page_title: City of London
section_title: Medieval era
hierarchical_section_title: City of London / History / Medieval era
caption_attribution_description: From http://www.britannia.com/history/articles/peasantsrevolt.html. The Death of Wat Tyler at the hands of Walworth, Mayor of London, with the young Richard II looking on. Library Royal MS 18.E.i-ii f. 175, dated c. 1385-1400. See File:DeathWatTylerFull.jpg for another version 19:08, 5 September 2005 Bkwillwm 350x233 (42504 bytes) (From http://www.britannia.com/history/articles/peasantsrevolt.html. The Death of Wat Tyler at the hands of Walworth, Mayor of London, with the young Richard II looking on. The image is a close up of a larger medieval image. {{PD-old}} )
context_page_description: The City of London is a city, ceremonial county and local government district that contains the historic centre and the primary central business district of London. It constituted most of London from its settlement by the Romans in the 1st century AD to the Middle Ages, but the modern city named London has since grown far beyond the formal City of London borders. The City is now only a tiny part of the metropolis of London, though it remains a notable part of central London. Administratively, it forms one of the 33 local authority districts of London; however, the City of London is not a London borough, a status reserved for the other 32 districts. It is also a separate ceremonial county, being an enclave surrounded by Greater London, and is the smallest county in the United Kingdom.
  The City of London is widely referred to simply as the City and is also colloquially known as the Square Mile, as it is 1.12 sq mi in area. Both of these terms are also often used as metonyms for the United Kingdom's trading and financial services industries, which continue a notable history of being largely based in the City.
context_section_description: Following the Battle of Hastings, William the Conqueror marched on London, reaching as far as Southwark, but failed to get across London Bridge or to defeat the Londoners. He eventually crossed the River Thames at Wallingford, pillaging the land as he went. Rather than continuing the war, Edgar the Ætheling, Edwin of Mercia and Morcar of Northumbria surrendered at Berkhamsted. William granted the citizens of London a charter in 1075; the City was one of a few examples of the English retaining some authority. The City was not covered by the Domesday Book.
  William built three castles around the City, to keep Londoners subdued:
  Tower of London, which is still a major establishment.
  Baynard's Castle, which no longer exists but gave its name to a city ward.
  Montfichet's Tower or Castle on Ludgate Hill, which was dismantled and sold off in the 13th century.
  About 1130, Henry I granted a sheriff to the people of London, along with control of the county of Middlesex: this meant that the two entities were regarded as one administratively (not that the county was a dependency of the City) until the Local Government Act 1888. By 1141 the whole body of the citizenry was considered to constitute a single community. This 'commune' was the origin of the City of London Corporation and the citizens gained the right to appoint, with the king's consent, a mayor in 1189—and to directly elect the mayor from 1215.
  From medieval times, the City has been composed of 25 ancient wards, each headed by an alderman, who chairs Wardmotes, which still take place at least annually. A Folkmoot, for the whole of the City held at the outdoor cross of St Paul's Cathedral, was formerly also held. Many of the medieval offices and traditions continue to the present day, demonstrating the unique nature of the City and its Corporation.
  In 1381, the Peasants' Revolt affected London. The rebels took the City and the Tower of London, but the rebellion ended after its leader, Wat Tyler, was killed during a confrontation that included Lord Mayor William Walworth.
  The City was burnt severely on a number of occasions, the worst being in 1123 and in the Great Fire of London in 1666. Both of these fires were referred to as the Great Fire. After the fire of 1666, a number of plans were drawn up to remodel the City and its street pattern into a renaissance-style city with planned urban blocks, squares and boulevards. These plans were almost entirely not taken up, and the medieval street pattern re-emerged almost intact.
caption: A pivotal event during the Peasants' Revolt, 1381: their leader Wat Tyler is stabbed by William Walworth, Lord Mayor
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