The transport system of medieval England and Wales : a geographical synthesis

Edwards, JF

Abstract

This thesis is concerned with attempting to reconstruct the
transport system of medieval England and Wales.
The thesis is divided into four parts. The first is an introduction
which seeks to justify the research and to place it in the
context of recent work in historical geography. This section also
examines the previous research on medieval transport.
The second part expands the previously established medieval road
network and attempts to clarify certain aspects relating to it.
Cartographic evidence is examined together with a critical examination
of various itineraries which have not been previously discussed in any
great detail. An attempt is also made to clarify the vexed question
relating to the significance of the medieval unit of distance. Some
further evidence, including direct documentary evidence, is examined
and then added to all the previous evidence to produce the basic framework
of a national medieval road network. Direct documentary evidence
is also used in an attempt to establish the most likely routes taken
for the overland movement of goods and produce where only the starting
point and destination are recorded.
The third part attempts to determine, using direct historical
evidence, the extent of navigable water used during the medieval
period. The initial chapters deal with the navigable rivers on a
regional basis, and an attempt is made to establish their navigational
limits. All this regional evidence is then brought together to produce
a national picture of inland navigable waterways. An analysis of the movement of goods along the rivers is carried out, and the link
between inland and coastal navigation is also considered, together
with an appraisal of medieval vessels. This section also examines
the cartographic representation of waterways.
The fourth, and final part of the thesis is concerned with
combining the road and waterway networks and also examines their
affinity with the more prominent medieval trading centres to produce
the basic structure of the whole national medieval transport system.
Trends in the changing fortunes of the prominent medieval boroughs
are analysed which puts into perspective temporal fluctuations and
hence highlights the changing importance of the routes leading to them.
Finally, further direct historical evidence is called upon to confirm
utilisation of the system.

Citation

Edwards, J. The transport system of medieval England and Wales : a geographical synthesis. (Thesis). University of Salford

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 16, 2011
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 16, 2011
• Award Date: Jan 1, 1987