Longthorpe Tower, Medieval tower in Peterborough, England
Longthorpe Tower is a three-story stone tower extending from a fortified manor house, with multiple rooms connected by a spiral staircase built within its thick walls. The structure was originally part of a larger residential compound and reflects the domestic architecture of medieval fortified homes.
Robert Thorpe built the tower around 1300 to demonstrate his elevated social status after gaining wealth through connections with Peterborough Abbey. The structure reflects how wealthy individuals displayed their power through architectural investment.
The walls display medieval paintings that include religious figures, musicians, and animals reflecting how people in that era understood the world around them. These artworks offer a window into the beliefs and daily concerns of the time.
The tower is maintained by English Heritage and requires advance booking for visits, with guided tours available explaining the building's features and wall paintings. The interior spaces are compact and climbing the spiral staircase demands reasonable fitness.
A remarkable painting on the first floor depicts a creature expelling flames from its body, demonstrating playful humor in medieval art. Such quirky motifs allowed artists to be creative within religious artistic conventions.
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