Medieval (1066 – 1540)
Explore objects, stories and blogs to discover life in Medieval London
Blogs-And-Stories

The murder of Thomas Becket
An event that shocked medieval Europe – and a cult that's lasted centuries

Medieval pilgrim shell tokens & St James’ Way
Explore London’s medieval shell relics, symbolising the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage’s lasting allure

Bioarchaeological evidence for Black women in 14th-century London
How much do we know about the people in medieval London?

Guess the mystery medieval object
Three 13th-century items from the museum’s Archaeological Archive that caught our eye

Thomas Becket: Deciphering these medieval pilgrim badges
Explore the detailing of four medieval pilgrim badges and ampullae related to St Thomas Becket

St Barbara: Guardian of the Crossrail tunnel
The medieval saint who watched over the Elizabeth Line

Pointy shoes & sexuality in medieval London
How some extremely elongated footwear caused controversy in the capital

How did medieval Londoners celebrate Christmas?
Fasting, feasting and wassailers at your door


London’s ‘tiniest’ dragon & medieval fashion laws
What does a tiny medieval dragon belt-mount say about London’s fashion, social status and laws


How the Peasants’ Revolt rocked medieval London
In the summer of 1381, a popular rebellion led by Wat Tyler threatened to topple the ruling elite

Lundenwic: The other medieval London
When Roman London was abandoned, a new settlement sprang up beyond the walls

Vikings in London
Two centuries of Viking raids and conquest left London a radically changed place

The punishing past of London’s prisons
A list of the most notorious and historic prisons in the city

Baynard’s Castle: A lost riverside landmark
London’s Norman fortress that morphed into a Tudor palace

How the Norman conquest changed London
The rule of William the Conqueror and his descendants brought more than castles

The medieval graveyard on Newgate Street
How 1970s archaeologists recorded the remains of 234 people buried nearly 1,000 years ago