Saxon Period

   The latter, when came to Britain, started dividing this country into numerous kingdoms. London proved to be right in the centre the Kingdom of the East Saxons. Christians decided also to organize its settlement here. King Aethelbert of Kent built the first St. Paul's Cathedral.
London was recognized to occupy advantageous position which favoured the trade. Archaeological finds of pottery and millstones from France and Germany show London's expanding international trade, and it is probable that foreign ships passed easily through the, by now, ruinous London Bridge. The first coins minted in Britain since the Romans were produced there and stamped with the word Lonuniu. With the time influence of the Christianity waned, but soon St. Eorcenwald became Bishop of London and he did his best to restore the lost authority of the religion. At the same time the Mercian Kings founded the first monastery at Westminster. He also created the Royal Council to solve problems that might occur at that difficult time. Thus, this Council made up a decision to rebuild that single House in Roman style and to rearrange it to be the Royal Palace. Plenty number of Chapels and Churches have been built at that time. The invasion of Vikings stopped this course of developments. The King Alfred the Great sued Vikings for peace. He reestablished Lundenburg the main task of which became to defend London from attacks and invasions. A bit later the King Alfred gave his power over to Ealdorman Aethelred of Mercia. Ealdorman was famous with his contribution to the development of London. Right at that time the Aethelred's Hythe (later Queenshythe) was constructed. The Billingsgate Market was schemed and the system of streets started appearing. The trade prospered. Unfortunately so many times development has been stopped due to certain accidents. Now the death of Ealdorman interfered and London came under the direct control of the English Kings. Now London became the commercial centre of Britain. International trade, of exotic goods as well, was held in various directions, with many countries of the world. London also got political focus. Meetings of the Royal Council were realized here, in London and the King issued laws from this city.    The city was divided into twenty wards with ealdormen in charge of each. He was a commander in war and a judge in peace-time. London also had its own Portreeve, a precursor of the county sheriff, who was responsible for collecting taxes. The Peace-Guild was established to pursue criminals. Another body, the ancient popular assembly, known as the Folkmoot, traditionally met at St. Paul's Cross in the Cathedral churchyard, but may have originally taken over the Mercian Royal Palace at the old Roman amphitheatre. Guildhall was later built on this site. The busy city was full of small wooden houses. Stone was reserved for churches.