London and the Kingdom - Volume 2

This volume offers a vivid glimpse into London’s civic life at the turn of the seventeenth century, drawing directly from the rich archives of Guildhall. The narrative follows the city’s officials, merchants, and livery companies as they navigate the delicate politics surrounding the death of Elizabeth I and the accession of James VI of Scotland. Through letters, proclamations, and detailed accounts, readers see how the mayor and aldermen positioned London as a decisive voice in the succession, even claiming precedence over senior clergy.

The book then recounts the elaborate preparations for James’s arrival, from the grand cavalcade of the city’s finest citizens to the ceremonial welcomes at Stamford Hill and the Tower. It also captures the shadow of the 1603 plague, which forced a hastened coronation and strict public‑health measures, revealing how the city balanced celebration with crisis. Altogether, the work paints an intimate portrait of a metropolis at a pivotal moment in English history.