Book excerpt: The Impact of the English Civil War on the Economy of London, 1642-50 examines every sector of London's economy as it changed during the English Civil War. It also looks closely at the impact of war on the major pillars of the London economy, namely London's role in external and internal trade, and manufacturing in London. When the war broke out, London's economy was diverse and dynamic, closely connected through commercial networks with the rest of England and with Europe, Asia and North America. As such it was vulnerable to hostile acts by supporters of the king, both those at large in the country and those within the capital.