The History of Liverpool

Liverpool, in many ways, can be noted as the hub of Merseyside and the heart of the North-West area. 
The earliest mention of Liverpool dates back to the 12th century in which township was granted by Henry II to Warine de Lancaster where the area began its separation from West Derby [1].

Though it has such an early influence and recording, there was no mention of it within The Domesday Book. However, it is likely to have been one of the six unnamed berewicks.

After this, the next major influence and said founder of Liverpool occurred in the year 1207 when King John acquired Liverpool and it was granted as the King’s charter five days later [2].

Chadwick’s map of Liverpool (1725) 

Before the Charter, there was very little in terms of settlement around or within Merseyside. The area had great potential for future settlement, but before was mainly agricultural scattered farmsteads [3].
Regardless of lacking in previous settlements, King John saw Liverpool as a perfect opportunity and ideal place to form a base for invasions. Liverpool, from this, was named on the Royal Charter as ‘Liuerpul’ giving the area an official town status.

When analysing the origin of the name, it has a clear influence from the Old English period meaning a thick, muddy pool or clotted water [4]. The derivation of these elements are cohesive with the actual setting of Liverpool, with it being close to the River Mersey but still elevated enough for settlement.

Bacon’s Map of Liverpool (1885)

After the Royal Charter, Liverpool had been logged throughout history with several spelling differences such as ‘Litherpol’, ‘Leverepul’, ‘Liuerpoll’, ‘Lurpoill’ until the final standardised Chancery spelling which we identify now as ‘Liverpool’.

After repeated outbreaks of plague, crime and poverty throughout history, the beginning of the 16th and 17th centuries illustrated more of a promising settlement and increase for potential [5].

Liverpool began to have an increase in several factors such as merchants visiting and settling, several docks and the expanding of the city to make the Liverpool we know of today.


Researched by Olivia Astley

[1]Museum of Liverpool (2011) Liverpool Historic Settlement Study. [online] https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/mol/archaeology/historic-characterisation-project/Liverpool-Part-6.pdf [accessed 18/11/18].

[2] History of Liverpool (2018) https://historic-liverpool.co.uk/liverpool/?zoom=14&lat=7059126.52039&lon=-331992.02049&layers=BTTTTTTTTT

[3] J.N.L, Myres. (1986) The English Settlements. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

[4] HALOGEN (2018) https://halogen.le.ac.uk/results/results.php?county%5B%5D=CHE&county%5B%5D=LNC&lang%5B%5D=all&hword_list%5B%5D=all&placename=&placename_match_type=exact&data_set=kepn [accessed 14/11/18].

[5] http://historic-liverpool.co.uk/liverpool/?zoom=14&lat=7059126.52039&lon=-331992.02049&layers=BTTTTTTTTT#beforecharter

Chadwick’s map of Liverpool (1725) https://www.e-architect.co.uk/liverpool/bluecoat-liverpool-city-centres-oldest-building

Bacon’s Map of Liverpool (1885) https://historic-liverpool.co.uk/product/bacons-map-of-liverpool-1885-print-old-map-liverpool/