how did london develop as a settlement

Full Answer

When was the first settlement in London?

Foundation and early settlement. 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. Beginning their occupation of Britain under Emperor Claudius in ad 43, the Roman armies soon gained control of much of the southeast of Britain.

How did London change over its history?

The evolution of London: the city's near-2,000 year history mapped. A significant proportion of Georgian structures survive today, even though commercial development in the first half of the 20th century destroyed many. The Victorian period found London expanding once more, as the population grew from around 2 million to 6.5 million.

Why was London founded as a city?

Londinium was established as a civilian town by the Romans about four years after the invasion of AD 43. London, like Rome, was founded on the point of the river where it was narrow enough to bridge and the strategic location of the city provided easy access to much of Europe.

How did the Industrial Revolution affect the city of London?

Be that as it may, the Industrial Revolution drew millions of people to London, expanding the city.

How did London start as a settlement?

When was London founded? London's founding can be traced to 43 CE, when the Roman armies began their occupation of Britain under Emperor Claudius. At a point just north of the marshy valley of the River Thames, where two low hills were sited, they established a settlement they called Londinium.

Why did London grow as a settlement?

An ever-growing city From the sixteenth to mid-seventeenth century, London benefited from the centralized politics and the maritime trade expansion developed by the Tudors and continued by the Stuarts. During Henry VIII's reign London had 100,000 inhabitants.

When did London become a settlement?

43 A.D.Ancient Romans founded a port and trading settlement called Londinium in 43 A.D., and a few years later a bridge was constructed across the Thames to facilitate commerce and troop movements.

How has London developed over time?

London has undergone enormous changes over the last 50 years. As the graph shows, the population fell from 8.6 million in 1939 to 6.8 million in 1981 and 1991, rising to 9 million in 2020. These changes in population are the result of the changes in the economic structure of London.

Why did London grow so fast?

The city grew really fast because the port of London became one of the most important for the distribution of goods. In mid seventeenth century the city grew to 500'000 inhabitants. A big negative event happened in 1666 as a fire burnt down the biggest part of London.

Why did London grow so much in the 19th century?

London's great expansion in the 19th Century was driven by housing growth to accommodate the rapidly expanding population of the city.

Why is London so populated?

It can be explained by two factors. The first was its birth rate: 790,000 more people were born in London than died between 2009 and 2017. The second factor was international immigration. There was an increase of 860,000 between 2009 and 2017, with more than half coming from the EU.

What is London known for?

London is famous for Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, British Museum, and Tower Bridge. London is also known for its rich history, double-decker buses, red phone booths, world-class museums and galleries, gigantic lush parks, financial districts, and cosmopolitan vibes.

Why is London important?

London has local, regional and even world importance: Internal and international accessibility - London has great importance due to its high connectivity. It has an orbital motorway (M25) and a series of motorways linking it with the other major centres in the UK (M1 to Leeds, M4 to Bristol and the M2 to Dover).

What are the major events in London's history?

1907 Central Criminal Court opens. Built on the site of Newgate Prison, the Central Criminal Court is opened by King Edward VII. ... 1915 Zeppelins over London. ... 1931 Daily Express building. ... 1940 The Blitz begins. ... 1948 London Olympics. ... 1951 Festival of Britain. ... 1956 Clean Air Act. ... 1965 Sir Winston Churchill's funeral.More items...•

Did you know facts about London?

15 Interesting Facts About LondonBig Ben Is Not The Name For The Tower. ... London Is The Smallest City In England. ... London Has 170 Museums. ... The Smallest Statue In The World Is Built In London. ... Death In Parliament Is Not Illegal. ... Over Than 300 Languages Are Spoken In London. ... What Does The Name London Stands For?More items...

How has London's economy changed over time?

For more than 20 years London has been growing faster than nationally, and so has been accounting for an ever larger share of national output. In 2019 London's economy was 23.7% of the size of the UK economy, rising from 21.5% in 2009 after the financial crisis, and 19.6% in 1998.

When did London get bigger?

19th centuryDuring the 19th century, London was transformed into the world's largest city and capital of the British Empire. Its population expanded from 1 million in 1800 to 6.7 million a century later. During this period, London became a global political, financial, and trading capital.

When did London become a megacity?

From around 1825 to 1918 London was the largest city in the world, with the population growing rapidly; it was the first city to reach a population of over 5 million in 1900. In 1950, New York City was the only urban area with a population of over 10 million.

When did London become the largest city in the world?

It was the 18th century when London overtook Constantinople (Istanbul, as it is today) to become the biggest city in Europe; after that, huge Victorian growth saw it become the biggest city the world had ever seen. By 1939, it had been overtaken by New York, but was still the second biggest in the world.

Why did people come to London?

Many tradesmen from different countries came to London to trade goods and merchandise. Also, more immigrants moved to London making the population greater. More people also moved to London for work and for business making London an altogether bigger and busier city. Britain's victory in the Seven Years' War increased the country's international standing and opened large new markets to British trade, further boosting London's prosperity.

Where was London founded?

London, like Rome, was founded on the point of the river where it was narrow enough to bridge and the strategic location of the city provided easy access to much of Europe. Early Roman London occupied a relatively small area, roughly equivalent to the size of Hyde Park.

Why is London known as the smoke?

Through the 19th and in the early half of the 20th century, Londoners used coal for heating their homes, which produced large amounts of smoke. In combination with climatic conditions this often caused a characteristic smog, and London became known for its typical "London Fog", also known as "Pea Soupers". London was sometimes referred to as "The Smoke" because of this. In 1952, this culminated in the disastrous Great Smog of 1952 which lasted for five days and killed over 4,000 people. In response to this, the Clean Air Act 1956 was passed, mandating the creating of "smokeless zones" where the use of "smokeless" fuels was required (this was at a time when most households still used open fires); the Act was effective.

How long did the London Bridge last?

This bridge would last for 600 years, and remained the only bridge across the River Thames until 1739.

What are the seven gates of London?

Six of the traditional seven city gates of London are of Roman origin, namely: Ludgate, Newgate, Aldersgate, Cripplegate, Bishopsgate and Aldgate ( Moorgate is the exception, being of medieval origin).

Why was housing a major issue in London during the 1950s?

In the immediate postwar years housing was a major issue in London, due to the large amount of housing which had been destroyed in the war. The authorities decided upon high-rise blocks of flats as the answer to housing shortages. During the 1950s and 1960s the skyline of London altered dramatically as tower blocks were erected, although these later proved unpopular. In a bid to reduce the number of people living in overcrowded housing, a policy was introduced of encouraging people to move into newly built new towns surrounding London.

How long has London been a capital?

History of London. The history of London, the capital city of England and the United Kingdom, extends over 2000 years. In that time, it has become one of the world's most significant financial and cultural capital cities.

Who founded London?

The city of London was founded by the Romans and their rule extended from 43 AD to the fifth century AD, when the Empire fell. During the third century, Londinium, the name given to the town by the Romans, had a population of 50,000, mainly due to the influence of its major port.

What is the history of London?

Discover details and curious facts about the long history of the British capital. London is situated on the banks of the River Thames. It is the seat of the Government of the United Kingdom and the country’s financial centre.

What caused the Great Stink of 1858?

However, the overcrowded conditions led to grave problems like the 1832 cholera epidemics, or the great stink of 1858, an event that took place during the hottest months of the summer, exacerbating the smell of the sewers that were dumped in the River Thames, which led to the suspension of the parliamentary sessions.

What happened to Londinium in the fifth century?

As a consequence of repeated Anglo-Saxon invasions during the fifth century, Londinium declined and during the eighth century it became the capital of the Kingdom of Essex. During the ninth century, the town suffered numerous Viking attacks. As a consequence, Danish settlers established themselves in the area, encouraging trade ...

How did London benefit from the Tudors?

From the sixteenth to mid-seventeenth century, London benefited from the centralized politics and the maritime trade expansion developed by the Tudors and continued by the Stuarts. During Henry VIII’s reign London had 100,000 inhabitants. In mid-seventeenth century it had over 500,000. In 1665, the city was still held inside ...

How long did it take to rebuild London?

The reconstruction of London, based on the area we now call "The City", took over 10 years to finish. The architect Christopher Wren’s masterpieces such as St. Paul’s Cathedral increased the appeal of London, and thus the capital became the centre of English social life with palaces, halls, theatres, societies (Royal Society, ...

What was London's port during the fourteenth century?

An ever-growing city. During the fourteenth century, London’s port became a European hub for the distribution of goods. This activity was strengthened during the fifteenth century thanks to its relevant textile industry.

What was the name of the settlement in London?

The settlement was called Lundenwic; however, virtually nothing is known about this phase of London’s history until the time of Alfred the Great (849–899) and the wars with the Danes, who invaded England in 865.

When did London become a city of great importance?

No records tell how or when London fell into Saxon hands, but it was still, or had once again become, a city of great importance by 597 , when Pope Gregory I the Great sent St. Augustine to England from Rome. Aethelberht I, king of Kent, founded St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Mellitus was installed as bishop there in 604.

Why was Cripplegate Fort built?

To protect the city, Cripplegate Fort was built by the end of the 1st century, with an amphitheatre nearby. The first half of the 2nd century was a prosperous time, but the fortunes of Londinium changed about ad 150, and areas of housing and workshops were demolished. A landward wall was built about ad 200 for defense.

How many people lived in London in 1085?

In 1085 London had between 10,000 and 15,000 inhabitants (less than 2 percent of England’s population) and was the largest city in Europe north of the Alps. About 1087 a major fire destroyed many of the city’s wooden houses and St. Paul’s.

What was the problem in London during the Black Death?

The city also drew “sea coal” from Newcastle upon Tyne (300 miles [480 km] distant by sea), and air pollution became a problem in London. The dynamism of this period came to a sudden end with the outbreak of the Black Death in 1348–49, with 10,000 Londoners being buried beyond the city walls at West Smithfield.

What were the main trading groups in London?

Other important trading groups, who assimilated easily into London’s population, were the Gascons, Flemish, and northern Italians. When members of the last group were firmly established as bankers, the Jews, who had arrived with the Normans, were banished in 1290; they were not to return until 1656.

Where is the Landward Wall?

Remains of the wall can be seen at the edge of the Barbican (near the street called London Wall) and on Tower Hill. In medieval times the walls were rebuilt and extended, requiring new gateways in addition to the six Roman ones.

What was the population of London during the medieval period?

During the Medieval period plagues and famines significantly restricted population growth, however under the Tudors, London’s population increased to around 200,000. Following Henry VIII’s demolition of London’s religious houses, significant new development occurred, and a number of royal retreats were built away from the centre: Hampton Court and Eltham Palace survive.

When was London abandoned?

London was abandoned in 410AD and under the Saxons isolated farmsteads were built in the surrounding countryside. Some of these – such as Enfield, Hampton and Chelsea – grew to form the heart of villages which still act as centres in modern London.

What is the greatest preserved feature of London?

The greatest preserved feature of the city is its own urban fabric. London started its evolution with the Roman creation of Londinium and some of the main axes of the contemporary city, such as Oxford Street, are still with us. London was abandoned in 410AD and under the Saxons isolated farmsteads were built in the surrounding countryside.

What is the Museum of London Archaeology?

The Museum of London Archaeology provided datasets for the Roman and Medieval periods as well as the 17th and early 18th centuries. The University of Cambridge’s engineering department contributed road network datasets from the late 18th century to today. An additional Tudor layer was based on a map of London in 1520 from the Historic Towns Trust;

How big is London Evolution?

Greater London covers 600 square miles, however up until the 17th century the capital was largely crammed into a single square mile, marked by the skyscrapers ...

What was the population of London in 1940?

The population peaked in 1940 at around 8.5 million, before declining and then rising recently to just over 8 million. Despite the decline and the devastation caused by the second world war, the 20th century saw the largest urban expansion in London’s history. Topics. Cities. London.

How did the Victorian period affect London?

The Victorian period found London expanding once more, as the population grew from around 2 million to 6.5 million. The opening of the London Underground in 1863 effectively cut distances and enabled residents to leave the crowded centre for more spacious suburban developments.

What was the city of London in the 18th century?

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. London experienced important growth throughout the 19th century, ...

What were the problems in London in 1842?

In 1842 an inquiry into public health exposed London’s many deficiencies. Cholera in 1831–32 had caused the deaths of about 6,000 Londoners, and there were further outbreaks in 1848–49, 1854, and 1866. Legislation was passed in 1852 to assist provision of pure water. In 1854 the physician John Snow demonstrated the water transmission of cholera by analyzing water delivered by various private pumps in the Soho neighbourhood to a public pump well known as the Broad Street Pump in Golden Square. He arrested the further spread of the disease in London by removing the handle of the polluted pump. A statute of 1855 (the Metropolis Management Act) combined a number of smaller units of local government and replaced the medley of franchises with a straightforward system of votes by all ratepayers. Major works, such as main drainage and slum clearance, were put in the hands of the Metropolitan Board of Works.

Why was London the hub of the Kingdom?

Because the popularity of the developers’ streets depended in part on such services, they were usually adequately administered. Lesser developers left a legacy of slums and neglect for later generations to clear and repair. Socially, commercially, and financially, London was the hub of the kingdom.

What was the purpose of the School Board for London?

On another level, the School Board for London, established under the Education Act of 1870, set about the task of providing elementary education for all. Changes in local government continued, if not so drastically.

What changes were brought during the years 1689–1820?

The changes brought during the years 1689–1820 followed no conscious plan. The government of the City was in full control and reasonably active within its jurisdiction. Beyond its boundaries, unchanged since the Middle Ages, government services and communications for the new areas came piecemeal.

How many people lived in London in 1851?

London experienced important growth throughout the 19th century, with its total population exceeding 2,685,000 in 1851, the year of the Great Exhibition staged in the Crystal Palace to celebrate the commercial might of Britain and its empire. Fifty years later London’s population reached 6,586,000, and the metropolis housed one-fifth ...

What estates were built in the eastern part of the town of Stepney?

The Bedford, Portman, and Grosvenor estates, laid out on land that had passed from the monasteries into the hands of noble families, produced streets and squares that embellished the western part of town. On the other hand, to the east, parts of Stepney and Bethnal Green were constructed with ill-built cottage terraces.

How has London changed over time?

How London Has Changed Over Time? . London has changed rapidly over time especially in the last 20 years. With modern advances in technology buildings, cars and the population London is now a completely different place. Although London has changed a lot some of there landmarks haven't changed at all. In 1964 there were a number of historical ...

How many people will live in London in 2020?

It is one of numerous concepts and predictions that have been put forward to Boris Johnson's vision of "London in 2020", which is expected to involve a population of 8.7 million, and a more eco-friendly London.

When did the Thames River start to be used as a settlement?

Two recent archaeological excavations, in 1999 and 2010, suggest that there were settlements near London's Thames River as early as 4500 BC. The area saw a widespread adoption of agriculture in the Neolithic and Bronze Age.

Why did Henry VIII move to London?

Some historians say the king's move — what would become one of the largest transfers of land in London — was aimed at gaining wealth and power.

How many people live in London?

London started as a small Roman settlement along the Thames River. But today, more than 8.6 million people call the place home.

What is the oldest building in London?

An artist's reconstruction of the Roman town of Venta Icenorum. Sue White/University of Nottingham. Westminster Abbey, built in the 10th century, is a World Heritage Site and one of London's oldest and most important buildings. Here it is in a 1749 painting. Wikipedia Commons.

What was the largest city in the world in 1831?

London was the largest city in the world from 1831 until 1925, when New York City superseded it. Price’s candle factory and other riverside factories in Vauxhall, southwest London , 1928. Heritage Calling.

When did Queen Elizabeth and King George VI go to Buckingham Palace?

Britain's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth acknowledging the cheers of the crowd, with Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret, as they drive through Parliament Square, on their way to Buckingham Palace, in London, on June 22, 1939.

When was the London Bridge built?

The Old Palace at Westminster. In 1176, King Henry II commissioned a new stone bridge. Finished in 1284, the original London Bridge would stand for over 600 years.

What is the history of London?

History of London. London has always grown by taking over adjacent towns or villages…and so it overtook the newly create towns. Peter Ackroyd, London: The Autobiography. After the end of World War II, London was a city in desperate need of large-scale rebuilding. As ever after a period of destruction, architects and planners saw ...

What was the first public building in London?

The first major public building to be constructed in London after the War was The Royal Festival Hall on the Southbank. Opened as part of the Festival of Britain in 1951, it later became the first post-war building to be awarded Grade I listing.

What was Abercrombie's plan for London?

Further out, Abercrombie proposed the construction of satellite towns around an 'Outer Country Ring'. In fact, many Londoners moved out to the eight 'New Towns' such as Stevenage and Harlow after the war.

How many housing towers were built in the 50 years after World War II?

More than 2,700 housing tower blocks were built in the 50 years after World War II.

When did the Empire Windrush arrive in London?

Within just a few years of the end of the War, the cultural landscape of London started to change too. On 21 June 1948 a ship called the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury with almost 500 Jamaicans on board. They were the first of waves of African and Asian immigrants over the next few years.

When was the first 10 storey council housing block in London?

Back in London, the first 10-storey council housing block opened in Holborn in May 1949. High-rise housing –another Abercrombie recommendation - was touted as the solution to London's growing population, replacing housing lost during the war and London's slums.

What was the biggest reconstruction project in Europe?

Out of the ashes rose the Barbican, comprising office blocks, an arts centre, a museum, housing and a school. At the time it was Europe's biggest reconstruction project, although it was a while coming: it only officially opened in 1969 and wasn't completed until 1975. Within just a few years of the end of the War, the cultural landscape of London started to change too. On 21 June 1948 a ship called the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury with almost 500 Jamaicans on board. They were the first of waves of African and Asian immigrants over the next few years. Some were coming to join or rejoin the RAF, while others were escaping unemployment at home or simply wanted to visit 'the mother country'.

Overview

Early history

Londinium was established as a civilian town by the Romans about four years after the invasion of AD 43. London, like Rome, was founded on the point of the river where it was narrow enough to bridge and the strategic location of the city provided easy access to much of Europe. Early Roman London occupied a relatively small area, roughly equivalent to the size of Hyde Park. In around AD 60, it was destroyed by the Iceni led by their queen Boudica. The city was quickly rebuilt as a plan…

Foundations and prehistory

Modern history

Historical sites of note

See also

Notes

Further reading