Introduction

Introduction to the resource

This resource contains 2,300 records relating to market structures and economic development in the hinterland of medieval London, and was produced as part of the 'Market Networks' project, based at the Centre for Metropolitan History. It was compiled by Dr Hannes Kleineke, under the supervision of Dr James Galloway and Professor Derek Keene, in 1996 and 1997. The compilation was funded by a grant from the Aurelius Trust.

The majority of the records are derived from the Calendars of Patent and Close Rolls for the period 1370 to 1425. In addition, some 21 volumes of borough and other printed records were consulted, and the resource therefore includes material for the period from c.1200 to c.1500.

The principal types of entries included are:

(i) grants to collect and exemptions from payment of tolls of various sorts, and disputes concerning the same;
(ii) licences to ship grain and other produce to London and other places;
(iii) recognisances of debts and pardons of outlawry for debt involving Londoners and inhabitants of other places in southern England;
(iv) references to external trade in grain, wool, wine and other commodities.