 starter activity Recognise this place? If you were going to improve things here, what changes would you make to the town? Think about things like security, shopping, transport, tourism etc.

Planning the ideal medieval town To understand the reasons why towns become more important in the Middle Ages To plan an ‘ideal’ medieval town  Aims

Towns When William, Duke of Normandy conquered England in 1066 there were less than 10 towns When William, Duke of Normandy conquered England in 1066 there were less than 10 towns Norwich & Winchester had 2,500 people (smaller than Bearsted!) Norwich & Winchester had 2,500 people (smaller than Bearsted!) Most people lived in villages of no more than 50 people Most people lived in villages of no more than 50 people By 1400, 300 towns existed. London had a population of 40,000 By 1400, 300 towns existed. London had a population of 40,000

Trade Trade focus of town life Trade focus of town life Guilds protected people involved in trades Guilds protected people involved in trades Provided training Provided training Regulated behaviour, e.g. curfews on smiths Regulated behaviour, e.g. curfews on smiths Foreign traders often banished Foreign traders often banished What services do you think the carpenters’ guild provided?

Streets Streets were narrow Streets were narrow Litter problems! Litter problems! Tolls Tolls Buildings crowded together Buildings crowded together Animals ran wild! Animals ran wild! Town planning Town planning

Old Romney New Romney What do you notice about the difference between Old & New Romney?

Law & order Beadles & constables Beadles & constables Hue & cry Hue & cry Penalties: amputation – execution Penalties: amputation – execution Sanctuary at local church Sanctuary at local church Bells – angelus & curfew Bells – angelus & curfew Watchmen Watchmen Carrying of weapons restricted Carrying of weapons restricted Wearing of masks limited Wearing of masks limited

Safety What was so dangerous about medieval town buildings? What was so dangerous about medieval town buildings?

Safety 1213, tile roofs compulsory in London 1213, tile roofs compulsory in London Brick & stone expensive, but encouraged Brick & stone expensive, but encouraged Controls for bakers & brewers Controls for bakers & brewers Jars of water Jars of water Fire hooks Fire hooks How did fire hooks help?

Charter Granted rights, e.g. to hold weekly markets, appoint mayor & aldermen Pay taxes to king & provide soldiers Dover’s seal

 Your task You are going to role play what it must have been like to be part of a medieval town council. You will need to get into groups of six. Quickly choose a mayor and distribute the role cards. The aim of the task is to produce a town charter which fellow councillors (aldermen) will vote on. The safest and best organised town (judging from its charter) will win merits! You are going to role play what it must have been like to be part of a medieval town council. You will need to get into groups of six. Quickly choose a mayor and distribute the role cards. The aim of the task is to produce a town charter which fellow councillors (aldermen) will vote on. The safest and best organised town (judging from its charter) will win merits!