Barbican Living

Barretts Solicitors' guide to the Barbican Estate. You should use us. We really know the Barbican.
 

The early City of London

Rome founded London, under the Roman name of Londinium. When the Romans left, the city was ultimately abandoned. The Anglo-Saxon conquerors were farmers and had no need of a city. The Vikings took advantage of the defensive possibilities of the decaying City walls. It was Alfred the Great, who led the resurgence of the English, who re-founded London. He appointed an Ealdorman to govern the city for him. London quickly grew to be once again the most important town in England.

Under the Danes, a portreeve (town agent) governed the town and the freemen of the City met in an open air folkmoot (people meeting) (both words from Old English). The leading citizens also met in the husting (house council, in Old Norse) to discuss the City’s affairs.

The City of London is now one among many boroughs of London. But for many centuries "London" and "the City of London" meant the same thing.  Edward the Confessor built an abbey at Westminster, but that was virtually a green-field site. Southwark was a separate town on the other side of the river.

The City was divided into administrative areas called Wards. Its citizens had to meet in the Ward Mote once a week. The Ward Mote elected a governing official called the alderman (derived from Alfred’s ealdorman). The alderman appointed Common Councilmen to advise him. A Ward Mote is still called every December to elect Common Councilmen. Aldermen remain an important feature of City life, but the Court of Common Council now fulfils the functions of local government. The Aldermen judged disputes and commanded the ward’s troops in battle.

There's a United Wards Club of the City of London which you can join if you work in the City.

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