The London Course – The Evolution of a Great City (lecture)

This course will take the key essentials and historic landmarks of the growth of London from one to two cities, and then into a world city of millions. The prime aim is to understand the direct legacy which we have inherited today, and literally know where and why the place in which you stand is all created by an evolution stretching back two thousand years, in which the life of London and Londoners has developed. (NB. when reference is made to the City with a capital letter, it is the City of London.)

Lecture part 1 The Forgotten City of Saxon Lundenwic

Roman London lay ruined for 400 years, but the Saxons continued commercial life. But where? The clues lie in the place names of Aldwych and the Strand corroborated by the amazing archaeological discoveries of Lundenwic, stretching from Trafalgar Square and described by the Venerable Bede as "a market of many nations".

Lecture part 2 ​1066 and all that

The Vikings drove the Saxons back to the security of the abandoned walls of the City, and by the 11th century Scandinavian kings were even on the throne. And then came the latest invader, William the Conqueror, crowned monarch in the brand-new Westminster Abbey, effectively founding the two cities, of commerce in the one and government in the other.

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