History

We finished Part Three of our History of the City with a nod to Sir Thomas Gresham, Banker to Queen Elizabeth I and forefather of all things in the City of London today. Thomas was the son of Sir Richard Gresham, a merchant who also became Lord Mayor of London in 1537. Richard had a partnership…

The first proper bridge in London was built in 1176 and completed in 1209. There had been other bridges built by the Romans and Vikings, but these were always of wood and generally got burnt and pulled down. The bridge of 1209 was built of stone, and had longevity. In fact, it was the only…

Following on from yesterday’s post about the Romans building London, they left in 410 A.D. and the City went to rack and ruin over the following centuries as the buildings were left untended. Then, in the ninth century, the Vikings came to rape and pillage and used Lundenwic and Lundenberg as their base, settling in…

Following on from yesterday’s post about the Romans building London, they left in 410 A.D. and the City went to rack and ruin over the following centuries as the buildings were left untended. Then, in the ninth century, the Vikings came to rape and pillage and used Lundenwic and Lundenberg as their base, settling in…

I’m just reading a few books about London in the olden days, with one particularly good read: City of London Past, by Richard Tames (1995). For some reason, in these uncertain future times, it’s interesting to look back to the past. Here’s a few excerpts that give you an idea as to how our modern…

I’m just reading a few books about London in the olden days, with one particularly good read: City of London Past, by Richard Tames (1995). For some reason, in these uncertain future times, it’s interesting to look back to the past. Here’s a few excerpts that give you an idea as to how our modern…

Sometimes, especially in the summer, it gives a time for reflection and surprise.   Today's surprise is the story of how the Knights Templar invented modern banking and made the Swiss the best bankers in the world. This is prompted by the Knights Templar being back in the news again, due to the fascination of…