| Summary : The outer curtain wall at the Tower of London was created between 1275 and 1285 by Edward I to add to the defences at the Tower. It is reported that #21,000 was expended to construct this solid defence which created a narrow outer ward thus making a ring of defences within another. The wall is punctuated by a series of towers and bastions, mostly of contemporary date. The first phase is thought to have been comparitively low. Later phases raised the height considerably, possibly when the decision was taken to relocate the Royal Mint within the walls of the Tower of London. Edward II commenced rebuilding work between 1307 and 1327 to broaden and raise the wall and this was continued by Edward III in 1336. In 1339 the length on the southern side between the Bell and Salt Towers was heightened and crenellated. |