Was Ths Tower of london up and running during the Renaissance?

Question

Please show proof not just answer. Thank You!

Answer 1

I assume you wanted links so I've provided a couple.

Here is a brief history of Tower of London, built by William the Conqueror in 1078.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_London

More on the history of the Tower may be found at the site in this link, which lists significant prisoners kept there during the English Renaissance**
http://www.camelotintl.com/tower_site/prisoners/index.html

**I take it you're referring to the 16tth to early 17th centuries, mainly the Tudor period, since that's usually the period to which the term "English Renaissance" (though the date is debated, and even whether there WAS one!). In any case, you can see from the links above that the Tower was also busy during earlier periods that might be given this label.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Renaissance


I've been assuming that you mean operating AS a place for high-profile (mostly political) prisoners. But do note that the Tower had OTHER, often more central functions. It was often used as a royal residence. You'll find that esp. in the earlier periods. (E.g. the whole "princes in the Tower" discussion --which relates to the late pre-Tudor 15th century-- is confused by the fact that being kept at the tower at that time did NOT necessarily mean being kept as a PRISONER.)

Answer 2

The Tower of London was built in 1078, improved upon by Richard the Lionheart (12th century) , Henry III and Edward I (13th century).
The Tower was used to house prisoners as far back as the 12th and 13th centuries.
Since 'Renaissance' refers to the historical age in Italy (and in Europe in general) that followed the Middle Ages and preceded the Reformation (spanning roughly the 14th through the 16th century), the Tower of London was indeed in use in that time period.