Medieval London

Medieval London

The Culture and Geography of Medieval London

Customs of Everyday Domestic Life: London Waterways: The Thames River, Walbrook

and the Fleet (Streams)

Thames is the major source of drinking and cooking water in Medieval era.

Drastically polluted by the 14th Century

Animal dung, ship refuse and urban runoff

Dumping was a chronic problem iii. Throwing any debris, rubbish or gravel into Thames or other streams forbidden in 1347

Individual latrines were built directly over the Walbrook (they were temporarily banned only to be reinstated with proper payment).

London's environmental customs: Laws that arose out of its filthy state

Many laws were passed making littering and pollution illegal and imposing stiff fines for violations.

As of 1280, a local ordinance impose fines against citizens who threw debris on the street.

C. By 1414, confidential informants were rewarded for providing information about violators.

D. Filth in the streets attracted rats which spread the plague. The plaque struck London often from 1349 to 1665. killing a third of all In the mid-fourteenth century, the plague came into Europe from Asia. It broke out numerous times in London between 1349 and 1665.

III. Business and Economic Customs

A. After invading and defeating the English in 1066, William the Conqueror recognized the London's economic value

B. Merchants from France and Flanders came to London and found it perfectly suited for trade.

C. The Hanseatic League was formed by foreign traders from the Baltic during the 12th century.

i. The League relied on trade of grain, timber, furs and flax from the east (Russia and Poland) into Flanders and England. Cloth and other manufactured goods were sent from England to Flanders eastward.

ii. Trade throughout Europe was greatly influenced by the Hanseatic League.

iii. The League's large merchant ships, called 'cogs,' remained un use for centuries and were more efficient and economical than the previous vessels of the day.

D. France and England dominated the wine trade in the 13th and 14th centuries.

IV. Map of London, circa 1300

A. London was developed for about 4000 feet along the coast of the Thames and extending inland about 2000 feet from the banks of the river.

B. By far, the most prevalent theme of the landscape is the dominance of the Catholic Church as there are nearly three dozen churches and many more buildings dedicated to theology such as seminaries and convents etc.

C. The main commercial thoroughfare was Watling Street, which contained many businesses and shops.