London and the Kingdom - Volume 2 by Reginald R. Sharpe

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London and the Kingdom - Volume 2 by Reginald R. Sharpe

(4 User reviews) 582

By Stephanie Moreau Posted on Jan 12, 2026

In Category - Ideas & Debate

Authors: Sharpe, Reginald R. (Reginald Robinson), 1848-1925 Published By : Sharpe, Reginald R. (Reginald Robinson), 1848-1925

Book Language: English

You know how we think of London as this grand, stable city? Well, this book shows it was built on chaos. Sharpe's second volume picks up in the 1600s, right after the Great Fire, and follows the city through revolutions, plagues, and riots. It's not just about kings and queens—it's about the everyday people who rebuilt their lives from the ashes. The real mystery is how this messy, smelly, overcrowded place survived disaster after disaster to become the powerhouse it is today. If you've ever walked through London and wondered 'how did this all happen?', this book has your answers.

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EDITOR OF "CALENDAR OF WILLS ENROLLED IN THE COURT OF HUSTING," ETC. IN THREE VOLUMES. Vol II _PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE CORPORATION UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE._ LONDON LONGMANS, GREEN & Co. and New York: 15 East 16th Street. 1894. CONTENTS CHAPTER XIX. Reception of James I by the City. Catholic Plots. Purveyance. The City and Free Trade. Prince Henry a Merchant Taylor. The Gunpowder Plot. The King of Denmark in the City. The City’s Water Supply. Hugh Middleton and the New River. The Plantation of Ulster. Deception practised on the City. Allotment of the Irish Estate. The Irish Society. The Livery Companies and their title to Irish Estate. CHAPTER XX. The City and the Plantation of Virginia. Public Lotteries in aid of the Plantation. Copland’s Sermon at Bow Church. The King’s pecuniary difficulties. The Marriage of the Princess Elizabeth. The King entertained by the City. The Addled Parliament. Peter Proby, Sheriff and Ex-Barber. A general muster of City trained bands. A Commission of Lieutenancy granted to the City. The Company of Merchant Adventurers suppressed. Knights of the Bath at Drapers’ Hall. Request for a loan of £100,000. Sebastian Hervey and his daughter. The Thirty Years’ War. Loan of £100,000 to the Elector Palatine. The Spanish Ambassador ill-treated. The City and the Spanish Match. Concealed Lands. The City and Mansfield’s Expedition. CHAPTER XXI. A loan of £60,000 to Charles I. Failure of Cadiz Expedition. A loan refused. The City called upon to furnish ships and men. The Forced Loan. Expedition to Rochelle. Royal Contract. Doctor Lamb. Assassination of Duke of Buckingham. Tonnage and Poundage. Birth of Prince Charles. Demand for Ship money. Richard Chambers. Forfeiture of City’s Irish Estate. Inspeximus Charter of Charles I. The Short Parliament. Attempt to force a City loan. Four Aldermen committed to prison. Impeachment of the Recorder. Riot at Lambeth. The Aldermen released. More City Loans. The Treaty of Ripon. CHAPTER XXII. Meeting of the Long Parliament. The City and the Earl of Strafford. The Scottish Commissioners in the City. Letters to the City from Speaker Lenthall. Trial and Execution of Strafford. The "Protestation" accepted by the city. The "Friendly Assistance." The Scottish army paid off. Reversal of judgment of forfeiture of Irish Estate. The City and the Bishops. Charles in the City. Riots at Westminster. The trained bands called out. The attempted arrest of the five members. The King at the Guildhall. Panic in the City. Skippon in command of the City Forces. Charles quits London. The Rebellion in Ireland. The Militia Ordinance. The City and Parliament. A loan of £100,000 raised in the City. Gurney, the Lord Mayor, deposed. Charles sets up his Standard at Nottingham. CHAPTER XXIII. Commencement of the Civil War. Military activity in the City. Pennington, Mayor Battle of Edge-Hill. Another loan to Parliament. A cry for Peace. A City Deputation to the King at Oxford. The City’s "Weekly Assessment" Erection of Fortifications. Volunteer horse and foot. Waller’s Plot. Disputes over the City’s Militia. Waller appointed Command-in-Chief. Essex and the Common Council The City and the Siege of Gloucester. Courageous conduct of Londoners at Newbury. Disaffection of the trained bands. Brooke’s Plot. The Committee of Both Kingdoms. The City’s Weekly Meal Money. A rendezvous at Aylesbury. The City’s Auxiliaries called out. A large City loan. Insubordination of trained bands. Ordinance for a Standing Army. Propositions for Peace. Royalist Successes. The Treaty of Uxbridge. CHAPTER XXIV. The New Model Army. The self-denying Ordinance. Proposals to Parliament by the City. Cromwell, Lieutenant-General. The Battle of Naseby. Cavalry raised by the City. Plymouth appeals to London. Presbyterianism in the City....

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This isn't your typical history book that just lists dates and battles. London and the Kingdom - Volume 2 picks up the story in the 17th century, right when London is at its most vulnerable after the Great Fire. Sharpe takes us through the city's incredible comeback, but the path is anything but smooth. We see Londoners deal with political revolutions that topple the monarchy, devastating plagues that empty the streets, and constant financial drama as the city tries to pay for it all.

The Story

The book follows London's journey from the ashes of 1666 through the turbulent 1700s. It's about the physical rebuilding—the new streets and buildings—but more importantly, it's about the people. You get the shopkeepers arguing with city officials, the ordinary families navigating poverty and disease, and the slow, messy birth of modern institutions like the Bank of England. The plot, in a way, is London itself fighting to stay alive and relevant.

Why You Should Read It

Sharpe has a gift for finding the human stories in the old records. He doesn't just tell you a tax was imposed; he shows you how it changed life for a baker on Fleet Street. Reading this, you realize London's strength wasn't in its rulers, but in the stubborn resilience of its citizens. They argued, they protested, they failed, and they kept going. It makes you look at the city today with completely new eyes.

Final Verdict

Perfect for anyone who loves London, even a little bit. It's also great for readers who think history is boring—this book proves it's anything but. If you enjoy stories about real people overcoming impossible odds, or if you're just curious about how cities work, you'll find something to love here. Be ready for a lot of names and dates, but they all serve a bigger, truly gripping story.

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Margaret Davis

1 month ago

I was skeptical at first, but the depth of coverage exceeded my expectations. Truly inspiring.

Melissa Wilson

1 week ago

I had low expectations initially, however the depth of coverage exceeded my expectations. A perfect companion for a quiet weekend.

William Flores

2 months ago

This immediately felt different because it provides a comprehensive overview that is perfect for students and experts alike. This sets a high standard for similar books.