Map Of The Largest Towns And Cities Of England In 1377

Map found on redditThis map illustrates the largest towns and cities in England in the year 1377, categorized by population size.

Here is a detailed explanation:

Biggest Cities & Towns By Population

City / Town	Population
London	34,971
York	10,872
Bristol	9,518
Plymouth	7,256
Coventry	7,226
Norwich	5,928
Lincoln	5,354
Salisbury	4,839
King's Lynn	4,691
Colchester	4,432
Boston	4,307
Beverley	3,994
Newcastle	3,970
Canterbury	3,861
Bury St Edmunds	3,668
Oxford	3,536
Gloucester	3,358
Leicester	3,152
Shrewsbury	3,123
Great Yarmouth	2,912
Hereford	2,854
Cambridge	2,853
Ely	2,583
Exeter	2,340
Hull	2,336
Worcester	2,336
Ipswich	2,260
Northampton	2,216
Nottingham	2,170
Winchester	2,160
Scarborough	2,090
Stamford	1,827
Newark-on-Trent	1,767
Ludlow	1,758
Southampton	1,728
Pontefract	1,628
Reading	1,575
Derby	1,569
Lichfield	1,536
Newbury	1,500
Wells	1,352

What’s interesting is just how much some cities have grown and how much others haven’t.

In 1377, Bury St. Edmuns may have been the 15th largest town in England with 3,668 people, today it is over 10X larger with 41,000 people. Yet, that only makes it the 253th largest city or town in the UK.

Similarly York is now the 43rd largest city in the UK, despite it’s population growing 15X.

On the other hand, London remains the biggest city, but now has 250X times more people at over 9 million. Even my borough of Lewisham (just one of 32 boroughs) has 9X more people than all of London did in 1377.

Historical Context:

• In 1377, England was under the rule of King Richard II, following the Black Death which had significantly impacted population sizes.
• The population data reflects the urban recovery and growth patterns post-Black Death.
• Many of these towns were significant medieval trade and religious centers, influencing their population sizes.

The year 1377 is significant in the context of medieval England for several reasons:

1. Population Records:

• Poll Tax of 1377: One of the primary reasons 1377 is notable is due to the Poll Tax introduced that year. This tax required every person over the age of 14 to pay a levy, leading to detailed population records. These records provide historians with a valuable snapshot of the population distribution and sizes of towns and cities during that time.

2. Political Transition:

• End of Edward III’s Reign: 1377 marked the end of King Edward III‘s long reign. He died in June of that year, and his grandson Richard II ascended to the throne. This transition was a significant event in English history, marking the end of a period of relative stability and the beginning of a more turbulent era.

3. Post-Black Death Era:

• Recovery Period: The years following the Black Death (1347-1351) were crucial for demographic studies. By 1377, England was in a phase of recovery and rebuilding. Understanding the population distribution during this time helps historians analyze the impact and recovery patterns from one of the most devastating pandemics in human history.

4. Economic and Social Changes:

• Rise of Towns: By 1377, many towns were growing in economic importance. The map reflects the urbanization and the development of trade networks. This period saw significant social and economic changes, partly driven by the labor shortages caused by the Black Death, which altered feudal relationships and contributed to the rise of a more market-based economy.

5. Pre-Peasants’ Revolt:

• Tensions Building: The period leading up to the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 was characterized by social and economic tensions. Understanding the distribution of population centers in 1377 helps contextualize the events leading to this major uprising, as it highlights the regions where economic pressures and dissatisfaction with taxation and governance were most keenly felt.

Books on this time period:

• The Time Traveler’s Guide to Medieval England: A Handbook for Visitors to the Fourteenth Century
• A Distant Mirror: The Calamitous 14th Century
• The Plantagenets: The Warrior Kings and Queens Who Made England