- Maps and plans: Many maps and plans of London from Shakespeare's time have survived. These provide a detailed overview of the city's layout, including the location of streets, buildings, and other features.
- Drawings and paintings: There are also many drawings and paintings of London from Shakespeare's time. These offer a more detailed and realistic view of the city, as they often show everyday life in progress.
- Literary descriptions: Shakespeare and other writers of the time often included descriptions of London in their work. These descriptions provide valuable insights into the city's appearance and atmosphere.
- Archaeological evidence: Archaeological excavations have also yielded a great deal of information about London's past. This evidence includes the remains of buildings, roads, and other features.
Taken together, these sources provide a rich and detailed picture of what London looked like in Shakespeare's day. The city was a bustling and vibrant place, with a population of around 200,000 people. The streets were narrow and crowded, and the buildings were mostly made of wood. The River Thames was a major thoroughfare, and it was lined with wharves and warehouses. London was also a center of trade and commerce, and there were many markets and shops to be found.
Shakespeare's London was a fascinating and complex place, and it is no wonder that it has been the subject of so much interest and study.