In the middle ward is the Round Tower or Keep, long supposed to be Norman, though containing no Norman work whatever, and to have been built by Edward III. for the reception of the Round Table of the new Order of Knights of the Garter, founded in his reign.
This Tower, long the residence of the Constable of the Castle, formerly an officer of great authority, and at different dates the prison of John of France, David of Scotland, and Queen Philippa, is erected on an artificial mound, and is 105 ft. high.
The principal portion of the building is reached by a flight of one hundred steps, at the top of which is a cannon let into the walls, commanding the whole staircase. From the battlements there is a view spanning several counties on a fine day. The bell in the centre was taken from the Crimean War, and from the summit waves the Royal Standard when the Queen is in residence at the Castle.
The upper ward, entered by Queen Elizabeth's gateway, contains the state apartments, of which the most important are the Queen's audience chamber; the Queen's state drawing-room; the Waterloo chamber, rich in fine paintings, chiefly by Sir Thomas Lawrence; the presence chamber, decorated in the style of Louis Quatorze; the guard chamber, in which may be seen a piece of the foremast of the "Victory," and a bust of Nelson by Chantrey; the Queen's presence chamber, with some valuable Gobelins tapestry; and, above all, St. George's Hall, or the Grand Banqueting Hall, a room of magnificent proportions, in which state banquets are held.