Audiobook

History of London

Walter Besant was a novelist and historian, and his topographical and historical writings, ranging from prehistoric times to the nineteenth century, were probably best known through the detailed 10-volume Survey of London published after his death.

This earlier single volume covers, in less depth, the whole period from prehistory until the 19th century. The book appears originally to have been written for boys, and, indeed, the chapters are called "Lessons". However, it is a very readable history and provides a fascinating insight into both London's past and the government of the City at the time the book was written (1894). (Summary by Ruth Golding)

Year of Publication: 1894Genres: Travel & Geography , History

Running Time: 8 hours 35 minutes 21 seconds

#	Chapter Name
1	01 - Lessons 1 - 2: The Foundation of London (I - II) Ruth Golding	14:21
2	02 - Lessons 3 - 4: Roman London (I - II) Ruth Golding	13:31
3	03 - Lessons 5 - 7: After the Romans (I - III) Ruth Golding	20:16
4	04 - Lessons 8 - 10: The First and Second Saxon Settlements, and The Anglo-Saxon Citizen Ruth Golding	18:57
5	05 - Lessons 11 - 12: The Wall of London, and Norman London Ruth Golding	12:40
6	06 - Lessons 13 - 14: Fitzstephen's Account of the City (I - II) Ruth Golding	14:01
7	07 - Lessons 15 - 18: London Bridge (I - II), and The Tower of London (I - II) Ruth Golding	25:22
8	08 - Lessons 19 - 20: The Pilgrims, and St. Bartholomew's Hospital Ruth Golding	13:17
9	09 - Lessons 21 - 22: The Terror of Leprosy, and The Terror of Famine Ruth Golding	15:39
10	10 - Lessons 23 - 25: St. Paul's Cathedral (I - II), and Paul's Churchyard Ruth Golding	21:28
11	11 - Lessons 26 - 27: The Religious Houses, and Monks, Friars, and Nuns Ruth Golding	14:19
12	12 - Lessons 28 - 29: The London Churches, and The Streets Ruth Golding	15:07
13	13 - Lessons 30 - 32: Whittington (I - III) Ruth Golding	19:04
14	14 - Lessons 33 - 35: Gifts and Bequests, The Palaces and Great Houses, and Amusements Ruth Golding	20:53
15	15 - Lessons 36 - 37: Westminster Abbey, and The Court at Westminster Ruth Golding	13:17
16	16 - Lessons 38 - 39: Justice and Punishments, and The Political Power of London Ruth Golding	15:06
17	17 - Lessons 40 - 42: Elizabethan London (I - III) Ruth Golding	18:51
18	18 - Lessons 43 - 45: Trade (I - III) Ruth Golding	21:28
19	19 - Lessons 46 - 49: Plays and Pageants (I - IV) Ruth Golding	25:53
20	20 - Lessons 50 - 51: The Terror of the Plague (I - II) Ruth Golding	14:31
21	21 - Lessons 52 - 53: The Terror of Fire (I - II) Ruth Golding	13:38
22	22 - Lesson 54: Rogues and Vagabonds Ruth Golding	7:45
23	23 - Lessons 55 - 59: Under George the Second (I - V) Ruth Golding	33:09
24	24 - Lessons 60 - 62: The Government of the City (I - III) Ruth Golding	17:35
25	25 - Lesson 63: London Ruth Golding	8:36
26	26 - Author's Notes on Lessons 1 - 20 Ruth Golding	36:03
27	27 - Author's Notes on Lessons 21 - 39 Ruth Golding	24:48
28	28 - Author's Notes on Lessons 40 - 63 Ruth Golding	25:46