Beauchamp Tower — Attraction in London

The Tower of London is home to many historical treasures, and one of the most captivating is Beauchamp (pronounced "Beecham") Tower. This part of the inner defensive wall once held high-ranking prisoners, and its walls are adorned with graffiti that tells a poignant story.

The carvings, made by prisoners in the 16th and 17th centuries, differ significantly from modern graffiti. These inscriptions are beautiful, intricate, and deeply moving. They serve as personal epitaphs, messages left by prisoners for the living world before facing execution. The scripts are neat, fluid, and often elaborate, while the images are complex, featuring animals, plants, and even a mysterious zodiac wheel.

Protected behind clear panels, these carvings include the marks of many notable prisoners. Thomas Abel, chaplain to Queen Katherine of Aragon, carved his name and a bell into the wall after his imprisonment by King Henry VIII. Arthur and Edmund Poole, brothers accused of plotting to secure the throne for Mary Queen of Scots, left their marks here as well. You can also see the work of Lord Guildford Dudley, husband of Lady Jane Grey.

Exploring this historic graffiti offers a unique glimpse into the lives and thoughts of the prisoners, making Beauchamp Tower a poignant and fascinating highlight of any visit to the...

Beauchamp Tower is part of the brick and stone defensive inner wall to the Tower of London. It was built between 1275 and 1281 by Edward I. Battlements were added in 1850s. Contains extensive graffiti from 16th and 17th century prisoners. Held the husband of Jane Grey before his and her execution. She was queen of...

This is where the celebrity prisoners were kept. Best thing here is the 400-year old graffiti left by former prisoners. Take your time and read the translations and inscriptions. Most of it is in English or Latin and shows the level of education of those imprisoned, most of them because they were a threat to...