Construction of the Tower of London was initiated in 1070 by William the Conqueror , shortly after his victory at Hastings in 1066. It was built to enforce the power of the king over the newly conquered region. The tower was expanded during the 13th century into the fortified complex that we know today. The Tower's most popular attraction is its famous collection of Crown Jewels.
伦敦塔是在公元1070年由征服者威廉开始建造的，就在1066年威廉取得黑斯廷斯战役的胜利不久后。它的建立是为了巩固威廉在新征服区域的政权。该塔在13世纪期间被扩建成我们如今所熟知的经加固的复合体。其最具吸引力的景观要属皇家珠宝馆。
The fortress , strategically located at the Thames, was originally not more than a temporary wooden building which was replaced later by the White Tower. Over time the complex was expanded into a stronghold with about 20 towers. Today the Tower of London is best known for its Crown Jewels, but it used to be notorious for the many political opponents of the kings that were locked, tortured and killed in the Tower. The Tower was also a royal residence: several kings lived here, especially during turbulent times when the donjon seemed a lot safer than the palace in Westminster.
伦敦塔这一要塞，战略选址于泰晤士河岸边，起初只是一个临时性的木制建筑，不久后便被白塔所取代。随着时间的推移，该复合体被扩建为约含20座塔的大要塞。如今伦敦塔最著名的是其皇家珠宝馆藏，但它一度声名狼藉，因为这里曾经关押、拷打以及处死过很多国王的政敌。这座塔也是王室居住的地方，数名国王曾在此居住，尤其是在动乱时期，那时候城堡主楼要比威斯敏斯特大教堂安全得多。
