# Exterior view [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [ARCHITECT, English]() - Date: 1051-1100 - Technique: Photo ## Commentary The mighty White Tower fulfills many roles: it is a defensive structure, residence and prestigious building, and at the same time the symbol of William the Conqueror's rule of London. Gundulf, the bishop who already had experience of building in Rochester, had the White Tower constructed for his king from about 1078, and personally equipped the rather bare St. John's chapel for its function as a private chapel. View the <a href="\#" onClick="w=window.open \('/support/plans/zzzarchi/11c/4/whitetow.html', 'newWin', 'scrollbars=yes,status=no,dependent=yes,screenX=0,screenY=0,width=400,height=600'\);w.opener=this;w.focus\(\);return false">cross-section with chapel</a> of the White Tower. ## Related artworks - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Aerial view]() - [Chantry chapels]() - [Exterior view]() - [Exterior view]() - [Exterior view]() - [Exterior view]() - [Exterior view]() - [Exterior view]() - [Exterior view]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()