Could You Make a Living in Medieval London?

How would you make a living in medieval London? What jobs were available? In this video, medieval historian Dr Eleanor Janega takes us on a whistle-stop tour across London, visiting key historical sites and shining a light on the various communities of medieval London.
From Temple Church to the Tower of London, from London Bridge to Smithfield, traces of medieval London are everywhere in the city.
#Medieval #London #HistoryHit
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[@Staticjokes]

Absolutely love her enthusiasm. It's so nice to see a video about london that isnt just talking about the castles

[@jonathanscott7372]

I recently found out that my ancestors were member of the clothmakers Guild in the 18th century and had the freedom of the City of London. Come the Industrial revolution, they had to look for new professions, and then came an early death, and the three children went into an orphanage around 1816. One seems to have died, one eventually went into indentured service in Australia, and the third became a chimney sweep (my gt gt gt grandfather) and spent most of the 19th century in the poor house or prison. As she said, profound changes can happen in a very short time period.

[@BobJohnson648]

That is interesting

[@kristhomad5635]

I would start a bakery fire extinguisher service👍🧯

[@blackbob3358]

@@kristhomad5635 Ya trying to be a bit cute there, you "pudding" head. (You get the ref !)

[@kristhomad5635]

@@blackbob3358 reference to Pudding lane?

[@BobJohnson648]

I understand there are about 5 places in London where you can really get some good family research done....wish I could do that

[@markbowen3638]

Fantastic content. Could listen to Eleanor for hours. So nice and refreshing to have a subject put across with passion, but not dumbed down and sensationalised. Looking forward to further content from the Dr!

[@mxRue]

she's actually a cohost of a podcast called 'Not So Different', and it's an amazing (mostly) medieval podcast, so if you like her maybe check that out

[@markbowen3638]

@@mxRue Many thanks for this , I will!

[@meghanncaldwell4841]

Completely agree! More Eleanor!

[@rodolfodickson9500]

facts.

[@karebushmarebu233]

Except for when she talked about “The dual”, cause she got so many things wrong when talking about that movies historical accuracy

[@Ben-Hollingbery]

My ancestors had the surname De Hallingbury and we were in the city of London for about 500 years, we were everywhere from the guilds to the high sherrif of the city of London. We even found a record of our high sherrif ancestor having to haul six of his guild member friends in front of the king for "Making merry and breaking the town" they were charged £500 each which is probably about £6 million today.

[@chandleraskew6496]

I love listening to dr Eleanor teach history. You can tell she’s highly intelligent but is able to convey what she’s saying in an easy to understand way

[@codykelton1384]

They say you don't truly understand a subject unless you can explain it simply

[@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim]

I love the content but *hate* the American accent.

[@chandleraskew6496]

@@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim would you rather have a red dot I own a hotel accent?

[@feliciacoffey6832]

@@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim Why so hostile to an accent different from your own? There are many accents one might have when speaking English.

[@theaxe6198]

@@PhyllisGlassup2TheBrim it’s a bit odd since it’s English history she is discussing, but that tells you how good she is as an American.

[@citizen1163]

As a Londoner whose family goes back MANY generations, I never tire of hearing London's history, especially medieval. Brilliant Dr Eleanor! Liked & Subscribed

[@larapalma3744]

Hate to tell u EVERY family goes back lol

[@citizen1163]

@@larapalma3744 haha true but I'm sure you get my meaning. :)

[@NoLefTurnUnStoned.]

@@larapalma3744😂

[@nw961]

Eleanor is always top tier! One of the best

[@isntimportant]

I can't handle her fake deep voice, she reminds me of Elizabeth Holmes. There's a set range female vocal chords operate in, 165 to 255 hz. This is far artificially out of that scope and it's jarring to most people with high quality headphones on.

[@brianhapeman9262]

@@isntimportant sorry, but that’s an average range, not set range.

[@WHJeffB]

She completely boneheaded her commentary on "The Last Duel" in a video where she's talking about the historical accuracy of medieval movies. I'm sure she's knowledgeable about medieval subjects, but in that case she clearly didn't have a grasp on the subject.

[@aboukirman3508]

@@isntimportant Moron!!!😂😂😂

[@JohnyG29]

@@WHJeffB She was just commenting on a short clip of the film for entertainment. Therefore it's not surprising she didn't know everything about the film, the event portrayed or its context.

[@ewtube8004]

It’s nice to see this channel grow, I love the fact it’s growing. Also there’s great content coming out!

[@n.2197]

Absolutely LOVING the videos with Dr Eleanor Janega! Her narrative style is just amazing, please, make more videos with her!

[@datacipher]

Where did they find this diversity hire? Her voice is mainly Elizabeth Holmes obnoxious but then she “technically” unleashes freakish valley girl squeal.

[@desydukuk291]

Thank you Dr Eleanor for this brilliant masterclass.

[@denamontgomery4539]

Dr. Janega is an expert on Medieval History and makes it engaging. Wish she had more than a few history tv episodes but I’ve found her podcast and enjoy it also.

[@datacipher]

Where did they find this diversity hire? Her voice is mainly Elizabeth Holmes obnoxious but then she “technically” unleashes freakish valley girl squeal.

[@narahinkle4997]

This just came across my page and I can’t tell you how lovely it was to learn about this and listen to Dr. Eleanor. Thank you so much for making this content available!

[@jchow5966]

It is wonderful to hear history from a real historian.

[@panagiotakonstantopoulou962]

What a fascinating history on the Inns of Court, which I found fascinating, especially as I have visited there. The buildings in person are just stunning. I urge anyone on a trip to London to visit; there are lovely old cobbled lanes with old bookshops that are also worth a visit. This series of lectures by Dr Eleanor Janega has reignited my interest in medieval English history. It is a shame that we don't study much of this history in England as part of the curriculum. It is so important in understanding the present I find.

[@markwhalebone751]

My family have been in the city and just to the South of London Bridge since at least the late 1600's. I have had a fascinating journey finding out about them. from relatives dying in the workhouse and on Tyburn to baptisms weddings and deaths in all the local churches including my own wedding in Southwark Cathedral. History never stops as we are making it daily. A great history video.

[@timclynes747]

Dr. Janega is the best! Will watch anything with her in it. Makes the history content easy to understand!

[@alisoncauser2955]

My ancestor owned Rothley Manor, he sheltered the knights templar in his Chapel next to his home. He was also one of the founders of St John Ambulance and hospital.

[@Adaman368]

Kudos. I love the way we most often laud our famous ancestors, but few people tell us about the Peter the pig sticker who got locked up for getting the mills owners daughter pregnant 😅

[@dorianphilotheates3769]

@Ada...That sound like one of my folk...

[@alisoncauser2955]

@Adaman368 I also have a long line of sheep farmers from Lancashire, I've found out a lot about them. I also have cotton mill workers, coal miners and laceworkers. I'm equally fascinated with. Its just you can find out an awful lot more about land owners or the well heeled because their lives are better documented, and there's a paper trail. I even have one ancestor who lived in a cave with his wife and 8 children he also gave sermons and preached from this cave. Now known as Anchor Church on the banks of a river.

[@Celeste-in-Oz]

love this! As an Australian with all my lineage from this part of the world, it's great to be learning about the history. I knew London was originally a Roman name, but never knew about the walls or who the Knights Templar were. Keep these great vids coming! 🤩

[@AmidalaEmma]

Just to nitpick one thing, I assume she meant to say the 2nd to 3rd century AD (not BC)when Romans were building that wall because Britain didn't become a colony until under Emperor Claudius starting in the 40s AD.

[@odenetheus]

Thank you! I was super confused when she said BC, because we're quite sure that they weren't, in fact, built back then

[@beckiejbrown]

This was fantastic, learned so much from this... quite shocked actually. Thank you!

[@Dolleemixtures]

This was so interesting. I've never really been interested in medieval history but Dr Eleanor really inspired me! Think Dr Eleanor could quickly become one of my fav historians. Like her tone and voice. Easy to understand and engaging ❤️

[@datacipher]

Where did they find this diversity hire? Her voice is mainly Elizabeth Holmes obnoxious but then she “technically” unleashes freakish valley girl squeal.

[@marshawargo7238]

Since watching KZbin I've noticed that there are A Lot of 'Passionate Informative Natural Teachers' who Should be teaching our soon to be adults! My Opinion of Why they aren't? MONEY! Teachers, Educators of our children, who will grow into adults & run the world! Are Not Paid Enough! If we had teacher's like these people, who are obviously passionate about their subject, we might be making greater strides in advancements! Everyone says do what you love as a job & you'll never work a day in your life! But if your passionate job doesn't pay the bills... Then Who Suffers??? We idolize & pay exorbitant amounts of money to our Entertainment, sports icons, musicians, actors, comedians & even drug distributors because people care more about Entertainment than Education & our future as a whole! My TED Talk is over, thank you for coming! ❤😂

[@pamcullen4143]

I am a historian myself (Western Canadian history) and have been thoroughly enjoying your videos for quite awhile now. I enjoy your context and your way of presenting it.....everything coming together at the end in a logical manner. Thanks and I look forward to more videos from you.

[@cleverusername9369]

Western Canadian history, that's very niche, indeed

[@DrEdwardTsang]

Thank you, Dr Eleanor, for an excellent video! The topic is well researched and clearly presented.

[@paranaueuk]

at 23:23 your remarks on community meaning and usefulness are so powerful, thank you for sharing.

[@stephenschroeder6567]

As a fellow historian and also as an anthropologist, I greatly appreciate your style of delivery and solid content. I will be directing my students to your work and look forward to many more fascinating and enlightening presentations. Thank you, Dr. Janega!

[@mattstirling7494]

Absolutely riveting stuff! From the production value to the breadth of content, this is really remarkable.

[@emmadehaas5185]

Absolutely fascinating! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this and learnt so much. I could watch Eleanor for ages, so passionate about her knowledge and it’s the little asides that are never “taught” but bring everything you are into context. Thank you ☺️

[@donwan4392]

Yo Dr Janega did awesome, great info and you can really feel the love. Thanks and will be looking for more.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

Random comment but thank you. Listening to just the way you pronounced France transported me back in time to when my father, an American living in Australia would occasionally say words like bath and France, but he would try to say it like I did - his child born in Australia. He would twist his mouth up making fun of himself and pretend like he was having great difficulty contorting his facial muscles to say these words. This game went on his entire life. He would make me say squirrel and then laugh at me, repeat the word back and ask me to “try again”. He had a southern accent and now I have a mixture of words, expressions, descriptors and an “accent” that means I’ve spent my life being asked “where are you from?”. Anyway, thanks for sharing this wonderful video with me, and thanks also for sparking great and fun memories of my dad. 🙂🐿❤️🌈

[@calico27]

Thank you for this! It was so interesting, well presented and absolute pleasure to watch.

[@honestly1970]

Wow -that Jewish section was really helpful. I've never understood the money lending, I don't know why I never learned the religious component. A big Ah ha moment. And then the last little bit about leaving when no longer considered useful - made me think of Windrush. Thank you so much.

[@EddieLawless-vn9ys]

Fascinating! I was born in London, in Camden and grew up in North West London, Barnet, NW7 postcode as a kid. I never knew any of this, was gripped from start to finish!

[@Robert-wp2vk]

I live in America.. But ancestors came from Scotland. Migrated in the 17th century to North Carolina. I've been so fascinated with English and scottich history...love your channel. Simple facts and accurate. Please put more on..

[@debbylou5729]

I love your narration. Straightforward and to the point. Makes it fun

[@mrberryman]

That was SO well described, told, and storied. Thanks!

[@Matityahu755]

Was great to hear you talk so passionately about the beginnings of medieval London.

[@katescrimgeour3884]

Incredibly interesting - I love Dr Janega's passion and enthusiasm for her content.

[@sexydirrtymoney]

Surprised how GOOD this is!!! WOW tonnes of new info that I never knew before...

[@annkelly0072]

This was absolutely fascinating & very well done.

[@rfvtgbzhn]

22:21 guilds were quite different from trade unions, as they represented a different class: trade unions represent wage workers, while guilds represented only master craftsmen, who worked on their own account and also employed workers (which where called "journeymen").

[@westpoll1]

I enjoyed that, very interesting and well presented. Keep up the good work!

[@superpantman]

I don't think she'll ever see it but I'd like to thank Dr Eleanor Janega for making the history of London so interesting and causing me to take time from my busy schedule to stop and listen to this series.

[@monsieurbono]

This is amazing! I am fascinated by the events in the 15th, 16th, and 17th century because that is when so many people fled Britain and why.

[@RSLtreecare]

Fascinating. I love the older London, I am lucky to have worked around some of these areas She highlights.

[@adrianreyes2318]

Can London please make a modern version of London bridge, with shops and all please! How cool would that be!

[@mikelheron20]

The London Wall was built around 200AD - not BC. It also makes no sense to talk about "from the 2nd to 3rd century BC". (Unless you're travelling backwards in time.) It's also unusual to hear an historian referring to BC and AD rather than BCE and CE these days.

[@garylancaster8612]

I noticed that too but it's obvious that she knew she was actually talking AD ( because of the 2nd to 3rd century thing you mention and because she'd know that Londinium wasn't founded then) but just misspoke.

[@fmore2]

That was so frustrating to hear. I lost 10 minutes questioning myself and researching

[@lotsapeachtree5513]

Information so good and entertaining!! More more more! I think I’m falling down the rabbit hole of your videos!!

[@warpdriveby]

I'm a professional blacksmith and artist, and my mentor required I learn to do every task by hand and without any modern air/pneumatic powered tools. As one might guess I hated it and him at times for it, but I learned how to maximize my efficiency first. I would guess the smiths of this time FAR exceed my abilities, but I'm probably skilled enough to be taken on especially at times like the Hundred Years War.

[@susanhepburn6040]

Really interesting and well presented - thank you very much!

[@chegeny]

Usually I flit about KZbin history channels, watching just a few minutes here and there. I was completely engaged however with this presentation. Dr Janega is exceptional at promoting history as a living, breathing, fully-formed, and nuanced thing. Looking forward to much more from History Hit.

[@delskioffskinov]

I have to say this is my first video from your channel i've watched and it was excellent! Thank you! Now looking forward on this dank, dour day to watching more!

[@monarch3495]

This was such a cool documentary! I love learning about the details of people’s lives from the past!

[@Kate_kdlopa1]

Great program - Dr. Janega does a great job with the presentation. I’m always impressed by her shows.

[@DavidBrown-et6dj]

I learned more from watching this video than I have learned from similar, “history” channels. I look forward to her future presentations.

[@greenman6141]

Wow, wow, wow. I know a lot of history. I know a lot about London and its history. But Dr Janega's explanations and narration are still gripping and enlightening, running through multiple ages and groups of people to tell a particular story. Taking the story of the Middle and Outer Temples below Fleet St. I suppose it helps if one already knows who are Edward the Confessor, William the Conqueror, the Templars, the hospitallers, Edward II, & Henry 8th..and what they all got up to, and what time periods they lived in...so being conversant with history helps.. but she sums it up so cleanly and knowing what to emphasize. Really really impressive.

[@SarahGreen523]

I really like Dr. Janega and enjoy her discussions. I always learn something new.

[@Bobbydyland]

This is amazing. Please do more of these. Also, I'd recommend doing a merch store, I'm sure some of those old maps would sell really well as posters.

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

Im stealing that idea and making a business out of it 😅

[@ZenzeroCAM]

I’m sure the owner of the maps wouldn’t like that

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

@@ZenzeroCAM Im sure the owners of the maps are long dead 😂😂😂🤦‍♂️

[@ZenzeroCAM]

@@ImaSMACKHEAD982 yeah, because that’s how things work. When someone owns something and then that person dies then nobody can own that thing anymore. It just exists without ownership.

[@ImaSMACKHEAD982]

@@ZenzeroCAM Your getting confused with possesions 😂 Nobody owns the rights to maps as its a public entity not a private one 😂 Thats like saying everytime you go onto google maps your charged 10p per minute Wake up you tool Gotta be thw stupiest thing iv heard on the internet today Some randon tool saying you cant have maps because someone owns them 🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️ Next time i see a roll of wall paper thats got london on it il ring the london mayors office and complain that londons rights have been stolen 😂😂😂😂

[@calamarenlata]

Thank you! What a good show, excellent content and great host!

[@samanthahardy9903]

Clink Prison in Southwark, London on Clink Street is open as a museum and had a number of debtors, drunkards and sex workers etc. I found it by accident but it's still on it's original site and the entry is about £8 if anyone wants to visit. The prison dates back to 1144 and that's why when criminals end up in any prison these days they are referred to as being, "In The Clink".

[@Band_Aid_Man_]

I love this historian. I enjoy watching these!

[@brendakipkemoi2738]

I lived in London for 12 years and never knew some of these places. Thank you so much for this enlightened, interesting, and sometimes sad content. I've learned a lot.

[@moomyung9231]

I'm working on 1580s London, but just a few minutes in and it's already helping me get a better idea of where everything was located. (My map is so filled with streets, churches, etc that the simpler medieval map helps to put it into perspective). I just got recommended Dr. Janega's videos a few days ago, but so far she seems knowledgeable and not irritating. Tony Robinson and David Starkey get on my nerves so bad I can't watch even for this history.

[@fuzzzone]

To be fair, Tony Robinson isn't a historian, just a host who has a distinct presentation style which one will either like or not. And David Starkey... well, he's a twat who, even at the peak of his academic prowess, was little more than a cookie-cutter historian repackaging the work of others and consistently failing to bring a unique eye or insight to any element of the Tudor era.

[@tompo7467]

David Starkey, we’ll he’s a twat. 😂😂😂😂😂

[@thestoicsteve]

A fascinating presentation of history. Glad I have discovered this channel.

[@RTD3]

Outstanding! I'm going to London next week and this puts a lot into perspective.

[@velvetindigonight]

Excellent! Great synopsis and very enjoyable presentation. Thank you. I needed a 'mind' break and ten minutes of this was perfect. I will of course return! Enjoy

[@Celeste-in-Oz]

same! There is so much fascinating info that I think I'll take it in 10 min bites. I like time to reflect & google questions 😁

[@velvetindigonight]

@@Celeste-in-Oz Yes I do the same. I've learnt more thanks to YT and channels like this and TED Talks than I ever learnt at school. Enjoy

[@ODIN_xx]

Great video Dr Eleanor Janega

[@ricelovinasianricelovinasi7127]

This was awesome could listen you all talk all day

[@SnikkerDerVon]

very nice video, thx a lot for putting it together. Boy i´d love to walk london together with Dr Janega!

[@TommyS61867]

Fascinating! Thank you Eleanor

[@Alejojojo6]

I would love to see this format but about cities on other countries as well: In France, Spain, Poland, Sweden, The Italian states etc...

[@catherinebll]

I absolutely love this woman! Her presentation is on point and those pleather pants! All Medieval historians should wear shiny pleather pants😂 Could listen to her voice and smooth lecture style all day!

[@crislaing6234]

This woman is brilliant,charismatic and beautiful x

[@Oturtlegirl51]

Man, I love English history. I wish we in the United States had a history like that. I'd spend my life studying and visiting each amazing region.

[@Robert-rr7kw]

Also you can read John fisk's the American Revolution published in 1895 it is quite detailed

[@MRTOWELRACK]

Good news! North America has very rich Indigenous history. I'm a Canadian of European ancestry, yet I love learning about the different Indigenous empires, their cities, and how their technology/culture is still felt today. Many North American place names have Indigenous names (Toronto/Tkaronto: Where the are trees in the water; Ontario/Kanadario: great body of sparkling water; Canada/Kanata: settlement). A lot of farming practices and controlled burns go back to Indigenous culture. From Inuit to Mayans, the history is quite diverse too.

[@phoebeel]

I hate to break it to you, but European settler's are probably the most boring part of North American history

[@meeeka]

We have an extensive and rich history in the US and Canada; all it takes is sitting down and devoting more than 10 minutes a day to it.

[@wagherbert]

This was a great doco! Thanks :)

[@MrThomaschapman]

Really enjoyed the passionate and informed delivery…. Sometimes I felt the intimacy and detail you get only when listening to a BBC radio documentary. Thank you! Looking forward to viewing more of your content.

[@mahmoudshaaban1337]

I came across your videos by chance. You rock .Go on .Greetings from Egypt.

[@UBRLND-X]

I am new to Eleanor's documentaries but absolutely love them. She presents them in an active and engaging format with an obvious passion that draws in the listener.

[@trevorwilliams6404]

30:18

[@SwedeProof]

Thank you, Dr. Eleanor! Your fabulous diction and infectious enthusiasm bring history alive!

[@TinyScorpion44]

It's interesting so see the history of London not as castles or individual people but as communities interacting with eachother

[@peterfeltham5612]

Yes Dr Janega puts this over very well, fascinating subject explained so well.

[@larsgrabowski9269]

I fell a little bit in love :) - thanks for the great tour

[@BlueSaphire70]

This was absolutely fascinating! I certainly would not be able to make a living there! I am so grateful to have been born in the 20th century and not in the 13th. This was very excellent information, delivered in a most entertaining way. Thank you!

[@lynnwalton814]

Fascinating episode. Thanks for posting

[@robcreel4257]

Another great video with Doc Eleanor!

[@lukefraser6172]

I’ve only just now discovered Dr Eleanor Janega! I could listen to you all day & all week. And I will be! Eleanor: you are wonderfully engaging & knowledgeable. I love listening to you & your voice. Thank you so much for brightening my day! You are a star! 😊🥰⭐️

[@theenquiringmind7047]

One of the best videos on the channel so far

[@ocean-mist]

This was very well presented and I learned many things I didn't know before!

[@Chipoo88]

Great content. Very well delivered. Keeps it fresh and interesting

[@joshuarogue9345]

I feel like I get more from her in 30 minutes than I did in weeks of high school history classes, and I was/am a nerd lol. I really enjoy the way she breaks it all down, and her pace keeps you engaged but not overwhelmed.

[@louisemerriman1079]

I could listen to Eleanor for hours.

[@Jay-ql4gp]

I love listening to Eleanor, thank you so much!

[@PLuMUK54]

Fascinating. I also loved the presentation, such enthusiasm.

[@joshlesure3196]

Definitely loved learning more about London's Medieval origins! Looking forward to more content from Dr. Janega!

[@adrienne7374]

Binge watching your videos this Sat morning while I wait on my tired husband to get up so I can put him to work 😄

[@laurenl5843]

Great history lesson. Thank you! 😊👍

[@peterkelly1665]

great presentation filled withintrest puts viewer in place and context recommend anyone to watch

[@davidegaleotti94]

Only 1k likes yet?! What a shame, this is a great doc!!! Extremely detailed and Dr. Janega is adamant at explaining things. Thank you :D

[@lightanddark2673]

Just as an educational program should be, presented by some one with passion for the subject and entertaining delivery. More please

[@sebastiennesp1978]

Blimey! So glad I stumbled across this channel. Mesmerising..!

[@Hi_I_am_Ed]

That was super informative. Thank you so much.