Londoners on Trial: Crime, Courts and the Public 1244-1924
Upcoming Exhibition
Research Guides
Find out more about our resources relating to the history of crime in London.
Events
Discover and book events related to law and order, and crime, in London.
What's On
The Questioning of Eleanor Rykener
Talk
The Questioning of Eleanor Rykener (1395) is the oldest known document in our collection that speaks directly to LGBTQ+ history. From it, we learn that Rykener had lived as both Eleanor and John. Eleanor was an embroideress and sex worker with high profile clients. Come along to hear the story of this fascinating document.
What's On
Book Group: 'A Stranger City' by Linda Grant
Online Literary Event
The London Archives Book Group, an online discussion group, meets monthly and welcomes all!
What's On
Reframed - Imagined Futures
Artist-led Workshop
Feeling creative? Then sign up for this inspiring illustration and collage workshop led by artist and educator Elyssa Rider which responds to the 'Londoners on Trial' exhibition.
What's On
Christie in the City - Agatha Christie’s London
Literary event
Join us for a talk from author Tina Hodgkinson, exploring intriguing and glamourous London locations with connections to the Queen of Crime.
What's On
David Bowie and 18th-Century London
Talk and document viewing
Join us for a special illustrated talk and document viewing commemorating the 10 year anniversary of David Bowie's death, including discussion of his unrealised musical 'The Spectator' set in the London of the eighteenth century.Blogs
Discover blogs on subjects relating to crime and the courts which will be added to throughout the duration of the exhibition.
Book Group
'Shrines of Gaiety' by Kate Atkinson
Find out more
Find out about The London Archives' book group in September 2025 where we discussed 'Shrines of Gaiety' by Kate Atkinson.
Long read
The Three Trials of Oscar Wilde
Londoners on Trial
To mark LGBTQ+ History Month, we remember the events leading to the conviction of Oscar Wilde at the Old Bailey in 1895 which feature in the upcoming ‘Londoners on Trial’ exhibition opening at The London Archives on 9 March 2026.
Long read
The fight that never was
Jack Johnson versus 'Bombardier' Billy Wells
Archives Officer Guy Baker tells the story of a boxing match that didn't take place - between Heavyweight champion of the world Jack Johnson and 'Bombardier' Billy Wells - and shows how parts of that story can be traced in records held at The London Archives.
Long read
Fenian London: The Clerkenwell Explosion
Find out more
What was intended as a daring prison break became one of Victorian London’s deadliest political explosions. Find out more in this article by Rachel Barrett about the explosion in Clerkenwell of 1867.