Norman and medieval London
| Norman and medieval London | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1066–1485 | |||
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London as depicted in a 15th-century manuscript, showing the Tower of London, the River Thames, and London Bridge. | |||
| Location | London | ||
| Monarch(s) | William I, William II, Henry I, King Stephen, Henry II, Richard I, King John, Henry III, Edward I, Edward II, Edward III, Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Henry VI, Edward IV, Edward V, Richard III | ||
| History of London |
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| See also |
| London portal |
In London, the Norman period began with the Norman conquest of England in 1066, and the medieval period ended with the death of Richard III in 1485. During this period, Westminster became the capital of England, as monarchs held Parliament at the Palace of Westminster from 1265. London's population increased, reaching a height of 80,000-100,000 by around 1300: three times the size of the next largest city in England. The official boundary of the city was much smaller than today, covering just the square mile within the city walls, although there were also built-up areas in Westminster, Southwark, and Spitalfields.
This period saw a dramatic increase in church-building, with over 100 churches within the city walls by the 12th century. The Tower of London and Old London Bridge were also built in this period. Londoners were instrumental in numerous armed conflicts, including The Anarchy, the Barons' Wars, the Peasants' Revolt, Jack Cade's Rebellion, and the Wars of the Roses.
The city's population massively decreased in the 14th century due to the effects of the Great Famine and the Black Death. However, the period also saw the institution of London's oldest surviving hospitals- St Thomas' and St. Bartholomew's, as well as the lunatic asylum St Mary Bethlehem.
London appointed its first recorded Lord Mayor in this period, Henry FitzAilwin, in 1189. Famous figures from British history, such as the writer Geoffrey Chaucer and the saint Thomas Becket, were born in London. In the 12th century, the writer William Fitzstephen described it as florilegium urbanum — "flower of cities".