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All the United Kingdom England London Beauchamp Tower
AO Edited

Beauchamp Tower

Graffiti from the 16th and 17th centuries cover the walls of this part of the Tower of London.

London, England

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biblioangi
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Graffiti.   Joanne Munro/cc by 2.0
The tower’s exterior.   Dirk Ingo Franke/cc by 3.0
Beauchamp Tower   Jaszmina Szendrey / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
Graffiti.   biblioangi / Atlas Obscura User
Graffiti.   biblioangi / Atlas Obscura User
Thomas Bell’s carving.   biblioangi / Atlas Obscura User
Pomegranate   SEANETTA / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The Tower of London boasts many historical gems within its depths. Head to Beauchamp (pronounced "Beecham") Tower—a part of the inner defensive wall that once held high-ranking prisoners—and you’ll see graffiti carved into its walls.

The writings and images are from prisoners from the 16th and 17th centuries, many of whom were confined for political or religious reasons. The various carvings are much different from the type of graffiti you’d typically come across today.

They're beautiful, intricate, and poignant, as these are self-created epithets made by prisoners leaving a last message for the world of the living before going to their execution. The script is neat, fluid, and at times, downright fancy. The images are complex—some prisoners even carved out elaborate designs featuring animals, plants, and in one case, a mysterious zodiac wheel.

Browse the graffiti, which is now protected behind clear, protective panels, and you’ll see the marks of many memorable prisoners. Thomas Abel, the chaplain to Queen Katherine of Aragon, carved his name and a bell into the wall after he was imprisoned by King Henry VIII. Arthur and Edmund Poole, two brothers accused of plotting to secure the throne for Mary Queen of Scots, left various marks within the prison. You can even see the work of Lord Guildford Dudley, the Lady Jane Grey's husband.

Related Tags

Towers Prisons Graffiti

Know Before You Go

Beauchamp Tower is part of the Tower of London. The Tower of London is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m on Sunday and Monday. Admission for adults (18 - 64) is £24.70. You can save money by buying your tickets online or by combining London tourist attractions.

Community Contributors

Added By

biblioangi

Edited By

SEANETTA, royalmintmuseum, Jaszmina Szendrey, Kerry Wolfe...

  • SEANETTA
  • royalmintmuseum
  • Jaszmina Szendrey
  • Kerry Wolfe
  • Collector of Experiences
  • missingfilm
  • Julius Spada

Published

September 21, 2018

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Sources
  • http://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/Blog/writings-on-the-wall-preserving-the-prisoner-graffiti-at-the-tower-of-london
  • http://spitalfieldslife.com/2011/12/06/graffiti-at-the-tower-of-london/
  • https://www.royalmintmuseum.org.uk/journal/curators-corner/writings-on-the-wall/
Beauchamp Tower
35 Tower Hill
St Katharine's & Wapping
London, England
United Kingdom
51.508335, -0.077345
Visit Website
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