This course will explore the dynamic development of London during the Tudor century, an era shaped by the twin influences of the Renaissance and the Reformation, and marked by the growth of London...
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The early sixteenth century Scottish poet William Dunbar called London “the flower of all cities”, a thriving, glittering metropolis that was to play a vital role in the history of Tudor England. Tudor London was a city of the highest cultural achievement, most notably in literature and drama, and yet it was also society marked by great contrasts in wealth and sometimes great disorders associated with religion, poverty and plague.
What will we cover?
The Tudor accession and buildings of the royal palaces
London and the Renaissance
The impact of the Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries
Edwardian reforms and Marian reactions
The Southwark theatres, bull baiting and bear baiting
The growth of the West End estates
Refugees and The Stranger Churches
Puritanism and city government
Puritanism and city government.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the social, cultural and economic forces that shaped London in the Tudor period, especially its built environment
• Appreciate the role of religion and the church in everyday life in Tudor London.
• Understand the impact of the reformation on London
• Recognise the reasons for London’s growth in the sixteenth century, and the impact that this had on London’s population
• Appreciate the relationship between London and the kingdom in the Tudor period.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
Open to all with an interest in London history. 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?
A mixture of talks and discussion plus outside visits. Reading will be recommended.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No additional costs. Please bring pen and paper (or electronic equivalent).
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/tudor-london137564Tudor Londonhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/u/tudor-london-hlw249-square.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks22851177117811841228511771178<p>This course will explore the dynamic development of London during the Tudor century, an era shaped by the twin influences of the Renaissance and the Reformation, and marked by the growth of London both as a capital city, the royal chamber or Camera Regis, but also as a growing port and centre of trade and craft based industry.</p> <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">The course is about the social, economic and political life of London and its inhabitants between 1485 and 1603.</div>34.72655621Tudor London259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/t/u/tudor-london-hlw249-square_9.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLW251259259Tudor London207168259Mike Berlintudor-london/hlw251-2526<p>This course will explore the dynamic development of London during the Tudor century, an era shaped by the twin influences of the Renaissance and the Reformation, and marked by the growth of London both as a capital city, the royal chamber or Camera Regis, but also as a growing port and centre of trade and craft based industry.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00<p>The early sixteenth century Scottish poet William Dunbar called London “the flower of all cities”, a thriving, glittering metropolis that was to play a vital role in the history of Tudor England. Tudor London was a city of the highest cultural achievement, most notably in literature and drama, and yet it was also society marked by great contrasts in wealth and sometimes great disorders associated with religion, poverty and plague. </p><p>This course will explore the dynamic development of London during the Tudor century, an era shaped by the twin influences of the Renaissance and the Reformation, and marked by the growth of London both as a capital city, the royal chamber or Camera Regis, but also as a growing port and centre of trade and craft based industry.</p><ol><li>The Tudor accession and buildings of the royal palaces</li><li>London and the Renaissance</li><li>The impact of the Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries</li><li>Edwardian reforms and Marian reactions</li><li> The Southwark theatres, bull baiting and bear baiting</li><li>The growth of the West End estates</li><li>Refugees and The Stranger Churches</li><li>Puritanism and city government</li><li>Puritanism and city government.</li></ol><p> • Understand the social, cultural and economic forces that shaped London in the Tudor period, especially its built environment</p><p> • Appreciate the role of religion and the church in everyday life in Tudor London.</p><p> • Understand the impact of the reformation on London</p><p> • Recognise the reasons for London’s growth in the sixteenth century, and the impact that this had on London’s population</p><p> • Appreciate the relationship between London and the kingdom in the Tudor period.</p><p>Open to all with an interest in London history. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. </p><p>A mixture of talks and discussion plus outside visits. Reading will be recommended.</p><p> No additional costs. Please bring pen and paper (or electronic equivalent).</p><p>HLW60 Stuart London</p>HistoryLondon history & walksvirtual207259168HLW251NONETue13/01/26 - 17/03/2610:15 - 12:1510:1512:1510 sessions (over 10 weeks)105-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMike BerlinAvailable courses2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Culture, history & humanities259259Tudor Londontudor-london/hlw251-2526<p>This course will explore the dynamic development of London during the Tudor century, an era shaped by the twin influences of the Renaissance and the Reformation, and marked by the growth of London both as a capital city, the royal chamber or Camera Regis, but also as a growing port and centre of trade and craft based industry.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00<p>The early sixteenth century Scottish poet William Dunbar called London “the flower of all cities”, a thriving, glittering metropolis that was to play a vital role in the history of Tudor England. Tudor London was a city of the highest cultural achievement, most notably in literature and drama, and yet it was also society marked by great contrasts in wealth and sometimes great disorders associated with religion, poverty and plague. </p><p>This course will explore the dynamic development of London during the Tudor century, an era shaped by the twin influences of the Renaissance and the Reformation, and marked by the growth of London both as a capital city, the royal chamber or Camera Regis, but also as a growing port and centre of trade and craft based industry.</p><ol><li>The Tudor accession and buildings of the royal palaces</li><li>London and the Renaissance</li><li>The impact of the Reformation and the dissolution of the monasteries</li><li>Edwardian reforms and Marian reactions</li><li> The Southwark theatres, bull baiting and bear baiting</li><li>The growth of the West End estates</li><li>Refugees and The Stranger Churches</li><li>Puritanism and city government</li><li>Puritanism and city government.</li></ol><p> • Understand the social, cultural and economic forces that shaped London in the Tudor period, especially its built environment</p><p> • Appreciate the role of religion and the church in everyday life in Tudor London.</p><p> • Understand the impact of the reformation on London</p><p> • Recognise the reasons for London’s growth in the sixteenth century, and the impact that this had on London’s population</p><p> • Appreciate the relationship between London and the kingdom in the Tudor period.</p><p>Open to all with an interest in London history. An open mind and willingness to participate, respectfully, in class discussion and debate. </p><p>A mixture of talks and discussion plus outside visits. Reading will be recommended.</p><p> No additional costs. Please bring pen and paper (or electronic equivalent).</p><p>HLW60 Stuart London</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
