Q&A ยท 37:32-38:10

Did London's trained bands defend assigned sections of wall?

London's growth and inadequate walls pushed the trained bands towards defence in the surrounding countryside.

Question

Did London's trained bands each adopt a section of the city wall to defend?

Short answer

Yes, but London outgrew its walls, and the trained bands planned to defend the city through field battles around it.

Notes

Assigned sections of wall formed part of the trained bands' responsibilities. London soon outgrew those defences, and the surviving walls were too weak to provide the protection required. The bands therefore assessed where they could best defend the capital through field battle. They became a field army in practical terms, with plans extending beyond the old city perimeter.