History
The earliest reference to London in history dates back to Roman times. A wooden bridge was built over the Thames by the Romans in 43AD. This area was perfect for ships and brick-making. Londinium was this new city, a Celtic name referring to a farmstead which had previously been on the site. In AD60, Queen Boudicca revolted against Roman rule making the Romans flee in terror. The Romans returned, building a large protective wall around the city. Following the decline of Rome in 410AD Roman troops left London. History records no trace of London between 457 and 600. It slowly became a Saxon-trading town. London was sacked by the Danes in the ninth century, until resettled by Alfred in 883. The Normans arrived in Lunduntown (as it was now called) in 1066. William the Conqueror however distrusted the Saxon populace and constructed several fortresses, including the Tower of London. London was the only British city in mediaeval times that was comparable in size to the cities of Europe. Living conditions at this time were appalling. The streets were filthy, filled with mud, excrement, rats and offal. The Black Death broke out in 1348 killing two thirds of the population. The urbanization of London intensified from the Industrial Revolution onwards. With landscape and wildlife being replaced with bricks and buildings. By 1871 the population was over 3,000,000. Less than a century later it would reach 8,000,000. London had become the cultural, economic, educational and political centre of the nation.
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