Schmap London Historical Background

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London - Historical Background
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It was those trusty Italian conquistadors, the Romans, who established Londinium in 43AD. Building a wall around their settlement and a bridge over the river Thames, they set the city up as an important trade centre. But the locals weren't happy about it-Boudicca (or Boadicea) for one, the tribal queen of the Iceni Celts and a fearsome chariot-driver, struck a blow for the Britons in AD 60, burning much of the city to the ground. But the Romans were undeterred, and stayed around for another 350 years, and by the end of the first century AD, London was the capital of Roman Britain.

But the Romans' departure wasn't good news for London-it was deserted, sacked, burnt (again), occupied, captured and generally slapped-about by the Scandinavian Vikings and the Germanic Saxons for the next 550 years.

The first incarnation of St Paul's Cathedral was built in the 7th century. Then, two centuries after the Saxon King Alfred the Great occupied London, the Normans arrived. It was 1066 and William the Conqueror was in charge. Finding London to be the most impressive city of his newly acquired kingdom, he stayed and was the first English king crowned at Westminster Abbey. He also began to build the White Tower--the first part of what is now the Tower of London.

The Middle Ages saw London grow, despite fires sweeping through the place and a massive bout of Black Death in 1348 which wiped out nearly half of the city's 60,000 inhabitants.

Tudor London

The Tudors took over in 1485, and the infamous Henry VIII was a major player in the radical transformation of the country. He wanted a son, which meant getting a younger wife, which meant a divorce--which the Pope wouldn't allow. So he killed off Thomas More, his Chancellor, established the Church of England and outlawed Catholicism. In London this meant that all the land previously owned by the church was now his. He set about carving it up and giving large chunks to his friends (and more importantly to his potential enemies). Convent Garden became Covent Garden, and the land previously owned by Westminster Abbey, covering much of what is now the West End, was released for private development. In short, a new-look London was born.

The Globe Theatre was built in 1598, entertaining bawdy crowds with the classic plays that Shakespeare was knocking out. Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 and by this time there were about 220,000 people in London-it was expanding rapidly.

The Great Plague in 1665 and the Fire of London in 1666 were something of a blow, wiping out much of the population along with most of medieval and Tudor London, but it meant that there was an opportunity to start afresh architecturally. Christopher Wren took full advantage of this-designing and building 51 London churches including St Paul's Cathedral.

The Industrial Revolution

The City's population expansion continued to snowball-to 750,000 people in 1720--the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century saw it explode to 2.5 million. The author Charles Dickens (born in 1812) graphically depicts the London of this time--portraying a grimy, smoggy, poor and crime-ridden city.

Post-1945

During World War II much of London was destroyed. Rebuilding began in 1945 and one result was the South Bank Centre. Designed as a centrepiece for the arts, its functional rather than beautiful buildings provided a backdrop for the blockbuster hit Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Meanwhile, back in the 'Swinging Sixties' London gained a reputation for being at fashion's forefront. It was an era epitomised by Twiggy, the very first supermodel, and Carnaby Street, with its Mary Quant boutique and Quadrophenia vibe. London has gone from strength to strength since then and is now recognised as one of the top international centres for fashion. Also, since the cow-splitting endeavours of Damien Hirst and the 1997 'Sensation' art exhibition, London has become world-renowned for its cutting-edge art.

London's double-decker buses have long remained a symbol of the city--used by Cliff Richard in the sixties and the Spice Girls in the nineties. Jump on board and find out why London will be driving, thriving and positively bursting into countless millennia to come.

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Covent Garden Piazza

Mimers, market and a mechanical museum

The Market
Covent Garden
London, London WC2E 8RF
United Kingdom
+44 870 780 5002
http://www.coventgardenmarket....
aspedding@nelson-bakewell.com

This area was formerly home to London's fruit and vegetable market, which has now moved down to the New Covent Garden Market in Bermondsey. Today, it is a collection of stores that sell a variety of goods, from antiques and crafts to pictures and handmade clothing. There's also an open-air cobbled area where miming and juggling acts can occasionally be found. Musicians regularly play in the pretty courtyards around the market stalls. There are also a few places to eat lunch or grab an ice cream.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Covent Garden Piazza photo by Dhruba Bandopadhyay

Photo: Dhruba Bandopadhyay

Houses of Parliament

Seat of Power Parliament Street
London SW1A 2AN
United Kingdom
+44 20 7219 4272
http://www.parliament.uk For over 900 years this impressive assemblage of Gothic buildings has been the home of British government. The building covers an area of eight acres and consists of 1100 rooms, 100 staircases and 11 courtyards. The House of Lords occupies the southern end of the building while the House of Commons occupies the area to the north. The best view of this massive expanse can be seen from nearby Parliament Square. Within the Houses of Parliament there is Westminster Hall, the Crypt Church, Members' Lobbies, the Commons Library and the Peers Library. The tower containing Big Ben looms just outside. To attend PMQ (Prime Minister's Question Time) in the House of Commons, UK citizens need to contact their local MP in advance. Otherwise, there is a queue at St Stephen's entrance.

Admission is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Shakespeare's Globe

The world's a stage - theatrical tourist favourite 21 New Globe Walk
Bankside
London, London SE1 9DT
United Kingdom
+44 20 7902 1400
http://www.shakespeares-globe....
info@shakespearesglobe.com Visit the glorious reconstruction of Shakespeare's original playhouse, built some four centuries later. This version of the Bards venue also boasts of the first thatched roof in London since the Great Fire. The partially open-air theater provides a standing area and some seating provisions. The Globe Theater Company, Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition and Globe Education work together to provide a historical and educational experience while putting on some of the finest performances in this fabulous theater. Come and soak up the atmosphere even if you are unfamiliar with the Bard's work. Tickets can be bought via the internet or directly from the Globe Box Office.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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South Bank Centre

Post-war culture boom Belvedere Road
Near Waterloo Station
London, London SE1 8XX
United Kingdom
+44 8703 800 400
http://www.southbankcentre.org... The South Bank Centre was created in the 1960s, after the Festival of Britain in 1951 inspired renewed interest in the arts scene in the United Kingdom. Although it is one of the top cultural venues in the city, it typifies 60s architecture and is, therefore, not pretty. The South Bank Centre is made up of the Royal National Theatre (comprising the Olivier, Lyttelton and Cottesloe theatres), and the National Film Theatre which shows the cream of international art-house films. The South Bank district is home to many other galleries and attractions, such as Vinopolis.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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St. Paul's Cathedral

Christopher Wren's masterpiece St. Paul's Churchyard
The Chapter House
London, London EC4M 8AD
United Kingdom
+44 20 7236 4128 / +44 20 7246 8350
http://www.stpauls.co.uk/
chapter@stpaulscathedral.org.uk First built in 694 but destroyed by the Great Fire in 1666, the beautiful building that stands today was designed by Christopher Wren and completed in 1710. St. Paul's has been host to many great occasions including the funeral of Sir Winston Churchill in 1965 and the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. There are numerous treasures to see and experience in St. Paul's - a visit is a must. However, the Whispering Gallery is worth a special mention. Just a whisper against the blank circular wall can be heard 42 meters away on the opposite side. Admission: adults GBP10; seniors GBP9; children (under 16) GBP3.50; concession GBP7. There is a small additional charge to visit the galleries.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Tower of London

Beefeaters and Crown Jewels Tower Hill
London, London EC3N 4AB
United Kingdom
+44 (0)20 7709 0765
http://www.toweroflondontour.com The Tower of London is mainly perceived as a medieval place of imprisonment and execution. Nine hundred years of history are embraced within its thick, turreted walls. Even though the Tower's violent years are long gone, an aura of death and medieval torture remains. Today, guided tours are available. The main attraction for most visitors is the breathtaking Crown Jewels. It is also a chance to see the legendary ravens who live within the walls. Folklore has it that if they ever leave, Britain will again fall to foreign invasion. Interestingly enough, orders have been received to clip their wings!

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Westminster Abbey

Britain's national shrine 20 Dean's Yard
The Chapter Office
London, London SW1P 3PA
United Kingdom
+44 20 7222 5152
http://www.westminster-abbey.org/
info@westminster-abbey.org Westminster Abbey is regarded as a Medieval architectural masterpiece. It has been the venue for most of the country's coronations since 1066 and for numerous other Royal occasions. At present, it is still a church dedicated to regular worship and to the celebration of great events in the British nation. Admission: Adults £10, concessions £7, children under 11 are admitted free of charge.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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