Tall Buildings in Medieval London: Precipitation, Aspiration and Thrills

Abstract

This paper reviews the heights of buildings in London between c.1090 and 1666. Religious, military, aristocratic and civic buildings were often conspicuously taller than other structures, reflecting aspirations to reach towards heaven (as in the case of the Tower of Babel) and the assertion of individual or collective pride, identity, power and authority. Tall buildings, especially towers and spires, featured prominently in depictions of the city and informed wider perceptions of its identity. On the river frontage, on London Bridge and elsewhere, they were exploited as the backdrop to ceremonial occasions. In contrast, the heights of domestic and commercial structures were determined largely by land values, themselves reflecting demand for commercial sites. By 1300, three-storey houses were common and by 1650, houses of six storeys were a feature of central districts, a pattern evident in other cities of similar size and not significantly altered until after 1860. Throughout the period, people took pleasure in the use of tall buildings for recreation: to enjoy the air, to view the prospect across the city and surrounding countryside and as affording elevated private places in which to entertain family and friends. The height of buildings and its association with the rise and fall of reputations were among the continuing excitements of metropolitan life.