London City Wall

Has been described as a Certain Urban Defence

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains

NameLondon City Wall
Alternative Names
Historic CountryLondon and Middlesex
Modern AuthorityCity and County of the City of London
1974 AuthorityGreater London
Civil ParishCity Of London

London Wall, as it is known, comprises remains of a stretch of the Roman wall which once formed part of the eastern defences of Roman Londinium. The wall defined the shape and size of London for over a millennium. Built in around AD 200, this is the best preserved stretch of the wall, although the upper part is medieval rebuilding. It is located on the east side of Trinity Place. The clearance of modern ruins, down to basement level, uncovered the Roman wall with its courses of bonding tiles. At one point a considerable amount of the internal Roman face has survived, consisting of six courses of squared ragstone above a triple bonding-course of tiles; then comes a double bonding-course, above which are five more courses of squared ragstone. An engraving of 1852 shows the external face, with plinth, several courses of squared ragstone and the bonding-course of brick. The overall length of wall displayed (including the medieval rebuilding) is about 38 metres, up to a height of nearly 11 metres.

The lower, Roman, part of the wall had an inner rampart and external ditch. The foundations of a Roman turret have been identified in this section, although these are no longer visible. The turret probably contained a staircase providing access to a sentry walk. The height of the Roman wall was approximately 6.4 metres. During the medieval period the wall was repaired and raised further in height. From the 17th century it fell into disuse and parts were demolished. However this section was preserved by being incorporated into later buildings. This accounts for the lack of facing on the south of the outer wall face. An interpretation panel marks the findspot of the famous inscription to Classicianus, Procurator after the Boudiccan revolt, circa 65 AD. The wall is in the care of English Heritage. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

Roman wall strengthened by Alfred the Great and given major overhaul around 1200, had at least 22 semi-circular flanking bastion and six main gates. A few short sections remain at Tower Hill and the Barbican (which includes a bastion). Murage, first received in 1233 continued until early C14, it was preceded by gifts of money. Murage charged on goods sold in market at rates specified for various goods and 1d for the value of 20s for unnamed merchandise (0.417% - although this was a surtax and other taxes were also payable)

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

This is a Grade 1 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTQ336807
Latitude51.509880065918
Longitude-0.0760499984025955
Eastings533612
Northings180756
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image
Photo by Philip Davis. All Rights Reserved

() above

Latitude 51° 31' 3.97" Longitude 0° 5' 42.82"

View full Sized Image

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Books

  • Dyson, T., 2014, 'The medieval watergates of the intramural city of London', in Hidden histories and records of antiquity; essays on Saxon and medieval London for John Clark, curator emeritus, Museum of London (London and Middlesex Archaeology Society Special Paper 17) p. 41-44
  • Rowsome, P., 2014 'Looking for Old King Lud's gate; the city defences at 42-6 Ludgate Hill and 1-6 Old Bailey, London, EC 4', in Hidden histories and records of antiquity; essays on Saxon and medieval London for John Clark, curator emeritus, Museum of London (London and Middlesex Archaeology Society Special Paper 17) p. 35-41
  • Salter, Mike, 2013, Medieval Walled Towns (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 92-7
  • Osbourne, Mike, 2012, Defending London (Stroud: The History Press) p. 31-33
  • Westmann, Andrew, 2010, 'The defences of medieval and early modern London' in Lübecker Kolloquium zur Stadtarchäologie im Hanseraum VII: Die Befestigungen (Lübeck: Verlag Schmidt-Römhild) p. 87-99
  • Harris, E., 2009, Walking London Wall (Stroud: History Press)
  • Lynch, Jo, 2007, Within these walls: Roman and Medieval Defences North of Newgate at the Merrill Lynch Financial Centre, City of London (London; Museum of London Archaeology Service Monograph 33)
  • Whipp, David, 2006, The Medieval Postern Gate by the Tower of London (London; Museum of London Archaeology Service Monograph 29)
  • Creighton, O.H. and Higham, R.A., 2005, Medieval Town Walls (Stroud: Tempus) passim
  • Elliot, Julia (ed), 2005, Heritage Unlocked; Guide to free sites in London and the South East (London: English Heritage) p. 12-4
  • Salter, Mike, 2002, The Castles of The Thames Valley and The Chilterns (Malvern: Folly Publications) p. 51
  • Pettifer, A., 1995, English Castles, A guide by counties (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p. 149-50
  • Schofield, J., 1995, Medieval London Houses (Yale University Press) p. 8-12 (Plans of Gates)
  • Barron, C., 1989, 'The late Middle Ages: 1270-1520' in Lobel, M.D. (ed), The City of London from Prehistoric Times to c.1520; The British Atlas of Historic Towns Vol. 3 (Oxford: Oxford University Press/Historic Towns Trust) p. 34-56 online copy
  • Bond, C.J., 1987, 'Anglo-Saxon and Medieval Defences' in Schofield, J. and Leech, R. (eds) Urban Archaeology in Britain (CBA Research Report 61) p. 92-116 online copy
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 272
  • Dyson, T. (ed), Hill, C., Millett, M. and Blagg, T., 1980, The Roman Riverside Wall and Monumental Arch in London (London and Middlesex Archaeological Society 3)
  • Barley, M.W., 1975, 'Town Defences in England and Wales after 1066' in Barley (ed) The plans and topography of medieval towns in England and Wales (CBA Research Report 14) p. 57-71 plan p. 65 download/view online
  • Brooke, C.N.L. and Kier, G., 1975, London 800-1216: The Shaping of a City (Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press) online copy
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 230-1
  • Turner, H.L., 1971, Town Defences in England and Wales (London) p. 156-8
  • Grimes, W.F., 1968, The Excavation of Roman and Medieval London p. 78-82
  • Bell, Cottrill and Spon, 1937, London Wall through 18 Centuries (London)
  • RCHME, 1929, Inventory of Historic Monuments in London Vol. 4: London (The City) (HMSO) p. 1, 4, 31, 88, 93, 104 online transcription
  • RCHME, 1928, Inventory of Historic Monuments in London Vol. 3: Roman London (HMSO) p. 35, 69-106 online transcription
  • Lethaby, 1923, Londinium (London)
  • Harvey, Alfred, 1911, Castles and Walled Towns of England (London: Methuen and Co) p. 202-4
  • Page, Wm (ed), 1909, VCH London Vol. 1 p. 43-73

Antiquarian

  • Stype, John, 1720, A Survey of the Cities of London and Westminster Vol. 1 Bk1 p. 7-13 online copy
  • Speed, John, 1611-12, The Theatre of the Empire of Great Britain online copy
  • Camden, Wm, 1607, Britannia hypertext critical edition by Dana F. Sutton (2004)
  • Kingsford, C.L. (ed), 1908, A Survey of London, by John Stow: Reprinted from the text of 1603 Vol. 1 p. 5-10 online copy, 19-20 [online copy > http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=60018], 27-44 [online copy > http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=60020]
  • Anthony van den Wyngaerde, c. 1543, Panorama of London online copy

Journals

  • Rowsome, P., 2014, 'Roman and medieval defences north of Ludgate; excavations at 42-6 Ludgate Hill and 1-6 Old Bailey, London EC4 London Archaeologist 14.1 p. 3-10
  • Askew, P., 2014, 'The western stream, Roman city wall and medieval city ditch at 7-10 Old Bailey, London, EC4' London Archaeologist 14.1 p. 11-18
  • Museum of London Archaeological Services, 2008, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 52 online copy [online copy > http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/library/mbi/fullrecord.cfm?id=97] [online copy > http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/library/mbi/fullrecord.cfm?id=104]
  • Mann, E., 2006, 'In defence of the City: the gates of London and Temple Bar in the seventeenth century' Architectural History Vol. 49 p. 75-99
  • Creighton, Oliver, 2006, ''Castles of Communities': Medieval Town Defences in England; Wales and Gascony' Château Gaillard Vol. 22 p. 75-86
  • Bishop, B., 2000, 'A keyhole through the gateway: a watching brief at Aldgate' London Archaeologist Vol. 9.7 p. 179-84 online copy
  • Youngs, S.M. et al, 1988 'Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1987' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 32 p. 248 download copy
  • Youngs, S.M., Clark, J. and Barry, T., 1987, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1986' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 31 p. 128-9 download copy
  • Youngs, S.M., Clark, J. and Barry, T., 1986, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1985' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 30 p. 137, 139 download copy
  • Youngs, S.M., Clark, J. and Barry, T., 1985, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1984' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 29 p. 173, 175 download copy
  • Youngs, S.M., Clark, J. and Barry, T.B., 1984, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1983' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 28 p. 227, 229 download copy
  • Youngs, S.M., Clark, J. and Barry, T.B., 1983, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland in 1982' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 27 p. 194 download copy
  • Parnell, G., 1982, 'The excavation of the Roman city wall at the Tower of London and Tower Hill, 1954–76' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 33 p. 85–13 download copy
  • Dyson, T. and Schofield, J., 1981, 'Excavations in the City of London: second interim report, 1974–1978' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 32 p. 24–81 download copy
  • Youngs, S.M. and Clark, J., 1981, 'Medieval Britain in 1980' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 25 p. 211 download copy
  • Maloney, J., 1980, 'The discovery of bastion 4A in the City of London and its implications' Transactions of the London and Middlessex Archaeological Society Vol. 31 p. 68-76 download copy
  • Maloney, J. and Harding, C., 1979, 'Dukes Place and Houndsditch: the medieval defences' London Archaeologist Vol. 3.13 p. 347-54 online copy
  • Webster, L.E. and Cherry, J., 1979, 'Medieval Britain in 1978' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 23 p. 267 download copy
  • Schofield, J., 1978, 'Bastion 10A: a newly identified bastion in the City of London' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 29 p. 91-8 download copy
  • Hobley, B. and Schofield, J., 1977, 'Excavations in the City of London: first interim report, 1974-1975' Antiquaries Journal Vol. 57 p. 31-66
  • Guildhall Museum, 1970, 'Archaeological finds in the City of London 1966-9' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 22 p. 1-9 download copy
  • 1948, 'Notes and queries' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 9 p. 193-5 download copy
  • Norman, P., 1927, 'The Roman bastion near Castle Street, now Goring Street, EC, excavated and destroyed in 1884' Antiquarian Journal Vol. 7 p. 518-20
  • Lethaby, 1922, The Builder Vol. 122 p. 340-3, 376-7 (reprinted as Londinium)
  • Norman, P., 1913, 'The Bastion of the Roman Wall at Newgate Street' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 2 p. 271-6 download copy
  • Terry, J., 1905, 'On a fragment of the Roman Wall discovered in the Old Bailey' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 1 p. 351-9 online copy
  • Fox, G.E., 1890, 'Notes on a recent discovery of part of the Roman Wall of London' Archaeologia Vol. 52 609-16
  • 1888, The Builder Vol. 54 p. 314-15
  • 1885, The Antiquary Vol. 12 p. 96-101
  • 1885, The Builder Vol. 48 p. 742
  • Brock, E.P.L., 1882, 'Roman remains in the Tower of London' Journal of the British Archaeological Association Vol. 38 p. 127-35, 424-6 online copy
  • Price, J.E., 1881, 'On recent discoveries in Newgate Street' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 5 p. 403-24 online copy
  • Langley, 1881, The Antiquary Vol. 3 p. 62-5
  • Brock, E.P.L., 1880, 'Roman Wall of London, America Square, Minories' Journal of the British Archaeological Association Vol. 36 p. 463-4 online copy
  • Brock, E.P.L., 1876, Journal of the British Archaeological Association Vol. 32 p. 490-3
  • Brock, E.P.L., 1875, 'Traces of London Wall at Newgate' Journal of the British Archaeological Association Vol. 31 p. 76-80 online copy
  • Wallen, F., 1870, 'The city wall of London' Transactions of the London and Middlesex Archaeological Society Vol. 3 p. 52-3 online copy
  • Tite, Wm, 1866, 'On discoveries of remains of the Roman wall of London' Archaeologia Vol. 40 p. 295-306 online copy
  • 1855, The Builder Vol. 13 p. 221-3, 269-71

Guide Books

  • Chapman, H., Hall, J. and Marsh, G., 1985, The London Wall Walk (London: Museum of London)

Primary Sources

  • William FitzStephen, c. 1180, 'A description of London' translated in Henry Thomas Riley (ed), 1860, Liber Custumarum (Rolls Series 12) Vol. 2 p. 2-15 online copy
  • Stevenson, J. (ed), 1875, Radulphi do Coggeshall Chronicon anglicanum (London: Rolls series 66) p. 171 online copy
  • Stubbs, Wm., 1873, Memoriale fratris Walteri de Coventria: the historical collections of Walter Coventry (London: Rolls series 58) Vol. 2 p. 222 online copy
  • 1906, Calendar of Patent Rolls Henry III (1232-47) Vol. 3 p. 22 online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1908, Calendar of Patent Rolls Henry III (1247-58) Vol. 4 p. 591 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1901, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward I (1272-81) Vol. 1 p. 303 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1893, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward I (1281-91) Vol. 2 p. 6 p. 57 p. 111 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1898, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward I (1301-1307) Vol. 4 p. 61 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1894, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward II (1307-13) Vol. 1 p. 61 p. 273 p. 495-6 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1898, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward II (1313-17) Vol. 2 p. 270 p. 295 p. 654, 655 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1903, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward II (1317-21) Vol. 3 p. 109 p. 517 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1904, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward II (1321-24) Vol. 4 p. 27 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1904, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward II (1324-27) Vol. 5 p. 322 p. 377 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1898, Calendar of Patent Rolls Edward III (1338-40) Vol. 4 p. 55 (murage grants) online copy
  • Maxwell Lyte, H.C. (ed), 1900, Calendar of Patent Rolls Richard II (1385-89) Vol. 3 p. 210 (murage grants) online copy
  • Sharpe, R.R. (ed), 1907, Calendar of letter-books of the city of London: H: 1375-1399 Follio lxiii b. (concerning temporary defences of bretaschind) online copy
  • The 11 volumes of Calendar of letter-books of the city of London contains much primary source material in translation. available from British History Online
  • - < >Also see the Gatehouse murage pages for full details of murage [grants > http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/murage/murindex.html], [petitions > http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/murage/mupindex.html ] and [other such > http://www.gatehouse-gazetteer.info/murage/muaindex.html]. < >

Other

  • Historic England, 2016, Heritage at Risk London Register 2016 (London: Historic England) p. 21 online copy
  • Historic England, 2015, Heritage at Risk London Register 2015 (London: Historic England) p. 20 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2014, Heritage at Risk Register 2014 London (London: English Heritage) p. 21 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2013, Heritage at Risk Register 2013 London (London: English Heritage) p. 20 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2012, Heritage at Risk Register 2012 London (London: English Heritage) p. 34 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2011, Heritage at Risk Register 2011 London (London: English Heritage) p. 35 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2010, Heritage at Risk Register 2010 London (London: English Heritage) p. 34 online copy
  • English Heritage, 2009, Heritage at Risk Register 2009 London (London: English Heritage) p. 42 online copy