The White Tower is the most visually recognizable tower of the monument. It is called the keep, which means that it is the strongest and most secure part of the castle. It stands at 90 feet tall and the walls are between 11-15 feet thick depending on the how high up it is. The White Tower is certainly imposing looking and that's the impression the building was specifically designed to cause.
The tower was built between 1078-1097 by William the Conqueror, whose portrait we see here. After William invaded and led the Normans to victory over the Anglo-Saxons, The White Tower was built to protect him and other Norman leaders/soldiers from rebelling English citizens and to possibly intimidate the English out of rebellion in the first place.
The White Tower has served as housing for the Royal family, housing for the military and weaponry stockpiles, and as a prison. Today, the building stores many beautiful and interesting artifacts such as armory belonging to King Henry VIII such as this set from approximately 1515 that he would have worn if going into battle on horseback.
