City of London Research

The City of London is one of the most interesting areas in London – rich in history. I’m fascinated by the way that the City is divided.  It has wards – ancient boundaries (although they often move) which represent the areas where Common Councilmen and Alderman (who can be men or women) are elected to the Corporation of the City of London.

There is a separate parish system.  Most wards cover multiple parishes.  Todays parishes are usually amalgamations of the more ancient parishes that existed before the Great Fire of London.  In early London most parishes were very small – perhaps one church for two hundred households.  But after the Great FIre many of these churches were never rebuilt.  They are often areas that are today Gardens.

 

 

As well as parishes if you look carefully you can spot the boundaries of the old religious institutions – Priories and Hospitals that occupied a lot of space inside the City of London (and even more outside the walls).  Before the dissolution of the Monasteries by Henry VIII these areas were outside the normal rule of the City and were considered extra-parochial areas or Liberties.  The special properties continued after the dissolution until they were  ended by successive acts of parliament.

 

 

political divisions