Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Scaffold Site
The actual execution site looks pleasant enough today; the chopping block has been moved
to inside the White Tower, and a modern sculpture encourages visitors to ponder those who
died.
It was here that enemies of the Crown would kneel before the king for the final time.
With their hands tied behind their backs, they would say a final prayer, then lay their heads
on a block, and—
shlit
—the blade would slice through their necks, their heads tumbling
to the ground. The headless corpses were buried in unmarked graves in Tower Green or
under the floor of the Chapel Royal of St. Peter ad Vincula. The heads were stuck on a
stick and displayed at London Bridge. Passersby did not really see the heads—they saw
spheres of insects and parasites.
Tower Green was the most prestigious execution site at the Tower. Common criminals
were hanged outside the Tower. More prominent evil-doers were decapitated before jeer-
ing crowds atop Tower Hill (near today's Tube station). Inside the Tower walls was re-
served for the most heinous traitors.
