London was Elizabethan England's capital city (although its Latin name of Londinium had more than one acceptable spelling in those days).

It was tiny by today's standards - note the closeness of the city to the green patchwork of enclosed farmland.

Shakespeare arrived here in about 1588. He stayed for 20 years, while making his name as the nation's most popular playwright. [click here for a close up and to read more]