Exploring GB

Little Ease was an incredibly small prison cell located beneath the White Tower in the Tower of London.

It was the most feared room in the Tower of London, and above the door there is a plaque bearing the cell's name.

The lightless cell was designed 3 ft 11 in on a side, meaning that while an adult human could be placed inside, any occupant was prevented from being able to either stand, sit, or lie down.

This meant that it was impossible for the prisoner to find any physical position of rest (i.e., "little ease" could be found).

Furthermore, the windowless cell was in constant blackness.

The inhabitant was forced to crouch in solitary confinement for days or even a week, before being released for interrogation and torture.

It is likely that such torture cells were ubiquitous in Europe's prisons at this time.

Evidence suggests that Edmund Campion, a Catholic priest in Elizabethan England, was imprisoned for four days in the cell in July 1581.

According to Bell (1921), by tradition, Guy Fawkes, pictured below, was also housed here in 1605.

Fawkes and the other plotters suffered a grisly traitor’s death: they were hanged, drawn and quartered, with their body parts then displayed throughout London as a warning to others.

The Little Ease cell was a notorious form of confinement used in medieval times.

The exact origin and construction of the Little Ease cell are uncertain, but it is believed to have been built during the medieval period, possibly in the 14th century.

The Little Ease was specifically designed to be an uncomfortable and confining cell.

The prisoner had to contort their body to fit into the cramped space.

The purpose of the Little Ease cell was to induce extreme discomfort and physical suffering in the prisoner, primarily used for interrogation.

The discomfort, combined with the psychological pressure exerted by interrogators, was intended to break the prisoner's spirit and coerce a confession.

Additionally, the Little Ease cell was deliberately located in a dark and isolated part of the Tower of London, further enhancing the psychological torment experienced by the prisoners.

The lack of light and fresh air, along with the confined space, created an environment of sensory deprivation that could intensify the prisoner's mental distress.

’The Rack’ was the principle instrument of torture at the Tower.

It was a device upon which victims were laid and then pulled slowly by ropes attached to hands and feet. Repeated racking increased the agony.

Although the Little Ease cell was infamous for its use in the Tower of London, similar forms of confinement existed in other medieval prisons across Europe.

The conditions and dimensions of the cells might have varied slightly, but the general concept of a small, uncomfortable space remained the same.

Over time, the use of the Little Ease cell declined, and it eventually fell out of use altogether.

For more than 800 years, men and women have arrived at the Tower of London, uncertain of their fate - some stayed for only a few days, other many years.

During the Tudor age, the Tower became the most important state prison in the country, anyone thought to be a threat to national security came here.

Meanwhile, the Tower of London offered luxury accommodation too, medieval kings and queens lived in apartments at the Tower.

They worshipped in the Chapel Royal, kept a menagerie of exotic animals (which lasted until the 19th century) and welcomed foreign rulers at magnificent ceremonial occasions.

Although long since vanished, there was once a splendid royal palace to the south of the White Tower.

Henry VIII modernised the rooms inside in preparation for the coronation of his new bride, Anne Boleyn in 1533.

She and the King feasted here in splendour the night before Anne processed in triumph through the City of London to Westminster Abbey.

Three years later Anne was back at the Tower, this time accused of adultery and treason, she was held in the same luxurious lodgings before being executed by sword on Tower Green.

Prisoners at the Tower of London had varying experiences, from the luxurious to the lethal.

Wealthy, influential inmates could be held in relative comfort, deprived only of their liberty.

Some captive kings, such as Scottish king John Balliol, brought in a host of servants.

Others were allowed out on hunting or shopping trips! But those suspected or found guilty of treason, which including counterfeiting coins as well as plotting against the monarch, suffered far more.

By the Tudor period, the Tower had secured a reputation as the foremost state prison in the country and the Tower itself sought to reinforce its image as an unbreakable prison.

The Tower also controlled the supply of the nation’s money. All coins of the realm were made at the Tower Mint from the reign of Edward I until 1810.

Kings and queens also locked away their valuables and jewels at the Tower and even today, the Crown Jewels are protected by a garrison of soldiers.

The Crown Jewels are the nation’s most precious treasures, including the sacred Coronation Regalia used at the Coronation of new monarchs.

Comprising more than 100 objects and over 23,000 gemstones, the Crown Jewels are priceless, being of incalculable cultural, historical, and symbolic value.

They are part of the Royal Collection, held in trust by the monarch for the nation.

Today, the Tower of London is a popular tourist destination and one the world’s leading tourist attractions.

The Tower has been a visitor attraction since the 18th century, but numbers of tourists increased dramatically in the 1800s.

Visitors were fascinated by the stories of England’s turbulent and sometimes gruesome history.

The Tower of London has great reviews on TripAdvisor, one recent visitor said: “Its well-preserved and impressive architecture is a sight to behold. It is filled with fascinating stories and history that will make any visit memorable.

”It is a must-see for anyone interested in learning more about England's past. The tour guides are knowledgeable and friendly, and the grounds are beautiful.”

Tickets can be booked online, check their website for opening times as they may vary depending on the time of year.

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