Most English towns were founded in the later medieval period, in particular between the mid twelfth and early fourteenth centuries.

This book begins by giving an outline of the growth in the number of towns and outlines the archaeological, documentary and cartographic evidence that is available. It goes on to relate that evidence to surviving features in the townscape. Topics covered include town sites, their layout, street patterns, defences (castles, walls and gates), markets, churches, suburbs, boundaries and houses.

Above all, this is a practical guide to the study of medieval towns.