Winner of the London Archaeological Prize for outstanding publication of
2010-11 Since the early 1970s the increasingly effective conduct of
archaeological work in the City of London and surrounding parts of the
conurbation have revolutionised our view of the development and European
importance of London between 1100 and 1600. There have been hundreds of
archaeological excavations of every type of site, from the cathedral to
chapels, palaces to outhouses, bridges, wharves, streams, fields, kilns,
roads and lanes. The study of the material culture of Londoners over
these five centuries has begun in earnest, based on thousands of
accurately dated artefacts, especially found along the waterfront. Work
by documentary historians has complemented and filled out the new
picture. This book, written by an archaeologist who has been at the
centre of this study since 1974, will summarise the main findings and
new suggestions about the development of the City, its ups and downs
through the Black Death and the Dissolution of the Monasteries; its
place in Europe as a capital city with great architecture and relations
with many other parts of Europe, from the Baltic to the Mediterranean.
London has been the most intensively studied medieval city in Europe by
archaeologists, due to the pace of development especially since the
1970s. Thus although this will be a study of a single medieval city, it
will be a major contribution to the Archaeology of Europe, 1100-1600.
Praise for this Volume: '..an expert account the book is well designed,
expertly illustrated and manages to bridge the gap between an accessible
and popular account, with a scholarly framework with full references and
an extensive bibliography. This is a book that readers can turn to again
and again in order to refresh their knowledge of the archaeology of this
medieval metropolis.' Terry Barry, Medieval Archaeology 56, 2012 'This
is an important and useful book. And, crucially it's a good read.'
British Archaeology, May-June 2012 'John Schofield snythesises a huge
volume of archaeology to produce this coherent account packed with
detail and fascinating visual evidence, and much enlivened by the
author's own observations -- for example, on exotic imported food and
whether Londoners had different diets from other parts of England, or on
the impact of communities of 'aliens' on the city, including Jewish
financiers, and Italian, French and Spanish merchants, or on the effect
of London on its hinterland.' SALON number 267, December 2011 'His
detailed knowledge of projects both famous and unsung paints a potent
picture of London between 1100 and 1600.' Current Archaeology, June 2012
'This is a stimulating book, opening one's eyes to many facets of the
past. It can be highly recommended to anyone who wants to find out what
archaeology has to offer about London's history, and where future
research might lead.' Bridget Cherry, London Topographical Society
Newsletter, May 2012 'Schofield draws useful parallels between London
and other comparable cities in Europe.. there are some wonderful kernels
of information that connect the buildings of London to others throughout
the country. This volume is likely to appeal both to those with a
general interest as well as to those with more defined archaeological
leanings...Schofield's lucid writing style is concise, informative and
engaging.' Sara Crofts, SPAB, Cornerstone, Autumn 2012
