History of london. These pages are dedicated to all of the unusual, secret, little-known wonders of the metropolis. Under the chalk are an incomplete layer of Upper Greensand (a Cretaceous rock; 65 to 145 million years old) and a 200-foot- (60-meter-) thick waterproof layer of Gault clay. Its unique history and significance have developed from it being a centre for settlement, trade, commerce and ceremony. Apr 3, 2023 · The City of London, or the Square Mile, is right in the heart of London. The author, Simon Jenkins, presupposes that the reader is familiar with the broader London layout. The second gives accounts of the present state of the City (organised by ward), and of much of Westminster, Southwark and Lambeth. London, situated in south-eastern England at the head of the River Thames estuary, is the largest urban area and capital of England and the United Kingdom. Indeed, London’s defining characteristic is an absence of overall form. London has at least two (and sometimes many more) of everything Mar 14, 2021 · By Tim Lambert Dedicated to Lucinda Wilde Roman London The Romans founded London about 50 AD. 80 acres; 2. The London Underground could have been water-based. Visit us to explore millions of historical manuscripts, maps, photographs, books and films or enjoy our exhibitions, events and workshops. May 6, 2014 · The Book of the Week. We hope that this post has given ample insight into the topic of London's history and that it will help people with furthering their research and learn more about the historical facts of the British capital. By far Britain’s largest metropolis, it is also the country’s economic, transportation, and cultural center. It opened the world’s first electric underground railway in 1890. ” The London Archives is a free public archive focussing on the history of London from 1067 to the present day. The fortress expands. Henry I lived briefly in the King's house in "Sheanes". Explore the key events, people and landmarks that shaped London's past and present. It was created as part of the general introduction of elected county government in England, by way of the Local Government Act 1888. When the London Underground was first proposed, engineers suggested filling the tunnels with water and using barges to float people from station to station, or getting an army of horses to pull the carriages around in the dark. It lies within the London Borough of Tower Hamlets , which is separated from the eastern edge of the square mile of the City of London by the open space known as How London Was Built explores the fundamentals London was built on, from the tunnels under the Thames to the skyscrapers that frame the famous skyline. Sep 9, 2024 · Up until 1750, London Bridge was the only crossing over the Thames, but in that year Westminster Bridge was opened and, for the first time in history, London Bridge, in a sense, had a rival. Sep 10, 2024 · London's oldest tourist attraction The Tower of London, built in 1078 AD, featured in a recent report on London's top attraction to visit. Oct 28, 2020 · Get Beastly London: A History of Animals in London at Waterstones and Books a Million. We have undertaken several pieces of research to understand and contextualise our historical links to the transatlantic slave trade, including an independent research collaboration Aug 26, 2022 · The best books to get an in depth look in the city of London and it's history, from neighborhoods to churches to myths and legends, if you have a suggestion, feel free to add! Sep 21, 2017 · Our timeline traces the history of London from its Roman origins to the Norman Conquest. We couldn’t create a list of facts about London without including the tube. Oct 10, 2019 · So, to some extent the book is more a modern history of London than a longer general history. It consisted of the governor and his council, named by the company in England, and the House of Burgesses, made up of two burgesses from each of the four boroughs and seven plantations. I’d never heard of mudlarking before I moved to London, but it’s a fascinating pastime, which involves scavenging for items of value on the banks of the River Thames. This article covers the history of London from the Norman conquest of England in 1066 to the death of Richard III in 1485. "The condition of the people," Booth wrote, "is the condition of London, for the people are London. Learn about the 2000-year history of London, from its Roman origins to its modern status as a global city. The City of London is its historic core and today is its primary financial district, though it now represents a In 2020, Lloyd’s apologised for its historical links to the transatlantic slave trade. Jun 26, 2023 · Watch Now. Tomory examines how the joint-stock form became popular with water companies, providing a stable legal structure that allowed for expansion. " Dec 31, 2011 · David Kynaston's ground-breaking history of the City of London, published in four volumes between 1994 and 2001, is a modern classic. Richmond Palace – a view published in 1765 and based on earlier drawings. ” Evening Standard on Spectacular Vernacular The best possible start for anyone wishing to get off the beaten track and under the skin of the hidden city that is modern-day London. London was the centre of world trade from the late 18th century to 1914. Joseph Bazelgette designed a sewer system that resulted in not only improving the smell of London, but the overall health of its population. It soon spread to Thames Street The County of London was a county of England from 1889 to 1965, corresponding to the area known today as Inner London. In 1798, Frankfurt banker Nathan Mayer Rothschild arrived in London and set up a banking house in the city, with a large sum of money given to him by his May 31, 2018 · The world’s first underground railway, the London Underground was constructed as a response to the city’s rapid growth during the 19th Century. The City is the birthplace of London, with 2000 years of history and tradition - from the Romans to modern day. It is the largest urban-history museum in the world. Sep 5, 2024 · Museum of London, museum dedicated to recording and representing the history of the London region from prehistoric times to the present day. Although the book is designed for the general reader, some knowledge of the modern London streetscape is an advantage. Jan 6, 2021 · For reasons I shall explain in the text, I have decided to abandon my pursuit of gin’s history at the point where its history ends and the current “ginaissance” begins, a point which I have chosen to fix in the year of the revival of gin-making in London: 2009, when Sipsmith and Sacred were both founded. Olave Hart Street church is London in miniature—history as a kind of layer cake, boom piled on bust, war piled on plague. Welcome to our Destinations UK section; Secret London. It is one of three major museums on Exhibition Road in South Kensington , the others being the Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum . With its rich medieval history, it is one of London’s hidden London has a history dating back over 2,000 years. The establishment of the Royal Society and the rise of coffeehouses fostered scientific and intellectual advancements. It was renewed and extended during the medieval period to protect the city of London from attack and to control access. Paul's Cathedral has witnessed centuries of change in London and beyond. The Tower of London, officially His Majesty's Royal Palace and Fortress of the Tower of London, is a historic castle on the north bank of the River Thames in central London, England. Our apology was accompanied by a commitment to make an honest account of our past a part of the story we tell at Lloyd’s. In September 1954 during the construction of a huge new office block for insurance firm Legal & General, builders discovered a Roman temple which sat on the banks of the long-lost River Walbrook (now a City of London street), an ancient tributary of the Thames and source of fresh water, vital to the running of the Roman city of Londinium. From the long-forgotten Tower Subway to the wonderfully opulent Leadenhall Market, from Henry VIII’s birthplace in East London to the many Roman remains that are scattered around the city. From horse-drawn carriages to electric taxis, these vehicles have navigated the streets of London for over 300 years. Here, writing for History Extra, Guard lists 10 surprising facts about the history of London… The history of the London Underground began in the 19th century with the construction of the Metropolitan Railway, the world's first underground railway. In 1619 the company established continental America’s first true legislature, the General Assembly, which was organized bicamerally. After they invaded Britain in 43 AD the Romans built a bridge across the Thames. 12 sq mi (716. In 2022, The Tower of London welcomed two million visitors from around the world to explore nearly 1,000 years of history, the glistening Crown Jewels and to learn about its famous residents, the ravens. Even the most eager historians will find their knowledge challenged by this new book about the capital. The Natural History Museum in London is a museum that exhibits a vast range of specimens from various segments of natural history. This is a story of booms, busts and bankruptcies, dress codes, eating London history is a popular topic for debates and discussions, as well as a well-liked subject amongst students. Explore the key events, people, and places that shaped London's culture, economy, and identity. Its name is derived from the Celtic word Londinios, which means the place of the bold one. 120,000 BC Exploring London’s rich history, 2,000 years in the life of a city. It has experienced plague, devastating fire, civil war, aerial bombardment, terrorist attacks, and widespread rioting. Built originally by the Romans from about AD 200, the wall defined London’s boundaries and proclaimed its status as the most important city in Roman Britain. For 1,500 years London was a walled city. Sep 8, 2024 · Living London History is all about the history hiding in plain sight. 1077 and significantly added to over the centuries. Often referred The following is a timeline of the history of London, the capital of England and the United Kingdom. Two of the timbers were radiocarbon dated to 1750–1285 BC. The article went on to describe the river as a ‘foul sewer, a river of pollution, a Stream of Death, festering and reeking with all abominable smells, and threatening three million Feb 23, 2018 · 7. The Great Fire of London in 1666 devastated the city, leading to the reconstruction of many buildings and the development of new architectural styles. Its buildings and grounds served historically as a royal palace, a political prison, a place of execution, an arsenal, a royal mint, a menagerie, and a public records office. Lloyd's of London, generally known simply as Lloyd's, is an insurance and reinsurance market located in London, United Kingdom. [6] Apr 25, 2017 · The History of the London Water Industry, 1580–1820 explores the technological, cultural, and mercantile factors that created and sustained this remarkable industry. While the banks of the winding Thames had already been occupied for millenia by people who would have worshipped the river as a divine being before the Romans arrived, modern London traces its roots back to the Roman conquest of Britain in AD43. Its traditional boundaries run from Chancery Lane in the west to Middlesex Street in the east, with the Thames as its southern border and a line running roughly through Farringdon and Finsbury to Spitalfields marking its northern edge. For the Romans, logistically, establishing a supply base in London made a lot of sense. The first is a narrative history of London from the Roman period until the 1770s. Beneath them in turn Jun 20, 2023 · London Sewer System Completed – 1875. Learn about the original Old London Bridge, the stone arch New London Bridge, and the current bridge of concrete. Adam Nov 21, 2016 · The St. 90 km 2) [5] in area. Throughout history, the Tower has been adapted and developed to defend and control the nation. May 31, 2019 · In his book Lost London (Michael O’Mara Books, 2012), Guard reveals intriguing stories that lie beneath the city’s familiar streets, to take readers on a journey through London’s overlooked past. They later decided it was an excellent… Continue reading A History of London In 1664–65 the plague killed about 70,000 Londoners, and in 1666 the Great Fire of London consumed five-sixths of the City of London; it was afterward rebuilt (see Christopher Wren). Almost twenty years before the London Sewer System opened, the Great Stink finally convinced city government that something had to be done about its untreated waste. It is the ancient core from which the rest of London developed. Today, it is the 11th-busiest subway system on the planet with 1. The current crossing, which opened to traffic in 1973, is a box girder bridge built from concrete and steel. Mar 7, 2019 · Learn about the long and rich history of London, from its ancient Roman origins to its modern role as a global city. A brief introduction to the complicated evolution of the historic city of London. History. Aug 3, 2024 · The name London Bridge is the name used for several successive structures spanning the River Thames between Borough High Street in Southwark and King William Street in the City of London. 5 days ago · London - Historic, Cultural, Financial: If the border of the metropolis is well defined, its internal structure is immensely complicated and defies description. Among the many popular exhibits are a diorama of the 1666 Great Fire of London and the lord mayor’s state coach from 1757. An important settlement for two millennia, London's history goes back to its founding by the Romans. Toward the middle of the 16th century London underwent an important growth in trade, which was boosted by the establishment of monopolies such as those held by the Muscovy Company (1555), the Turkey (later Levant) Company (1581), and the East India Company Aug 25, 2024 · Tower of London, royal fortress and London landmark. . Jul 1, 2023 · This is one of the best facts about London! According to the London Natural History Society, anyway. It is located on the north bank of the River Thames. Discover the landmarks, events and facts that shaped the history of the British capital and its role in the world. 6 days ago · Noorthouck's 'New History' falls into two parts. 3 days ago · London - Capital, Roman, Medieval: Although excavations west of London have revealed the remains of circular huts dating from before 2000 bc, the history of the city begins effectively with the Romans. In 1299, Edward I, the "Hammer of the Scots", took his whole court to the manor house at Sheen, a little east of the bridge and on the riverside, and it thus became a royal residence; William Wallace was executed in London in 1305, and it was in Sheen that the History of London Wall. The Metropolitan Railway, which opened in 1863 using gas-lit wooden carriages hauled by steam locomotives, worked with the District Railway to complete London's Circle line in 1884. Skilfully edited into a single volume by David Milner, it tells a story as dramatic as any novel, while explaining the mysteries of the financial world in a way that we can all understand. 5 days ago · Eighteenth-century London was the city of David Garrick, Oliver Goldsmith, Samuel Johnson, and Sir Joshua Reynolds; of great furniture makers and silversmiths; and of renowned foreign musicians, including George Frideric Handel, Joseph Haydn, and Mozart. It is among the oldest of the world’s great cities—its history spanning nearly two millennia—and one of the most cosmopolitan. In 1993, remains of a Bronze Age bridge were found on the south River Thames foreshore, upstream from Vauxhall Bridge. In-depth articles, video and more all dedicated to the history of London. It is physically a polycentric city, with many core districts and no clear hierarchy among them. Here you will find hidden gems and lots of suggested self-guided historical walks to help you discover London’s living history. Mudlarking: Lost and Found on the River Thames by Lara Maiklem. Henry III (1216-72) and Edward I (1272-1307) expanded William’s fortress, adding huge 'curtain' (defensive) walls with a series of smaller towers, and enlarging the moat. 379 billion passengers using it from 2016-2017. From its beginnings as a simple medieval church to the grand masterpiece that stands today, St. 300 years of history, endurance and beauty St Pauls Cathedral. During this time, it has grown to become one of the most significant financial and cultural capitals in the world. Both the terms the City and the Square Mile are often used as metonyms for the UK's trading and financial services industries, which continue a notable history of being largely based in the City. Feb 9, 2010 · In the early morning hours of September 2, 1666, the Great Fire of London breaks out in the house of King Charles II’s baker on Pudding Lane near London Bridge. Not only was this location a suitable area where large numbers of troops could cross the Thames (thanks to the gravel islets for instance), but this was also a place where boats sailing from the continent could reach with relative ease, offloading much-needed supplies that the Roman army demanded The history of London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, extends over 2000 years. Most Recent Blog Posts The Illustrated London News of July 1858 published a piece on ‘the great question’ of the pollution of the Thames and demanded something be done about it. Watch on to find out more ab Sep 2, 2016 · London had already burned several times in its history, most notably in 1212, but in September 1666 the conditions were present for an inferno of epic proportions. 3 days ago · London - Urban, Thames, History: The landscape of southeastern England is shaped by an undulating bed of thick white chalk, consisting of a pure limestone speckled with flint nodules in the upper beds. During this period, London became the capital of England, as monarchs held Parliament at the Palace of Westminster, beginning in 1265 and increasing over the 14th century. Here, Peter Murray - Co-Founder of NLA (New London Architecture) - explains Nov 26, 2019 · The Tower of London is a castle located in London alongside the River Thames which was first built by William the Conqueror from c. The name "London Bridge" refers to several historic crossings that have spanned the River Thames between the City of London and Southwark, in central London since Roman times. Mar 21, 2020 · In 43AD, the Romans invaded Britain. It’s got more than 40% of green space and open water, 2,000 species of flowering plants, 120 species of fish in the Thames, 60 species of birds nesting in Central London, as well as 47 species of butterfly, 270 kinds of spider, and 1,173 moths. [40] . The history of London’s black cabs is a fascinating journey through time, reflecting changes in technology, society, and urban life. In that time, it has become one of the world's most signific Jul 18, 2017 · The Tower of London has been a tourist attraction in the city since the late 19th century, but while Simon Fraser was the last person executed by beheading at the prison, in 1745, for his role in 2 days ago · London - Tudor, Population, Trade: By 1520 London was again enjoying prosperity, with 41 halls of craft guilds symbolizing that well-being. Unlike most of its competitors in the industry, it is not an insurance company; rather, Lloyd's is a corporate body governed by the Lloyd's Act 1871 and subsequent Acts of Parliament . 3 days ago · London, city, capital of the United Kingdom. Learn about the origins, development and challenges of London, from the Roman conquest to the modern day. Prehistory. The City of London is known colloquially as the Square Mile, as it is 1. Using the River Thames, they went on to build a small town that vastly grew into Londinium. May 26, 2024 · As the social investigator Charles Booth found in his monumental survey of Life and Labour of the People in London (1889-1903), the East End was not some alien "other" – it was an integral part of the social and economic fabric of the metropolis. The 17th century was a period of significant changes in London's history. ezfdlynyewofpyeaqvfgkhbgbmdrzobylnnynruqpavxrziofhcolmhw