The History of London in Seven Buildings
Don Brown is a London Blue Badge Guide, the Director of the London Society, and a graduate of Oxford University. He is an astute student of history from the Romans to the present day, as well as politics, WWII, and classic rock music. As Director of the London Society, he has a strong interest in architecture, planning, and urbanism.
Overview
Let’s explore 1,000 years of London’s history through some of its world-famous structures. We’ll learn about the Tower of London–the Norman castle built to dominate the conquered Anglo-Saxons–and how it has been a fortress, a prison, a place of executions, and even a zoo. And we’ll visit Westminster Abbey, the site of royal coronations since 1066, and a national mausoleum with graves and memorials to thousands of the most important Britons in history. We’ll also explore St. Paul’s Cathedral: the instantly recognizable domed church that is built on the ruins of four others dating back to 604 CE.
Visit the Houses of Parliament and ‘Big Ben,’ and discuss how the work to design this huge complex drove one of its architects literally mad. Then add in the Globe Theatre, London Bridge and (of course) Her Majesty the Queen’s official residence of Buckingham Palace, and you have the perfect introduction to Britain’s capital: one of the world’s great cities.
It was a delightful and informative event. It is surprising how much information was conveyed within that hour. I appreciated that Mr. Brown ‘s lecture was objective; it did not deal with his own preferences or choices.