See how The Tower of London changed between 1625 and 2025. Drag the slider to compare the historic photograph with the modern view.
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In 1532, Thomas Cromwell spent £3,593 on repairs and imported nearly 3,000 tons of Caen stone for the work. (en.wikipedia.org) Despite these efforts, the Tower's defenses were insufficient against contemporary artillery. Following Henry VIII's death, the palace buildings fell into neglect, rendering them virtually uninhabitable. From 1547 onwards, the Tower was only used as a royal residence when its political and historic symbolism was considered useful, such as before the coronations of Edward VI, Mary I, and Elizabeth I. (en.wikipedia.org) During the 16th and 17th centuries, the Tower gained a reputation as a grim prison, housing numerous high-status prisoners. Although torture was not commonly used, it was employed to extract confessions from political prisoners, including Guy Fawkes in 1605. (en.wikipedia.org) The Tower's role as a prison continued into the 20th century, with its last execution taking place in 1941. (history.com) Today, it stands as a symbol of British history, attracting millions of visitors annually. (hrp.org.uk)
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