Birth of the Metropolis

Episode five of this fascinating series looks at how cities grew and how houses, streets and town squares developed to enhance advantageous alliances. Presenter Simon Thurley explains how British cities stemmed from dodgy property deals, high society marriage markets and low life criminals. Before the restoration of the monarchy, London was built behind a high wall, crammed houses and shops jutting out from narrow and winding lanes. But with the king and his courtiers residing in London, people wanted to live like them, in houses with smart fronts overlooking fashionable squares to promenade around. In Bath, York and Bristol, the upwardly mobile styled their houses along classic Roman lines picked up from their holidays on the continent.