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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK

History: A journey through London’s past

A moody painting of the Thames at night by English Victorian-era artist John Atkinson Grimshaw
Reflections on the Thames, Westminster - Grimshaw, John Atkinson Photograph: Reflections on the Thames, Westminster - Grimshaw, John Atkinson/PublicDomain

Come on a whirlwind tour through 1,000 years of London’s history with Dr Matthew Green. During this masterclass, you’ll gain vivid insights into the social, cultural and economic history of London in key epochal stages, from medieval times through to the late Victorian era and the post-war period.

Along the way, you’ll learn about emblematic sites such as Shakespearean bear pits, Georgian coffeehouses and post-Blitz high-rise estates. Plus, you’ll learn more about famed London denizens such as Samuel Pepys and the Elephant Man, and explore historic maps and photographs of the capital.

By the end of the class, you’ll have a deeper understanding of how London has been shaped by the past, and know where to find some of the capital’s hidden treasures. You’ll also gain a fresh perspective on present-day issues, such as the housing crisis and effects of gentrification, which will enable you to contribute to London-themed discussions and debates – and see the city in a new light.

Course content

  • Medieval London

  • Shakespearean London

  • Plague and Fire-Struck London

  • Early Georgian London

  • Late Victorian London

  • Blitz, Recovery and into the future

Tutor profile

Dr Matthew Green is a historian, writer and broadcaster with a doctorate from Oxford University. He has appeared in documentaries on the BBC, ITV and Channel 4, and has written historical features for the Guardian and Financial Times. He is the founder of Unreal City Audio, which produces immersive tours of London as live events, podcasts and apps. His first book was London: A Travel Guide Through Time, his latest book, Shadowlands: A journey through lost Britain, was released in March 2022. Follow him on Twitter.

Matthew’s book London: A Travel Guide Through Time is available to purchase in paperback. You can purchase a book and ticket for the combined price of £58.52 including P&P.

Details

Date: Tuesday 22 November 2022
Time: 6pm-8.30pm GMT
Price: £49 (plus £2.83 booking fee); £58.52 (plus £3.52 booking fee) with a copy of London: A Travel Guide Through Time

This masterclass is available globally. See this time zone converter to check your local live streaming time.

6pm GMT | 7pm CET | 10am PST | 1pm EST

You will be sent a link to the webinar 24 hours and 30 minutes before the course start time. Please email masterclasses@theguardian.com if you do not receive the access link 24 hours before the scheduled start time.

About Guardian Masterclasses

Purchasing tickets to our online classes is a powerful way to fund the Guardian; thank you for your support. Sign up to our newsletter and you’ll be among the first to find out about our latest courses and special offers. You can also follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

We aim to make all Guardian Masterclasses fully accessible. If you require any adjustments to enable your participation in this course, please get in touch with us at masterclasses@theguardian.com.

By proceeding, you agree to the Guardian Masterclasses Terms and Conditions. To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy.

Returns policy

Once a purchase is complete we will not be able to refund you where you do not attend or if you cancel your event booking. Please see our terms and conditions for more information on our refund policy.

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