Image by: The earliest known map of Anglo-Saxon London, printed by William Darton, 1810 (private collection).

 

Abstract

Medieval London had a unique and complex system of government. This lecture explores the early history of two of the key elements of its infrastructure: the Court of Husting and the Folkmoot. It is argued that these bodies emerged out of a 'peace gild' that recorded its statutes in the time of King Æthelstan (924-39). Tracing the history of these entities highlights the transformation and formalisation of London's government over the tenth and eleventh centuries, as its status changed relative both to the surrounding area and to England as a whole.

Illustration: see attached. For caption, could you give 'The earliest known map of Anglo-Saxon London, printed by William Darton, 1810 (private collection).'

Lecture followed by drinks reception.