Dan Snow's History Hit The Tower of London
13 snips
Aug 26, 2025 
Medieval historian Matt Lewis and Tower of London curator Charles Farris share gripping tales from the iconic fortress. They explore its evolution from royal palace to notorious prison, highlighting dramatic events like the Peasants' Revolt and the tragic story of Anne Boleyn. Discover the Tower's architectural significance and its role in asserting royal power, as well as intriguing anecdotes about famed prisoners like Walter Raleigh. The conversation seamlessly intertwines the Tower's dark history with its modern appeal, leaving listeners fascinated by its enduring legacy.
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The Royal Menagerie
- The Tower doubled as a royal menagerie: Henry III kept leopards, an elephant and a polar bear there.
- Londoners watched the polar bear chained by the Thames while it 'fished' for food.
Ranulf Flambard's Wine-Soaked Escape
- Ranulf Flambard, the first recorded Tower prisoner in 1101, escaped by getting jailers drunk and lowering himself down a rope from a wine barrel.
- His flight set an early precedent undermining the Tower's prison reputation.
Roger Mortimer's Chimney Escape
- Roger Mortimer escaped the Tower in 1323 by intoxicating guards, sneaking through kitchens and climbing chimneys to flee to France.
- His escape later contributed to Edward II's downfall when Mortimer allied with Isabella.
