Stairway in the White Tower where tradition holds that the bones of two young boys thought to be the “Princes in the Tower” were discovered in the 17th century. Photo May 2003.
I was surprised to discover that I hadn’t used any of my photos of this sign and stairway before now. But with the disappearance of the Princes in the Tower being an even hotter topic than usual right now, it seemed like a good time to finally post one! Stay tuned for a close-up of the sign next week.
Why is the stairway blocked?
I have a podcast coming up on this soon for BBC History magazine. The journalist who interviewed me took the same picture as you did – but your is better!
Tracey – I’m not sure what’s going on architecturally there. You see the stairwell while on the wooden stairs outside the White Tower (where you enter on the 3rd floor if I remember correctly? – it’s been 10 years since I was last there) so it is kind of along the outer most part of the wall on the White Tower. And I think the skeletons were discovered while some work was being done, so maybe the blocking of the stairwell was part of that? I’m sure there is a better answer somewhere on the bookshelves surrounding me in my ‘dining room’ (really: library – I have no need of a dining room in my small apartment!) but I don’t have it handy. 🙂
Leanda – I’m looking forward to the episode of the podcast! I’m a subscriber to it and and I always learn something from it. And thanks for the compliment on the photo, I rather like it myself, which is why I can’t believe I hadn’t gotten around to posting it before now.
Thanks, Lara. Now I remember seeing it myself on a visit to The Tower…almost ten years ago, also!! Goodness…can’t believe it’s been SO long since London last felt my feet.
Racking brain (no pun intended :)) it seems to me that most of the stairway compartment was plexi-glassed from the elements while still allowing a close read of the plaque. It wasn’t marked in any special fashion…in fact, I was so intent of entering The White Tower, it was almost missed.