From 1066 to 1500 towns and cities in England transformed beyond recognition. The Norman conquest brought stability, trade and resources and the construction of large castles and cathedrals. Towns became the economic focus of their rural hinterlands. Meanwhile, a generation of hundreds of planned towns emerged with involvement from King Edward I himself.

Medieval towns had to survive the Black Death, Fires and dramatic changes in economic fortunes.

We will discover the largest settlements in the medieval period and see how their fortunes changed.

Whilst cathedrals, castles, guildhalls and town walls would dominate architecturally, ordinary citizens lived in filth and squalor with limited sanitation and constant risk to health. This was however a period in which early governance emerged and towns developed limited autonomy.

Join us on our exploration of the origins and development of English cities. If you haven’t listened already, the episode Settling in Stone: Tracing the First Steps of British Towns traces the very beginning of settlement in Great Britain.

Send us a text

After a brief historical overview our podcast explores the city in four categories:

Politics & War: the royal connections to the ancient cathedral including Catherine of Aragon and Mary Queen of Scots

Science & Industry: a city expanded by railway industry, brickmaking, and engines. Two pioneering female scientists.

Arts & Culture: The Peterborough Chronicle, a key national record, and insight into the evolution of the English language

Urban landscape: a new town joined onto a historic city centre home to one of the great cathedrals of England

As ever, we will give our opinions on the city and scores for historic interest.

Send us a text

Join us on a historical tour of Liverpool. World famous for The Beatles and its football clubs, Liverpool has a rich and influential history and magnificent architectural heritage. Ye Olde Guide explores the history of English towns and cities in four categories: Politics & War, Arts & Culture, Science & Industry, and Urban Landscape.

In the fourth of four parts covering Liverpool we’ll explore the rich architecture of the city, including the monumental Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture. Liverpool has one of the largest Georgian centres in the country, a mercantile banking district and the famous three graces by the waterfront. We will discuss St Georges Hall, the two magnificent cathedrals, and the legacy of the enormous shipping industry. We will explore how housing conditions changed over the centuries.

We would love to hear your thoughts and ideas on the episode. Please get in touch by visiting yeoldeguide.com or tweet us @yeoldeguide

Send us a text