What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Tower of strength’?
This term derives from The Book of Common Prayer, 1549:
“O lorde… Bee vnto them a tower of strength.”
Shakespeare later used it in Richard III, 1594:
‘The king’s name is a tower of strength.”
Meaning
Tower of strength
The meaning of the phrase
Someone who can be relied on to provide support and comfort.
Historical trend
“Tower of strength” in printed material over time
Source: Google Books Ngrams (1820–2020).
- Tower of strength
Sources
- The Book of Common Prayer (1549) · the origin of the phrase
- William Shakespeare, Richard III (1594) · later use of the phrase