Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1553-58
The religious pendulum swings the other way as Elizabeth's fervently Catholic sister,
forever known as “Bloody Mary”, takes to the throne and it's the Protestants' turn to be
martyred.
1558-1603
During the reign of Elizabeth I, London enjoys an economic boom and witnesses the Eng-
lish Renaissance, epitomized by the theatre of William Shakespeare.
1603
James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England, thereby uniting the two crowns and
marking the beginning of the Stuart dynasty in England.
1605
The Gunpowder Plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament (and King James I along with it)
is foiled and Guy Fawkes and his Catholic conspirators executed.
1642-49
English Civil War between the Parliamentarians and Royalists ends with the victory of the
former under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell. King Charles I (1625-49) is tried and be-
headed in Westminster.
1660
The Restoration: Charles I's son, Charles II (1660-1685), returns from exile to restore the
monarchy and as the “Merry Monarch” actively encourages the development of the arts
and sciences.
1665
The Great Plague kills some 100,000 Londoners, around a fifth of the population.
1666
The Great Fire rages for four days, kills just seven people but destroys four-fifths of the
City.
1714-1830
The Georgian period: from the reign of George I to George IV, London's population
doubles to one million, making it Europe's largest city. The period is one of boom and bust,
gin drinking, rioting and hanging.
