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Jewel Tower, London J920690
JEWEL TOWER, Westminster, London. Middle Ages reconstruction drawing by Alan Sorrell. Jewel Tower in the foreground and Westminster Abbey in the distance. The Jewel Tower, or Kings Privy Wardrobe, was built c.1365 to house Edward IIIs treasures. It is one of only two buildings of the original Palace of Westminster to survive the fire of 1834. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England
Media ID 1218191
Filename: J920690.jpg
Size: 5030 x 3473 (23.7MB)
Date: 3rd September 2008
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England Photo Library
Source: English Heritage Images
Job Title: Artist
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> Heritage > Abbeys and Priories > Abbeys and Priories in South-East > Westminster Abbey
> Heritage > Reconstructing the Past > Monastic Illustrations
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative print by Alan Sorrell transports us back in time to the medieval heart of Westminster, London. At the forefront of the image stands the majestic Jewel Tower, a testament to the rich history of the area. Built around 1365, the Jewel Tower, also known as the Kings Privy Wardrobe, was designed to securely house the valuable treasures of King Edward III. Its distinctive octagonal shape and tall, narrow windows were engineered to deter would-be thieves. In the background, the hallowed grounds of Westminster Abbey rise up, their Gothic spires piercing the sky. The abbey, founded in the 11th century, has been the coronation church and the final resting place for English and British monarchs for over a thousand years. This reconstruction drawing by Alan Sorrell invites us to imagine the bustling activity of the royal court during the Middle Ages. The Jewel Tower, with its precious cargo, would have been a focal point of the palace complex, a symbol of the wealth and power of the monarchy. The abbey, meanwhile, would have been a hive of religious and political activity, with monks, nobles, and pilgrims all drawn to its sacred walls. The survival of the Jewel Tower is a remarkable feat, as it is one of only two buildings from the original Palace of Westminster that survived the devastating fire of 1834. This print serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring history and beauty of this iconic part of London.
