Gone Medieval Tower of London: Medieval Prison
11 snips
Jan 9, 2026 Tom Horton, a comedian and former resident of the Tower of London, shares his unique insights living there while his father served as Constable. He tells captivating ghost stories, including the eerie hauntings of Arabella Stuart and even an unused toilet for Hitler. The discussion dives into infamous prisoners like Henry VI and the mysteries surrounding the Princes in the Tower. Tom also reflects on the community life at the Tower and how these extraordinary experiences inspire his comedy.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Flambard's Barrel Escape
- Ranulf Flambard allegedly hid a rope in a wine barrel and drugged his guards to escape in 1101.
- He scaled out of the White Tower and fled across the channel after the guards passed out.
Roger Mortimer's Planned Flight
- Roger Mortimer plotted a deliberate escape from the Tower by poisoning guards and using a rope ladder to reach a waiting boat.
- He arranged inside help and fled via the river after orchestrating the plan.
Medieval Prison Comforts
- High-status prisoners often lived in relatively comfortable apartments within the Tower rather than dank cells.
- ‘Dungeon’ originally meant the central keep, not an underground cell, so medieval imprisonment could be genteel.