History of London Course Description 

Spanning the centuries from the Roman occupation through the new millennium, this eight-week series of talks will highlight the history of well-known locales such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, Trafalgar Square and the Tower of London, as well as lesser-known and historical gems throughout the city. Each week will focus on a different time period, with lectures accompanied by photos, suggested readings, maps, and other materials. Whether you are visiting London for the first time, have been to the city, or just want to learn about its history from the comfort of your armchair, this course will enhance your experience. Come join us to discover why elephants used to live at the Tower of London, how London came to have a city within the city, the location and history of the smallest police station in London, where to get a great photo opportunity of St. Paul’s while enjoying a cup of coffee, how to see the ruins of a Roman forum for the price of a haircut, and much more! 

LLH member Deb Schmidle’s undergraduate and master’s level research focused on British history in the 16th and 17th centuries, an area in which she remains conversant. Deb has also developed and currently teaches courses on various aspects of London’s history for Lifelong in Ithaca.

January 3rd—Roman London (see resources below)

January 10th—Medieval London Part One 

January 17th—Medieval London Part Two 

January 24th—Tudor London 

January 31st—Stuart London 

February 7th—Georgian London 

February 14th—Victorian London 

February 21st—20th Century London to the Present Day 

RESOURCES

History of London: General Works

History of London Week One Roman London Locations

History of London Week One Roman London Reading List 

History of London Week One Roman London Timeline