| | Archaeologists have found evidence that the area that would become London had been populated since the [[Ice Age]], the broad Thames Valley with its shallow river, lush meadows and broad-leafed woodlands providing an ideal location in which early farmers settled. | | Archaeologists have found evidence that the area that would become London had been populated since the [[Ice Age]], the broad Thames Valley with its shallow river, lush meadows and broad-leafed woodlands providing an ideal location in which early farmers settled. |
| − | [[Julius Caesar]] reported in 54 B.C. that, when passing through the area to engage [[Cassivellaunus]] in battle, the area was home to many settlements, and in A.D. 43 the Roman invasion force under [[Claudius]] estimated that there were around 5000 inhabitants. The first Roman settlement, called Londinium, was founded in A.D. 50, but was razed to the ground by [[Boudicca]] in A.D. 60. The Roman's second settlement on the site flourished, however, becoming a key port and centre for trade and commerce. By A.D. 100, its population had reached around 45,000 and it replaced Camulodunum (modern day [[Colchester]]) as the capital. | + | [[Julius Caesar]] reported in 54 B.C. that, when passing through the area to engage Cassivellaunus in battle, the area was home to many settlements, and in A.D. 43 the Roman invasion force under [[Claudius]] estimated that there were around 5000 inhabitants. The first Roman settlement, called Londinium, was founded in A.D. 50, but was razed to the ground by [[Boudicca]] in A.D. 60. The Roman's second settlement on the site flourished, however, becoming a key port and centre for trade and commerce. By A.D. 100, its population had reached around 45,000 and it replaced Camulodunum (modern day [[Colchester]]) as the capital. |
| | As the Roman occupation began to draw to a close in the 5th century, the Roman population fell until by 410 it was abandoned completely. The [[Angle]]s, [[Saxon]]s and [[Jute]]s were quick to take advantage of the now undefended Britain, and the Saxons won their first major victory in [[Kent]] in 457, giving them control over Londinium and the surrounding region. Renamed Lundenwic, the settlement once again became a thriving population centre and by 600 had become the base of political power in Saxon-occupied Britain, which accounted for around half of the country. Lundenwic changed hands again in the 9th century, when feuding between Saxon leaders allowed the [[Dane]]s to take control. | | As the Roman occupation began to draw to a close in the 5th century, the Roman population fell until by 410 it was abandoned completely. The [[Angle]]s, [[Saxon]]s and [[Jute]]s were quick to take advantage of the now undefended Britain, and the Saxons won their first major victory in [[Kent]] in 457, giving them control over Londinium and the surrounding region. Renamed Lundenwic, the settlement once again became a thriving population centre and by 600 had become the base of political power in Saxon-occupied Britain, which accounted for around half of the country. Lundenwic changed hands again in the 9th century, when feuding between Saxon leaders allowed the [[Dane]]s to take control. |