Medieval London
London 410 to 1558
Enter the medieval London gallery website or visit the Museum and journey across more than a thousand years of history, from Anglo-Saxon settlement in the 5th century, through Viking raids and the Norman Conquest of 1066, to the splendour and bustle of England’s 16th-century capital, and the dramatic results of Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries.
Find out about famous Londoners, such as Chaucer and Becket, about medieval crafts and guilds, merchants and overseas trade. Explore the world of the medieval pilgrim by admiring the intricate pewter badges brought back from Canterbury or Compostella.
Take a look at the brooches, belts, horse harness and leather shoes – some with ridiculously pointed toes (which were high fashion in the 1380s). They make this one of the UK’s leading galleries for studying medieval costume and popular style.
Please note: The early Tudor period is covered by the Medieval Gallery up to 1558.