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I was born in Enfield, England, but emigrated to Canada as a youth. My interest in medieval urban history began during my undergraduate days at Carleton University, thanks to Dr. Joan Greatrex. I chose to pursue it at Leicester University, in order to study under Professor Geoffrey Martin, and completed my Master of Philosophy thesis there.

Returning to Canada after completing my degree, I found employment as a researcher in the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and developed a second interest in museology (in which field I have various works published -- for anyone interested in that subject, here are some examples of my books and articles). I also pursued a degree in Library and Information Science (University of Western Ontario) to the Masters level. I am presently manager of the Museum's Web site.

My involvement with the Web made me aware that medieval urban history is one of the fields for which there is a lack of information online. I therefore decided to create the Web site you are now visiting, in hopes of encouraging others who have studied the history of medieval towns to share some of their knowledge through this medium.

I dedicate this site to those giants upon whose shoulders I stand, some of whom I have been privileged to know personally.

If you know of any online information on the subject of English medieval towns to which I do not have a link, I would be grateful to learn of it.
e-mail:

Stephen Alsford

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