Medieval London cemeteries

A summary of information held at London Museum from medieval burial sites dating from about 1066 to 1547.

A weathered, dark stone sculpture of a human head with a head covering, featuring worn facial details and a rough, unfinished back.

Corbel of a nun's head.

In Britain, the medieval period covers the 11th to 16th centuries (about 1066–1547), ie, the Norman conquest until the Reformation. It was a time of immense change, with increasing population, the re-introduction of urban settlements, and multiple episodes of climate change which caused famines. It also saw many disease pandemics, including the Great Pestilence (1348–1350).

Medieval burial practices

At this time, Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities lived in Britain. And, so, a diverse range of burials practices have been found or are recorded in the primary sources.

In London, only Christian burial grounds have been excavated, with individuals interred in single burials, usually without any grave goods. During times of famine and pandemic, mass burials have been found, such as at St Mary Spital.

Cemeteries dated to the medieval period

Sites from other time periods