Economic Drive, changing the Architectural and Political format of London in the Times of Turmoil. (

The Old London Bridge depicted in the engraving by Claes Visscher in 1616 shows how houses on top of the bridge are open for license under the command of King John to accommodate the enormous funding needed to complete the bridge project. In this case, the need of financial aid motivated the alteration of a common bridge structure, adding an additional project that allows the objective of the construction to be fulfilled. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1541, approximately two-thirds of the original church-owned land were brought under the power of Henry the 8th. This brought the Crown a significant boost in power and control over the city of London. With the gradual increase of value that the urban city land has gained, the Crown leased out these lands to the Royal Family and other lords, maintaining control over the land while also benefiting from its gradually growing values. The 4th Earl commissioned the construction of Covent Garden, designed by Inigo Jones, to attract wealthy tenants. This revolutionary piazza design that was foreign to London and influenced the future planning of the city, became a prototype for modern day real estate. The economic drive that shaped the political and architectural format in the city of London during the Times of Turmoil resonates to even modern day London.