History of London.

Table of Contents

1. History of London.

2. London – the Capital of Great Britain.

3. The Romans.

4. Some interesting facts.

5. William the conqueror.

6. The Great fire of London.

7. The places to visit.

8. Some interesting facts.

9. Modern sights of London.

Literature.

History of London.

London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. It is the most populous region of the country. Its history dates back over 2,000 years. During this time the city has underwent numerous outbreaks of plague, civil war, devastating fire, terrorist attacks and bombardments. Nevertheless, it has become one of the most beautiful, financially and culturally significant capitals in the world.

The official history of London begins around AD 43. At that time, it was a civilian town (Londinium), established by the Romans shortly after their invasion. In around AD 60 London was destroyed by the Iceni tribe. The city continued to grow normally after this conquest and soon Londinium’s population was almost 30,000. During the 2^nd century the city was at its height. With the population of 60,000 it became the capital of Brittania. The Roman occupation of London became to an end by the 5^th century.

Certain archaeological excavations prove that Anglo-Saxon settlement of the city began as early as in the 5^th or 6^thcentury. It was then known as Lundenwic. While early Anglo-Saxon London belonged to Middle Saxons, by the 7^th century it became the East Saxons’ kingdom. In the 650s King Sigeberht II established the Christianity in the kingdom. The 9^th century was marked by frequent Viking attacks. By 1066 London was under the Norman regime. It was the time when the first stone castle in the country was built to replace a wooden fortification. The most important of these fortresses was the Tower of London. Many remarkable constructions were built during Norman and Medieval periods. For example, in 1097 the son of William the Conqueror started the building of Westminster Palace. The first bridge through the river Thames was built in 1176. Middle Age London was marked by a steady trade growth.

London has survived series of tragic events. Thus, in 1348 England suffered from Bubonic Plague, brought from the continent. One third of the city population was killed by this illness. In 1381 London was stormed by angry peasants, who set fire to lots of buildings. This event is recorded in history as the Peasants’ Revolt. Until 1665 there were 15 more outbreaks of Plague. The year 1666 brought another calamity – the Great Fire, which destroyed almost entire London. This incident has forced citizens to move outside the walls of the city, which led to the city extension. By 1700 London has become the largest city in Europe with the population of 600,000.

By the 19^th century the number of inhabitants reached 1 million. By that time London had become an artistic capital, which is reflected in many posh areas of the city. In the middle of the 19^th century, due to potato famine, thousands of Irish refugees moved to London. In 1851 the First World Fair, also known as the Great Exhibition, was held in Hyde Park. This event was a tremendous success. It brought large amounts of money, which were later used to build the greatest museums of the city: the Natural History Museum, the Science Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum.

By 1900 the population of London has reached 6 million people. The city was extensively bombed during the World War II. More than 35,000 people were killed and injured. In 1948 London hosted Summer Olympics. After the 1960s it has become an epicenter of youth culture.

2. London – the Capital of Great Britain.

London is the biggest city in Britain and one of the biggest in the world. More than eight million people live and work there. London is one of the most important cities in the world. It is the centre for business and for tourism.

In London you can find some of the best theatres, cinemas and museums. There are many beautiful old churches in London.

There are about 10 thousand streets in London. Most of the streets are not very wide. There are a lot of shops in London. The main shopping centre is Oxford Street. You can buy nearly everything here. People from all over the world do shopping in Oxford Street.

You can find many old and new beautiful parks in the city. The largest park in London is Hyde Park. It is one of the most popular places of Londoners on hot summer days. There are many other pleasant parks and green squares there too.

The Romans

The Romans came to the island Great Britain long, long time ago. They built a town on the River Thames. The called the town Londinium. The place for the town was very good. Soon the Romans built a bridge over the River Thames.

Londinium got bigger and bigger. The Romans built houses, palaces, roads, bridges. But in 410 the Roman legions were withdrawn from Great Britain, as the Goths were at the gates of Rome and the Romans rushed to defend their Empire. After them, Anglo-Saxon tribes came to Great Britain.

The river Thames has always been part of London's history. In Roman times Londinium was a small town with the Thames in the centre. Now London is a very large city but the river Thames is still in the centre of London as the city has grown in both sides of it.

Until 1749, there was only one bridge over the river: London Bridge. The old London Bridge looked very strange. There were houses and shops on it.

Unfortunately, we cannot see old London Bridge in London now: in the hard times, when it was clear that London needed new bridges but there was no money, government decided:to sell the Old Bridge to some rich American. Now it is in America but there is no river under it - only a street.

In the 19-th century there were already many new bridges in London. Now there are twenty seven bridges over the Thames.

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