London
During the 19th century, London was transformed into the world's largest city and capital of the British Empire. Its population expanded from 1 million in 1801 to 6.2 million a century later. By the 1860s it was larger by one quarter than the world's second most populous city, Beijing, two-thirds larger than Paris, and five times larger than New York City.
During this period, London became a global political, financial, and trading capital. In this position, it was largely unrivalled until the latter part of the century, when Paris and New York City began to threaten its dominance.
While the city grew wealthy as Britain's holdings expanded, 19th century London was also a city of poverty, where millions lived in overcrowded and unsanitary slums. Life for the poor was immortalised by Charles Dickens in such novels as Oliver Twist.
One of the most famous events of 19th century London was the Great Exhibition of 1851. Held at The Crystal Palace, the fair attracted visitors from across the world and displayed Britain at the height of its Imperial dominance. As the capital of a massive empire, London became a draw for immigrants from the colonies and poorer parts of Europe. A large Irish population settled in the city during the Victorian era, with many of the newcomers refugees from the Great Famine (1845-1849). At one point, Irish immigrants made up about 20% of London's population. London also became home to a sizeable Jewish community estimated to be around 46,000 in 1882 and a very small Indian population consisting largely of transitory sailors known as lascars.
Government
History
London was taken up as the residence of the methuselah Mithras, who had grown bored with the politics of the Eternal Senate in Rome and wanted to explore life at the frontiers of the Empire. Taking up residence in the Walbrook Mithraeum, he soon became the de facto ruler of the local Cainites. When Mithras entered torpor around the time of the roman withdrawal, London fell under the influence of a triumvirate of Norman vampires. When Mithras awoke, he found his old cult gone, replaced by a strange religion venerating a jewish carpenter, and the local Cainite lords arrayed against him. He then travelled the land, gained new allies and defeated the triumvirate, returning to London in triumph around 1154. The local barons submitted to him and the Baronies of Avalon were founded, a feudal realm that would rule much of the British Isles, with London as its Throne Fief.
Mithras would rule via satraps, agents of his that would bring news from the baronies to him in London and enforce his ruling of the Traditions, the Blood Laws. This allowed Mithras to stay in London and hold court there, instead of travelling across the country. In the chaos of the War of Princes, the influence of London on the Baronies lessened, although London remained untouched of the troubles. Nevertheless, Mithras was forced to sign the Rose Treaty to solidify the claims of the barons and limiting his own forces to a handful of trusted bodyguards. In the wake of mortal conflicts, Mithras expanded his inner circle with the Privy Council, a group of Cainite nobles that would act as his advisers and come from numerous domains in his area of influence. As the Black Death came into London, Mithras reacted by lashing out against the Low Clans, particularly the Tremere and Followers of Set.
Alternative Name(s)
The Big Smoke
Type
Capital
Population
60000000
Inhabitant Demonym
Londoners
Owner/Ruler
Owning Organization
Comments