Editing King's Lynn (section)

===Middle Ages===
Lynn originated on a constricted site south of where the [[River Great Ouse]] now discharges into [[the Wash]]. Development began in the early 10th century, but the place was not recorded until the early 11th century. Until the early 13th century, the Great Ouse emptied via the Wellstream at [[Wisbech]]. After its redirection, Lynn and its port gained significance and prosperity.<ref>"History of Lynn" Volume 1 by William Richards M.A. 1812</ref>

In 1101, Bishop [[Herbert de Losinga]] of [[Thetford]] began to build the first [[Middle Ages|medieval]] town between the rivers Purfleet to the north and Mill Fleet to the south. He commissioned [[King's Lynn Minster|St Margaret's Church]] and authorised a market to be held on Saturday.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Tim |url=http://www.localhistories.org/Kingslynn.html |title=A history of King's Lynn |access-date=2 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="Heritage">{{Cite web |url=http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=21900 |title=History and Heritage of King's Lynn |access-date=25 May 2010 |publisher=Borough Council of King's Lynn & West Norfolk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507174416/http://www.west-norfolk.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=21900 |archive-date=7 May 2010 }}</ref> Trade built up along the waterways that stretched inland; the town expanded between the two rivers.

Lynn's 12th-century Jewish community was exterminated in the widespread [[History of the Jews in England (1066–1290)|massacres of 1189]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Jewish Community of King's Lynn |url=https://dbs.bh.org.il/place/kings-lynn |publisher=[[The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot]] |access-date=2 July 2018}}</ref>

During the 14th century, Lynn ranked as England's most important port. It was seen to be as vital to England in the [[Middle Ages]] as [[Liverpool]] was during the [[Industrial Revolution]]. Sea trade with Europe was dominated by the [[Hanseatic League]] of ports; the [[wikt:transatlantic|transatlantic]] trade and the rise of England's western ports began only in the 17th century. The [[King's Lynn Guildhall|Trinity Guildhall]] was rebuilt in 1421 after a fire. Walls entered by the [[South Gate, King's Lynn|South Gate]] and East Gate were erected to protect the town.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.poppyland.co.uk/index.php?s=KINGS_LYNN |title=King's Lynn |access-date=8 June 2010 |work=Poppyland Publishing}}</ref> It retains two former Hanseatic League warehouses: Hanse House of 1475<ref name=hansehouse>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1195393 |desc=Hanse House |access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> and Marriott's Warehouse, in use between the 15th and 17th centuries.<ref name=marriotts>{{National Heritage List for England |num=1212000 |desc=Marriott's Warehouse |access-date=12 January 2014}}</ref> These are the only remaining buildings of the Hanseatic League in England. The town was designated a [[Royal Port]] by [[John, King of England|King John]].