IV. What events struck London in the 17th century? Their consequences?

We have researched the events of the 17^th century. They were the Great Plague, the Great Fire of London, their consequences and reconstruction of London.

Let’s begin from the Great Plague that broke out in 1665. It was a massive outbreak of disease in England that killed 100 000 lives. It was remembered as the “great” plague, because it was one of the last widespread outbreaks in England. Records state that deaths in London crept up to 1,000 people during the week, then 2,000 people during the week and, by September 1665, to 7,000 persons during the week. By late autumn, the death toll began to slow until, in February 1666, it was considered safe enough for the King and his entourage to return to the city.

A year later, in 1666, there was a big fire – the Fire of London. It began in a house in Pudding Lane, near London Bridge. More than a quarter of a million Londoners lost their homes in the fire. It destroyed St. Paul’s Cathedral and eighty – eight other churches. But the fire also destroyed most of the worst old buildings and the new houses that went up after this were better for people to live in. There were a lot of proposals as for reconstruction of London, but despite numerous radical proposals, London was reconstructed on essentially the same street plan used before the fire. Sir Christopher Wren designed many buildings after the Great Fire of London, including St. Paul’s Cathedral. Houses were built with stone and brick. On Charles' II initiative, a Monument to the Great Fire of London, designed by Christopher Wren and Robert Hooke, was erected near Pudding Lane after the fire. Standing 61 metres tall and known simply as "The Monument", it is a familiar London landmark which has given its name to a tube station. This is the Monument, designed by Sir Christopher Wren. Londoners built it to commemorate the Great Fire of London.

V. How did London develop in the 18th century?

The 18th century was a period of rapid growth for London, reflecting an increasing national population, the early stirrings of the Industrial Revolution, and London's role at the centre of the evolving British Empire. London’s main role in the Industrial Revolution was to develop markets for the factory-produced goods. The merchants and the bankers made enormous fortunes. The West End became famous for its fashionable life. The workers lived in slums in the East End.

During this period St. Paul’s Cathedral was built. The one more architectural masterpiece in London is St. Paul’s Cathedral, designed by Sir Christopher Wren-the most famous of English architects. St. Paul’s Cathedral is the fifth church built on the same time. After it destruction in the Great Fire of London in 1666, it was rebuild by Sir Christopher Wren. It took him 35 years to plan and built St. Paul’s Cathedral, which was completed in 1710.

During the Georgian period London spread beyond its traditional limits at an accelerating pace. New districts such as Mayfair were built for the rich in the West End; new bridges over the Thames encouraged an acceleration of developments in South London and in the East End, the Port of London expanded downstream from the City. In 1762 George III acquired Buckingham Palace. Buckingham Palace is the official London residence of her Majesty the Queen and her family. It was built in 18^th century by architect John Nash. The first monarch who took residence there was Queen Victoria. This all led into beginning of modern times, the 19^th century.