Post medieval period (1547-present)
2 April 2007
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The post medieval period has its origin at the beginning of the Reformation and continues up until modern day, though the closure of almost all burial vaults and churchyards in London through the burial act of 1852 saw an end to almost all burials in London after this date (Harding 1998,63).
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The period encompasses a series of key events in London’s history such as the great plague of 1665 and the Great fire of London the following year, requiring large parts of London to be rebuilt.
The period is well documented historically; in 1538 Henry VIII dictated that each parish should keep a register of all births, marriages and deaths. In the 17th century the Bills of mortality were introduced providing further information on mortality rates and cause of deaths in London up until the mid 19th century (Roberts and Cox 2003, 289).
Rapid population growth and urban expansion defines the period. Industrialisation attracted rural dwellers to the city causing a huge shift in the population. As a result problems of overcrowding, sanitation and hygiene became an issue. In the 19th century water and sanitations systems were introduced though the slums and the most crowded areas of the city were bypassed (Roberts and Cox 2003, 289).
Infectious diseases were rife and spread rapidly in the overpopulated areas where immunity was low due to the influx of rural subjects to the city. The year 1665 saw an outbreak of plague which ravaged London causing mortality rates to soar. In the 18th century smallpox and tuberculosis were some of the biggest killers according to the Bills of Mortality (Roberts and Cox 2003, 291). Lack of sunlight and outdoor activity caused metabolic disorders such as rickets to thrive. An influx of syphilis and other sexually transmitted diseases was seen perhaps associated with the many brothels in London during this time.
Burials during this period were complex. Location and coffin furniture clearly reflected the social status of the individuals during life (Litten 1998). Due the rise in population, overspill cemeteries were created away from the church. These were generally occupied by the less affluent in society where as the churchyards and crypts were reserved for the more well to do (Roberts and Cox 2003, 297).
Coffin furniture came in many different designs. Coffin plates would usually display the name, age and year of death of the individual buried. Occasionally these have preserved in the archaeological record, enabling identification of the individual.
See our bibliography
Cemeteries dated to the Post-Medieval period
Data available
Pending