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London History

Discover the great, the strange, the seedy, the inspired, the criminal and the downright ordinary past of one of the World's Greatest Cities!
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ENGLAND
Samuel Pepys
Elizabeth I
London's Underworld
Fleet Marriages.
The Cries of London
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London Quotes

For there is good news yet to hear and fine things to be seen,
Before we go to Paradis by way of Kensal Green.

-- G K Chesterton, 1914

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London Disasters

London Disasters: The Fatal Vespers: I
Posted by Bill McCann on (25 Reads)

In 1623 ninety-five people perished when the floor of a temporary chapel in the Blackfriars district collapsed. Two of our antiquaries, John Strype and Walter Thornbury, have left us vivid descriptions of the event. These differ in both the detail and, particularly, in the style. One was a Divine, the other a Journalist. For these reasons it is informative to compare them. In our introduction we take the opportunity to paint a broad historical backdrop to the tragedy, and to introduce our two authors.

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London's Churches

The Annals of St. Paul's: Chapter 2 part 5
Posted by Bill McCann on (120 Reads)

Wren's St Paul's Cathedral is one of the dominant images of tourist London. The religious history of the site, however, goes back to the very arrival of Christianity in England. Sitting atop one of the two hills of ancient London it has long gazed down on the doings of men and women. Few definitive histories of St. Paul's have been written but one of the most "delightful" is that penned by Dean H H Milman in the 1860s. Here we present his great work for the enjoyment of the modern age. London under Richard I ws a tumult which came to a head with the vicious execution of the firebrand William Fitz Osbert. The arrival if King John brought terrible times for the church, culminating in the Interdict that shut all the churches and silenced all the bells of London. The terrible silence ended when John humbled himself as the vassal of the Pope in St Paul's, as the Archbishop of Canterbury groaned aloud. Louis of France was invited to take the crown and restore England's sovereignity. He was welcomed with a magnificent Mass at St. Paul's.

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London's People

Mayhew's London Prostitutes: Completed
Posted by Bill McCann on (247 Reads)

In 1862, Henry Mayhew published his analysis of the prostitution business in London. It formed a part of his magnificent survey: London Labour and the London Poor, extracts from which we continue to publish on this site. In the final extract, Mayhew defines for us the five classes of cohabiting prostitutes that were to be found in London. These include incestuous relationships, as then defined, including marrying a deceased wife's sister, and the Lorettes. Finally, we hear the harrowing story of a young high-spirited intelligent girl, seduced by fraud and violence.

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Law and Order in London

Crime and Punishment: Colonel James Turner
Posted by Bill McCann on (185 Reads)

No man was more free with his money, or more ambitious of living in splendour and reputation, than Colonel Turner. A Spendthrift London Merchant, he spent his considerable fortune, partly endowed by his father and his wife. But he refused to recognise the reality: he resolved to support himself with the same pomp as usual, however he came by the money. Secret dishonourable actions were easily hidden by the smokescreen of his public good character but soon they were not enough.

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London's Churches

The Annals of St. Paul's: Chapter 2 part 4
Posted by Bill McCann on (194 Reads)

Wren's St Paul's Cathedral is one of the dominant images of tourist London. The religious history of the site, however, goes back to the very arrival of Christianity in England. Sitting atop one of the two hills of ancient London it has long gazed down on the doings of men and women. Few definitive histories of St. Paul's have been written but one of the most "delightful" is that penned by Dean H H Milman in the 1860s. Here we present his great work for the enjoyment of the modern age. Bishop Foliot's row with Thomas a' Becket continued. The Bishop was in a sort of no-man's land but cintinued to function. The business ended with the murder of Becket. Foliot was absolved of the excommunication, but only after solemnly swearing that he had no part in the plot to kill Becket. We are introduced the literary Dean, Diceto and through him to the swcandal of the focarice of the Canons.

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London's People

Victorian Etiquette XVI: The Gentleman
Posted by Bill McCann on (229 Reads)

The London Journal, launched in 1845, was one of the most widely read publications of nineteenth-century Britain. Its weekly appearance ushered in the period when mass-market reading, in a modern sense, was born. Between April 12 and August 30 1845, the Journal carried seventeen articles under the heading "Etiquette for the Millions," written by G.W.M Reynolds. They were clearly aimed at educating the mass readership (mostly the newly emerging middle-classes) in the behaviour expected of them in public. At times trenchant, the views expressed in the articles describe a view of society that is very, very different from that which we experience today. But, perhaps, one that many sections of modern society hanker after. In this set of instructions we are told precisely what does and does not make a gentleman!

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London's People

Victorian Etiquette XV: Miscellaneous Reflections
Posted by Bill McCann on (192 Reads)

The London Journal, launched in 1845, was one of the most widely read publications of nineteenth-century Britain. Its weekly appearance ushered in the period when mass-market reading, in a modern sense, was born. Between April 12 and August 30 1845, the Journal carried seventeen articles under the heading "Etiquette for the Millions," written by G.W.M Reynolds. They were clearly aimed at educating the mass readership (mostly the newly emerging middle-classes) in the behaviour expected of them in public. At times trenchant, the views expressed in the articles describe a view of society that is very, very different from that which we experience today. But, perhaps, one that many sections of modern society hanker after. In this short piece he muses on the etiquette that must be observed by Royalty and notes the favourable reports of the behaviour of the young Queen Victoria. He also quotes Burke's unfavourable views on Lord Chesterfield, whose letters of advice to his son were widely read.

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London's People

Mayhew's London Prostitutes: XI part 2
Posted by Bill McCann on (1140 Reads)

In 1862, Henry Mayhew published his analysis of the prostitution business in London. It formed a part of his magnificent survey: London Labour and the London Poor, extracts from which we continue to publish on this site. In this extract we are introduced to those who Mayhew classifies as Clandestine prostitutes. In this second part we meet female married women who have connection with men other than their husbands, and unmarried women who gratify their passion secretly. He tells us of a house in Regent Street where they go to "consummate their libidinous desires." And then, there is a suprprise meeting. . . ..

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London's Churches

The Annals of St. Paul's: Chapter 2 part 3
Posted by Bill McCann on (1261 Reads)

Wren's St Paul's Cathedral is one of the dominant images of tourist London. The religious history of the site, however, goes back to the very arrival of Christianity in England. Sitting atop one of the two hills of ancient London it has long gazed down on the doings of men and women. Few definitive histories of St. Paul's have been written but one of the most "delightful" is that penned by Dean H H Milman in the 1860s. Here we present his great work for the enjoyment of the modern age. After another fire, which destroyed the new cathedral in the episcopate of Robert de Sigillo, who died of eating poisoned grapes, and the silent episcopate of Richard de Belmeis who "came to a melancholy end" we come to the reign of Henry II and his elevation of Thomas a' Becket to the See of Canterbury. The Bishop of London at this time was the learned and holy Gilbert Foliot. Unfortunately, Becket considered him an enemy and our extract ends with his excommunication by the enraged, and exiled, Archbishop.

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London's People

Mayhew's London Prostitutes: XI part 1
Posted by Bill McCann on (1684 Reads)

In 1862, Henry Mayhew published his analysis of the prostitution business in London. It formed a part of his magnificent survey: London Labour and the London Poor, extracts from which we continue to publish on this site. In this extract we are introduced to tnhose who Mayhew classifies as Clandestine prostitutes. In this first part we meet female operatives (by which he means office girls), ballet girls and maid servants. They are all amateurs, and have a variety of reasons – ranging from hardship to extravagance – for taking to the streets.

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On This Day

On a day like today...

1935
Wednesday July 24 Greetings telegrams were introduced by the Post Office. More July Anniversaries

Local History

London's Local History on the web.

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Mayhew's London Prostitutes

London's Mediaeval Parish Churches

Crime & Punishment

© 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. Unless otherwise indicated, all written material on the storyoflondon site is the copyright of Bill McCann[waldstockatgmail.com]. All logos and trademarks in this site are property of their respective owner. The comments are property of their posters.

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