Viking period

   King Aethelred the Unready favoured London as his capital and issued the Laws of London there in 978. At that time Vikings decided to raid again this country. They occupied Britain and tried to place their governor, but Londoners opposed the regime of King Sweyn ForkbeardSweyn Forkbeard of Denmark. The Pressure has been intensified with the help of Vikings' army and the King Aethelberg fled having left the power for the occupants and died a bit later. His son, Edmund Ironside, continued holding Vikings back. Now Vikings were led by the son of the King Sweyn Forkbeard, Canute was his name. Edmund Ironside defended London so well, particularly the rebuilt bridge, that Canute's men were forced to cut a large channel to the south in order to get their ships close enough to the city to land. Archaeologists have recently discovered possible indications of the truth of this unlikely story. Edmund escaped from London, but later defeats forced him to share the country with Canute. Within months though, Edmund was dead and the Dane established himself as sole King of England. He did not manage to do a lot and soon his son-in-step King Edward the Confessor came to the throne. As he was extremely pious person Edward started constructing religious edifices. As he was extremely pious person Edward started constructing religious edifices. Thus he ordered to build the Westminster Abbey and the construction work was completed in 1066. Edward was buried there. His cousin Duke William of Normandy claimed that he has been promised to place the throne after the death of Edward. Citizens of London confirmed this statement. However the Royal Council met and came to another decision: thus they elected Harold, brother-in-law of the dead King. William felt quite offended and organized an invasion to Britain. In this fight he won. William's army was devastating the country. He has burnt down Southwark but strategically he did not touch London. His army was waiting at Berkhamsted for the city's officials to recognize him as King. Thus William sat on the throne and issued the paper, in which he stated the law of the inheritance and claimed that he was not going to make any alterations in the laws of London.
   The status of London determined its developing as a commercial centre. The influence of the trade was great that is why London turned to be an outstanding city of that time. Its government was both secular, under the portreeve, and ecclesiastical, under the bishop. There were no new powers granted and the freedoms of the citizens, which had been enjoyed in previous years, were now enshrined in law.
   The King William built the Tower of London, its task was not only to keep there imprisoned people, but also to defend the city from enemies. The second castle Baynard's Castle was erected in the East, equipped with a moated keep, Monfichet Tower. Population of London was quickly growing. The charter and the new-found stability served to increase both trade and numbers as livelihoods became secure once more. This happy situation remained to the end of William's reign.
   The King's successor, William Rufus, displayed less regard for the inhabitants of London. He was rather well known by his construction works. During his regime such places appeared as the great hall at Westminster, reinforcement of the Tower of London and rebuilding the Thames bridge which had been seriously damaged by flooding. In 1087, the city was devastated by a great fire and St. Paul's was burnt to the ground.