Visual Sources for Medieval London (VSML) is a curated guide to such visual resources as medieval paintings and manuscript images that depict medieval Londoners and their surroundings, early modern engravings of medieval buildings before the Great Fire, modern drawings that reconstruct medieval structures from archaeological evidence, and seals owned by medieval Londoners and their civic and religious institutions. The site will also include a searchable index to manuscripts known to have been illuminated in medieval London (up to 1520).
Built using OmekaS, VSML is part of a larger linked data project called Medieval Londoners, which includes links to medieval maps of the city. Individual Londoners associated with specific images (such as portraits or seals) are linked to their records in the Medieval Londoners Database.
Civic Officials A remarkable series of pen, ink, and watercolor drawings of the London aldermen in 1446-47 have been attributed to Roger Leigh, Clarenceux King of Arms.
Modern Drawings of Medieval London Most of these illustrations are based on documentary and especially archaeological evidence.
Buildings: Wenceslaus Hollar Because so few medieval London buildings survived the Great Fire of 1666, we rely on prints from engravers such as Hollar (1607-77) to understand the architectural features of medieval buildings.
Seals Medieval Londoners sealed deeds and contracts with personal seals adorned with wording and motifs that they chose. [Under construction]
Manuscripts Illuminated in London A searchable list of medieval manuscripts known to have been illuminated in medieval London. [Under construction]
Maps Includes modern maps of medieval London as well as early modern maps that depict the street patterns and location of medieval markets, churches, and other buildings. [Under construction]