The Guildhall has been the centre of the local government of the City of
London since the 12th century. Major archaeological excavations took
place between 1985 and 1999, and evidence from these is combined with
historical and architectural analysis to create an integrated history of
the Guildhall. Beginning with the first hall of the 12th century, the
book describes later halls and precinct buildings from the 14th to the
20th centuries. Good organic survival preserved evidence in an 11th- and
12th-century parish churchyard and for a number of adjacent timber
houses. This wide-ranging volume highlights other themes from the
medieval and later periods, including evidence for medieval Jewish
occupation, the cloth market of Blackwell Hall, inns, craft activity and
two parish churches.