
audiobook
THE TOWER OF LONDON - A Historical Romance - By William Harrison Ainsworth - ILLUSTRATED BY GEORGE CRUIKSHANK - London: Richard Bentley, New Burlington Street, - MDCCCXL
PREFACE.
BOOK ONE
I.—OF THE MANNER IN WHICH QUEEN JANE ENTERED THE TOWER OF LONDON.
II.-OF THE INDIGNITY SHOWN TO THE PRIVY COUNCIL BY THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND; AND OF THE RESOLUTION TAKEN BY SIMON RENARD TO AVENGE THEM.
III.-OF THE THREE GIANTS OF THE TOWER, OG, GOG, AND MAGOG; OF XIT, THE DWARF; OF THE FAIR CICELY; OF PETER TRUSBUT, THE PANTLER, AND POTENTIA HIS WIFE; OF HAIRUN THE REARWARD, RIBALD THE WARDER, MAUGER THE HEADSMAN, AND - NIGHTGALL THE JAILOR: AND OF THE PLEASANT PASTIME HELD IN THE STONE KITCHEN.
IV.—OF THE MYSTERIOUS OCCURRENCE THAT HAPPENED TO QUEEN JANE IN SAINT JOHN’S CHAPEL IN THE WHITE TOWER.
V.—OF THE MISUNDERSTANDING THAT AROSE BETWEEN QUEEN JANE AND HER HUSBAND, LORD GUILFORD DUDLEY.
VI.—OF THE SOLEMN EXHORTATION PRONOUNCED TO THE GIANTS BY MASTER EDWARD UNDERHILL, THE “HOT-GOSPELLER,” AT THEIR LODGING IN THE BY-WARD TOWER; AND OF THE EFFECT PRODUCED THEREBY.
VII.—HOW CUTHBERT CHOLMONDELEY WAS THROWN INTO A DUNGEON NEAR THE DEVILIN TOWER; AND HOW A MYSTERIOUS FEMALE FIGURE APPEARED TO HIM THERE.
Set against the stone‑crowned walls of the Tower of London, this tale weaves romance and history into the very fabric of the ancient fortress. The narrative follows a young courtier whose love for a lady of the court leads him through the Tower’s glittering chambers, shadowy dungeons, and lofty battlements, each vividly brought to life by George Cruikshank’s detailed illustrations. As he navigates secret passages and hidden chapels, the story reveals the Tower’s triple identity—as regal palace, grim prison, and formidable stronghold—while offering glimpses of real‑world lore that still echoes within its stones.
Interlaced with the personal drama are vivid portraits of historical figures, including a nuanced portrait of Queen Mary, whose motives and temperament are examined with a fresh, balanced eye. The early chapters balance tender intrigue with the looming threat of political intrigue, inviting listeners to feel the pulse of Tudor England and the timeless allure of the Tower’s hidden corners.
Language
en
Duration
~18 hours (1076K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by David Widger from page images generously provided by the Internet Archive
Release date
2015-09-02
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1805–1882
A hugely popular Victorian storyteller, he turned English history into fast-moving fiction packed with drama, crime, and atmosphere. His novels helped bring highwaymen, rebels, and royal intrigue to a wide nineteenth-century audience.
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