John had chosen this position for his new borough for two reasons: on a large scale it was in an excellent position from which the King could start Irish campaigns. On a smaller scale, it was a defensible landscape, with the raised promontory on which the castle would later stand, and the views to all points of the compass, including out to Liverpool Bay. To encourage the growth of the town - any kick-off point for a navy needed a thriving settlement behind it - burgages were laid out, to be taken up by what were known as burgesses. The burgages were plots of land, enough for a house with room to set up shop. Unusually for the time, anyone inhabiting the town became a free person, and although the quality of life would not have been much better for those living here than in rural areas, the freedoms which were held here were enough to attract a regular stream of new settlers.

Before the influx of new people, buildings, farms and stalls, there was very little in the way of settlement on the north bank of the Mersey. Walton parish served the spiritual needs of the area. West Derby was only recently a very important centre, possessing its own castle which was constantly manned, if a little decrepid in its old age. As was described earlier, Saxon and Norse settlements had been established in the area during the years leadig up to the Norman conquest. The rural area now occupied by the city of Liverpool would have been the setting for scattered dwellings, farms, but no more.

What kind of people were attracted to the burgages then? As has been mentioned, those wishing to escape the traditional feudal hierarchy could come to a free borough without fear of being pursued. Traders of course were attracted as the newly established town was placed here for that very reason. Builders, carpernters, masons and farmers were drawn to the new source of work which the town created, along with labourers of other kinds. Local peasants who had occupied the area before Liverpool was created moved themselves into the settlement, although we don't get to hear how willing they were to uproot their traditional lives. They had no choice if they were to stay in the area.

Daily life in early Liverpool was typical of that of any settlement in the early Medieval period. There were many more holidays then than are enjoyed by todays hard working urbanites! While these were of course predominantly religious celebrations, the populace lost no opportunity to enjoy themselves in the course of their duties. Dancing was a popular pastime on any occassion. More unpleasant (to modern eyes) were the cock fights and bull baiting which were widespread spectator sports (and a chance to gamble) throughout the country. In 1567 the town books record that "for further and greater repair of gentlemen and others to this own we find it needful that there be a handsome cockpit made". It was even seen as a way to attract the tourists, i.e. the travelling traders and those of the upper classes touring the country. Lord Strange was one of the fortunate gentlemen who, waiting for a good wind to take him to the Isle of Man was entertained by dancers and displays. Another visitor, John Leland, made special note of the fact that the streets of Liverpool were paved, apparently a rare situation during these times. He contrasts this with the fact that it "hath but a chapel" rather than its own church. By the middle of the 15th Century, the population of the town was around 1000.

As well as the 'ordinary' people of Liverpool New Town, this place played host two rich and powerful families from its founding onwards. The castle, built by William de Ferres, the sherriff of Lancaster, was inhabited by the Molyneux family. This family were well established in the city, and Richard Molyneux had fourt at Agincourt in 1415. In 1406 Sir John Stanley had been granted the Isle of Man by Henry IV for his part in putting down the Percy Rebellion. The family built their impressive residence in Liverpool at the bottom of Water Street, facing out onto the river. This became an embattled fortress, an imposing structure in the waterfront, known as the Tower. As may be expected, these two families could not stay at peace with each other for long. There were confrontations from time to time, such as that in 1424 when three thousand men, a third on the side of Richard Molyneux, the others in support of Thomas Stanley, gathered outside the town on West Derby Fen. The Sherriff, however, prevented actual battle, and arrested Richard. Apart from these skirmishes, the families vented their frustrations in the various wars against the French, and their notoriety spread far beyond Lancashire. As well as these powerful men, there were other, less influential families, some of the names of whom might be familiar to anyone who has lived in the city for any length of time: Ferres, Moore, Cross, Norris.

Perhaps contrary to expectation, more is known about the day to day lives of Liverpool's citizens in this age than is heard of the large 'events' which litter the history learnt in schools. To many, this is of more interest than to know when a certain king visited for a fleeting few days, and this is the impression of the town I have tried to give in this section. A period of more 'traditional' history follows, as Liverpool and Lancashire beyond played a central role in the great conflict that was about to erupt: the Civil War.