Spotlight on Medieval London

Spotlight on Medieval London Display

See a selection of items from our rich collection of medieval archives, including a rare opportunity to view two illuminated manuscripts.

The City of London Corporation’s archive features the 'Cartae Antiquae', a late fifteenth-century compilation of charter and statute transcripts, notable for its vellum pages adorned with an illuminated border and open at a portrait of Henry VI. The second illuminated manuscript is displayed open to a full-page coloured depiction of the Crucifixion.

This small but striking display of medieval documents also includes a 1402 receipt from Richard (Dick) Whittington and others documenting the purchase of property in Hertfordshire and the apprenticeship of Katherine Nougle 1392.

Two watercolour portraits of City of London aldermen dating from around 1450 are also on show.

Visiting the display

This small display is free to visit during our normal opening hours, and is located within the Information Area on the first floor at The London Archives.

You are welcome to turn up without a ticket to see the display, but we encourage everyone to book a free ticket as it helps us to manage visitor numbers. Please notify us if you plan to visit in a group larger than 6 people by emailing ask@tla.libanswers.com so we can check capacity.

Introducing: Spotlight on Medieval London

Join us for a short session to learn more about the 'Spotlight on Medieval London' display at The London Archives.

The event includes a short introductory talk about the items in the 'Spotlight on Medieval London' from a member of The London Archives team, followed by Q&A and time for independent browsing.

This session runs once a month at 5pm on 14 July and 11 August.