Wow! This is briliant lecture. I wish I knew some of this informations while I was writing my novel from medieval London Bridge some 10 years ago. I had limited sources as at that time was a bit complicated to order scientific books from England. My story is set in 1306, so I used records and rolls from 1358 as a base. I made my own map based on some older views of the bridge with some blank areas which I filled with my imagination (just to make it work for story), so I moved bridge gate more to Southwark. (I admitted this in historical notes at the end of story) But I am so suprised with middle military section. I see this for the first time.
What a delightful seminar! I've been curious about old London bridge for years now, but never have I seen such a concise and detailed breakdown. I was especially intrigued with how specific the shops and trade on the bridge were. I wonder what was the reason for this?
Amazing lecture. I've always been intrigued by the many medieval cities that had buildings on their bridges. Because they seemed to be around for a long time but then many they just disappeared, I figured it was due to fires. I think, is it Belgium or Austria? that still has some old preserved fortress cities that have intact building on their old bridge? I think its Venice that still has some stone structure buildings on bridges also.
Well researched, I bet that took years of delving into old archives. Now with the Thames closed to commercial traffic perhaps it's time to retreat this wonder... what a tourist attraction it would make following on from The Globe... purely pedestrian of course - but what period?
there were 138 shops all along the bridge in 1358. In 1365, their rent £160 2 shillings per annum (google the inflation, and middle ages wages). Most people lived above their shops. If you read the graphic 1478, cutlers, fletchers, bowyers, goldsmiths, glovers, and mostly haberdashers. Also girdlers, pinners, and broachmakers.
No, they didn't drink from the Thames, it's brackish water. The Thames had many fresh water tributaries through London (Tyburn, Fleet, Effra, Wallbrook).
@@jebise1126 you can still wash and cook using salt/brackish water. It's just not drinking water. The 14th century river would not have been as polluted as you think. Remember middle ages people drank more wine and ale.
@@josephvisnovsky1462 ale and wine would make them thirsty as any alcohol as it causes dehydration. also people need to poop and pee and that probably got on the street and than into a river. but i was just wondering why they needed bucket and all is clear now
I just watched this on drugs and it was dope. Made me think about what it'd be like to live in a house built on a bridge in middle ages London. Highly recommend the experience (go to the nearest dollar tree and get the cough relief pills with dxm, then get some weed. Take 90-300 mg dxm and 1.5-2 hours later smoke the weed. congratulations, you are now faded. Put on a movie or youtube video and prepare for true entertainment. to the Kids: don't do drugs until you are no longer kids. Your minds are too fragile and you will turn into a glass of orange juice and tip over and die [happened to my cousin])
Ty for sharing the history of the London bridge housing experience 😊
Wow! This is briliant lecture. I wish I knew some of this informations while I was writing my novel from medieval London Bridge some 10 years ago. I had limited sources as at that time was a bit complicated to order scientific books from England. My story is set in 1306, so I used records and rolls from 1358 as a base. I made my own map based on some older views of the bridge with some blank areas which I filled with my imagination (just to make it work for story), so I moved bridge gate more to Southwark. (I admitted this in historical notes at the end of story) But I am so suprised with middle military section. I see this for the first time.
Very informative…Thank You
What a delightful seminar! I've been curious about old London bridge for years now, but never have I seen such a concise and detailed breakdown. I was especially intrigued with how specific the shops and trade on the bridge were. I wonder what was the reason for this?
Amazing lecture. I've always been intrigued by the many medieval cities that had buildings on their bridges. Because they seemed to be around for a long time but then many they just disappeared, I figured it was due to fires. I think, is it Belgium or Austria? that still has some old preserved fortress cities that have intact building on their old bridge? I think its Venice that still has some stone structure buildings on bridges also.
Thank you! Im building a similar bridge in Minecraft and this is very valuable information to me.
Well researched, I bet that took years of delving into old archives. Now with the Thames closed to commercial traffic perhaps it's time to retreat this wonder... what a tourist attraction it would make following on from The Globe... purely pedestrian of course - but what period?
Great presentation!
It's a bit like the Kowloon walled city
hmmm isnt there that bridge with houses in florence? never knew about london one. is this the one that fall down in song?
Great but a Pity I couldn't see the pics. He took up 50% of the screen.
If you’re interested, buy his book. It’s currently in print as London Bridge and its Houses.
i suppose it was no point to keep houses on the bridge with cheaper land elsewhere once city walls were no more.
there were 138 shops all along the bridge in 1358. In 1365, their rent £160 2 shillings per annum (google the inflation, and middle ages wages). Most people lived above their shops.
If you read the graphic 1478, cutlers, fletchers, bowyers, goldsmiths, glovers, and mostly haberdashers. Also girdlers, pinners, and broachmakers.
they got water from the river? how polluted was it with so many people living there?
No, they didn't drink from the Thames, it's brackish water. The Thames had many fresh water tributaries through London (Tyburn, Fleet, Effra, Wallbrook).
@@josephvisnovsky1462 but they said kitchen had bucket to get water. was it used for something else?
@@jebise1126 you can still wash and cook using salt/brackish water. It's just not drinking water. The 14th century river would not have been as polluted as you think. Remember middle ages people drank more wine and ale.
@@josephvisnovsky1462 ale and wine would make them thirsty as any alcohol as it causes dehydration. also people need to poop and pee and that probably got on the street and than into a river.
but i was just wondering why they needed bucket and all is clear now
I just watched this on drugs and it was dope. Made me think about what it'd be like to live in a house built on a bridge in middle ages London. Highly recommend the experience (go to the nearest dollar tree and get the cough relief pills with dxm, then get some weed. Take 90-300 mg dxm and 1.5-2 hours later smoke the weed. congratulations, you are now faded. Put on a movie or youtube video and prepare for true entertainment. to the Kids: don't do drugs until you are no longer kids. Your minds are too fragile and you will turn into a glass of orange juice and tip over and die [happened to my cousin])
bit dis-jointed, but otherwise (after watching thrice )...okay