The City of London: the Square Mile

What is the course about?

There will be 8 x 2-hour guided sessions, exploring the City’s development from Roman and mediaeval times through to the Tudors and Stuarts. Please see the topics section below.

The course is led by experienced Blue Badge Guide Hazel Baker. Hazel is an accomplished and award-winning tour guide with a passion for history, theatre, walking, and the vibrancy of London. Hazel’s dedication and excellence in tour guiding have been recognised with prestigious awards such as the Tour Guiding Excellence Award and Best Christmas Tours in London. Hazel has appeared on both television and radio on various occasions and in addition to her guided walks, Hazel is the host of the London History Podcast, where she explores the rich and often underrated history of the city with special guests or fellow guides.

What will we cover?

1. Roman London (A): Explore remains of the Roman wall, amphitheatre, and layout of Londinium. Discuss the sources available, founding of Londinium and its demise.

2. Roman London (B): Explore remains of the Roman wall, amphitheatre, and layout of Londinium. Discuss the sources available, founding of Londinium and its demise.

3. Medieval London: The importance of guilds, Lord Mayor of London, Jewish history, medieval churches, and historic streets like Cheapside and processions / ceremonies.

4. Tudor London (A): Focus on sites linked to the Tudor story of London, Bridewell Palace, Tudor Street, the importance of St Paul's Cathedral, pre-reformation London and post reformation, John Stowe, the importance of the printing press and the modern theatre.

5. Tudor London (B): In the Footsteps of John Stow, Pageants, Private Enterprises and Public Executions. Explore the dynamic history of the City of London as captured by John Stow, showcasing its role in national politics, culture, and society during the Tudor period.

6. Stuart London (A): The London of Samuel Pepys - visit key locations in the City of London that Pepys frequented, offering insights into his life and the historical context of his writings.

7. Stuart London (B): 1666 - Get to grips with the cataclysmic events of the Great Fire of 1666 and the remarkable rebuilding efforts that followed, transforming the City's landscape and laying the foundations for the London we know today.

8. Women in the City: A cross-section of periods of history reflecting the history of women; from Roman to Stuart. Themes: Society women, working women, London's first slaves, bargaining chips during war, Women on trial.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Understand the Historical Development: Trace the transformation of the City of London from its origins in Roman times through to the Stuart period
Analyse Architectural Styles: Identify and describe the key architectural and urban developments that occurred in each era
Appreciate Cultural Evolution: Recognise the cultural and social shifts that have shaped the City of London across different historical epochs
Engage with Sources of Information: Effectively use various types of historical sources including podcasts, blog posts, historical texts and places to visit
Develop Observational Skills: Hone skills in observing and explaining historical remnants visible in the urban landscape today
Connect Historical Events to Modern Cityscape: Link historical events such as the Great Fire of London to the modern layout and usage of the city spaces.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is designed for adults with varying levels of prior knowledge in history. The walks and discussions will be crafted to be accessible to beginners but also enriching for more knowledgeable enthusiasts. You should be able to undertake weekly 2-hour guided walks.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Each 2-hour session will be conducted as a physical walking tour. The session will be interactive, where I will provide historical information at each site. For additional learning the use of multimedia resources such as podcasts or videos that participants can access in their own time, enhancing the learning experience with additional historical context and visuals.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Clothing and footwear suitable for 2 hour guided walks in Central London.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Please see the London Walks category of the website for Term 2 courses. Hazel's next courses will run in term 3:

HLW24 Village London
HLW22 Further Village London.