Customer Reviews

Norman London

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This book contains four parts: the introduction, by Donald Logan, an essay on Norman London by the noted historian Sir. Frank Stenton, the primary source of William Fitz Stephen describing the city, and two maps with accompanying explanations of major land marks with links to descriptions mentioned in William's text. They essay by Stenton and the William Fitz Stephen piece (written in 1183) are the highlights of this short volume. Stenton describes in detail the benefits and privileges that citizens of London are given (and demand as a medieval Commune). How the city was administered and divided, unique customs, and its economic position are but a few of the topics he covers. I am fascinated with the rise of the Medieval commune (originally a Italian concept that spread to Northern Europe and Spain) and the unique situation of London as most important city in England makes this a fascinating and informative read. William Fitz Stephen's text gives a truly vivid and realistic view of London life covering boys and their games to academics and the methods they use to argue with each other in the streets.

However, I was slightly disappointed with this volume for three main reasons. Firstly, the maps are of very poor quality although they are presented as a highlight of the text. They could have profited from not being computer generated (the visual quality of the drawing program Paint) and hand drawn for they are difficult to read. For example, I cannot tell the difference between a known boundary (....) and an uncertain boundary (. .. . ..) inside the city. The commentary to the map (which connects to William's descriptions in the text) almost makes up for these deficiencies since they are precise and descriptive. Secondly, the introduction to the volume is practically non-essential since it gives only a brief textbook level detail for the foundation of Rome adding little insight since the meat of information is in Stenton's essay. Lastly, almost nothing is said about the author, Willaim Fitz Stephen, besides that this was an introduction to another of his works written around 1183.

All in all, this is still a worthwhile volume.