17. SPECIAL HOUSING
Perhaps the most surprising contribution came from the German bankers, the Fuggers.
Very powerful, very rich, they built 6 streets of houses in Augsberg. They let the houses at low rents to their workers.
Not only that, but part of the rent collected was put aside for pensions for their worker tenants.
This approach got to Britain early in the 19th century when David Owen provided bleak blocks of flats for his workers at New Lanark in Scotland. But he was considered way ahead of his time.
18. BACK TO ENGLAND
In the 15th century the English soldiers were returning home from foreign wars.
They immediately started fighting amongst themselves. And for 35 years the Wars of the Roses provided an outlet for the country's excess energy.
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19. LUCKY ENGLAND
Yet England remained lucky. It was largely unaffected by the confused fighting. It was never clear who was winning - and both sides had bowmen.
20. BUSINESS AS USUAL
London and all the other towns were never pillaged or even besieged during the long war.
There was no collapse of law and order. Business went on as usual. No one bothered to build fortresses.
In fact, the new houses of the rich were designed for comfort - not defence.
21. ISLINGTON'S DEVELOPMENT
The marshy land around Moorgate was drained and gradually a new road known as the City Road was formed to lead to the green fields of Islington.
22. THE WELSHMAN TAKES OVER
The nonsense of the War of the Roses was finally stopped when a Welshman, Henry VII, took over.
Like the Norman, William I, he started organising things for the English - and he was to lay the foundations for London's growth and future dominance.
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