A Medieval Masterpiece | William the Conqueror's Tower of London

William the Conqueror's victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 secured his possession of the English throne, but the new King wasn’t out of danger yet. The north remained unconquered, and London could have risen up at any time. The construction of the White Tower in the heart of London in the late 11th century was intended to reinforce the new King's position. This was William I's masterpiece, a projection of his victory and his power. In this video, Buildings Curator Alfred Hawkins takes us on a tour of this magnificent Norman building and tells us how this castle was constructed. Image credits: Details of the Bayeux Tapestry, 11th Century © Bayeux Museum Bedford Hours, Add. 18850, Courtesy British Library England; circa 1360, From the British Library archive Egerton 1894, Courtesy British Library Old English Illustrated Hexateuch Cotton Claudius B. IV From the British Library archive Livre des profits ruraux. Add. 19720, Courtesy British Library Cotton Nero D. I, Courtesy British Library Chronique de Normandie, Yates Thompson 33, Courtesy British Library Holkham Bible Picture Book Add. 47682, Courtesy British Library Royal 19 E. VI, Courtesy British Library Royal 20 B. XX, Courtesy British Library 141.h.13.(2), Courtesy British Library Royal 19 C. XI, Courtesy British Library Add. 18850, Courtesy British Library Chroniques de France et d'Angleterre: volume (or livre) ii, covering the period 1377- 1385, Royal 18 E. I f.100 (det), Courtesy British Library Royal 2 B. VII, Courtesy British Library Fr2609, Courtesy Bibliothèque Nationale de France William I crowned, 1250-52 © Chetham's Library /Bridgeman Images Gundulf, Giogo, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons Gundulf, Giogo, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons