LMS_History

London was founded as the Roman town of Londinium in 43 AD and the Roman wall, patched and repaired, protected the city for centuries.

The importance of London declined after the 5th century, during the period of Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian invasions. London was one of the European cities raided by Viking warriors with ominous names like Eric Bloodax, Harald Bluetooth and Ivan the Boneless. In the 6th century Christianity was revived and a bishopric was established in London from where missionaries were sent out.

Gradually the importance of the city's site along the River Thames reasserted itself and it became a prosperous trading centre. In the early 11th century London became the seat of government of the last Anglo-Saxon Kings, and in 1066, when the Normans invaded Britain, William the Conqueror granted London its charter and made the city his capital. Although there had been a wooden structure over the Thames since early Roman times, a 19-arch wood and stone bridge was constructed in 1209 by Peter Colechurch. It would be London's only fixed crossing for 500 years. It was joined by Westminster Bridge in 1750.

Throughout the Middle Ages London was the political centre, largest city and chief port of England. New palaces replaced the Tower as the Royal residences – notably Westminster, Whitehall and St James. The royal court was located in London much of the time and the city became a great cultural centre. London reached a new level of pre-eminence during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603).

William Shakespeare's plays were first performed in the Globe Theatre, book publishing began and London became the centre of England's newly emerging foreign trade. London Bridge became more than a roadway – it was crowded with houses, shops, taverns, chapels and a fort. The children's song "London Bridge is falling down", dating from the 17th century, refers to the collapse of these structures rather than of the bridge itself.

By the 17th century London was a crowded city with narrow and twisting streets. Outbreaks of plague between 1625 and 1665 claimed more than 75 000 lives. Buildings were largely of wood and the disastrous Great Fire of London consumed much of the city in 1666. The rebuilding of the city was undertaken by the distinguished architect Christopher Wren. He rebuilt St Paul's Cathedral and more than 50 city churches in his own classical style. Wren's epitaph is carved above the North Door of the Cathedral: “If his monument you seek, look around”.

During the 18th century the city again began to grow. Elegant housing was built in the West End, north-west of the old city, and London became the focal point not only of politics but also of literary and artistic society.

During the 19th century building activities continued, especially in the inner boroughs, with industrial suburbs spreading to the north-east and east of the city and the docks-related industries spreading down river. At the same time straight, elegant streets were constructed through the congested inner city and open spaces, such as Trafalgar Square, were created. The 19th century was also a period of reform and the establishment of municipal services. In 1829 Sir Robert Peel established the Metropolitan Police Service and in 1890 the world's first electric underground railroad was built. In 1831 London Bridge was pulled down and replaced by a 5-arch design known as Rennie's Bridge. It was later sold to a resort in Arizona for £1 025 000.

During the 20th century the suburbs continued to grow until 1935, when a green belt law was instituted to control further growth beyond a ring of parks. During World War II London suffered heavy bombing, resulting in about 30 000 casualties and destroying entire sections of the city. Air raids between 1940-42 gutted Wren's churches – St Paul's Cathedral escaped with a hole in the East roof and a smashed high altar.

The greatest changes in recent years have come from subsequent re-building. The London skyline today is one of tower blocks, rather than of spires and bell towers. In 1963 the Greater London Council was established, with governmental jurisdiction over Greater Metropolitan London, newly created from the old London and Middlesex counties. In 1973 the present London Bridge was built as a 3-arch structure.

Today London is divided into 32 boroughs (units of government) and consists of Central London and the outlying areas. Central London can be divided into three main sections: (1) the City, (2) the West End and (3) the South Bank. The City and the West End lie on the north side of the Thames. The South Bank lies across the river from these areas. The City is London's banking and commercial district, while Westminster is the centre of British government and the royal court and also London's retail trade and nightlife.

It is also London's most elite residential area. In St James and Mayfair elegant 18th and 19th century townhouses have been converted into fashionable shops. The South Bank is the site of a large, modern cultural centre with theatres, concert halls and art galleries.

The outlying areas are crowded with residential neighbourhoods that include most boroughs and the East End.