€ 5.08) or daily pass € 8.40 (€ 10.67)) there are numerous signs leading from the station.
Bus routes No. 15, 42, 78, 100 (single € 4 (€ 5.08) or daily pass € 8.40 (€ 10.67)).

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the most imposing and popular of London's historical sites. It comprises not one, but 20 towers. The oldest of which, the White Tower, dates back to the llth century and the time of William the Conqueror . Nowadays a lot of tourists visit the Tower of London, because of the Tower's evil reputation as a prison. The Tower is famous as home of the Crown Jewels. Today they can be viewed in their new jewel house. They include the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother which contains the celebrated Indian diamond.

Many stories associated with British history come from the Tower. In 1483 King Edward IV "s two sons were murdered in the so-called Bloody Tower. Over two centuries later the skeletons of two little boys were found buried beneath steps in the White Tower.

Traitor's Gate has steps leading down to the River Thames. Countless prisoners, including the future Queen Elizabeth I of England, were brought to the Tower by barge and ascended the steps before being imprisoned. For many it was their last moment of freedom before their death. But Elizabeth was released from the Tower and became Queen. The King's second wife, Anne Boleyn, was brought to trial there in 1536 and beheaded. Six years later her cousin, Catherine, Henry VIII "s fifth wife, suffered the same fate. Sir Thomas More was beheaded there in 1535.

Of course, no visit to the Tower would be complete without seeing the ravens; huge black birds who are an official part of the Tower community. Legend states that if the ravens were to leave the Tower the Crown will fall, and Britain with it. Under the special care of the Raven Master, the ravens are fed a daily diet of raw meat. And there is no danger of them flying away, because their wings are clipped.

Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of London's most prominent and popular historical landmarks. It includes not one, but 20 towers. The oldest of them is the White Tower, which dates back to the 11th century and the time of William the Conqueror. Today, many tourists visit the Tower of London, attracted by its evil reputation as a prison. The Tower is known as the repository of the royal jewels. Today they can be seen in the new jewelry house. Among them is the crown of Queen Elizabeth's mother, which contains the famous Indian diamond.

Many stories related to British history come from the Tower. In 1483, two sons of King Edward IV were killed in the so-called Tower of Blood. Two centuries later, the skeletons of two boys were buried under the steps of the White Tower.

Traitor's Gate has steps leading down into the River Thames. Large numbers of prisoners, including the future Queen Elizabeth I of England, were brought to the Tower by barge and walked up the steps before becoming prisoners. For many, this was the last moment of freedom before death. But Elizabeth was released from the Tower and became queen. The king's second wife, Anne Boleyn, was put on trial in 1536 and beheaded. Six years later, her cousin Catherine, Henry VIII's fifth wife, suffered the same fate. Thomas More was beheaded here in 1535.

Of course, a visit to the Tower wouldn't be complete unless you saw the crows, the huge black birds that are the legal inhabitants of the Tower. Legend has it that if the ravens leave the Tower, the crown will fall and Britain will fall with it. Under the special supervision of the crow's owner, they are given a daily portion of raw meat. And there is no fear that they will fly away because their wings are clipped.

The Tower of London

The Tower of London is one of the most imposing and popular of London’s historical sites. It comprises not one, but .20 towers. The oldest of which, the White Tower, dates back to the 11th century and the time of William the Conqueror. Nowadays a lot of tourists visit the Tower of London, because of the Tower’s evil reputation as a prison. The Tower is famous as home of the Crown Jewels. Today they can be viewed in their new jewel house. They include the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother which contains the celebrated Indian diamond.

Many stories associated with British history come from the Tower. In 1483 King Edward IV’s two sons were murdered in the so-called Bloody Tower. Over two centuries later the skeletons of two little boys were found buried beneath steps in the White Tower.

Traitor's Gate has steps leading down to the River Thames. Countless prisoners, including the future Queen Elizabeth I of England, were brought to the Tower by barge and ascended the steps before being imprisoned. For many it was their last moment of freedom before their death. But Elizabeth was released from the Tower and became Queen. The King’s second wife, Anne Boleyn, was brought to trial there in 1536 and beheaded. Six years later her cousin, Catherine, Henry VIII’s fifth wife, suffered the same fate. Sir Thomas More was headed there in 1535.

Tower of London (translation)

The Tower is one of London's most visible and popular historical landmarks. It includes not one, but 20 towers. The oldest of them is the White Tower, which dates back to the 11th century and the time of William the Conqueror. Today, many tourists visit the Tower of London, attracted by its evil reputation as a prison. The Tower is known as the repository of the royal jewels. Today they can be seen in the new jewelry house. Among them is the crown of Queen Elizabeth's mother, which contains the famous Indian diamond.

Tower with a bird's eye view / Tower from a bird's eye view

The Tower of London is London's famous historical fortress and one of its most important attractions.

In this article we will tell you about a group of ravens, which are one of the most important symbols of the Tower. Yes, you read that right! A group of ravens is specially kept on the towers of the Tower of London. According to legend, if the ravens ever leave the Tower, the British crown and the British kingdom will fall.

We don't know where the legend of the crows really began, but the official story is as follows.

The history of the Tower's ravens dates back to the 17th century, when they were the most common bird in London. In 1667, the Great Fire of London occurred, during which the most of cities. The crows left London, and when they returned, it turned out that their former nests were preserved mainly only in the Tower.

Black crows literally besieged the castle, attacked people and fought fiercely with each other. These endless crow fights led to the fact that the Tower authorities decided to destroy them.

At the time, King Charles II of the Stuart dynasty had only recently been restored to the throne. One of the courtiers reminded him of the legend. Either Charles II was a superstitious man, or his position seemed unstable to him - after all, his father was executed by Cromwell, but he ordered six ravens to be kept in the Tower forever for the safety of the monarchy.

So the six ravens living in the Tower became a kind of mascots of the British crown.

Today, by order of Queen Elizabeth II, a special yeoman guardian is assigned to the ravens. And in total, following the decree of King Charles II, there should always be six ravens. They even have names: Hugin, Munin, Thor, Branwen, Gwillum and Baldrick. Three boys and three girls. They are named after Scandinavian and Celtic mythical characters.

Considerable funds are spent from the state treasury on their maintenance. They are fed raw meat, special biscuits, eggs and rabbit carcasses. It is probably thanks to this diet that some crows live up to 200 years. Well, to prevent crows from flying away, their right wing is cut off.