Tower Of London.: Stamps To Mark The "Myth And Legend, Ceremony And Tradition"

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A special set of stamps is being issued to mark the "myth and legend, ceremony and tradition" of the Tower of London.

Royal Mail has partnered with Historic Royal Palaces, which manages the Tower, to produce 10 stamps that depict images of the history and buildings of the world-famous landmark.

The White Tower, Tower Green, the King's House, St John's Chapel, Yeoman Warders, Traitors' Gate and a raven of the Tower feature on the main set of six stamps.

A further four stamps, presented in a mini set, depict some of the Tower's famous historic prisoners, including Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lady Jane Grey and Princes Edward and Richard, who became known as the "Princes in the Tower".

Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh, Lady Jane Grey and Princes Edward and Richard on stamps

Some of the Tower's most famous prisoners appear on a set of four stamps

David Gold, of Royal Mail, said: "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.

"These stamps celebrate the myth and legend, ceremony and tradition of one of the most famous buildings in the world."

The Unesco World Heritage Site in the City of London attracts three million visitors a year, according to Historic Royal Palaces.

Built on the orders of William the Conqueror in the 1070s, the Tower was used as a prison for more than 800 years, external.


The Tower's famous Yeoman Warders are pictured on one of the stamps

A Raven on a stamp

One of the Tower's current residents has its own stamp

Jenny Smyth, licensing manager at Historic Royal Palaces, said: "We are delighted that the Royal Mail have joined our licensing programme to commission the first ever set of stamps depicting the Tower of London.

"With nearly 1,000 years of history to its name, we look forward to sharing the stories of the Tower with an even wider audience."

Not too bad.


The miniature sheet is a little disappointing though.

I love the miniature sheet. Especially the poignant picture of Edward V, and Richard Duke of York. From a famous portrait.
The Princes in the Tower, both murdered by Richard the Third(or upon his order).
Tragic Lady Jane Grey (The 9 day Queen), refused to convert to Catholicism and subsequently was executed.
I do not collect GB stamps, but I will make an exception this once. A spirited discussion around our dinner table has ensued discussing the portraits pictured on the sheet.

There is no evidence they were murdered, only speculation fed by two skeletons found.

That find constitutes circumstantial evidence. Plenty of murderers have been convicted on circumstantial evidence alone.

History Channel - I know, these are the guys that have tried to convince us for more years than some of us have collected stamps -, yesterday, aired a documentary that showed contemporary documents that make it almost certain both princes at some time stayed at the court of their aunt, Margareth of Burgundy.

I think that would give rise to reasonable doubt.

One of the most compelling documents is a receipt found that refers to the older of the princes and is signed by three important officials at Emperor Maximilian I's court.
Also, the two skeletons were not the first two child skeletons found hidden in the Tower of London.

I am not a Historian of Tudor, English History. I read years ago, Life Of Johnson by Boswell, and it caused me to look at Richard III in light detail.
I have refreshed some of that detail now. Richard the Third comes to us thru Shakespeare, and Sr. Thomas Moore, "A history of Richard III". Saint Moore, (to Catholics) wrote that Richard III ordered the deaths of "The Princes In the Tower". Shakespeare is more damming of course.
The Nephews did indeed stay at their Aunts, prior to their arrival at the Tower, (Saint Moore). After their arrival at the Tower they were never seen in public again. Richard worked to have the children declared "Bastards" , at which he became legitimate as heir to the throne. Richard was in charge of his nephews, (protector) and made a"Royal Progress through the Midlands" immediately after his July 6 coronation as the new King (Chronicles of London). The tour was a success
but "usurpation was not popular", (Encyclopedia Britannica, 1963)." there seem to be no reasonable doubt that Edward V, and his brother Richard
were murdered in the Tower on their Uncle's order in August 1483. The report of the princes' death was believed in England at the time, at the hands of the usurper "for which cause King Richard lost the hearts of the people" (Chronicles of London,191). And referred as fact; French states-general, January 1484.

Richard III meets his fate at Bosworth,the English people strongly believing that he had indeed killed his nephews. Contemporary writings are such, that is the popular belief.The preponderance of the evidence strongly indicts Richard III, who commanded the Tower, and was protectorate to his Nephews and they disappear from history. Until skeletons are unearthed 500 years later.
I do not have a TV. I don't get the History Channel. I do not know what they presented, all what I know might be superseded by new evidence.
The Mother of the Princes, Elisabeth Woodville has a daughter also Elisabeth Woodville who goes on to marry Henry VII, who has a child Henry VIII, and a Granddaughter Elisabeth I.
Richard III is the last of the Plantagenets. I want to thank my daughter who is a historian of Tudor England, and Shakespeare.
cheers m