London as a Commercial, Financial and Industial Centre

The London which Robert Meldrum visited in 1672 was a vibrant, cosmopolitan, commercial, industrial and financial centre and was one of the most populous and industrious centres in Europe. It was also the centre of political power in England.

London: A Cosmopolitan City

London was a major global hub which attracted people for all over the world who settled in the city during the seventeenth century thereby helping it to become the city it is today.  It was also a melting pot of different races, cultures, religions, and nationalities.  Whilst viewing the city from his boat sailing town the Thames, Robert Meldrum may have seen a variety of people, including the Huguenots, Jews, Scots, the Irish, the Ottomans and Africans.

London in the Seventeenth Century: A Place of Conspiracy and Revolution

Whilst Robert Meldrum is sailing up the Thames in his water taxi to Lambeth Palace he recalls some of the most momentous historical events to take place in London, including the execution of King Charles I and Colonel Thomas Blood's theft of the Crown Jewels, as well as some of London’s most historical landmarks such as the Tower of London, the Palace of Westminster, the Banqueting House in Whitehall and Lambeth Palace.  Meldrum also reflects upon London after the Great Fire in 1666.

Historiography Easter Egg 1: Recollections, years and decades after events took place

I look forward to joining you again next week for the next episode of the La Garde Ecossaise Historical Fiction podcast where we will explore early modern France.

This podcast is hosted by ZenCast.fm