WHO FOUNDED LONDON?

Shannon News, 23 April 1926, Page 3

WHO FOUNDED LONDON ?

INTERESTING EVIDENCE Interesting evidence in support of his theory that London was founded by Cymbeline, . who reigned A.D. 4—• 40, was given"to a “Daily Chronicle’ representative by Professor F. G. Pardons. Professor Parsons, who is professor of anotomy at London University, and yicepresident of the Anthropological Society, first made public his theory in a lecture at St. Thomas’ Hospital. In recent years much has been learnt from coins about Cymbeline, or Cunobelinus, who reigned over an area from Kent to Gloucester, was the grandson of Cadwqllon and was on freiidlv terms with Augustus and Tiberius.

“According to Professor Haverfield said Professor Parsons, “all the evidence points to the foundtion of London in the early half of the first century, ,and this means that it was founded in Cymbeline’s reign.” But the question arises why did he select this particular site? Cymbelirie round whom * Shakespeare wrote his play, appreciated the importance of peaceful trade, and the enormous mintage in his reign indicated that he 'wanted to get merchant® into tbe country. Thus he wanted: A port for foreign vessels close to St. Albans his capital: to bridge the river so that the ford might not delay travellers between the Continent and St Albans; a site easily defensible, and near the existing track, which led over the ford.

London fulfilled all those needs. There were two estuaries of the Walbrook and Fleet Rivers forming ideal harbours/ two excellent gravel-capped hills at Ludgate and Cornhill, and marshes and fens made the place easily defensible. The original London was probably in the area bounded by Walbrook, Cornhill, St. Mary-at-Hill, and Rood Lane and Thomas Street. The earliest port was where the Walbrook opened—now Cannon Street station.