Historic England research records

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 1083349
Hob Uid: 1083349
Location : Greater London Authority Tower Hamlets Non Civil Parish
Grid Ref : TQ3360080600
Summary : The medieval gunpowder works of the Tower of London was in existence from at least 1346 when documentary sources note its manufacture. In 1461 a building was described as the "powderhouse". In 1514 Hans Wolf was appointed as the kings gunpowder maker. In addition to the manufacture of gunpowder the Tower was also used as a major storage facility until the seventeenth century. The precise location of the gunpowder works is uncertain.
More information : TQ 336 806. As early as 1346 gunpowder was being manufactured at The Tower, and by 1461 a building was described as the `powderhouse'. Powder manufacture evidently continued at The Tower for in 1514 Hans Wolf was appointed as one of the king's gunpowder makers there. As well as being a place where gunpowder was made The Tower was also one of the most important gunpowder stores in the kingdom until the seventeenth century. The peril of this activity in the centre of London was clearly demonstrated in 1548 when one of the towers was wrecked by an accidental explosion. (1-1c)

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Source Number : 1
Source :
Source details : Wayne D Cocroft/12-JUN-1997/RCHME: Dangerous Energy Project
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Source Number : 1a
Source :
Source details : Hodgetts EAB, 1909, The rise and progress of the British explosives industry, Whittaker and Company Limited London (183, 185)
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Source Number : 1b
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Source details :
Page(s) : 270, 291
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Vol(s) : 3

Source Number : 1c
Source :
Source details : Hogg OFG, 1944, Gunpowder and its association with the crown, J of the Royal Artillery 91 (178-90)
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Monument Types:

Monument Period Name : Medieval
Display Date :
Monument End Date : 1500
Monument Start Date : 1300
Monument Type : Gunpowder Works
Evidence : Documentary Evidence

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Related Records from other datasets:

External Cross Reference Source : National Monuments Record Number
External Cross Reference Number : TQ 38 SW 1490
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Related Warden Records :

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Relationship type : General association

Related Activities :

Associated Activities :
Activity type : MEASURED SURVEY
Start Date : 1994-04-01
End Date : 1997-03-01

Historic England Research Records

Monument Number 1083349