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This 1756 engraving by R. Benning, titled A View of London As It Was in the Year 1647, presents an exquisite panorama of London as it appeared before the Great Fire of 1666. Printed on two joined sheets, this original engraving offers a detailed view from Southwark, stretching from Westminster in the west to the Tower of London in the east. The work follows Wenceslas Hollar's famed "Long View", reflecting London's architecture and urban landscape in the mid-17th century. Accompanying the image are two keys that identify 54 principal buildings, albeit with some notable inaccuracies, including references to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.
The period depicted in the engraving was a transformative era for London, marked by political upheaval and burgeoning urban development. The mid-17th century saw the English Civil War and the subsequent establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell, events that had profound impacts on the city's social and political fabric. London's architecture during this period was a mix of medieval and early modern styles, many examples of which would later be lost in the Great Fire of 1666. This engraving, therefore, offers a rare visual record of London before this pivotal event, capturing landmarks like Westminster Abbey, the Globe Theatre, and the Royal Exchange in their original contexts.
The level of detail in Benning's work is notable, with each building rendered to reflect its significance and position within the city's topography. Noteworthy structures like Westminster Hall, the Savoy, and Somerset House are depicted, providing a glimpse into the architectural diversity and grandeur of London during this era. The panorama also illustrates the Thames as a bustling artery of commerce and transport, lined with wharves and bustling with activity, highlighting London's status as a major port and a center of trade and commerce.
![[The Illustrated London News. April 17, 1869] Proposed Sites for the New Law Courts.](https://storage.googleapis.com/raremaps/img/small/80985.jpg)
