The Tower of London is really a group of buildings.
THE JEWEL PRISON
Usually, a prison is a place where criminals are locked up. But there is
a prison in London where jewels are locked up. The jewels are the famous
“crown jewels” of England. Crown jewels are treasures that belong to a
king or queen.
The crown jewels are imprisoned in a place called the Tower of London.
The Tower is really more than one tower. It is a group of buildings. One
was a fortress, another was a home for royalty, and another was a
prison. A high wall and a moat surround the Tower.
Many famous English people heard the dreaded words: “You are sentenced
to the Tower!” And some—like Lady Jane Grey, King Edward V, and his
brother, the Duke of York—were killed there.
But now the Tower is a showplace where the crown jewels are on display.
In the Tower of London, you can see crowns and rings, scepters and orbs,
rods and spurs, and swords and bracelets set with precious stones. Even
salt shakers, a foot high and studded with diamonds, are kept in the
Tower. The treasures are so valuable that they are guarded by special
guards called Yeomen Warders, or Beefeaters.
In one building of the Tower of London, visitors can see the crown
jewels of England on display.
