The visitor approaching a medieval city through miles of
open fields saw it clear in the sunlight, unobscured by coal smoke. From
without it looked like a fortress, with walls, towers, gateways, drawbridges,
and moat. Beyond the fortifications he would see, huddled together against the
sky, the spires of the churches and the cathedral, the roofs of the larger
houses, and the dark, frowning mass of the castle. The general impression would
be one of wealth and strength and beauty.
A CITY FROM WITHIN
Once within the walls the visitor would not find things so
attractive. The streets were narrow, crooked, and ill-paved, dark during the
day because of the overhanging houses, and without illumination at night. There
were no open spaces or parks except a small market place. The whole city was
cramped by its walls, which shut out light, air, and view, and prevented
expansion into the neighboring country. Medieval London, for instance, covered
an area of less than one square mile. [6]
[6] The visitor to Chester in England or Rothenburg in
Germany finds the old ramparts still standing and gains an excellent idea of
the cramped quarters of a medieval city. Nuremburg in southern Germany is
another city which has preserved its medieval monuments.
