London—Historical Architecture Destination
Welcome to Issue XIX of Historical Architecture Destinations! Today we're diving into the story of London as told through three of its historical buildings.
Origins: Londinium
This city situated along the river Thames has been around for millennia with some findings from as early as the Bronze Age.
However its history didn’t really start until the Romans came to Britannia under Emperor Claudius in the mid first century AD. They settled this area and called it Londinium. Shortly after the Romans suffered defeat from nearby tribes under Queen Boudica.
That didn’t stop the Romans from returning and later defeating Boudica and rebuilding their newly claimed city.
The Romans grew their city to its height of around 50,000 people in the mid 2nd century AD. They built walls around the city that would last for another 1700 years. Parts of the Roman wall can still be seen in the City of London today.
In the 5th century with the fall of the Western Roman Empire the legions were called back to Rome and Londinium was essentially abandoned.
Around the 6th or 7th century the Anglo-Saxons established a settlement called Lundenwic west of the old Roman city. However repeated wars with the Vikings hampered growth. Little is known of this period until the time of Alfred the Great.
In 886 the West Saxon King Alfred the Great refounded the city inside the old Roman city walls. Over the next century the city saw steady growth and rapidly expanded in the 10th century.
It’s during this time of rapid growth that brings us to our next building.
1. Westminster Abbey
Legend has it that the first Christian King of the East Saxons, Saberht founded a church on this very site in the early 7th century.
In 785 there was a small community of monks that resided here giving it the name ‘west minster’ meaning west monastery. The church was rebuilt in 960 and again in 1065 under King Edward the Confessor (who is buried here). Every coronation since 1066 beginning with William the Conquerer has taken place at Westminster Abbey.
But the building you see today was added under King Henry III who began construction in 1245 and replaced all but the nave with a new church in the pointed gothic style.
This 13th century church was built to rival Sainte-Chapelle in Paris and as a burial place for Henry III and his family. In 1503 Henry VII replaced the older chapel with a new chapel in the Gothic perpendicular style noteworthy for its fan vaulting.
Westminster Abbey is a burial place for over 30 monarchs and other prominent figures like Isaac Newton. The abbey continues to be a place of worship as it has been for over one thousand years.
The first crowned monarch at Westminster Abbey, William the Conquerer and his Norman conquest leads us to our next building.
2. Tower of London
Right after William the Conquerer’s coronation during Christmas of 1066 he started constructing the Tower of London.
It was built as an imposing fortress and a sign of Norman rule to control the surrounding area and people. The interior white tower was added in 1078 and was seen as a stark symbol of the new Norman regime’s control. In times of turbulence or war the tower was used as a fortress to protect monarchs and their possessions.
Today the Royal Crown Jewels are still stored here and protected by the ‘Beefeater’ guards.
The Beefeater guards are known formally as the Yeoman Warders. They were originally personal guards of the monarch until some were appointed to stay and guard the tower permanently by Henry VIII. Their name comes from being able to eat as much beef from the King’s table as they wished. Today they still guard the tower and one known as the ravenmaster cares for the ravens.
Legend has it that if the ravens leave the tower it and the kingdom will fall.
The tower is known for being a fortress but was also a palace and an infamous prison. There was a disappearance of the two princes (sons of Edward IV) aged 10, 12 inside the tower walls in 1483. And most infamously the execution of two wives of Henry VIII including Anne Boleyn in the 16th century.
Today the tower still fascinates with its turbulent history and is one of the biggest tourist attractions in London.
The Tower of London wasn’t the only fortress built to display dominance of the Normans.
3. Windsor Castle
In 1070 William the Conquerer built the first castle west of the city to show Norman dominance over the west gateway to London.
It formed part of a defensive ring of castles around London. William the Conquerer’s original structure was made of wood. The 5 acre site was subsequently renovated and expanded by future monarchs turning it into an immense stone palace.
Windsor Castle is the longest occupied palace in Europe having been used since 1100 during the time of Henry I.
One of the most notable structures is St. George’s Chapel started by Edward IV in 1475 and designed to be the chapel for the Order of the Garter (an order of Knighthood). It’s considered one of the finest examples of perpendicular Gothic architecture. St. George’s Chapel rivals Westminster Abbey as a mausoleum with many monarchs buried here.
Windsor castle is also home to a priceless collection of art including Leonardo da Vinci among others.
Present day
Today the metropolis of London with its ancient core boasts nearly 9 million inhabitants. Built up over two millennia it is now one of the most influential global cities.
Deep dives
Walk through the epic story of the birth of a nation in Foundation: The History of England from its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors by Peter Ackroyd.
For a fascinating tale of the more than thousand year history of the castle, royal palace and prison check out the Tower: An Epic History of the Tower of London by Nigel Jones.
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