Medieval London 1000-1350: the archaeology of a capital city
Discover how medieval London emerged from the shadows of Roman ruins to become a thriving urban centre. This one-day course explores the dramatic transformation of the city between the 11th and 14th centuries — from Viking and Norman incursions to the booming growth of the medieval town, the devastation of the Black Death, and London’s remarkable recovery.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
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This one day course looks at a period that fundamentally shaped London as a city, from the laying out of a new town within the old Roman city wall, through the rapid growth of the 11—13th centuries, the impacts of the Black Death, and its subsequent revival.
What will we cover?
The physical impacts made on London by the Vikings and then the Normans, the development of the medieval townscape, and form of some of London’s major medieval institutions.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Appreciate the dramatic changes in London’s topography that resulted from the major political, economic and military events that shaped this period and London’s subsequent development.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course assumes no prior knowledge of London’s history ( although background reading would be a
sensible preparation) As important would be an enthusiastic interest in our capital’s long and convoluted
development. A keen eye, an open mind and a desire to question would be appreciated,.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Interactive lecture followed by a guided walk.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
No.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Other London history and archaeology courses starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website,
Dr Stuart Brookes is Senior Research Associate at the UCL Institute of Archaeology and has taught at the City Lit since 2012. He specialises in comparative landscape studies and the archaeologies of state formation, as well as the archaeology and history of London. He has published various works on the archaeology of early medieval Europe, including Beyond the Burghal Hidage: civil defence in Anglo-Saxon England (2013), Landscapes of Defence in the Viking Age (2013) and The Kingdom and People of Kent (2010). He is currently working on two major Leverhulme Trust projects: Lordship and Landscape in East Anglia CE 400–800 (UCL), and People and Place: The making of the Kingdom of Northumbria 300–800 CE (Durham University).
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/medieval-london-1000-1350-the-archaeology-of-a-capital-city262056Medieval London 1000-1350: the archaeology of a capital cityhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/london-1945-1979-hlw251.jpg7979GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks/Courses/vm/Courses to do around London/Courses/vm/Summer offers228511771178118416781361412285117711781653<p>Discover how medieval London emerged from the shadows of Roman ruins to become a thriving urban centre. This one-day course explores the dramatic transformation of the city between the 11th and 14th centuries — from Viking and Norman incursions to the booming growth of the medieval town, the devastation of the Black Death, and London’s remarkable recovery. </p>002816421Medieval London 1000-1350: the archaeology of a capital city7979https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/london-1945-1979-hlw251.jpgInStockDaytimeSatKeeley StreetNo longer availableOne-off onlyWeekend2026-05-02T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHLW1147979Medieval London 1000-1350: the archaeology of a capital city635179Stuart Brookesmedieval-london-1000-1350-the-archaeology-of-a-capital-city/hlw114-2526<p>Discover how medieval London emerged from the shadows of Roman ruins to become a thriving urban centre. This one-day course explores the dramatic transformation of the city between the 11th and 14th centuries — from Viking and Norman incursions to the booming growth of the medieval town, the devastation of the Black Death, and London’s remarkable recovery. </p>0015-FullStillOpen|2026-05-02 00:00:00<p>This one day course looks at a period that fundamentally shaped London as a city, from the laying out of a new town within the old Roman city wall, through the rapid growth of the 11—13th centuries, the impacts of the Black Death, and its subsequent revival. </p><p>Discover how medieval London emerged from the shadows of Roman ruins to become a thriving urban centre. This one-day course explores the dramatic transformation of the city between the 11th and 14th centuries — from Viking and Norman incursions to the booming growth of the medieval town, the devastation of the Black Death, and London’s remarkable recovery. </p><p>The physical impacts made on London by the Vikings and then the Normans, the development of the medieval townscape, and form of some of London’s major medieval institutions. </p><p>Appreciate the dramatic changes in London’s topography that resulted from the major political, economic and military events that shaped this period and London’s subsequent development.</p><p>The course assumes no prior knowledge of London’s history ( although background reading would be a </p><p> sensible preparation) As important would be an enthusiastic interest in our capital’s long and convoluted </p><p> development. A keen eye, an open mind and a desire to question would be appreciated,.</p><p>Interactive lecture followed by a guided walk.</p><p>No. </p><p>Other London history and archaeology courses starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website, </p>HistoryLondon history & walksvirtual637951HLW114NONESat02/05/2610:30 - 17:3010:3017:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetStuart BrookesNo longer available2026-05-02T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities7979Medieval London 1000-1350: the archaeology of a capital citymedieval-london-1000-1350-the-archaeology-of-a-capital-city/hlw114-2526<p>Discover how medieval London emerged from the shadows of Roman ruins to become a thriving urban centre. This one-day course explores the dramatic transformation of the city between the 11th and 14th centuries — from Viking and Norman incursions to the booming growth of the medieval town, the devastation of the Black Death, and London’s remarkable recovery. </p>0015-FullStillOpen|2026-05-02 00:00:00<p>This one day course looks at a period that fundamentally shaped London as a city, from the laying out of a new town within the old Roman city wall, through the rapid growth of the 11—13th centuries, the impacts of the Black Death, and its subsequent revival. </p><p>Discover how medieval London emerged from the shadows of Roman ruins to become a thriving urban centre. This one-day course explores the dramatic transformation of the city between the 11th and 14th centuries — from Viking and Norman incursions to the booming growth of the medieval town, the devastation of the Black Death, and London’s remarkable recovery. </p><p>The physical impacts made on London by the Vikings and then the Normans, the development of the medieval townscape, and form of some of London’s major medieval institutions. </p><p>Appreciate the dramatic changes in London’s topography that resulted from the major political, economic and military events that shaped this period and London’s subsequent development.</p><p>The course assumes no prior knowledge of London’s history ( although background reading would be a </p><p> sensible preparation) As important would be an enthusiastic interest in our capital’s long and convoluted </p><p> development. A keen eye, an open mind and a desire to question would be appreciated,.</p><p>Interactive lecture followed by a guided walk.</p><p>No. </p><p>Other London history and archaeology courses starting in September/October. Please see the City Lit website, </p>HistoryLondon history & walksconfigurable
11841178London history & walkshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/history/london-history-and-walks1/2/285/1177/1178/11841/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/History/London history & walks
