Up until the end of the eighteenth century, its borders were controlled by City Gates. With the exception of Temple Bar, they've all been demolished. Temple Bar, a place where the heads of traitors were exposed, was removed to Theobalds Park in 1878. The City's East-West border extends from the Aldgate and Tower Hill, alongside London's East End to Temple Bar and Holborn Bars bordering with London's West End. Its North-South border extends from Smithfield and Moorfield to the River Thames.
Silvered dragons mark and guard the road entrances to the City of London.
The River Thames at this time was without any embankment and was much wider, resembling a lake with islands. The invading Roman army advancing northwards built the first permanent bridge at the nearest point inland from the sea that could support the structure. The defensive wall around the square mile was built in the second century. The Romans were followed later by the Saxons from Northern Europe and the Vikings. He granted the citizens of London a charter in 1067, establishing rights and privileges which are preserved to this day.