The architecture of ambition in medieval London's merchant community
In short: Explore how the world's wealthiest merchants of the Middle Ages used architecture to project power. This lecture unearths the lost mercantile buildings of London to reveal how commerce and luxury shaped the city's physical identity.
Professor Simon Thurley examines the intersection of commerce and 'megalomania' in medieval London. During this era, the city hosted one of the globe's largest and wealthiest merchant communities, where influential families invested heavily in high-end architecture for both professional and personal use.
The lecture focuses on the lost mercantile structures that defined the urban landscape. By studying these buildings, we can see how the merchant class translated their financial success into permanent, sophisticated physical monuments that balanced business utility with aesthetic pleasure.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: House, Shop and Wardrobe in London's Merchant Community - Simon Thurley CBE
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