An episode where we look under the surface to see what the cities merchants were doing- and run into some surprising truths; this was London at the birth of modern capitalism, and this chapter takes you though the sophisticated financial operations taking place in the city, the newly emergent international trade in credit, why Antwerp was showing the way London had to follow, and introduce a family who would dominate trade in the city over a few generations; the Gresham dynasty.

Welcome to the ground floor in the revolution that will change London forever…

Cover includes altered picture of the Mercer’s Maid, symbol of the Mercer Livery Company, Dryden Street, London