ABC/DISNEY owns GH. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chapter 20
"The Tower of London." Elizabeth said looking at the structure in front of them smiling. "I am looking forward to seeing everything inside. Em says she comes here every time she visits the city, she said she learns something new each time." So Elizabeth wasn't thinking they would cover it all today.
"Where would you like to start first?" Jason asked as he handed over their tickets and took the offered map. While yes this was very much a tourist destination it was also a peek into England's history. He hadn't come here before now despite Em telling him he really should.
"I'd like to see the art installation commemorating the one hundredth year anniversary of Britain's involvement in World War I." Elizabeth had read about it last night online in AJ's home office. Over the course of the summer 888,246 bright red hand-made ceramic poppies were being placed in the moat. Each poppy represented a fallen British solider. It was a beautifully haunting memorial to the lives lost. Elizabeth had tremendous respect for members of the armed services and wanted to take a moment to simply say thank you.
They walked to the moat and took a moment of silence to reflect on the toll the war had taken on this country. "I bet from the Tower itself the view is amazing." Jason pointed out. He would make sure they stopped and looked. "Would you like to purchase a poppy?" He had seen that they were for sale while reading the posted signs that explained the artwork. The proceeds were being split between six military charities. "We won't get it until the installation is complete in November."
"I'd like that." Elizabeth would love for that to be her memento of their time here.
"What next?" Jason wanted to know after they had paid their respects.
"The Crown Jewels." Elizabeth said smiling. "A girl can't be around all that bling and not gawk."
"It's my understanding they are gawk worthy." Jason said laughing as they walked to the Jewel House.
They started with learning the history of the monarchy in relation to the jewels. At one point, before 1649, the coronation regalia of crown, orbs, and scepters were housed at Westminster Abbey and were not permitted to leave the premises. Each reigning monarch would have their own crowns and such made to use during their time on the throne. Starting in the 1100's those jewels were kept safe, along with other national treasures, within the walls of the Towers. In 1377 King Richard started a tradition of coronation processionals originating from the Tower that lasted roughly three hundred years until the monarchy was abolished in 1649. In 1658 the monarchy was restored, but all the previous crowns had been melted down so new crown jewels were created. Those new jewels made up bulk of the current collection.
They moved around the displays. Seeing the Coronation Spoon, which was over 800 years old and one of the few surviving pieces from the original collection. They saw the Sovereign's Septre with Cross which featured the Star of Africa, the largest uncut diamond in the world. St. Edward's Crown, which was used during every coronation since 1661, most recently for Queen Elizabeth the II in 1953. It surprised them both to learn that many items in the collection were still regularly used at state events such as the opening of Parliament.
"Would you like to be a Queen?" Jason asked as they walked around the museum.
"I don't think so." Elizabeth said shaking her head. "They seem to live their lives in a fishbowl. Every move they make, word they say, or outfit they wear is scrutinized. That would get old fast." She told him.
"We've gotten our share of press coverage." Jason pointed out. "Will that get tiring?" It was a worry.
"It's different. I can go to the supermarket without makeup and no one will care." She pointed out. Dating Jason meant from time to time appearing in the paper, but that would normally be for major events. Like charity functions, or ELQ events were they were with the Quartermaines. "I think Emily or Lily are more interesting to the general public." Because Jason kept a low profile she didn't expect much press attention. They would be considered boring.
"Good to know." Jason didn't want to lose her to the pressures of public opinion.
"Even if I was interesting, my guard will keep me from getting harassed." She said smiling at him. "Who is that going to be?"
"Johnny will decide that." Jason informed her. "I'll need to give my approval." He explained how it worked. Since Marco often was assigned to Elizabeth now, he would probably get the assignment. However since Jason was going to make her his wife, Johnny might want someone else, a guard with more experience. Either way his choice would be a good one.
They continued to move through the exhibit as Elizabeth saw more jewels than she'd ever seen before in her life. The final portion of the display was an exhibit highlighting the various threats that the jewels had undergone over the years. From theft to fire, it read like something out of a spy novel.
"Where to now?" Elizabeth wanted to know what part of the museum he wanted to visit.
"The White Tower." Jason said laughing at the obvious choice. "The Royal Armouries collection is housed there. It is also the oldest part of the Towers."
"Then let's go." Elizabeth said linking her arm with his.
The White Tower was four stories high, and they chose to start at the top. There they found the Block and Axe which dated back to the time of the Tudors. These items were used to behead enemies of the crown. According to the plaque which held the historical information it was believed that these two artifacts were used at the last public beheading held in this location in 1747. "It seems rather gruesome that executions were public entertainment." Elizabeth observed.
"We haven't really come that far." Jason pointed out. "People still sit and watch as men and women are put to death." Every execution in the United States generally had public witnesses pulled from a pool of volunteers. The only thing that had changed was the method death was delivered.
The next thing that caught their attention was the Line of Kings exhibit, one of the world's longest running visitor attractions. Here they saw life sized replicas of kings fully armored for battle, standing side by side with full sized battle dressed horses. It was like walking through a time machine of the history of British warfare. While the armor and weapons had Jason fascinated. Elizabeth was enraptured with the design of the fabrics, and the craftsmanship in which they were made. "I'd like to visit this time period, just for the clothes." She remarked laughing.
"Women didn't really have many rights back then." Jason pointed out. "I don't see you doing well with that." His girl had no problem stating her opinion.
"Good point. Maybe next year for Halloween at Sonny's party I'll dress up as a medieval lady." Elizabeth enjoyed those parties. Jason didn't dress up, but he usually went.
"I can't wait." He said with that lecherous grin. "Those dresses show a lot of cleavage." Which meant they might not make it out of the house. When Elizabeth blushed he just laughed.
In the basement of the White Tower they found cells where famous prisoners such as Guy Fawkes, John Gerard, and Anne Boleyn would have been held. They didn't linger in that space, it was almost as if the pain still echoed through the hall.
Next stop for them was Wakefield Tower. Here they got an up close look at the history of torture associated with this world famous keep. Including a quote from John Gerard describing what if felt like to walk these halls and undergo an interrogation. Even more so than the Block and Axe this exhibit was bone chilling. The instruments used to carry out that torture were replicated and on display. They saw manacles, the rack, and something she hadn't ever even heard of called the scavenger's daughter. This device was the exact opposite of the rack, instead of stretching the prisoner they were compacted. Elizabeth just managed to hold in a shiver as the understanding that these walls were witness to a lot of fear and anguish hit her. Often innocent people admitted to committing crimes not because it was true, but simply to make the pain stop.
Even though she hadn't said anything Jason got that this was disturbing for his girl. "A Yeoman's Warder tour should be starting soon." He suggested wanting to get her outside.
"Okay. Those are the guards nicknamed Beefeaters right?" She asked as they stepped out into the sunlight. Just feeling it on her skin had her relaxing.
"Yes, they are the Royal bodyguards. The guards here are retired Beefeaters and were considered to be outstanding while they served. We will go see the changing of the palace guard before leaving London." Jason would also schedule a tour of Buckingham Palace.
"I guess we will see people trying to make them laugh?" Elizabeth smirked.
"Yes. That's a fairly common practice. I haven't seen one crack yet." Jason said smiling, but he'd seem people make utter fools of themselves trying to make it happen.
"You would make a good guard." Elizabeth said laughing. "You have the stoicism down."
"But not the honor." He was laughing with her. "Those guys are really well behaved. The tour is getting ready to start." He said linking his fingers with hers.
The highlight of this tour was a visit to the Fortress where they got to see how guards defended the Tower, and learn that even today the Fortress maintained a strong military presence ready to defend the city against attack. They also took a walk through a replica of a medieval palace. Fully furnished so that the visitors could see how the royal family would have lived.
After that tour they visited the Royal Mint at the Towers, and learned the history of British currency. It was here that the ransom of French King John II was delivered. The learned about Joan Molakyn the wife of the deputy master of the mint who ran off with her lover taking jewels and money from the Towers. They learned the story of the Five Coins. Each representing a moment in British history where the currency was forever altered, and some cases saved. Since they sold replicas, Jason bought an entire set as another souvenir.
The Royal Menagerie was up next where they learned the history of exotic animals being kept at the Towers for the amusement of the royal court. There were stories of the animals being forced to fight one another, or escaping and attacking one another. Finally the animals were rescued by the Duke of Wellington in 1832 and relocated to the London Zoo.
The next to last stop of the day was the Tower Green and Scaffold Site. They walked past the private execution site reserved for those of high rank, like the three wives of Henry the VII who were executed within the wall of the Towers. Or those with dangerously strong popular support whose execution might be interrupted. This was another place where the visitors maintained a respectful silence to honor those who had lost their lives.
They finished the day with a wall walk that would allow them to see all seven of the Towers that made up this massive structure. The east, south, and for the first time the north walls. From this vantage point they could see almost all of the city the Towers had been erected to defend. It was a breathtaking way to end their time at such an iconic location.
"Did you enjoy the Towers?" Jason asked as they headed to where he parked the bike. They had spent the entire day at the one location.
"I did. It's amazing how much of their history the British have preserved. I also think that it cannot be easy to bare the darker portions of your past, yet they did that too." Elizabeth said impressed. There was no whitewashing going inside the Tower walls.
"I was told that we will get our poppies just before Thanksgiving." Jason said handing her the helmet. He had purchased a pair of the hand-made blooms.
"That will be good timing, as we will be home to receive them." Elizabeth said smiling. They would return to Port Charles around mid-October. "Are we eating with AJ and Lydia?"
"No, Lydia has a business function so they will be attending that." Jason explained. AJ was all for using the visit of his brother to get out of going. Lydia was too, but with her a Jr. partner of her firm she had to go. "I asked AJ to recommend somewhere nice. We are going to get changed before coming back into the city." Jason thought it was time for more romance. "Hop on."
"The perfect ending to the day." Elizabeth said sitting behind him and wrapping her arms around his waist before they pulled off.
"You look lovely." Jason said taking her hand and twirling her so the skirt of her dress belled out.
"I love this dress." Elizabeth said smiling up at her guy. It was in her opinion simple elegance. A papaya colored silk without any adornment because this garment was all about the way it draped the body. Fitted in the bust and waist, and flaring out at the hip it made her feel light and feminine. To give the outfit a bit of bite she paired it with leopard print four inch heels.
"I love you in this dress." Jason would have to take her out dancing after.
"Where are we dining?" She asked as they walked to the garage. Tonight they were taking the Jaguar.
"Seven Park Place." Jason answered holding out the door. He was sure someone there could recommend somewhere they could go after. Not a dance club, because he didn't want to deal with crowds of tourist or drunk kids. Somewhere classy where his girl would have a good time. "Ready?" He asked sitting behind the wheel.
"I certainly am." Elizabeth was looking forward to what the night would bring.
Thanks for the reviews!