In addition to fur and feathers, domestic animals played a crucial role in the functioning of medieval London. Livestock such as cattle, sheep, and pigs were common in the city's markets and were an essential part of the food supply. London’s proximity to fertile lands made it an important center for the farming of animals, which were raised for their meat, milk, wool, and hides. Butchers in the city specialized in processing and selling meat from these animals, and markets like Billingsgate and Smithfield were famous for their bustling trade in fresh produce, meats, and other animal products.

Sheep were particularly important to the medieval economy, as they provided both wool for textiles and meat for consumption. The wool industry was one of the most profitable sectors in medieval England, and London served as a key distribution point for wool produced throughout the country. London’s thriving textile industry, which produced woolen cloth for both domestic use and export, relied heavily on the availability of sheep. Wool was one of the most valuable commodities in the medieval world, and it was in high demand from both local and foreign buyers.

Pigs were also a common sight in medieval London, especially in poorer neighborhoods. They were often kept by households who had little land or income, as pigs were relatively inexpensive to care for and could be slaughtered for food. The pigs were also used to clean the streets of waste, as they would root around in garbage, making them a part of the city's informal sanitation system. However, their presence on the streets also led to many complaints from city officials, who sought to regulate their numbers and prevent them from causing damage to property.

The Role of Birds in Medieval London

Birds, particularly pigeons and falcons, had a dual purpose in medieval London: they were both a source of food and a symbol of status. The wealthy elite often kept falcons for the noble sport of falconry, a popular pastime among the aristocracy. Falconry, which involved the hunting of small game with trained birds of prey, was a highly prestigious activity that required great skill and knowledge. Falcons, hawks, and eagles were kept in special mews, and falconers, the trained individuals responsible for caring for and training these birds, were an important part of the medieval household.

Pigeons, on the other hand, were raised for both their meat and their droppings. The droppings were used as fertilizer for crops, making pigeons valuable to those who lived in and around the city. The pigeons themselves were often kept in dovecotes, small structures built specifically for breeding and housing the birds. Pigeon pie was a delicacy enjoyed by the wealthy, and the birds were considered a luxury food item. shutdown123