History of the British national debt History of the British national debt The history of the British national debt can be traced back to the reign of William III, who engaged a syndicate of City traders and merchants to offer for sale an issue of government debt, which evolved into the Bank of England. In 1815, at the end of the Napoleonic Wars, British government debt reached a peak of £1 billion (that was more than 200% of GDP). At the beginning of the 20th century the national debt had been gradually reduced to around 30 percent of GDP. However, during World War I the British
The Old Bank of England have held the Crown Jewels for a period as well. The pub is close to where the fictional Sweeney Todd is said to have plied his trade. The pub is currently operated by Fuller's Brewery. The Old Bank of England The Old Bank of England is a public house at 194 Fleet Street, where the City of London meets the City of Westminster. It was constructed on a corner site in 1886 by Sir Arthur Blomfield in a grand Italianate style, the interior having three large chandeliers with a detailed plaster ceiling. It is a Grade II listed building. The