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Beauchamp Tower 5 min read
Carved in stone: the Beauchamp Tower graffiti
Tudor prisoners with time on their hands cut their names, their prayers and in one case an entire horoscope into the walls. You can still read them.
Inner ward
Beauchamp Tower
Edward I's tower on the west wall became the Tudor prison for well-born captives. Its walls carry the densest collection of prisoner graffiti in the Tower, including the name IANE.
- Time here
- 15–20 min (our estimate)
- Access
- Not step-free · Spiral stairs
- Where
- Inner ward · indoors
What you can see
- The Dudley family carving with its bear, ragged staff and flowers for each brother (1553–54)
- The name 'IANE', carved twice, by or for a supporter of Lady Jane Grey
- Dozens of smaller inscriptions by Catholic prisoners of Elizabeth I's reign
Practical considerations
- Not step-free
- Spiral stairs
- Low light
- No lift or ramp to the Imprisonment at the Tower exhibition
- The graffiti room is small; wait for a gap in the crowd to read the carvings
Checked 10 Sept 2026
Access details from Historic Royal Palaces' accessibility page. Time estimates are ours unless marked official.