Gone Medieval

Tower of London: Medieval Prison

7 snips
Jan 9, 2026
Tom Horton, a comedian and former resident of the Tower of London, shares his unique insights living there while his father served as Constable. He tells captivating ghost stories, including the eerie hauntings of Arabella Stuart and even an unused toilet for Hitler. The discussion dives into infamous prisoners like Henry VI and the mysteries surrounding the Princes in the Tower. Tom also reflects on the community life at the Tower and how these extraordinary experiences inspire his comedy.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
INSIGHT

White Tower As Norman Power

  • William the Conqueror built the White Tower to visibly assert Norman rule over England.
  • He imported Caen stone and Norman architecture to physically signal continental dominance.
ANECDOTE

Flambard's Barrel Escape

  • Ranulf Flambard allegedly hid a rope in a wine barrel and drugged his guards to escape in 1101.
  • He scaled out of the White Tower and fled across the channel after the guards passed out.
ANECDOTE

Roger Mortimer's Planned Flight

  • Roger Mortimer plotted a deliberate escape from the Tower by poisoning guards and using a rope ladder to reach a waiting boat.
  • He arranged inside help and fled via the river after orchestrating the plan.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app