South-east
London
In the twelfth century
London, founded by the Romans at the first point the Thames could be bridged, is by far the largest town in England. The White Tower, William I's great keep, overlooks the river from the east. St Paul's is being rebuilt on a vast scale after the fire of 1087. Around 1173 William FitzStephen describes the city's wharves, its cookshops and the weekly horse fair at Smithfield. Wine, furs and cloth come in, and wool and other goods go out through its wharves. The wooden bridge is replaced from about 1176, when Peter of Colechurch begins a stone bridge; it is not finished until 1209. The citizens push for self-government. Henry fitz Ailwin is the first known mayor, from about 1189, and in 1191 the commune of London is recognised.
Landmark: The White Tower (complete); Old St Paul's was still under construction.
Known for
- Wine imports
- Wool
- Furs
- Cloth
- Horses and livestock (Smithfield)
Caveats (confidence: high)
Do not show the stone London Bridge as finished: it was begun around 1176 and completed around 1209, so the 12th-century crossing was timber or partly built. Old St Paul's was a building site for much of the century. The authenticity of Henry I's charter to London is disputed by historians, so it is left out. The start date of fitz Ailwin's mayoralty is traditional (1189) rather than certain.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · en.wikipedia.org · british-history.ac.uk
Playtest: in development, may be reset
In the playtest world now
What the test world shows at London, as of Year 12, winter, month 10, day 26. About the playtest
Last season's market
Autumn, year 12. Each good's price at the close of last season, against its usual price in this town: dear, usual or cheap.
- Usual
- Pick, Ox cart, Pit saw, Adze, Axe, Iron hammer, Awl, Chisel