London History in 5 minutes (or there abouts)

London was first invaded/discovered by the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar in about 55 BC. He came over to London twice, but he never stayed. He was

defeated by the Britons. (Although he probably did not like the weather.) He was looking to expand the Roman Emperor and punish the Britons for helping

the Gaul’s in France. However, it was not until about 45 AD that Emperor Claudius invaded from Gaul in France. Can you believe he is said to have even bought his elephants! He sent a flotilla of 800

boats across the English Chanel. This size of fleet crossing the Channel was not seen again until D Day during the Second World War, when the ships were travelling in the opposite direction to help the French.

Emperor Claudius was attracted to London because of the River Thames. The Thames,  meaning murky in Anglo Saxon, is the second  longest river in England. It is over 215 miles long. It is also tidal meaning goods could be easily transported up and down it. The Romans first settled on the north side of the Thames near to current day London Bridge. In 1981 remnants of

the first bridge were found near the current location of London Bridge dating back to 80AD. Meaning that there has been a bridge near

that site for nearly 2,000 years.   These remnants can be found in St Magus-the-martyr's church very close to the north side of London Bridge.  

The Romans enclosed their city in a 3 mile wall and parts of this can still be seen in the City of  London. Look out for London Wall at Tower Hill tube station. (photo above)

Visit the Guild Hall to view the Roman amphitheatre (carry.moved.popped) Bloomsbury

Headquarters (deeply.scar.snow) for the Mithras Temple, both free.

It is also now believed that the site where St Pauls Cathedral is was a Roman temple to the

goddess Diana.

The Roman’s call the city Londinium.

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