Necropolis
- 320 pages
- 12 hours of reading
A vivid historical narrative of how London has dealt with its dead from pagan burial rites through the Black Death to the Blitz and the death of Diana.
Catherine Arnold's London Series
This series delves into the peculiar and often overlooked histories of London. It uncovers hidden chapters of the city's past, populated by eccentric characters and surprising events. It's a compelling read for those who enjoy discovering the lesser-known but fascinating facets of urban history.
Recommended Reading Order
Bedlam
- 306 pages
- 11 hours of reading
An informative and entertaining study of London's lunatic fringe, and how we have dealt with the mad among us from pre-history to the present day.
The Sexual History of London
- 384 pages
- 14 hours of reading
Exploring the vibrant and often scandalous sexual history of London, this book takes readers from the bathhouses of Roman Londinium to the city's sexual underground in the twentieth century. It offers an engaging chronicle that highlights how sexuality has shaped and been shaped by the cultural and social fabric of London throughout the ages.
Underworld London
- 352 pages
- 13 hours of reading
A fascinating portrait of the capital's dark and criminal underbelly throughout history
Globe
- 312 pages
- 11 hours of reading
The life of William Shakespeare, Britain's greatest dramatist, was inextricably linked with the history of London. Together, the great writer and the great city came of age and confronted triumph and tragedy. Triumph came when Shakespeare's company, the Chamberlain's Men, opened the Globe playhouse on Bankside in 1599, under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth I. Tragedy touched the lives of many of his contemporaries, from fellow playwright Christopher Marlowe to the disgraced Earl of Essex, while London struggled against the ever-present threat of riots, rebellions and outbreaks of plague.