From civil war to coffee houses, this course explores London’s remarkable transformation during the seventeenth century. As the Stuart monarchs ruled and fell, London endured plague, fire, and revolution—emerging as the capital of a new empire and the most populous city in Western Europe. Through talks, discussions, and site visits, we will examine how politics, religion, migration, and culture shaped the buildings,
communitie...
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
In the seventeenth century, London evolved from a significant but peripheral city on the edge of Europe’s trade networks into the thriving capital of Great Britain and the heart of a growing overseas empire. It overcame civil war, plague, and the Great Fire of 1666, each of which profoundly influenced the city's development. This course examines the people, culture, and urban landscape that transformed London into one of Europe’s greatest cities.
What will we cover?
London and the accession of the Stuarts
Puritanism and city government
The growth of the inner West End: Lincoln’s Inn, Covent Garden, and beyond
London during the Civil War
Interregnum London
The Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666
Rebuilding after the fire and the expansion of late Stuart London
Huguenot refugees and other immigrant communities
Coffee houses and cultural life in the Restoration era
London as the capital of a new kingdom
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Understand the social, cultural, and economic forces that shaped seventeenth-century London, especially its built environment
Appreciate the evolving role of London as a capital city from the accession of the Stuarts to the Act of Union
Understand London’s role during the Civil Wars and the Interregnum
Recognise the impact of the Plague and the Great Fire on the city's development
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is a general interest course and requires no prior knowledge or special skills. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
The course includes a mix of illustrated talks, group discussions, and optional site visits. Recommended reading will be suggested but is not compulsory.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No. Please bring a notebook and pen or a digital device for note-taking.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other courses in London and British history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website.
Mike is an experienced historian and educator with a deep passion for London’s rich and varied past. For many years at the City Lit he has taught a highly popular London history cycle. The cycle spans the city's journey from the Norman Conquest to the 21st century. In addition to his teaching at City Lit, Mike serves as a senior lecturer at Birkbeck College, University of London, specializing in the social history of early modern London. His extensive research has led to numerous publications, particularly on the history of London's guilds. Before joining Birkbeck, Mike worked as a research officer at the Centre for Metropolitan History at the Institute of Historical Research. Recently, his focus has shifted to 20th-century social history, including an in-depth study of the RMT transport union. Currently, he is delving into the history of the British New Left.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/stuart-london137566Stuart Londonhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/great_fire_of_london_2048_1.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks22851177117811841228511771178<p>From civil war to coffee houses, this course explores London’s remarkable transformation during the seventeenth century. As the Stuart monarchs ruled and fell, London endured plague, fire, and revolution—emerging as the capital of a new empire and the most populous city in Western Europe. Through talks, discussions, and site visits, we will examine how politics, religion, migration, and culture shaped the buildings, communities, and identity of this dynamic city.</p> London in the age of the Stuart monarchs went from being an important but peripheral city, located on the edge of the main centres of European trade, to become the capital of a growing overseas empire, the capital of Great Britain, with the largest urban population in Western Europe. Along the way it overcame civil war, in which its population played a notable role, the last great epidemic of the plague, which killed as many as 80,000 people in a single summer, and the Great Fire of 1666, which swept away the core of the medieval City and set the stage for the development of London for over a century. This course will explore the people, culture and buildings that made London into one of the greatest cities in Europe.002816508Stuart London259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/g/r/great_fire_of_london_2048_1_3.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLW60259259Stuart London207168259Mike Berlinstuart-london/hlw60-2526<p>From civil war to coffee houses, this course explores London’s remarkable transformation during the seventeenth century. As the Stuart monarchs ruled and fell, London endured plague, fire, and revolution—emerging as the capital of a new empire and the most populous city in Western Europe. Through talks, discussions, and site visits, we will examine how politics, religion, migration, and culture shaped the buildings, communities, and identity of this dynamic city.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-05 00:00:00<p>In the seventeenth century, London evolved from a significant but peripheral city on the edge of Europe’s trade networks into the thriving capital of Great Britain and the heart of a growing overseas empire. It overcame civil war, plague, and the Great Fire of 1666, each of which profoundly influenced the city's development. This course examines the people, culture, and urban landscape that transformed London into one of Europe’s greatest cities.</p><p>From civil war to coffee houses, this course explores London’s remarkable transformation during the seventeenth century. As the Stuart monarchs ruled and fell, London endured plague, fire, and revolution—emerging as the capital of a new empire and the most populous city in Western Europe. Through talks, discussions, and site visits, we will examine how politics, religion, migration, and culture shaped the buildings, communities, and identity of this dynamic city.</p><ul><li><p>London and the accession of the Stuarts</p></li><li><p>Puritanism and city government</p></li><li><p>The growth of the inner West End: Lincoln’s Inn, Covent Garden, and beyond</p></li><li><p>London during the Civil War</p></li><li><p>Interregnum London</p></li><li><p>The Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666</p></li><li><p>Rebuilding after the fire and the expansion of late Stuart London</p></li><li><p>Huguenot refugees and other immigrant communities</p></li><li><p>Coffee houses and cultural life in the Restoration era</p></li><li><p>London as the capital of a new kingdom</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Understand the social, cultural, and economic forces that shaped seventeenth-century London, especially its built environment</p></li><li><p>Appreciate the evolving role of London as a capital city from the accession of the Stuarts to the Act of Union</p></li><li><p>Understand London’s role during the Civil Wars and the Interregnum</p></li><li><p>Recognise the impact of the Plague and the Great Fire on the city's development</p></li></ul><p>This is a general interest course and requires no prior knowledge or special skills. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. </p><p>The course includes a mix of illustrated talks, group discussions, and optional site visits. Recommended reading will be suggested but is not compulsory.</p><p>No. Please bring a notebook and pen or a digital device for note-taking.</p><p>Other courses in London and British history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryLondon history & walksvirtual207259168HLW60NONETue05/05/26 - 07/07/2610:15 - 12:1510:1512:1510 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMike BerlinBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-05T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities259259Stuart Londonstuart-london/hlw60-2526<p>From civil war to coffee houses, this course explores London’s remarkable transformation during the seventeenth century. As the Stuart monarchs ruled and fell, London endured plague, fire, and revolution—emerging as the capital of a new empire and the most populous city in Western Europe. Through talks, discussions, and site visits, we will examine how politics, religion, migration, and culture shaped the buildings, communities, and identity of this dynamic city.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-05 00:00:00<p>In the seventeenth century, London evolved from a significant but peripheral city on the edge of Europe’s trade networks into the thriving capital of Great Britain and the heart of a growing overseas empire. It overcame civil war, plague, and the Great Fire of 1666, each of which profoundly influenced the city's development. This course examines the people, culture, and urban landscape that transformed London into one of Europe’s greatest cities.</p><p>From civil war to coffee houses, this course explores London’s remarkable transformation during the seventeenth century. As the Stuart monarchs ruled and fell, London endured plague, fire, and revolution—emerging as the capital of a new empire and the most populous city in Western Europe. Through talks, discussions, and site visits, we will examine how politics, religion, migration, and culture shaped the buildings, communities, and identity of this dynamic city.</p><ul><li><p>London and the accession of the Stuarts</p></li><li><p>Puritanism and city government</p></li><li><p>The growth of the inner West End: Lincoln’s Inn, Covent Garden, and beyond</p></li><li><p>London during the Civil War</p></li><li><p>Interregnum London</p></li><li><p>The Plague of 1665 and the Great Fire of 1666</p></li><li><p>Rebuilding after the fire and the expansion of late Stuart London</p></li><li><p>Huguenot refugees and other immigrant communities</p></li><li><p>Coffee houses and cultural life in the Restoration era</p></li><li><p>London as the capital of a new kingdom</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Understand the social, cultural, and economic forces that shaped seventeenth-century London, especially its built environment</p></li><li><p>Appreciate the evolving role of London as a capital city from the accession of the Stuarts to the Act of Union</p></li><li><p>Understand London’s role during the Civil Wars and the Interregnum</p></li><li><p>Recognise the impact of the Plague and the Great Fire on the city's development</p></li></ul><p>This is a general interest course and requires no prior knowledge or special skills. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. </p><p>The course includes a mix of illustrated talks, group discussions, and optional site visits. Recommended reading will be suggested but is not compulsory.</p><p>No. Please bring a notebook and pen or a digital device for note-taking.</p><p>Other courses in London and British history starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website. </p>HistoryLondon history & walksconfigurable
11841178London history & walkshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/london-history-and-walks1/2/285/1177/1178/11841/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks
