Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Wakefield Tower
Hob Uid: 1105495
Location : Greater London Authority Tower Hamlets Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ3357680492
Summary : The Wakefield Tower was built between 1220 and 1240 as a "donjon circulaire" for Henry III and included his privy chamber on the first floor. It was restored by A Salvin from 1866-1869. It stands on the southern inner curtain wall and is alleged to occupy the suggested site of a Roman mural tower. Medieval accounts refer to it as the Blundeville Tower after the then constable of the Tower, or the Hall Tower owing to its proximity to the great hall in the bailey. Excavations in 1957 revealed the lower south face of the adjoining chamber block which contained the remains of a private water gate leading directly to the ground floor of the tower. It is believed that Henry's accommodation contained some fresco work depicting two figures. This was seen in 1867 but by 1885 there was no trace of it. The tower was used in the 18th century to house the deposition of records and appropriate building works to accommodate this were undertaken c. 1720. A date of 1728 is carved into its south-west face and suggests the date of partial refacing. More construction work was necessary in 1867 when it was decided to move some of the Royal Regalia here. Works included the replacement of the original timber floor with a reinforced brick vault to support the jewel display and a stone bridge to link it with St Thomas Tower.
More information :

Sources :

Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 27-32,40,86-88,101-107
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 2
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 87-101
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 8, 1976

Source Number : 3
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 201
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 2, 1958

Source Number : 4
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 421
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 2, 1976

Source Number : 5
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) : 107-150
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) : 34, 1984

Source Number : 6
Source :
Source details :
Page(s) :
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Source Number : 7
Source :
Source details : 1994
Page(s) : 121
Figs. :
Plates :
Vol(s) :

Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date : built 1220-1240
Monument End Date : 1240
Monument Start Date : 1220
Monument Type : Tower
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Altered c.1720
Monument End Date : 1730
Monument Start Date : 1710
Monument Type : Record Office
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Restored 1866-1869
Monument End Date : 1869
Monument Start Date : 1866
Monument Type : Tower
Evidence : Extant Building

Monument Period Name : Post Medieval
Display Date : Altered 1867
Monument End Date : 1867
Monument Start Date : 1867
Monument Type : Tower
Evidence : Extant Building

Components and Objects:

Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 38 SW 1528
External Cross Reference Notes :

Related Warden Records :

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EVALUATION
Start Date : 1957-01-01
End Date : 1957-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1957-01-01
End Date : 1958-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1971-01-01
End Date : 1971-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1972-01-01
End Date : 1972-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1974-01-01
End Date : 1975-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1975-01-01
End Date : 1975-12-31

Associated Activities :
Activity type : EXCAVATION
Start Date : 1992-01-01
End Date : 1992-12-31

Historic England Research Records

Wakefield Tower