Today, London is a bustling capital city home to more than nine million people and over three dozen skyscrapers. During the medieval period, however, the city looked much different. Most of the population, which never surpassed 100,000, lived and worked within the old Roman walls, an area covering approximately one square mile.

 

The hustle and bustle of urban living, as well as the economic opportunities within the city, attracted people from across the English Channel in addition to the surrounding countryside. Immigrants from modern-day France, the Low Countries, and Germany brought new traditions, languages, and goods into London, solidifying its role as an international port. As the city grew in size and influence during the course of the middle ages, London's government adopted new methods to manage the constant flow of people, products, and property. One of its most powerful tools was record-keeping.

 

London's property records can provide insights into family connections and business networks that few other sources can offer. They show relationships between parents and children, who people trusted to manage their money, and how the city's fortunes changed over time. Head over to the Field Guide (tab on the right side of your screen) to see some typical examples and browse the glossary!

 

Researchers have summarized medieval deeds into English written on index cards and now need help digitizing all of that information.