how old is the city of london, england?

Answer 1

There has been a formal settlement on the site of the City Of London for 1963 years (it was founded by the Romans in 43AD).

Prior to that date there is evidence of temporary settlements dating back to Stone Age times.

Answer 2

Early London
Although there is some evidence of scattered pre-Roman settlement in the area, the first major settlement was founded by the Romans in AD 43, following the Roman invasion of Britain. This settlement was called Londinium, commonly believed to be the origin of the present-day name, although a Celtic origin is also possible.
The first London lasted for just seventeen years. Around AD 61, the Iceni tribe of Celts led by Queen Boudica stormed London, burning it to the ground. The next, heavily-planned incarnation of the city prospered and superseded Colchester as the capital of the Roman province of Britannia in AD 100. At its height in the 2nd century AD, Roman London had a population of around 60,000. However, by the 3rd century AD, the city started a slow decline due to trouble in the Roman Empire, and by the 5th century AD, it was abandoned.
By 600 AD, the Anglo-Saxons had created a new settlement (Lundenwic) about 1 km upstream from the old Roman city, around what is now Covent Garden. There was probably a harbour at the mouth of the River Fleet for fishing and trading, and this trading grew until disaster struck in 851 AD, when the new city's ramshackle defences were overcome by a massive Viking raid and it was razed to the ground. A Viking occupation twenty years later was short-lived, and Alfred the Great, the new King of England, established peace and moved the settlement within the defensive walls of the old Roman city (then called Lundenburgh). The original city became Ealdwīc ("old city"), a name surviving to the present day as Aldwych.
Subsequently, under the control of various English kings, London once again prospered as an international trading centre and political arena. However, Viking raids began again in the late 10th century, and reached a head in 1013 when they besieged the city under Danish King Canute and forced English King Aethelred the Unready to flee. In a retaliatory attack, Aethelred's army achieved victory by pulling down London Bridge with the Danish garrison on top, and English control was re-established.

Answer 3

The easy answer is that the city was founded by the Romans, but there is a lot of evidence for earlier settlement of the area by the Celts.

There are number of place names which have an obvious celtic derivation (Pancras, Maiden Lane), and the roads which cross at the Angel, Islington follow existing Iron Age trackways. The area now known as Tower Hill has been shown to be a place of druidic importance.

The Celts who were in Britain before the Roman invasion had a sophisticated culture and society of their own; there is absolutely no reason to suppose that they were any less capable of recognising the significant benefits of the area than the Romans.

Answer 4

Around 50 AD, the Roman's conquered in 43AD and the y moved up from the Kent coast crossed the Thames and built a bridge just east of modern day London Bridge. Homesteads built up around this crossing. Londinium as the Romans called it was in fact a Celtic name.
Boudicca burnt London to the ground in AD60 and it was gradually rebuilt and acquiring the City Wall circa 200AD
Whilst there had been small dwellings south of the river it wasn't until the Romans built the bridge that there was any substantial dwellings north of the river and therefore we have the Romans to thank for our Capital city

Answer 5

The beginnings of London can be dated with some exactitude to the invasion of the Romans in 43AD. Prior to the Roman invasion there was no permanent settlement of significance on the site of London. Instead, the Thames River flowed through marshy ground sprinkled with small islands of gravel and sand. There were probably more mosquitoes than people inhabiting the area

Answer 6

London was founded by the Romans in 43 AD...however the majority of the buildings that you see in London nowadays have been built since 1666 (when the "Great Fire" burned down almost the entire city and ended the plague). A few buildings did survive the fire though and are still standing today.

Hope that helps!

Answer 7

London or Londinium as the romans called it was founded in 43 AD ,during the roman invasion of Britain , led by the emperor Claudius.So, therefore London is approximately 2000 years old!!

Answer 8

The first permanant settlements in London were following the Roman invasion of Britain in 43 a.d.

Answer 9

AD 43, the naming of Londinium
Circa AD 190, the building of The Great Wall - essentially "The City of London". (Square mile.)

Answer 10

London is the capital city of England and of the United Kingdom. An important settlement for around two millennia, London is the largest financial centre in Europe and one of the largest in the world. [1] A huge involvement in business, politics, education, entertainment, media, fashion and the arts contribute to its status as one of the world's global cities.