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The History of London

by Walter BESANT (1836 - 1901)

01 - Lessons 1 - 2: The Foundation of London (I - II)

Walter Besant was a novelist and historian, and his topographical and historical writings, ranging from prehistoric times to the nineteenth century, were probably best known through the detailed 10-volume Survey of London published after his death. This earlier single volume covers, in less depth, the whole period from prehistory until the 19th century. The book appears originally to have been written for boys, and, indeed, the chapters are called "Lessons". However, it is a very readable history and provides a fascinating insight into both London's past and the government of the City at the time the book was written (1894). (Summary by Ruth Golding)

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Listen next episodes of The History of London:
02 - Lessons 3 - 4: Roman London (I - II) , 03 - Lessons 5 - 7: After the Romans (I - III) , 04 - Lessons 8 - 10: The First and Second Saxon Settlements, and The Anglo-Saxon Citizen , 05 - Lessons 11 - 12: The Wall of London, and Norman London , 06 - Lessons 13 - 14: Fitzstephen's Account of the City (I - II) , 07 - Lessons 15 - 18: London Bridge (I - II), and The Tower of London (I - II) , 08 - Lessons 19 - 20: The Pilgrims, and St. Bartholomew's Hospital , 09 - Lessons 21 - 22: The Terror of Leprosy, and The Terror of Famine , 10 - Lessons 23 - 25: St. Paul's Cathedral (I - II), and Paul's Churchyard , 11 - Lessons 26 - 27: The Religious Houses, and Monks, Friars, and Nuns , 12 - Lessons 28 - 29: The London Churches, and The Streets , 13 - Lessons 30 - 32: Whittington (I - III) , 14 - Lessons 33 - 35: Gifts and Bequests, The Palaces and Great Houses, and Amusements , 15 - Lessons 36 - 37: Westminster Abbey, and The Court at Westminster , 16 - Lessons 38 - 39: Justice and Punishments, and The Political Power of London , 17 - Lessons 40 - 42: Elizabethan London (I - III) , 18 - Lessons 43 - 45: Trade (I - III) , 19 - Lessons 46 - 49: Plays and Pageants (I - IV) , 20 - Lessons 50 - 51: The Terror of the Plague (I - II) , 21 - Lessons 52 - 53: The Terror of Fire (I - II) , 22 - Lesson 54: Rogues and Vagabonds , 23 - Lessons 55 - 59: Under George the Second (I - V) , 24 - Lessons 60 - 62: The Government of the City (I - III) , 25 - Lesson 63: London , 26 - Author's Notes on Lessons 1 - 20 , 27 - Author's Notes on Lessons 21 - 39 , 28 - Author's Notes on Lessons 40 - 63