When the Romans invaded Britain about 2,000 years ago, one of their actions was to expand a small settlement on the Thames. It was called Londinium which of course eventually became known as London. Today London has many boroughs which exist within what is termed Greater London. But, back in the time of the Romans and after, there were no boroughs, but there were kingdoms. However, it was first part of the Roman province of Britannia. Then, over the years, London would find itself part of different kingdoms depending on who was victorious at the time.
The Romans departed Britain in the middle of the fifth-century and now the kingdoms would vie for who would rule the city. The first of the new London invaders were called the Middlesex Saxons. This meant that London became part of the Kingdom of Middlesex. The kingdom stretched from Staines in the west to River Lea in the east. This is the area now known as Stratford (where I am writing this article) and which was the home of the 2012 London Olympics. This kingdom did not only cover the north of London, but also crossed the river to the south. This area was known as Suthrige which is now the county of Surrey.
Other kingdoms surrounded Middlesex. To the north was the Kingdom of Mercia which was ruled by the Angles. On the east was the Kingdom of Essex. In the west was the Kingdom of Wessex which was controlled by the Saxons. Further to the south and east was the Kingdom of Kent. Here you would find the Jutes.
In the seventh-century, the Kingdom of Essex took control over the area ruled by Middlesex. The king of Essex was named Seabehrt and at this time London was known as Lundenwic. A further change occurred in 730 CE when London was again taken over, this time by the Kingdom of Mercia. This only lasted into the ninth-century when, once again, London came under the rule od the Kingdom of Wessex. The king of Wessex at this time is known to many schoolchildren. He was King Alfred, he of burning the cakes fame, or at least that’s what the legends and folklore say.
During the latter part of the ninth-century, Britain found itself divided into two parts; one was ruled by the Saxons and the other by the Vikings who had by now moved across much of the country. So, which part did London fall under? It was the Saxons. But only just as the River Lea to the east marked the boundary between Saxon and Viking. Essex was now known as Danelaw.
Another century passed and England which was now known as Angle Land witnessed the coming together of the Saxon kingdoms. This resulted in London becoming the capitol for the first time. And London has remained the capitol ever since. Of course, things have changed greatly over the years. Today our countries are known as Great Britain and Northern Ireland with each country having its own capitol city. However, if we go back to 1707, London was the capitol of the Kingdom of Great Britain. In 1801, it changed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Then in 1922, it took its present name.
John Pullen 