landmark and literature Britain and American culture 英美文化教学课件.ppt

Essentials of British and American Cultures --KIKI.ZH The city of London The City of London is the oldest part of London and ranks as one of the world’s most important financial centres. It contains the Bank of England, the Stock Exchange, Lloyd’s and other famous trading and financial organizations. History of London Roman London The origins of London lie in Roman times. When the Romans invaded Britain in AD43, they moved through the Thames in the London region, clashing with the local tribesmen just to the north. They built a wooden bridge, just east of the present London Bridge. The bridge attracted settlers and led to Londons growth. There was soon a flourishing city called Londinium. The name itself is Celtic, not Latin, and may have referred merely to a previous farm. In the 1st century, the city was expanding rapidly. The market place and law-courts were erected. Little is known of London in the period widely called the Dark Ages. However, archaeologists have given us a small glimpse of life at this time. London was already a commercial center. Due to the troubled nature of the times, the return exports may have been slaves. Saxon London When Anglo-Saxon settlers first moved into Britain in the 450s, they quickly began to divide Britain up into numerous petty kingdoms. London fell within the Kingdom of the East Saxons. Soon after the arrival of Christianity in the Saxon parts of Britain in 597, however, King Aethelbert of Kent built the first St. Pauls Cathedral. In 900s, London came under the direct control of the English Kings. Through the 920s, the city became the most important commercial center in England. London became a political focus too. King Aethelred the Unready favored London as his capital. Norman London After his victory at the Battle of Hastings, William the Conquerors army ravaged much of the country, he strategically avoided London. The King built the Tower of London, its population of both Normans a