Event Details
- Location: Salisbury Cathedral
- Address: Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 2EF
- Start date: 25th September 2026
- End date: 25th September 2026
- Times: 7.00pm
- Entry fee: £12.00 (concessions available)
Interpretations and Perceptions of the Tower of London: Can the truth get in the way of a good story? A Talk by Alfred Hawkins, Salisbury Cathedral Archaeologist
The Tower of London is one of the most recognisable and infamous buildings in the world. The fortress is well known as the palace of kings and queens, a place of imprisonment, torture, and execution, the site of sensational intrigue and murder, alongside being the home of the Yeoman Warders and our famous ravens.
But how, and why, have the perceptions of the Tower of London changed over time? And how have these perceptions impacted the myths which colour the fortress’s varied history? From the Tower’s legendary origins to the burial place of Anne Boleyn and the alteration of the site in the Victorian period – this talk will discuss the creation of the current perception the fortress both in terms of its architectural development, and of the myths and stories which have made the Tower such an iconic part of British History, and how we tell those stories today.
The talk will be followed by a short Q&A.
Alfred R. J. Hawkins is Curator of Historic Buildings at HM Tower of London for Historic Royal Palaces, where he advises on major development projects and the ongoing conversation of one of Britain’s most significant historic sites. Alongside this role, he has recently been appointed Cathedral Archaeologist at Salisbury Cathedral and also serves as Cathedral Archaeologist at Portsmouth Cathedral.
This event is organised by Salisbury Cathedral. Tickets are available through the Cathedral Box Office. For visitors with access requirements, or if you require an essential companion to accompany you, please contact the Cathedral Box Office to book your tickets.
The Cathedral Box Office is available Monday – Friday between 10am-4pm.
Email: Boxoffice@salcath.co.uk. Tel: 01722 656 555.
