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By David Hartwig
A set of six stamps issued Aug. 13 by Great Britain’s Royal Mail explores the history and traditions of the Tower of London, and four stamps in a souvenir sheet depict some of the most famous prisoners ever held in the tower.
“Over the centuries the Tower of London has played many different roles — from impenetrable fortress to royal residence, menagerie of exotic animals to place of execution, Royal Mint to home of the Crown Jewels,” Royal Mail director of external affairs and policy David Gold said. “These stamps celebrate the myth and legend, ceremony and tradition of one of the most famous buildings in the world.”
The stamps in the set of six are presented in three vertical se-tenant (side-by-side) pairs. The stamps in one pair are valued at the first-class rate (currently £1.35), the stamps in another pair are denominated £2, and the stamps in the third pair are denominated £2.50 (the international standard rate for letters).
The Tower of London, a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames, has stood for nearly a millennium. Initially built by William the Conqueror in 1066, it has served as a royal palace, fortress, prison and more. Today, it is best known as the home of the crown jewels and a symbol of the monarchy.
One of the first-class stamps shows the White Tower, William the Conqueror’s original castle keep. William the Conqueror commissioned the White Tower as a demonstration of Norman power and means to protect London from potential invaders.
A £2.50 stamp in the set shows St. John’s Chapel, another building from this period. Built as a place of worship for William the Conqueror (1027-1087), construction of the chapel was not completed until years after the king’s death.
The other first-class stamp shows members of the Yeoman Warders, the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London. Popularly known as Beefeaters, the warders have been active for more than 500 years.
One member of the warders serves as Ravenmaster and takes responsibility for the tower’s ravens, one of which is pictured on a £2.50 stamp in the set. While it is not known how long ravens have resided at the tower, we do know they have been there since at least the reign of King Charles II in the 1600s.
The Yeoman Warders have also been responsible for looking after the prisoners in the tower. One of the £2 stamps shows Traitors’ Gate, the waterside entrance through which many prisoners would have entered the tower.
The other £2 stamp shows the Tower Green and the King’s House, which dates back to nearly the formation of the Yeoman Warders.
A souvenir sheet included with the issue provides another image of the Traitors’ Gate in the selvage. Stamps on the sheet show some of the more famous prisoners who served time at the tower during its period as a prison. …
The Tower of London stamps and related products are available online from Royal Mail. Ordering information also is available from Royal Mail, Tallents House, 21 S. Gyle Crescent, Edinburgh, EH12 9PB, Scotland.
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