Materials Needed:
- Computer with internet access
- Notebook and pen/pencil
- Access to online resources like the Museum of London website, British History Online, or BBC History.
- Optional: Blank paper or timeline template for creating a London timeline.
Introduction: London's Epic Story (Approx. 15 mins)
Welcome! London isn't just a modern city; it's a city built on layers and layers of history, almost 2,000 years of it! From Roman legions to Tudor monarchs, devastating fires to wartime resilience, London has seen it all. Today, we'll peel back those layers and take a whirlwind tour through London's incredible past. Why do you think studying the history of a single city can be so fascinating?
Activity 1: Timeline Travellers (Approx. 45 mins)
Let's build a framework for London's history. Using online resources (start with the Museum of London's timeline if available), create your own timeline of London. Mark these key periods and find one significant event or development for each:
- Roman Londinium (c. 43 AD - 410 AD): How and why was London founded? What was its role?
- Saxon & Viking London (c. 5th - 11th Century): What happened after the Romans left? Was it always called London? (Hint: Lundenwic, Lundenburh)
- Medieval London (1066 - 1485): Think William the Conqueror, the Tower of London, guilds, bridges, and maybe some grime!
- Tudor & Stuart London (1485 - 1714): Shakespeare's Globe, the Great Plague (1665), and the Great Fire (1666). How did the fire change the city?
- Georgian London (1714 - 1837): Expansion, grand squares, coffee houses, and increasing trade.
- Victorian London (1837 - 1901): The Industrial Revolution's impact, the Underground, Sherlock Holmes' era, vast growth, and stark social contrasts.
- 20th Century London: World Wars (especially the Blitz), rebuilding, cultural revolutions (like the Swinging Sixties), and becoming a diverse metropolis.
- 21st Century London: The London Eye, the Shard, the Olympics (2012) - a global hub.
Pause Point: Discuss which period seems most interesting and why. Were there any surprises?
Activity 2: Landmark Deep Dive (Approx. 30 mins)
Many famous London landmarks have stood for centuries. Choose ONE of the following landmarks (or pick another famous one you know):
- Tower of London
- Westminster Abbey
- St. Paul's Cathedral (post-Great Fire)
- Houses of Parliament (consider the history of the site before the current building)
- Shakespeare's Globe (the replica)
Research its history: When was it built? What major events happened there? Why is it significant to London's story? Write a short paragraph summarizing your findings.
Activity 3: Virtual Exploration (Optional - 20 mins)
Many London museums and landmarks offer virtual tours or online exhibits. Spend some time exploring one related to London's history. Some suggestions:
- Museum of London digital collections
- British Museum online exhibits (search for Roman Britain artifacts)
- Google Arts & Culture tours of London sites
What's one fascinating object or fact you discovered?
Conclusion & Reflection (Approx. 10 mins)
We've journeyed through nearly two millennia of London's history! We saw it grow from a Roman outpost to a sprawling global city, surviving fires, plagues, and wars.
- What was the most surprising thing you learned about London's history today?
- How does understanding its past help us understand the London we see today?
Extension Activity (Optional):
Research the Great Stink of 1858. What caused it, and how did it lead to major changes in London's infrastructure (hint: Joseph Bazalgette)? Write a short report or create a brief presentation about it.