Tower of London

As a child growing up in London I visited the Tower of London on numerous occasions. I have two crumpled photographs taken on a primary school visit when I was about nine years old. I can't remember anything about the visit and I'm amazed anyone had a camera back in the day!

My Auntie Ruth, a force for cultural improvement in my youth, took me on a visit. Sadly all I remember about this one was queuing for what seemed like hours to see the Crown Jewels. I don't even remember the jewels, just the queue.

More than thirty years later I made the same 'Auntie Ruth error' and took my own three children when they were probably too young to appreciate the history. They can remember little about the day, apart from a boat trip on the Thames and some costumed actors in the Medieval Palace (proving what an important role these re-enactors play in childrens' learning).

Recently I visited the tower again on my own to see the areas I have never managed to on previous trips and to pay homage to Lucy St John.

My writing work in progress is called The Ladies of Lydiard, due for publication in Spring 2020 by Hobnob Press. Readers of my other blog Good Gentlewoman will know that the St John women have some amazing connections. Take Lucy St John for example. 

Lucy was born in c1589 most probably at Lydiard House, a fine, if a tad old fashioned, Tudor mansion house in Wiltshire.

Her parents were Sir John St John and his wife Lucy Hungerford and the whole family appear in a spectacular portrait contained within the St John polyptych, located in St Mary's Church, Lydiard Park. 

So, what is Lucy's connection to the Tower, surely she didn't end up imprisoned there. Well, not in so many words.

Lucy married Sir Allen Apsley, a naval and military administrator, at St Ann's, Blackfriars on October 23, 1615. Lucy was about 26 years old and became Sir Allen's third wife. 

In 1617 Sir Allen was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London and for more than ten years Lucy lived in the forbidding fortress. The Lieutenant's home then and now was the Queen's House, so named for Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn.

I arrived on a blistering August day along with thousands of 21st century visitors, but with the help of Elizabeth St John I was able to imagine how it much have been for Lucy. 

Lucy's story is told in The Lady of the Tower by Elizabeth St John. The opening paragraph describes Lucy's arrival at the Tower in March 1617.

"Silver drizzle veiled the stone walls rising from the moat's stagnant water. To the north, the White Tower glistened but bade no welcome for all its shining. Gabled roofs with ornate chimneys pierced the mist and hid again, hinting a house within the fortress. I was not comforted, for it reminded me that the kept must have their keepers."

Unfortunately the Queen's House is not open to the public but I stood and stared and imagined. Here are some photos to help you do the same.

The Queen's House - Lucy's home

The Chapel Royal, St Peter ad Vincula - Lucy's place of worship within the Tower

St John's Chapel, second floor White Tower dates from 1080

The White Tower

St John polyptych St Mary's Church, Lydiard Park. Lucy is the youngest of the six sisters standing closest to her parents.