TakingITGlobal - Panorama

Published on: Jun 11, 2004

Topic:

Type: Opinions

https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=3703

Everybody inside these city walls contributes to the greatness of London. The name London comes from the Latin for 'fortress of the moon'; she's a city steeped in history. The first settlers were the Romans, who invaded Britain in AD43, moving quickly from the coast to the area surrounding the Thames River which now runs through the city's centre. They built a permanent wooden bridge, east of the London Bridge which now stands tall and proud over, and on both sides of two of the most important parts of London. That bridge attracted more settlers and facilitated rapid and substantial growth of the city. The river itself was an attractive place to moor ships, as it was deep and had a gentle tide, ships no longer regularly visit London, but we have several major boats moored here permanently. 17 years later, the entire city was burnt to the ground by Queen Boudicca, the leader of the Iceni tribe who led a revolt against the Romans. The city was re-captured and then governed by Gaius Julius Alpinus Classicianus from the headquarters of the Governor of London, which was in the area that is now one of the most important square miles in the world: the City of London. Nowadays, this is the biggest international trade centre in the world, currencies and securities are traded here in the largest quantities. The bridge that the Romans originally built connected this important part of London to the area of Southwark in the south, where evidence also shows that important people lived in palatial buildings. After AD 100, Pagan worship was widespread in London; the Romans then ruled from the Temple of the Imperial Cult, which is now an area called Temple. Temple is a set of buildings which is a former headquarters of the Knights Templars or Freemasons, the set of buildings is now a popular office space for solicitors and barristers. By AD 200, Britain was divided into two; York becoming the capital of Britannia Inferior, and London the capital of Britannia Superior.

Over the following centuries, power in London and Great Britain changed hands often. Ever since Emperor Honorius renounced the Roman claim to Great Britain in AD 400. In 450, the Anglo-Saxons invaded and divided the country into several separate kingdoms, many of which are now administrative areas, with a small level of autonomy from rule by
Westminster, but ultimately part of the same patchwork which makes the Great Britain. During Saxon rule, most of London's important trade happened in the same or very close areas to where the Romans established trade posts many years earlier. Throughout the eras of London, trade has remained an important part of the City of London. Following the Saxons, came Norman rule in the form of William the Conqueror, who was proclaimed King after he ravaged much of South-East England, and waited at the borders of London for the city's officials to announce him King. Medieval London continued the nature of British rule, the rule of the Monarch continues to this day, although some would argue that the current Head of State (Queen Elizabeth the second) is on the throne simply for ceremony and has absolutely no political power. The following years saw rulers from the Normans, Angevins, Plantagenets, Lancastrians, Yorkists, Tudors, Stuarts, Hanoverians, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and currently the House of Windsor. Many of these Royal families were dynastically linked to all of the other European Royal families; the House of Windsor is currently connected to all of the remaining European Royal Families.

London's, in hand with the history of the United Kingdom both have an important part in the shaping of this world class, important city. London is now, as it has been for thousands of years, an important trade and communications post, connecting Europe with our cousins across the Atlantic. Much of Europe's electronic communications, including telephone and internet, connect to many other parts of the world via London. Today's London is a giant of a city, of the same class as other world greats New York and Paris. The city is surrounded not by a physical wall, but by something the feels as much of a boundary, a motorway, the notorious M25. The centre of the city houses the Queen Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace; a grand building surrounded by flourishing parks and other Royal palaces. On the other side of St. James Park is Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, the home of the Prime Minster & Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) and home of the United Kingdom's Parliament respectively. In the surrounding areas, you will find offices of the Government, such as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence. This area is called Whitehall, and is the heart of Westminster, London and the United Kingdom. Previously, Whitehall was also the heart of the British Empire and the Commonwealth. The City of London remains one of the most important trade posts in the world; the London Stock Exchange, the Bank of England and many major International financial institutions are currently based there.

During the Second World War, London was bombarded by Nazi German bombers; damaging many of our most brilliant pieces of architecture. But fortress London was not destroyed, most buildings that were damaged in the war were repaired and as a result, London did not suffer many substantial losses in the way of looks. Previous disasters include the fire of London which destroyed a vast amount of London's buildings, which in the pre-Victorian era were all made from wood. Londoners have survived most things from the Black Plague to over twenty years of terrorism. Modern London is a vibrant, colourful and cosmopolitan metropolis. As well as the native British inhabitants, London is home to people from many corners of the world; all adding to a vibrant and diverse atmosphere. London's people are connected by various transport systems, the famous Tube (underground metro), busses, trams and river boats, as well as the private car and famous black cabs. Perhaps the most well known parts of the London transport system, especially to non-residents would be London's Heathrow or Gatwick airport - major air travel hubs, connecting the world. Traditionally, Londoners have various wide open public spaces available to them year-round; the biggest is Hyde Park which has a man-made lake, the Serpentine, which was built by a previous Kind to celebrate his love for his Queen. In the summer months, Hyde Park, along with Green Park, St. James Park and
Regents Park are packed full of sun-seekers having fun and enjoying the warm climate which is missing for the rest of the year - the winter months are bitter and cold, and very long. Our mostly year-round, consistent grey weather is a feature of London that is synonymous with London as much as is Big Ben and other famous landmarks.

London has done much for me in the 6 years that I have lived here. I have been educated, I have worked, felt love, felt pain, made plans, and fulfilled them. In less than a month I am due to leave the city which has been home to me for so long, I have mixed feelings. London is a great city of contrasts, a place to play, have fun and work hard. It is also a place of great frustration, poverty, hardship and oppression. Either way, London is a city that shouldn't be missed; wherever you go in the world, stop by in London and see for yourself.

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by Luke CB
Published on: Jun 11, 2004
Topic:
Type: Opinions
https://www.tigweb.org/express/panorama/article.html?ContentID=3703


Everybody inside these city walls contributes to the greatness of London. The name London comes from the Latin for 'fortress of the moon'; she's a city steeped in history. The first settlers were the Romans, who invaded Britain in AD43, moving quickly from the coast to the area surrounding the Thames River which now runs through the city's centre. They built a permanent wooden bridge, east of the London Bridge which now stands tall and proud over, and on both sides of two of the most important parts of London. That bridge attracted more settlers and facilitated rapid and substantial growth of the city. The river itself was an attractive place to moor ships, as it was deep and had a gentle tide, ships no longer regularly visit London, but we have several major boats moored here permanently. 17 years later, the entire city was burnt to the ground by Queen Boudicca, the leader of the Iceni tribe who led a revolt against the Romans. The city was re-captured and then governed by Gaius Julius Alpinus Classicianus from the headquarters of the Governor of London, which was in the area that is now one of the most important square miles in the world: the City of London. Nowadays, this is the biggest international trade centre in the world, currencies and securities are traded here in the largest quantities. The bridge that the Romans originally built connected this important part of London to the area of Southwark in the south, where evidence also shows that important people lived in palatial buildings. After AD 100, Pagan worship was widespread in London; the Romans then ruled from the Temple of the Imperial Cult, which is now an area called Temple. Temple is a set of buildings which is a former headquarters of the Knights Templars or Freemasons, the set of buildings is now a popular office space for solicitors and barristers. By AD 200, Britain was divided into two; York becoming the capital of Britannia Inferior, and London the capital of Britannia Superior. Over the following centuries, power in London and Great Britain changed hands often. Ever since Emperor Honorius renounced the Roman claim to Great Britain in AD 400. In 450, the Anglo-Saxons invaded and divided the country into several separate kingdoms, many of which are now administrative areas, with a small level of autonomy from rule by Westminster, but ultimately part of the same patchwork which makes the Great Britain. During Saxon rule, most of London's important trade happened in the same or very close areas to where the Romans established trade posts many years earlier. Throughout the eras of London, trade has remained an important part of the City of London. Following the Saxons, came Norman rule in the form of William the Conqueror, who was proclaimed King after he ravaged much of South-East England, and waited at the borders of London for the city's officials to announce him King. Medieval London continued the nature of British rule, the rule of the Monarch continues to this day, although some would argue that the current Head of State (Queen Elizabeth the second) is on the throne simply for ceremony and has absolutely no political power. The following years saw rulers from the Normans, Angevins, Plantagenets, Lancastrians, Yorkists, Tudors, Stuarts, Hanoverians, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha and currently the House of Windsor. Many of these Royal families were dynastically linked to all of the other European Royal families; the House of Windsor is currently connected to all of the remaining European Royal Families. London's, in hand with the history of the United Kingdom both have an important part in the shaping of this world class, important city. London is now, as it has been for thousands of years, an important trade and communications post, connecting Europe with our cousins across the Atlantic. Much of Europe's electronic communications, including telephone and internet, connect to many other parts of the world via London. Today's London is a giant of a city, of the same class as other world greats New York and Paris. The city is surrounded not by a physical wall, but by something the feels as much of a boundary, a motorway, the notorious M25. The centre of the city houses the Queen Elizabeth, Buckingham Palace; a grand building surrounded by flourishing parks and other Royal palaces. On the other side of St. James Park is Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament, the home of the Prime Minster & Chancellor of the Exchequer (Finance Minister) and home of the United Kingdom's Parliament respectively. In the surrounding areas, you will find offices of the Government, such as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, the Home Office and the Ministry of Defence. This area is called Whitehall, and is the heart of Westminster, London and the United Kingdom. Previously, Whitehall was also the heart of the British Empire and the Commonwealth. The City of London remains one of the most important trade posts in the world; the London Stock Exchange, the Bank of England and many major International financial institutions are currently based there. During the Second World War, London was bombarded by Nazi German bombers; damaging many of our most brilliant pieces of architecture. But fortress London was not destroyed, most buildings that were damaged in the war were repaired and as a result, London did not suffer many substantial losses in the way of looks. Previous disasters include the fire of London which destroyed a vast amount of London's buildings, which in the pre-Victorian era were all made from wood. Londoners have survived most things from the Black Plague to over twenty years of terrorism. Modern London is a vibrant, colourful and cosmopolitan metropolis. As well as the native British inhabitants, London is home to people from many corners of the world; all adding to a vibrant and diverse atmosphere. London's people are connected by various transport systems, the famous Tube (underground metro), busses, trams and river boats, as well as the private car and famous black cabs. Perhaps the most well known parts of the London transport system, especially to non-residents would be London's Heathrow or Gatwick airport - major air travel hubs, connecting the world. Traditionally, Londoners have various wide open public spaces available to them year-round; the biggest is Hyde Park which has a man-made lake, the Serpentine, which was built by a previous Kind to celebrate his love for his Queen. In the summer months, Hyde Park, along with Green Park, St. James Park and Regents Park are packed full of sun-seekers having fun and enjoying the warm climate which is missing for the rest of the year - the winter months are bitter and cold, and very long. Our mostly year-round, consistent grey weather is a feature of London that is synonymous with London as much as is Big Ben and other famous landmarks. London has done much for me in the 6 years that I have lived here. I have been educated, I have worked, felt love, felt pain, made plans, and fulfilled them. In less than a month I am due to leave the city which has been home to me for so long, I have mixed feelings. London is a great city of contrasts, a place to play, have fun and work hard. It is also a place of great frustration, poverty, hardship and oppression. Either way, London is a city that shouldn't be missed; wherever you go in the world, stop by in London and see for yourself. « return.