London in the Time of the Stuarts

"London in the Time of the Stuarts" by Sir Walter Besant is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The book focuses on the political and social evolution of London during the 17th century, particularly under the reigns of the Stuart kings, and includes an exploration of the city's role in significant national events such as the Civil War and the Great Fire. It delves into the intricacies of how London's populace responded to the political turbulence of the time. The opening of the work sets the stage by discussing the immense historical material available for studying London during the Stuart era, highlighting the city's political significance during this time. Besant outlines his aim to document the impressions and experiences of Londoners, detailing events like the repeated visitations of the Plague and the Great Fire of 1666. He indicates a systematic examination of how these disasters, along with political revolutions, shaped the city's character and governance, all while emphasizing the essential interplay between the city's local actions and the broader national drama unfolding in England. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Sir Walter Besant was an English novelist and historian. William Henry Besant was his brother, and another brother, Frank, was the husband of Annie Besant.