London's location on the thames was too good for the decline experienced in the dark ages to continue, and in the 7th century trade began to flourish again and the city began to expand and grow once more.

By the 640s, a trading settlement began to establish itself west of the city walls in what is now the Strand and Charing Cross. This naturally advantageous position also had added political benefits, being on the boundary of a number of kingdoms. Lundenwic, as the area had become known by the 670s, grew into a thriving settlement, 'a market for many peoples coming by land and sea' as Bede described it.

Around 675 the Mercian Kings from Midland Britain became dominant over the city and may have established the first monastery at Westminster. They held councils in Chelsea and appear to have built a Royal Palace in the ruins of the old roman fort and amphitheatre.

By the 9th century london was a very prosperous trading centre. Unfortunately its wealth attracted the wrong kind of attention, that of the Danish Vikings. The Danes periodically sailed up the thames and attacked london. Attacks from viking raiders started in earnest around Britain in the 830s and there were attacks on london in 842 & 851.

Then in 865 the 'Great Heathen Army' invaded East Anglia and began to march across the country, raping and pillaging as it went. The vikings spent the winter of 871-2 in London, presumably within the walls (it is unclear what happened to the traders to the west at this time).

But by 878 King Alfred the Great had become King of all the English and forced the viking leaders to sue for peace. Eight years later, he re-established Lundenburg, within the old roman city walls, as one of a system of defensive burghs around the country.

A South-Werk was also constructed across the river to protect the ferry crossing, the roman walls were repaired and the ditch re cut. Alfred handed the city over to Ealdorman Aethelred of Mercia and a new street system began to emerge. Trade prospered and Lvndonia coins were minted in the city. The area of Lundenwic was abandoned, though the name survives today as the Auld-Wych (Aldwych).

Upon Aethelred's death in 911, london came under the direct control of the English Kings. Through the 920s, the city became the most important commercial centre in England. Contemporary writers speak of exotic international trade, there were markets at West (Cheapside) & East Cheap and signs of much industry have been excavated including decorative metalwork and weavers' loom weights.

London became a political focus too. King Aethelstan held many royal councils in london and issued laws from the city. The busy city was full of small wooden houses (as stone was reserved for churches). All Hallows by the Tower still retains a Saxon arch and other fragments survive at St. Brides, Fleet Street & St. Nicholas Shambles.

King Aethelred the Unready favoured London as his capital and issued the Laws of London there in 978. It was during his reign that viking raids returned and were soon transformed into a purposeful campaign to overrun Britain.

The Londoners resisted the forces of King Sweyn Forkbeard of Denmark in 994 and numerous attacks followed. By 1013, the Dane was besieging the english king in london itself, and Aethelred was forced to flee abroad.

Sweyn died the following year, but his son, Canute, continued to lead the viking armies and overran the city. However, an old Norse saga tells of Aethelred's return at the Battle of London Bridge (its first mention in Saxon times).

The king and his ally, St. Olaf of Norway, managed to manoeuvre their ships beneath this river crossing. The Danes lined London Bridge and showered the attackers with spears. Undaunted, the attackers pulled the roofs off nearby houses and held them over their heads in the boats. Thus protected, they were able to get close enough to the bridge and "tied ropes around the supporting posts, and rowed downstream as hard as they could....until....the bridge fell" along with most of the Danish garrison. This is thought to be the origin of the old rhyme, "London Bridge is falling down".

When King Aethelred died he was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral and his son, Edmund Ironside, continued to try to hold back the invaders. He defended London so well, particularly the rebuilt bridge, that the Danish King Canute's men were forced to cut a large channel to the south in order to get their ships close enough to the city to land. Edmund escaped from London, but later defeats forced him to share the country with Canute. Within months Edmund was dead and the Dane established himself as sole King of England.

The viking attacks ceased when Canute (or Cnut) came to power in 1017. He then managed to unite the Danes with the Anglo-Saxons, and invited Danish merchants to settle in the city. London prospered once more.

On Canute's death (around 1042) the city reverted to Anglo-Saxon control under Edward the Confessor. Edward was Canute's step-son and of the old Saxon line. He had been raised in Normandy, so his rule brought French influence and trade. Edward was also a very pious man and is best known for re-founding the great Abbey at Westminster, along with the adjoining palace, and moved his court there.

London was now the most prosperous, and largest city in the island of Britain - but it was not the capital of the realm. The official seat of government was at Winchester, although the royal residence was generally at London.

When Edward died in 1065 he left no clear heir. His cousin, Duke William of Normandy, claimed that he had been promised the English throne, a position supposedly confirmed by the citizens of London. The Royal Council, however, met in the city and elected the dead King's brother-in-law, Harold as King.

Harold was crowned in Westminster Abbey, cementing London's role as the most important city in England. Things were further complicated by a viking invasion under Harold Hardrada - a descendent of the Viking King Canute - who also claimed the throne. King Harold raised an army and defeated the vikings in the north of England near York.

His celebrations were short lived. William had landed in Hastings on the south coast. King Harold and his army were forced to march south to meet William at the Battle of Hastings. Having marched 200 miles in 7 days, in this battle they were not victorious and Harold was killed (though whether from an arrow through the eye, is open to debate).

After Anglo-Saxon London came Norman london.