Londoners on Trial: Crime, Courts and the Public 1244-1924

This free exhibition explores the history of law and order in London, uncovering the stories of London’s criminals, victims and law enforcers from the medieval period to modern times. Drawing on our extensive archives, it examines how the growing city was governed and Londoners’ enduring fascination with true crime.

Through cases involving figures such as Moll Cutpurse, Dick Turpin, Jack Sheppard, Oscar Wilde, and Sylvia Pankhurst, the exhibition reveals how historical records can illuminate lives, homes and the streets of London’s past.