An up-to-date history of one of the most visited monuments in the world that includes evidence from the most recent archaeological investigations and research. Many superb colour photographs illustrate the site's development from its first use as a fortified position in Roman London, to its construction and expansion into a major royal palace. The Tower's function constantly changed and adapted during its lengthy life as exhibited by its use as a mint, prison, zoo, Record Office, military hospital, repository for the Crown jewels and museum. Each section contains many fascinating snippets of information, plans and charts which vividly bring the structures and personalities of the Tower to life.
Dr Edward Impey is Curator of Historic Royal Palaces and a former Research Fellow of Oriel College, Oxford. He has written widely on medieval domestic and military architecture in England and Northern France, and has directed much historical and archaeological research on the Tower of London.
Dr Geoffrey Parnell is Keeper of Tower History at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and a former English Heritage Inspector of Ancient Monuments. He has undertaken various excavations at the Tower, and has written extensively on the archaeology of the site and the history of its buildings and institutions.
