Stuart London

A seven-week evening history course at the Mary Ward Centre exploring how London transformed from a medieval city in 1603 into an Enlightenment centre under the Stuarts.

Tutored by Emily Betz, this seven-week course traces London's development across the Stuart age, from James I's arrival in 1603 through civil war, plague and the Great Fire to the rebuilding of the city by figures such as Christopher Wren, Robert Hooke and Nicholas Hawksmoor. Weekly seminars examine eight themes including Shakespeare's London, religion and the state, Restoration rebuilding and Enlightenment London, drawing on primary printed texts and images. Students prepare set readings in advance and discuss them in interactive sessions; no prior knowledge is required, though a good grasp of English is essential.