What is the course about?
Traditionally, Alfred the Great has been credited with the formation of London and this course charts the transformation of the city from a ‘trading emporium’ in 1000 into a capital city with administrative structures that are still visible today. The Great Fire in 1666 has meant the physical fabric of medieval London has largely disappeared but this is compensated for by the survival of a wealth of documentary sources from the twelfth century onwards.
This is a live online course. You will need:
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.
What will we cover?
We will look at how the Norman Conquest impacted on the topography of London and how the City was governed. We will consider the relationship between the City and the Crown which was never easy. We will look at court records such as the Assize of Nuisance and coroner rolls that provide a glimpse into the lives of Londoners in the fourteenth century. We will end by considering the impact of the Black Death. There will also be a walk around the City.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Explain the limitations of Domesday Book as a source for London in 1066 and 1086
• Identify the purpose of Pipe Rolls and describe what they contain
• Read extracts from the London Eyre of 1279 and comment upon crime in 13th c. London
• Evaluate the impact of the Black Death on London.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is for anyone with an enquiring mind and an enthusiasm for London history. No previous knowledge is
necessary but a good understanding of English is essential.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Each week there will be an informative talk, using PowerPoint, during which class discussion will be encouraged.
We shall use small group work to analyse original sources and a range of handouts will be available for discussion
purposes. Occasionally small pieces of homework reading will be distributed to augment your knowledge. You are
encouraged to bring along/describe items you have read in newspapers/heard on radio/seen on TV you think may be of interest to the group.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs other than note-taking materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might consider enrolling on the next London course in this cycle: Everyday Life in London 1350-1500.
