King John's letters patent of 1207 announced the foundation of the borough
of Liverpool, but by the middle of the 16th century the population was still
only around 500. The original street plan of Liverpool is said to have been
designed by King John near the same time it was granted a royal charter, making
it a borough. The original seven streets were laid out in a H shape: Bank
Street (now Water Street), Castle Street, Chapel Street, Dale Street, Juggler
Street (now High Street), Moor Street (now Tithebarn Street) and Whiteacre
Street (now Old Hall Street).
In the 17th century there was slow progress in trade
