The Middle Tower, With Causeway To Byward Tower (Qv) And Remains Of Causeway To Lion Tower To West

The Middle Tower, with a causeway leading to Byward Tower and remains of a causeway to the west towards Lion Tower, is a gatehouse located at the Tower of London. It was constructed between 1275 and 1281, with significant alterations made between 1717 and 1719 by Robert Churchill, who rebuilt the upper floors. The structure is made of squared and coursed ragstone and was refaced in Portland stone during the 1717-19 renovations.

The entrance passage is flanked by two-storey cylindrical towers, which have three-storey rectangular turrets at the rear. Above the pointed chamfered archway, which has two orders, are the arms of George I, crafted by Thomas Green. The archway features a portcullis slot and a rearward arch with meurtrieres, along with early 18th-century double doors. The windows are set within early 18th-century semicircular arched architraves that include keyblocks and impost blocks. The sides and rear of the tower also display similar fenestration, with crenellated towers flanking a central bay that has early 18th-century stonework above a pointed chamfered arch, replacing the original timber frame. An early 18th-century sentry box is attached to the southeast corner.

Inside, the tower is lined with 13th-century brick. There are studded doors set in mid-19th-century pointed-arched architraves on either side of the passage. The north side leads to a vice and a passage with steps that ascend to an octagonal-shaped room featuring chamfered ribs in the vault (restored in the 19th century) and six embrasures. The south side leads to a similar room that includes a restored late 13th-century fireplace.

Additionally, there is a causeway that runs from the eastern entry to Byward Tower, which was refaced in the 18th century. The remains of the original causeway from 1275-81 can be found to the west, featuring a pointed chamfered archway to the north that is attached to the foundations of Lion Tower and the outwork from 1275-81.