Editing Tower of London (section)

===Innermost ward===
The innermost ward encloses an area immediately south of the White Tower, stretching to what was once the edge of the River Thames. As was the case at other castles, such as the 11th-century [[Hen Domen]], the innermost ward was probably filled with timber buildings from the Tower's foundation. Exactly when the royal lodgings began to encroach from the White Tower into the innermost ward is uncertain, although it had happened by the 1170s.<ref name="Parnell 1993 22" /> The lodgings were renovated and elaborated during the 1220s and 1230s, becoming comparable with other palatial residences such as [[Windsor Castle]].<ref name="Parnell 1993 27">{{harvnb|Parnell|1993|p=27}}</ref> Construction of Wakefield and Lanthorn Towers – located at the corners of the innermost ward's wall along the river – began around 1220.<ref name="ABC 17" />{{refn|Wakefield Tower was originally called Blundeville Tower.<ref name="ABC 17" />|group="nb"}} They probably served as private residences for the queen and king respectively.

The earliest evidence for how the royal chambers were decorated comes from Henry III's reign: the queen's chamber was whitewashed, and painted with flowers and imitation stonework. A [[great hall]] existed in the south of the ward, between the two towers.<ref>{{harvnb|Parnell|1993|p=28}}</ref> It was similar to, although slightly smaller than, that also built by Henry III at [[Winchester Castle]].<ref>{{harvnb|Impey|Parnell|2000|p=31}}</ref> Near Wakefield Tower was a [[postern gate]] which allowed private access to the king's apartments. The innermost ward was originally surrounded by a protective ditch, which had been filled in by the 1220s. Around this time, a kitchen was built in the ward.<ref>{{harvnb|Allen Brown|Curnow|1984|pp=17–18}}</ref> Between 1666 and 1676, the innermost ward was transformed and the palace buildings removed.<ref>{{harvnb|Parnell|1993|p=65}}</ref> The area around the White Tower was cleared so that anyone approaching would have to cross open ground. The Jewel House was demolished, and the [[Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom|Crown Jewels]] moved to Martin Tower.<ref name="Parnell 1993 67">{{harvnb|Parnell|1993|p=67}}</ref>
{{wideimage|Panoramic view from Tower of London cropped.jpg|800px|Interior of the innermost ward. Right of centre is the 11th-century White Tower; the structure at the end of the walkway to the left is Wakefield Tower. Beyond that can be seen Traitors' Gate.}}