London's Past: events 1500AD - 1750AD

1509 Between 1509 - 47 the Church of England is established during Henry VIII's reign.

1512 The Palace of Westminster, now the Houses of Parliament is destroyed by fire, only Westminster Hall survived.

1533 Henry VIII breaks from Rome and becomes the Head of the Church of England. Monasteries begin to be dissolved.

1547 Palace of Westminster becomes the seat of Parliament; The House of Commons meeting in St. Stephen's Chapel and The House of Lords in Old Palace Yard.

1566 Royal Exchange established. The original building is burnt down in 1666 in The Great Fire of London. The current building was built in 1844.

1588 The Spanish Armada defeated.

1599 Shakespeare's Globe Theatre built on the South Bank.

1605 Guy Fawkes unsuccessfully tries to blow up the Houses of Parliament.

1620 The Mayflower sets sail to the New World.

1643 Civil War begins between the Crown and Parliament forces, when Parliament defies the Crown.

1649 Charles I beheaded in Whitehall. Oliver Cromwell becomes Lord Protector.

1658 Oliver Cromwell dies.

1660 The "Restoration" of the Crown; Charles II restored to the throne after exile in Europe.

1665 68,500 Londoners die due to The Great Plague.

1666 The Great Fire destroys 80% of the City, destroying 13,200 houses, 89 churches and ends The Great Plague.

1675 Between 1675 - 1711 Sir Christopher Wren rebuilds St Paul's Cathedral and 50 other churches.

1680 Lloyds marine insurance market is founded in Edward Lloyd's coffee house.

1688 The Royal residence is transferred from Whitehall Palace to Kensington Palace.

1694 The Bank of England incorporated by Royal Charter.

1698 Fire destroys Whitehall Palace.

1703 The first daily newspaper is produced at Fleet Street.

1732 10 Downing Street becomes the Prime Minister's official residence, when George II presented it to Sir Robert Walpole, the first Prime Minister.