King's Lynn, originally known as 'Linn', is thought to have derived its name from the Celtic word for a lake or pool, and it is recorded that a large tidal lake originally covered this area.
In the eleventh century Bishop Herbert de Losinga of Thetford began the first Medieval town between the Purfleet and Mill Fleet by building St Margaret's Church and authorising a market.
Quite quickly a small prosperous town grew up and in 1204, following a charter from Bishop John de Grey of Norwich, the town became Bishop's Lynn (Lenne Episcopi).
Trade built up along the waterways that stretched inland from Lynn, and the town expanded and quickly filled the space between the two rivers, Millfleet to the south and Purfleet to the north.
By the late 12th century, a further period of expansion began, more deliberately planned than the first, with wider straighter streets and a much larger market place - this is the second Medieval town.
Bishop's Lynn grew rich on trade both within Britain and abroad. The Hanseatic League, a powerful German trading organisation made up of merchants from North Germany and neighbouring countries around the Baltic Sea contributed greatly to this prosperity. The legacy of trade can be found in the many merchants houses and other fascinating buildings in this medieval port.
After the dissolution of the monastries by Henry VIII, Lynn changed its name to Lynn Regis - subsequently King's Lynn - remaining an active port to this day.
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