London history

London: a Brief History

AD43  Romans invade Britain and establish Londinium. They withdraw in 410.

1. Edward the Confessor becomes king and begins Westminster Abbey.

 William the Conqueror defeats King Harold at the Battle of Hastings and builds the Tower of London

1. Henry VIII marries Anne Boleyn, breaks with Rome and becomes head of the Church of England

1. Great Fire of London. 80% of London was destroyed including 87 churches and 13,200 houses.

1675    Christopher Wren begins St Paul’s Cathedral

1. London expands from 1 million to 6.5 million inhabitants

1. Queen Victoria ascends to the throne to start her 63 year reign

1.      World’s First Underground train service opens in London

1. Blitz bombing destroys 30% of London

1960s  The Beatles, Carnaby Street and the King’s Road create the Swinging Sixties

1. London Docklands begin to be revitalized

1. First Eurostar train runs from London to Paris

2000    National Millennium exhibition focuses around the unpopular Dome at Greenwich