A MAP from the 1570s shows how the city looked in Shakespeare’s day, with a population of 200,000. The Thames had just one bridge, Westminster was called West Muster and South London was mostly fields.

Exploring 16th Century London: A Glimpse into Shakespeare’s Era

An intriguing map from the 1570s offers a fascinating look at London during the time of William Shakespeare, capturing the essence of a bustling city that was home to 200,000 residents. In this era, the River Thames was spanned by a single bridge, a key connection point in the city’s infrastructure. Westminster, known to us today as a hub of government and culture, was then referred to as “West Muster.” As we gaze southward across the river, we find that South London was predominantly rural, characterized by open fields rather than the dense urban landscape we see today. This map serves as a historical snapshot, transporting us back to a pivotal period in London’s rich history.