Medieval Townscapes

The 2016 annual seminar of the Irish Historic Towns Atlas (IHTA) was convened in collaboration with the British Historic Towns Atlas/Historic Towns Trust (HTT) and explored the similarities and differences to be found in the urban landscapes of our two neighbouring islands, reflecting on their shared and connected histories, as well as on the common purposes of the two atlas projects. Focusing on 'medieval townscapes', the 2016 seminar compared towns and cities of both Ireland and Britain using a thematic structure to consider how, despite the close geographical proximity of Ireland and Britain, their urban landscapes in the Middle Ages were shaped as much by local factors and influences as they were by common structures and concerns, such as religion, warfare, defence, lordship and commerce. 

The seminar took place in Academy House, 19 Dawson Street, Dublin 2 on Friday, 20 May 2016. 

Comparisons were made with Bristol and Galway; Kilkenny and Norwich; Limerick and York; Caernarfon and New Ross; London and Dublin.

The plenary session was delivered by Terry Slater (University of Birmingham): 'Comparing medieval towns in Britain and Ireland: a plan-analytical approach using the historic towns atlases'. 

Full programme available here.