Memorials of Old London. Volume 1 (of 2)

This two‑volume set invites listeners on a vivid auditory tour of London’s ancient heart, long before the modern metropolis took shape. Written by specialists, each essay weaves together the city’s Celtic roots, Roman streets, Saxon markets and Norman fortifications, bringing the layers of history to life with clear narration and occasional period images described in detail. The opening volume opens with a celebration of the 1909 pageant, then guides you through landmarks such as the Tower, St Bartholomew’s, the Charterhouse, and the bustling medieval guilds, all narrated with the care of a historian who respects both scholarship and storytelling.

Readers will hear about the solemn halls of the Temple, the lively inns and coffee‑houses where ideas once sparked, and the powerful City Companies that drove trade across the Hanseatic League. Illustrated references to sketches by Philip Norman and detailed plans of the Tower enrich the experience, making the past feel tangible. Though the work focuses on the City proper, it hints at the wider West End and Westminster, promising future volumes to complete the picture.