Close Readings London Revisited: Plague, Rebellion and Guilds
Apr 20, 2026
Medieval London’s explosion of record-keeping and municipal bureaucracy comes to life. The rise and power of guilds and specialized trades shape urban work and charity. The Black Death’s devastation and subsequent social upheavals reshape the city. Revolts, expulsions and the arrival of Italian financiers reveal dramatic political and economic change.
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Walsingham’s Vivid Account Of The 1381 Savoy Sack
- Thomas Walsingham's eyewitness chronicle describes Londoners preventing the mayor from closing gates and burning John of Gaunt's Savoy palace during the 1381 revolt.
- Rebels smashed and threw away gold, trampled silks, shot the duke's jacket as target practice, and proclaimed none should keep plunder.
Monastic Chronicles Became Everyday Histories
- Chronicles by monks become a richer, more diverse source in this period, offering eyewitness political and social accounts alongside astrological portents.
- These records shift history toward documenting day-to-day events and local experiences, not just royal acts.
London As A Dense International Trading Hub
- 1300 London was a medium-sized but densely packed international hub with 80–100,000 people and many migrants fueling trade networks.
- Houses were narrow and jettied, with workshops and yards behind shopfronts, concentrating commerce on streets like Cheapside.