Английский язык. Александрова Г.А. - 77 стр.

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                              The Growth of London
        London was first built on two low hills on the north bank of the
Thames. Although the river was just shallow enough to ford, its south side
was marshy and enemies found it difficult to launch a surprise attack. So a
settlement grew up on these two hills, and in the course of tome a wall was
built around them and the settlement became the town which the Romans
called Londinium. On one of these hills St. Paul’s Cathedral now stands
and on the other the Bank of England.
        Although Londinium was quite an important Roman town, it was
Winchester that was the capital of Anglo-Saxon England. In the 11 th
century William the Conqueror made London his capital and was crowned
King there.
        During the Middle Ages London was divided into two parts - the
court part and the merchants’ part. The court part had moved west to West-
minster, the «Church in the West», while the merchants ramained in the
City.
        In 1664, during the reign of Charles II, London was attacked by an
outbreak of plague («Great Plague of London»). When the plague was
past its worst, another disaster fell upon London. Fire broke out in a house
near London Bridge, The crowded wooden houses round burned easily,
and the fire spread until most of London was a sea of flames.
        The Great Fire had some good results, for it destroyed the crowded
and dirty streets and it gave the people the opportunity to build a new and
healthier London.
        Unfortunately, even though the great architect, Sir Christopher Wren
was given the job, he was not able to carry it out completely, as people
who had lost their houses and shops wanted to have them rebuilt as they
had been before. Wren was, however allowed to rebuild St. Paul’s and a
large number of parish churches.
        In the 18 th century London began to spread into the open country-
side round about.
        London in the 19 th century was better drained than before. Rail-
ways began to be built and factories grew up. At night streets were lit, first
by gas and then by electricity. In many ways London was becoming a
better place to live in.

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