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Famous Old Tower of London
(403) throne of England. The indented block to get possession of his son William, but, on which these misguided men suffered afraid to put him to death, as he at first had is still shown. intended, he gave him into the charge of In the reign of Henry III the outer Helie de St. Saen, a Norman baron or walls of the Tower fell suddenly down, a great reputation and humanity. Helie de catastrophe supposed to be due to an St. Saen, rough and ready of hand as he earthquake. But the king at once was, had a tender heart under his chain ordered the necessary repairs. Visitors armor, and he was naturally attached to to the Tower are taken over the White the boy, having married an illegitimate Tower, where there is a magnificent col- daughter of the ill-fated prisoner of lection of armor, very many thousands of Cardiff. He treated "the royal heir" rifles and some beautiful groups of steel with great kindness, educated him with and other arms, arranged in various forms the utmost care, and manifested toward of flowers. Visitors also visit the Beau- him much affection. Beauclerc, aware of champ Tower, the walls of which are all this, grew alarmed; and, repenting of covered with almost countless mementoes his lenity, resolved to get the boy into of the prisoners who once wore out life his own hands without delay, and subject in this weary place. They may also enter him to perpetual imprisonment. With the Jewel Tower, as it is now called, this object, he commissioned Robert de where the crown jewels have been kept Beauchamp to make the seizure, and furfor centuries, and whence Colonel Blood nished that Norman baron with a body of some two hundred years since nearly suc- horse for the purpose. ceeded in abstracting them. Visitors are Thus it happened that, one Sunday also shown the staircase under which were when Clito was eight years old, and St. found the bones of the two princes (sons Saen was absent from his castle, the peoof Edward IV), who were murdered in ple coming out of church perceived a the Tower by command of their uncle, band of armed men lurking in the neigh- Richard III. They now rest in Westmin- borhood. Not relishing such a circumster Abbey. stance during their lord's absence, they The Tower is a very peaceful place now, hurried to the castle and gave the alarm. where soldiers and their wives lead The servants, guessing the truth, hashomely lives; while in the moat surround- tened to Clito's chamber, found him ing the garrison, from which long since asleep, awoke him, escaped with him sethe water was driven out, recruits are drilled, and officers may be seen taking early morning walks.
The Escape of the Young Duke of Normandy. cretly from the castle, and carried him in safety to their master.
