History of London
Walter Besant
Play
Length 8 h 35 min
Chapters 28
First published 1894
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)
Chapters
1
01 - Lessons 1 - 2: The Foundation of London (I - II) Read by Ruth Golding 14:21
2
02 - Lessons 3 - 4: Roman London (I - II) Read by Ruth Golding 13:31
3
03 - Lessons 5 - 7: After the Romans (I - III) Read by Ruth Golding 20:16
4
04 - Lessons 8 - 10: The First and Second Saxon Settlements, and The Anglo-Saxon Citizen Read by Ruth Golding 18:57
5
05 - Lessons 11 - 12: The Wall of London, and Norman London Read by Ruth Golding 12:40
6
06 - Lessons 13 - 14: Fitzstephen's Account of the City (I - II) Read by Ruth Golding 14:01
7
07 - Lessons 15 - 18: London Bridge (I - II), and The Tower of London (I - II) Read by Ruth Golding 25:22
8
08 - Lessons 19 - 20: The Pilgrims, and St. Bartholomew's Hospital Read by Ruth Golding 13:17
9
09 - Lessons 21 - 22: The Terror of Leprosy, and The Terror of Famine Read by Ruth Golding 15:39
10
10 - Lessons 23 - 25: St. Paul's Cathedral (I - II), and Paul's Churchyard Read by Ruth Golding 21:28
11
11 - Lessons 26 - 27: The Religious Houses, and Monks, Friars, and Nuns Read by Ruth Golding 14:19
12
12 - Lessons 28 - 29: The London Churches, and The Streets Read by Ruth Golding 15:07
13
13 - Lessons 30 - 32: Whittington (I - III) Read by Ruth Golding 19:04
14
14 - Lessons 33 - 35: Gifts and Bequests, The Palaces and Great Houses, and Amusements Read by Ruth Golding 20:53
15
15 - Lessons 36 - 37: Westminster Abbey, and The Court at Westminster Read by Ruth Golding 13:17
16
16 - Lessons 38 - 39: Justice and Punishments, and The Political Power of London Read by Ruth Golding 15:06
17
17 - Lessons 40 - 42: Elizabethan London (I - III) Read by Ruth Golding 18:51
18
18 - Lessons 43 - 45: Trade (I - III) Read by Ruth Golding 21:28
19
19 - Lessons 46 - 49: Plays and Pageants (I - IV) Read by Ruth Golding 25:53
20
20 - Lessons 50 - 51: The Terror of the Plague (I - II) Read by Ruth Golding 14:31
21
21 - Lessons 52 - 53: The Terror of Fire (I - II) Read by Ruth Golding 13:38
22
22 - Lesson 54: Rogues and Vagabonds Read by Ruth Golding 7:45
23
23 - Lessons 55 - 59: Under George the Second (I - V) Read by Ruth Golding 33:09
24
24 - Lessons 60 - 62: The Government of the City (I - III) Read by Ruth Golding 17:35
25
25 - Lesson 63: London Read by Ruth Golding 8:36
26
26 - Author's Notes on Lessons 1 - 20 Read by Ruth Golding 36:03
27
27 - Author's Notes on Lessons 21 - 39 Read by Ruth Golding 24:48
28
28 - Author's Notes on Lessons 40 - 63 Read by Ruth Golding 25:46
From LibriVox, read by volunteers and in the public domain. LibriVox page (opens librivox.org) , the text (opens gutenberg.org) , all files on the Internet Archive (opens archive.org) .
