Medieval London was made up of narrow and twisting streets, and most of the buildings were made from combustible materials such as wood and straw, which made fire a constant threat. Sanitation in London was poor. London lost at least half of its population during the Black Death in the mid-14th century.
What was city life like in the Middle Ages?
The cities were crowded and dirty. A lot of people worked as craftsmen and were members of a guild. Young boys would serve as apprentices for seven years learning a craft. Other jobs in the city included servants, merchants, bakers, doctors, and lawyers.
Where was London in medieval times?
London changed a lot during the medieval period. From the 600s to 800s London was located in the west, where Covent Garden is today.
Where did people live in medieval London?
Of course, between the Tower and the Palace was where most of the people lived and as these political and economic concentrations formed, more people flocked to the city.
What was London called in the Dark Ages?
Londinium
Londinium was the Roman name given to the settlement they founded on the Thames, after their successful invasion of Britain.
What were the most common jobs in a medieval city?
The 5 Most Common Jobs in a Medieval City
- 1 – Farming. Peasants made up 25% of the workers whose occupation was known in 1435-1446, and 16.5% of all the taxpayers.
- 2 – Carpentry. Called “fustiers” in the local vernacular, the carpenters formed an ill-defined professional group.
- 3 – Butchery.
- 4 – Shoemaking.
- 5 – Church Work.
How big was a medieval city?
Medieval European cities were average sized, after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. The average city was probably around 15k to 30k whilst the biggest cities in Western Europe were probably at various times, London, Paris, Venice at around 200,000.
What was life like for poor people in medieval London?
Rather than going to school, they worked on jobs in the house, looked after animals and helped grow food. Peasants also had to pay a tithe to the Church. A tithe was 10% of what they produced on their land.
Did London exist in the Middle Ages?
By the 14th century London was England’s leading commercial centre and Westminster the royal, political and legal capital. At the end of the 11th century the population of London was less than eighteen thousand but by the first half of the 14th century it had risen to possibly eighty thousand.
Who ruled London in medieval times?
In some ways the medieval history of London can be said to have begun on Christmas Day, 1066, when William the Conqueror was crowned king of England in a ceremony at the newly finished Westminster Abbey, just three months after his victory at the Battle of Hastings.
Why did people move to London during the Middle Ages?
People came to escape war and economic collapse and some were refugees . Those in power encouraged some groups to come. Some were encouraged to come because their skills were needed to boost England’s economy. Others were invited because they could lend money to ruling kings and bishops.
What was like living in London in 1500s?
The streets of London were narrow and dirty and the upper floors of the timber houses often overhung the roads. If a fire broke out, large areas of the city could be destroyed. If this happened the community worked together to rebuild lost buildings. The roads were not paved and became bogs when it rained.
What was it like to live in a medieval village?
Medieval Village Life
Village life was busy. Much of this life was lived outside, wearing simple dress and living on a meager diet. Medieval villages consisted of population comprised mostly of famers, and most of the time was spent working the land and trying to grow enough food to survive another year.
What happened medieval London?
Medieval London was destroyed by invaders, racked by famine, fire and disease, and torn apart by religious and political controversy. But it grew to become one of the wealthiest and most important cities in Europe.
What was the darkest part of the Dark Ages?
Thus the 5th and 6th centuries in Britain, at the height of the Saxon invasions, have been called “the darkest of the Dark Ages”, in view of the societal collapse of the period and the consequent lack of historical records.
What was London like in the past?
In the 19th century, London was the capital of the largest empire the world had ever known — and it was infamously filthy. It had choking, sooty fogs; the Thames River was thick with human sewage; and the streets were covered with mud.
What did peasants do for fun?
After seeing a matinee play full of farts, peasants would revel in the opulent bounty of the countryside, hunting, fishing, and swimming. Many of them also took advantage of seasonal gifts, such as gardening in the spring and eating fruits in the summer.
What did people do for fun in medieval towns?
Drama, Dance, and Tournaments
People would entertain themselves with song, dance, music and stories. Wandering entertainers, called minstrels or troubadours, would travel from village to village providing such entertainment – particularly music – for the local people. They were paid in food and sometimes coins.
How many rooms did most houses in the Middle Ages have?
Many peasant families ate, slept, and spent time together in very small quarters, rarely more than one or two rooms. The houses had thatched roofs and were easily destroyed. The Middle Ages is inspired by programs from The Western Tradition.
Did medieval towns have curfews?
In the medieval period, curfews came in the form of an evening bell, rung to signify that the cooking and heating fires of the day should be covered for the night. From the French couvre feu, literally to “cover the fire”, these regulations were aimed at preventing unattended flames growing out of control.
Do any medieval cities still exist?
Tallinn is one of the most immaculately preserved medieval cities in Europe, with its winding, cobbled lanes, crooked, half-timbered houses, and ancient squares. The whole of the center is protected by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.