Transcribed from the 1810 C. Berry edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for kindly supplying the images from which this transcription was made.
a
CONCISE HISTORY
and
DIRECTORY
of the
CITY OF NORWICH;
For 1811:
Containing besides the Lists,
a variety of
LOCAL INFORMATION,
useful and interesting
To RESIDENTS and STRANGERS.
Embellished with an engraved Plan of the City. [0]
Norwich:
Printed by and for C. Berry, jun. Dove-Lane.
1810.
THE
Editor’s Address to the Public.
Nine years have expired since the publication of the last Norwich Directory (which was out of print almost as soon as in); during which period, alterations have been constantly taking place in the residence of the inhabitants, independent of those which have been entirely removed by death or otherwise. It will be found of those which were inserted in the former, and are still to be found in this, not half of them remain in the same residence.—He was not aware of the difficulty of obtaining the address of so large a population, or he would have been deterred from the undertaking: he has used his utmost endeavors to render it as correct as possible, and hopes he has made no very flagrant errors or omissions.—The Directory contains several hundred names more than that before noticed—the historical part is entirely written and compiled for the present purpose—many charitable and public institutions are noticed which cannot be found elsewhere—and the lists
are much augmented, and corrected to the present time.—The alphabetical order of the Directory, is corrected to the first vowel.
He cannot let this opportunity escape, without returning his thanks to several gentlemen who have rendered him information he could not otherwise have obtained.—He writes not for fame, but throws himself on an indulgent public; and should his feeble efforts prove in any degree useful, or meet the approbation of his fellow-citizens, his end is gained.
Norwich, October 19, 1810.
TABLE
of the
POPULATION of the City and County of NORWICH,
In the Years 1801, 1786, 1752, & 1693.
| PARISHES. | Houses 1801 | Persons 1801 | Persons 1786 | Persons 1752 | Persons 1693 |
| St. Peter Southgate | 123 | 378 | 507 | 425 | 470 |
| St. Etheldred | 68 | 252 | 254 | 247 | 243 |
| St. Julian | 211 | 662 | 846 | 595 | 593 |
| St. Peter Permountergate | 316 | 1350 | 1362 | 1408 | 1376 |
| St. John Sepulchre | 312 | 1144 | 1114 | 1004 | 781 |
| St. Michael at Thorn | 402 | 1198 | 1442 | 1127 | 865 |
| St. John Timberhill | 231 | 888 | 975 | 890 | 668 |
| All Saints | 176 | 701 | 825 | 578 | 425 |
| St. Stephen | 541 | 2211 | 2360 | 2314 | 1769 |
| St. Peter Mancroft | 460 | 2120 | 2299 | 2288 | 1953 |
| St. Giles | 239 | 1076 | 1117 | 961 | 910 |
| St. Benedict | 227 | 830 | 900 | 715 | 652 |
| St. Swithin | 120 | 503 | 643 | 751 | 496 |
| St. Margaret | 173 | 662 | 859 | 856 | 664 |
| St. Laurence | 269 | 899 | 1018 | 952 | 668 |
| St. Gregory | 221 | 1057 | 1113 | 1202 | 772 |
| St. John Maddermarket | 160 | 1698 | 1571 | 1107 | 657 |
| St. Andrew | 235 | 1858 | 1773 | 1334 | 935 |
| St. Michael at Plea | 77 | 446 | 502 | 482 | 479 |
| St. Peter Hungate | 88 | 371 | 394 | 341 | 267 |
| St. George Tombland | 135 | 750 | 720 | 737 | 722 |
| St. Simon and Jude | 83 | 333 | 443 | 420 | 362 |
| St. Martin at Palace | 253 | 936 | 1109 | 1083 | 819 |
| St. Helen | 80 | 393 | 446 | 386 | 338 |
| St. Michael Coslany | 255 | 1031 | 1185 | 1046 | 1026 |
| St. Mary | 306 | 1018 | 1202 | 1178 | 949 |
| St. Martin at Oak | 370 | 1747 | 2153 | 1698 | 1243 |
| St. Augustine | 402 | 1232 | 1899 | 1226 | 850 |
| St. George Colegate | 283 | 1132 | 1272 | 1295 | 1154 |
| St. Clement | 146 | 853 | 800 | 816 | 593 |
| St. Edmund | 99 | 446 | 531 | 520 | 370 |
| St. Saviour | 225 | 984 | 593 | 810 | 701 |
| St. Paul | 378 | 1395 | 1681 | 1461 | 983 |
| St. James | 251 | 520 | 608 | 696 | 416 |
| Pockthorp | 241 | 979 | 1272 | 1116 | 732 |
| Heigham | 227 | 854 | 923 | 653 | 544 |
| HAMLETS. | |||||
| Lakenham | 89 | 428 | 486 | 165 | 221 |
| Eaton | 38 | 278 | 260 | 226 | 153 |
| Earlham | 12 | 95 | 66 | 68 | 50 |
| Hellesdon | 17 | 81 | 108 | 70 | 65 |
| Thorpe | 17 | 74 | 82 | 36 | 69 |
| Trowse, Carrow, and Bracon | 89 | 353 | 348 | 386 | 258 |
| Precinct of the Close | 118 | 616 | 700 | 650 | |
| Norwich Goal | 22 | ||||
| Total | 8763 | 36854 | 40051 | 36396 | 28911 |
a concise
HISTORY OF NORWICH.
In attempting a brief History of Norwich, it shall be endeavoured, so far as the limits of the design will admit, to consider its situation and extent, foundation and present state, former and present population, memorable events, antiquities, eminent or learned inhabitants, trade, manufactures, &c.
Norwich is situate in 1. 25. E. of London, and in 52. 40. N. latitude; it lies considerably eastward of the centre of the county of Norfolk, of which it is the capital, and indeed it may be considered as the principal city in the eastern district of the kingdom. It occupies the top and sides of a gentle hill, which runs parallel with the river Wensum on its western side; the river suddenly takes an almost western course, and runs through nearly the centre of the city. It is distinguished in the annals of Great Britain for its manufactures, the memorable events that have occurred, its antiquities, and for various other objects which shall be briefly touched upon.
Norwich, in its present state, is said to
occupy more ground, comparatively with its population, than any city in the kingdom, being much interspersed with gardens, and it is frequently stiled, a city in an orchard; its shape is irregular, and may not unaptly be compared to a shoulder of mutton—it is full one mile and a half in length, and a mile and quarter broad. It contains thirty four churches and a number of chapels and meeting houses, besides the cathedral; it has five bridges over the river; it was formerly nearly surrounded with a wall, planted with forty two towers and had twelve gates, the former is dilapidated the latter, within a few years have been taken down.
The original foundation of Norwich is not easily asertained; however, it is certain, that the Romans, presently after their establishment in Britain, either erected fortresses near the British towns, or invited the natives to assemble round the Roman military stations; and most of our cities and chief towns occupy the site of such stations, or are in their immediate vicinity, which makes it probable, that Norwich orginated in the decay of (Venta Icenorum) Castor, and which the following old distich commemorates.
“Castor was a city when Norwich was none,
“And Norwich was built of Castor stone.
Camden says, he had no where met with the name of Norwich previous to the Danish invasion; on the origin of the name, various opinions have been formed; however, there is very little doubt that it received its name from the Saxons, their word Northwic, signifying a northern station, castle, or town, and the word
occurs on the Saxon coins of various reigns. Blomfield mentions several of these—one in the time of Alfred the Great, about the year 872; another in the early part of the reign of Athelstan about the year 925, and several others; besides three coins minted here of Ethelred, called the Unready, of which it seems, some are yet extant; and from which it appears, that Norwich was a place of note before the Danes were in possession of Britain.
The Saxons immediately took advantage of the Romans leaving Britain, to pour in their own troops, under pretence of protecting the natives; but they soon threw off the mask, and erecting fortresses to defend what they had seized, they shortly became possessed of the whole Island. At this period ’tis probable the former Castle of Norwich was first founded. Vulgar chronology makes it as old as Julius Cæsar; but its gothic structure belied such conjecture—the elevated spot on which this castle stood, commanding a prospect over a large space of country, pointed it out as a proper place to fix an advanced post.
Uffa is considered the first Saxon monarch over this part of the kingdom, in the year 575; but it appears, notwithstanding, from undoubted authority, that Grecca, the father of Uffa, was the first sovereign of East Anglia.
The monarchy, therefore, was probably established between the years 530 and 540, and the castle erected about the same period. In the year 642 it is said to have been a fortified royal seat of Anna, the seventh king of the East Anglian line.
From this time till the reign of Alfred, we find little or no mention of the Castle: but during the incursions of the Danes, it was frequently possessed by them and the Saxons alternately; and it appears, that king Alfred in his time, finding the walls and ramparts of Norwich Castle insufficient to repel the attack of the Danes, caused others to be erected with the most durable materials.
Norwich Castle was evidently a military station in Alfred’s time, as appears also by the coin struck here, about the year 872, before noticed; but in the reign of Etheldred the II. it is described to have been utterly destroyed by an army under Sweyne, king of Denmark, about the year 1004. In 1010 the Danes again settled in and fortified Norwich, and the Castle appears to have been rebuilt by Canute, about the year 1018; to have been first used as a prison in the early part of the 14th century, and from this period, its history merges into that of the city.
Mr. Wilkins says, Norwich castle is the best exterior of this kind of architecture extant. The area of the ancient castle, including its outer works, contained about 23 acres, the whole of which was surrounded by a wall; the principal entrance was by Bar, now Ber-street, through Golden-Ball-lane, by the Barbican Gate, which was flanked by two towers, and connected with the external vallum, by a wall; the extent of the outermost ditch reached on the west part to the edge of the present Market Pace, on the north to London-lane, which it included; and on the east almost to King-street;
the southern part reached to the Golden-Ball-lane, where the grand gate stood.
According to Mr. Wilkins, the entrance into the Barbican was at the south end of Golden-Ball-Lane, and not at the north, as Blomfield has it; over each foss in this direction was a bridge, but only one of them remains; this extends across the inner ditch, and according to Mr. Wilkins, is formed of “the largest and most perfect arch of Saxon workmanship in the kingdom.” This bridge is nearly 150 feet in extent, and the Castle stands just across it on the south west part of the hill; the extent of the Castle from east to west, including a small tower through which was the principal entrance, is 110 feet 3 inches, and from north to south, 92 feet 10 inches; and the height to the top of the battlements, 69 feet 6 inches; the height of the basement story is about 24 feet, which is faced with rough flint; the upper part is ornamented with small arches and decorated so as to appear something like Mosaic work; the small tower before-mentioned on the east side, was of a richer kind of architecture, called, Bigod’s Tower, which is now chiefly inclosed, defaced or pulled down, as in the year 1793 the county thought it necessary to erect a new goal, and it was resolved to attach it to the eastern side of the old Castle. Mr. Wilkins expresses himself justly indignant at the addition, which he calls an heterogeneous and discordant mass.—This venerable pile has been a castle of defence to British, Saxon, and Norman kings; it has been the boast and pride of the province for ages past, yet by this recent change
it is bereaved of its ancient beauty; but, surely, whatever alterations were necessary, they might have preserved the same character and apparent date of architecture with the mutilated parts of this stately pile. The interior is also now an unroofed area, although formerly covered and divided by floors. The entrance to the top of the Castle is on the west side, at the south corner by a flight of 99 steps.
The Castle precinct contains upwards of six acres, and the summit of the hill is in circumference 360 yards, the whole of which is enclosed with iron palisadoes, as is also the ditch around it; which, within the last 20 years, have been occupied for gardens, many of which are tastefully laid out; and the summit of the hill on all sides commands a most delightful view of the city and surrounding country. The Castle with the hill and ditch surrounding it, may be considered a chef d’œuvre, and the prospect therefrom superior to any thing of the kind in England.
A panoramic view of the city and surrounding country has been lately published by Messrs. Stevenson, Matchett, and Stevenson, taken from several stations on the hill.
The shirehouse which joins the Castle, has lately undergone complete internal repair, and considerable alteration whereby the courts are enlarged and rendered much more commodious than heretofore; and here all county business is transacted, and the summer assizes held.
The town of Nor-wic probably soon succeeded the building of the Castle, and became occupied by the Anglo-Romans, from Castor, at
which time it appears to have been chiefly inhabited by fishermen and merchants. According to ancient manuscripts, a large arm of the sea flowed up to Norwich, till about the time of William the Conqueror. There exists positive evidence of Norwich being a fishing town in the reign of Canute, about the year 1020. In the time of Edward the Confessor, about the year 1050, it appears to have had 25 churches, and 1320 Burgesses; during the peaceable reign of Edward, and his successor, Harold, it continued to increase in wealth and population. In the year 1075, it experienced a serious decrease by siege; in about the year 1085, according to Doomsday book, a great number of houses were uninhabited, yet the churches were increased to 54, and the houses to 738, which, allowing six persons to each house, makes the population 4428. In the reign of William II. the bishop’s see was removed from Thetford hither, which together with a great influx of Jews at that time, made a considerable increase to the population. In the reign of Henry I. the government of the city was separated from the castle jurisdiction and in the following reign licence was granted for Norwich to have coroners and bailiffs. In the time of Richard I. 1193, the inhabitants were called citizens.
The city wall was begun in 1294, and finished in 1320.
Previous to the plague in 1348, according to Blomfield, the population amounted to 70,000; but, surely, this account as applied to the city, must appear incredible from the extent of the walls, and from the increase of population since
1085, a term of 263 years, the population must have increased sixteen fold—a circumstance, I believe, unparalleled in the annals of History.
In 1336, a great influx of Flemings in consequence of religious persecution, settled in Norwich, and introduced the worsted manufactory.
Henry IV. in the year 1403, granted the city a charter, which made Norwich a county of itself; and from this time it was governed by a mayor instead of bailiffs; and in 1406, another charter was obtained for regulating the mode of choosing the mayor, sheriffs, &c.
This city has suffered greatly at various times by the plague and scarcity, and few places have sustained more damage by fire, which may be attributed, in some measure, to the custom of covering the houses with thatch.—Two desolating fires which happened in the latter part of Henry VII’s reign, induced the corporation to make a law, that no new building should afterwards be covered with thatch.
Norwich was beginning to decline, but again revived in 1566, by the settling here of about 300 Dutch and Walloons, who had fled from the persecution of the Duke of Alva; and their number kept increasing very rapidly for several years. About this time, bombasines and some other valuable articles were invented here, and contributed much to the population of the city. In 1574, Norwich exhibited on its muster roll 2120 able men, towards the general defence against the invincible Armada. In 1578, queen Elizabeth took up her abode for several days in the city. In 1688, the charter was confirmed
to its full extent, by virtue of which, the government is vested in a mayor, recorder, steward, two sheriffs, twenty-four aldermen, of which the mayor is one, sixty common councilmen, a town clerk, chamberlain, sword bearer and other officers.
In 1556, the extent of Norwich was ascertained, by which it appears to be 14 miles in circumference. Norwich first sent members to parliament in 1264. In 1403, four citizens were summoned to parliament, but as they were paid by the citizens £3 for their attendance, they petitioned sending only two to save expence. The city at present sends two who are chosen by the freeholders and freemen, some of whom are so by inheritance, some by servitude, and others by purchase—the sheriffs for the time being, are the returning officers.
Till within a few years, the population of Norwich had been increasing, viz. from the year 1693 to 1786, as will appear by the annexed parochial list; but this is owing principally to strangers resorting to Norwich as a manufacturing place, for by comparing, the births with the deaths within that period, the latter have considerably exceeded the former. The decrease in the population observable in the table since 1786, is 3197; but 1786 was a year of peace; and in 1801, those serving in the army, navy, and militia, were not included; out of the number of houses in 1801, there were 747 unoccupied, and of the total number of persons, 21,044 were females, and 15,810 males, being nearly in proportion of 4 to 3.
At what period the art of manufacturing cloth from wool was first introduced in this Island, is not certain; but it may be supposed it was early practised in Norfolk, from the circumstance of spinning with the distaff, being still retained here. Before William the Conqueror woollen cloths were made in Norwich; but what tended most to increase the Norwich worsted manufactory, was the number of Flemish artizans who came over here in 1336; and in the time of Richard the II. and succedings reigns, various statutes were enacted for the encouragement and regulation of the trade. In 1445 the trade had arrived to such a degree of excellence, as to rival all other nations in the foreign Markets. In Henry VIII’s time, according to Blomfield, the sale of stuffs made in Norwich only amounted annually to £200,000 besides hose which were computed at £60,000 more. During the reigns of Edward VI. and Queen Mary, new articles of Manufactory continued to be introduced, and new regulations made. In the time of Queen Elizabeth, encouragement was given to the inhabitants of the low Countries, under the persecution of the Duke of Alva, to settle here; and they introduced a variety of new fabrications, by the intermixture of silk and mohair and several new articles were manufactured as various in their qualities as their names. In 1575 Bombasines were first introduced, for the manufactory of which elegant article, Norwich has ever since been famed, but still the trade seemed confined principally to home consumption; and the act of 1721, which prohibited
the general wearing of cottons, and the order for the Court Mourning to consist of Norwich crapes, serve as proof that the trade did not depend so much on foreign demand as home consumption. From about, 1740 to 1760, the stuff trade gradually declined, and through the prevalence of the India and Manchester cotton goods the destruction of the home trade was almost completed. The Manufacturers were obliged to extend their continental connections, their travellers were seen in every kingdom in Europe, and the great continental fairs were crouded with purchasers for goods of Norwich manufactory. They also sent their sons to be educated on the continent that by learning the languages they might strengthen their connections; the taste and habits of every country and clime were consulted. Hence Norwich and the Country for many miles round, became crowded with looms, and though Norfolk and Suffolk, were incessantly employed, yet the produce was unequal to the demand. It became necessary to import yarn, as well as wool, and the consumption of bay yarn from Ireland was very great. The neighbouring Counties and Scotland also contributed something considerable. At this meridian of prosperity, the trade, from the capriciousness of fashion, began again to decay, and the disastrous war breaking out, dissolved its continental connections, depressed the spirit of enterprise, and paralized the hand of industry.
The author of the Tour through the Island of Great Britain, in 1724, gives a statement which was furnished by a manufacturer, whereby
it appears 120,000 persons were employed in the various branches of the Norwich manufactory. Arthur Young considers the interval from the year 1743, till the unfortunate dispute with the American colonies, to have been a flourishing era; the number of looms were then found to be 12,000, and it was calculated that each loom, with its attendant preparation, produced work to the value of £100 per annum; and that every loom employed five hands besides the weaver, in the various processes before and after the weaving, so that the whole number of persons employed, many of which were old women and children, amounted to 72,000, and the money earned by them to £1,200,000.
At present, the merchants being shut out of foreign markets by war, and from our own by fashion, the number of hands employed must be considerably reduced. The principal articles of this manufactory, are bombazines and broad camblets, for the latter, of which the East India Company, have annually given large orders, and it is much to be lamented that the benefits, which formerly accrued from this manufacture, should within the last few years have been in a great measure dissipated by a narrow jealousy and want of unanimity amongst the manufacturers. This discordance has created a baneful competition, for the favours of the East India Company, which are consequently distributed, in the greatest proportion, to that quarter, where the labours of the poor must necessarily be the most depreciated. A good understanding between
them would not only have preserved their consequence with the company, but would certainly have rendered their connection with that body much more advantageous, the Company finding their account in the goods; and not being able to procure them at any other market. However, during the failure of a continental trade, it certainly is of considerable consequence to the city. The wools of Lincolnshire and Leicestershire are chiefly used.
To articles before mentioned, have been of late years added, cottons, shawls and some other fancy goods, both of silk and cotton; some of which are calculated for furniture, and some for dress, and which for elegance, surpass any thing of the kind made in the kingdom. Cotton thread lace is also made here, and no inconsiderable quantity of hempen cloth.
The staple manufactory of Norwich, furnishes about fifty distinct occupations from the shearer of the sheep to the mariner who ships the goods. The earnings of the different artizens are various—men from 6s. to 30s. per week; women from 5s. to 15s. and children, by spinning, filling and tire drawing, from 1s. to 4s.
The combing of wool used to employ a great number of hands; but since the invention of machines, their employ is in a great measure superseded.
In the time of Edward III. it is recorded there were not less than 76 places of Christian worship, besides a Jewish synagogue, in Norwich—we shall now proceed to give a
brief account of some of these now remaining.
The foundation stone of the cathedral is recorded to have been laid by bishop Herbert, in 1096, and it was not until the year 1430, the cloisters were completed. In 1361, the upper part of the steeple was partly blown down by a hurrican, after which, the present spire was built. About the year 1470, the stone roof of the nave was constructed, and adorned with sculptures of scripture history; and shortly after, the stone roof over the choir was erected, and adorned in a similar manner; and about the same time, the whole vaulting was covered with lead. In 1509, it was considerably injured by fire; in 1601, part of the spire was struck down by lightning, but speedily repaired; it again suffered considerably by the rebellion, in 1543; it was completely repaired and beautified in 1763, and again in 1807.
The architecture is chiefly of the style, called Norman; the columns and arches are exceedingly various in their size, mouldings, and ornaments; the choir terminates with a semicircular east end, over which, are curiously painted windows, by Dean Lloyd’s lady. The walls include various chapels, and some courts belonging to the dean and chapter. The extreme length of the building is 411 feet from east to west; and the width from north to south, 191 feet; the height of the spire and tower, 315 feet; the spire is ornamented with bold crockets, 5 feet asunder, attached to and
running up the ribs at each angle, and is the highest in England, except Salisbury. The cloisters are 174 feet square, with arched openings or windows, looking inwards on all sides; the roof, which is about 16 feet high, is ornamented with scripture sculptures, which however, are much injured by accident and time. The west front of the cathedral displays a large central compartment, corresponding with the width and heigth of the nave; also two lateral divisions corresponding with the side aisles, the whole forming a very grand entrance. The interior must be allowed to have a grand and solemn general effect, and that the whole appears of an unusual, bold and substantial stile. It is to be lamented that the fitting up of the choirs serve to destroy part of the grandeur and solemnity, and shuts out the sight from a general and comprehensive view of the building. Within the church and cloisters, still remain some curious memorials of the dead; but the greater part are removed, like those to whom they belong, to make room for others, or have fallen a sacrifice to the gradual inroads of time.
The Bishop’s Palace stands on the north side of the cathedral, was erected in the year 1318, and was enlarged and ornamented by several successive Bishops; it suffered greatly in the rebellion, and it was with some difficulty made habitable; it has been improving ever since, and is now made a tolerable neat and convenient residence.
On the south side of the cathedral, formerly stood a priory, occuping part of the space,
now called the Lower Close, and which was built as a residence for 60 monks, who officiated in the cathedral.
In the year 1804, on pulling down the workhouse, which stood at the entrance of the deanery, some curious ruins were discovered, and the shafts of three massive pillars are still left standing, as specimens of the architecture of the age in which they were built.
At the west end stands the free school, formerly the charnel-house—was built about the year 1316; the upper part was appropriated for the residence of four officiating priests, the part beneath was a vault used as a charnel house, which is now rendered into cellars, and part of the building occupied by the master of the school. The present portico is much more modern than the other parts of the building.
Adjoining the free-school, stands Erpingham’s gate, (it having been built by Sir Thomas Erpingham as a penance) and is an elegant specimen of the architecture of the time; it is much enriched with columns, mouldings, and many small statutes in canopied niches, in one of which, over the centre, is Sir Thomas Erpingham kneeling, and in the act of prayer.
The gate called St. Ethelbert’s gate, from a church dedicated to that saint, having formerly occupied its scite, and which appears to have been built prior to the cathedral, was burnt down in the insurrection, in 1272; after which, the citizens were compelled to build the present handsome gate with the chapel over it: the front facing tombland was formerly richly ornamented, but by modern innovation and
repair, it is deprived of all its beauty. The chapel was some years since used as the bishop’s registry, but has for the last ten years been occupied as a weekly concert room, by a society of gentlemen amateurs.
There are few churches after the cathedral which deserves particular mention as architectural objects, their names may be found in the list of population; however, we shall notice St. Julian’s church, being founded anterior to the conquest and for its exhibiting some specimens of Saxon architecture.
St. Peter’s Mancroft church, a handsome regular building, and after the cathedral, superior in size and architecture to any other; it stands on an elevated spot at the south west corner of the market place. Blomfield states it was finished in the year 1455; it consists of a square tower, about 100 feet high, though evidently intended to have been much higher, as appears by the double buttresses extending to the top, and the thickness of the walls; it contains an excellent peal of 12 bells, by Messrs Pack and Chapman, in 1775; the tenor weighs 41cwt. they are acknowledged for general effect, to be the first peal in the world—and the ringers are justly ranked with the first in the kingdom.
The church is wholly covered with lead, and supported by two rows of pillars remarkably neat and slender; the body of the church, including the chancel, is 212 feet in length, and is 70 feet wide; on the north and south sides are entrance porches. The altar is ornamented with a painting, representing the deliverance
of St. Peter out of prison, was executed by Catton, and presented to the parish by Alderman Starling, in the year 1768. Within the church are some few sepulchral monuments worthy notice, and a fine organ built in 1707. The plate and furniture of the altar is very valuable, one cup weighing upwards of 46 ozs. very beautifully chased with the story of Abigal bringing presents to David, which was given to the church, by Sir Peter Gleane.
In the vestry is a neat old painted carving, in alabaster. A very curious piece of tapastry, in high presevation; there is also an octavo Bible, on vellum, written in 1340, and a folio manuscript much more ancient.
St. Laurance church occupies the spot, which at a remote period, was the quay for landing all fish brought to Norwich; the tythes of the fishery, which must have been considerable, were granted to the abbey of St. Edmund’s Bury, on condition that the abbot would erect a church. The present church was erected in 1472, at the expence of the monastery of St. Edmunds Bury, aided by private benefactions; the tower is a bold square building, 112 feet in height; over the west door are several figures sculptured in stone. Previous to the civil war, the church was highly decorated with various altars, tabernacles, &c. the window ornamented with glass, and, according to Blomfield, in 1643, the communion rails were broken down, the floor of the chancel taken up, and the stained glass defaced. In the parish registry is this entry, “laid out to Goodman Perfett, for the putting out the
superstitious inscriptions in the church window, and the pulling down of crucifixes 1s. 8d.” In this church are several monuments.
Norwich is much indebted to monachism for many charitable institutions, among which, are the free Grammar School, before mentioned, which was originally kept in the fratry of a suppressed convent of friars; but afterwards the charnel house was appropriated to that use, the houses of the chaplains being fitted up for the Master, and the chaple for the school-room.
The master has £50 per annum, and the house; it is also endowed with scholarships and fellowships belonging to Caius College, Cambridge.
Are here also five charity schools for boys, and one for girls, which have been instituted more than a century, and are supported by benefactions, annual subscriptions, annual collections made at fourteen sermons, preached at different parishes, by rents of two estates left by Alderman Riseborough, the one situate in Walpole, and the other in Walton, in Norfolk, and by dividends arising from funded property. The boys are taught reading, writing and arithmetic, and the girls reading and sewing, and both instructed in the religious duties according to the Liturgy of the Church of England.
In the year 1784, labour was introduced and the boys and girls went alternately to spinning and reading, &c. but so prejudiced were their parents against this plan, that the number of children was reduced from 480 in 1784, to 188 in 1803. At a special meeting held in 1803,
the low stale of the schools was taken into consideration; and the introduction of labour being considered as the cause of it, the abandonment of the spinning school was unanimously agreed; and the number from that time has gradually increased. From the last state of the charity, it appears that 46 boys are taught at each of the schools, making a total of 230.
Since the publication of the last state, the girls school has been established on the improved system of teaching, according to the plan of Dr. Bell, and Mr. Lancaster; and 104 girls are taught reading, writing, arithmetic, and sewing, at very little more expence than formerly 40 were.—The Rev. C. J. Chapman, Treasurer.
Each of the masters have a liberal salary, including house rent and firing, and the governess of the girl’s school has similar advantages. The boys, in addition to their learning, have a coat once a year, in February, and such books as they want during their term, which is five years—the girls are suitably allowed.
In addition to the above, are various parish Sunday schools, where children of both sexes are instructed in the early rudiments of education; also a school for 48 girls, where they are taught reading, writing, sewing, and every other necessary accomplishment, in the Bull-lane, St. Stephen’s, which is under the patronage, direction, and at the entire expence of Miss Gurney. They attend church with the governess every Sunday, and in addition to their learning, &c. have each a hat, and those whose parents are unable, are furnished with
other articles of dress, to render their appearance suitable and decent.
There is also a school belonging to the Unitarians; the present master, Mr. Harwin, lives in the Rose-lane, King-street, where 50 boys and girls are educated.
The Independents and other dissenters from the church, contribute something towards the education of the children of their respective persuasions; besides, a school for the education of girls has been lately established by the dissenters, which is supported by annual collections at the different meetings. The school-room is in St. Paul’s and the number educated is 120.
Of the hospitals, there were formerly one in St. Edmund’s, for 30 boys, who were clad in blue coats and red caps, and altogether educated and maintained upon the foundation; and one for 24 girls, who where clothed in blue gowns, and educated and maintained upon the foundation. The original plan of both these institutions is entirely altered, and they are at present consolidated on the premises of the boy’s hospital, in St. Edmund’s, were 40 boys, and 31 girls are educated, and their parents allowed £10. a year for their maintenance, out of which, they pay for their education.—The present master for the boys’, Mr. Gidney, and the governess of the girls’, Mrs. Gidney.
St. Giles’ or the old Man’s Hospital, in St. Helen’s parish, was founded 1249; and was originally intended for men only; at present it maintains 53 men, and 53 women, including 6 nurses; any one before they can be admitted
must be 60 years of age; are elected by a court of mayoralty, and must carry with them, a featherbed, blankets, and ten shillings for a coffin.
Doughty’s hospital, in St. Saviour’s parish, was originally endowed for 24 poor men and 8 poor women, each being 60 years of age and upwards, having a room in the hospital, partly furnished, with an allowance of two shillings a week, and one chaldron of coals annually delivered them, at several stated times, by the master, who must be a single man, has two rooms, and double allowance; the men were also allowed a coat, and the women a gown, every 2 years, of purple cloth; but the trustees have been enabled to add sixpence per week, at several times, to the original donation, in consequence of various benefactions left of late years to the foundation; at present, the establishment is for 28 men and 10 women, who have an allowance of three shillings and sixpence weekly; the coals as heretofore, and the coats and gowns changed to a pair of shoes, and a shirt or a shift each annually.
Cooke’s hospital, in the Rose-lane, St. Peter’s per Mountergate was endowed by Robert and Thomas Cooke, Esqrs. for the habitation of 10 poor women being 60 years of age or upwards, of good character, and who had been inhabitants of the city at least 10 years. Each of them in addition to their room are allowed thirteen shillings per quarter, and some who are exceedingly needy, assisted with clothing.
The Norfolk and Norwich hospital was first opened for the reception of patients, in 1772;
it stands about a quarter of a mile from the walls of the city on the London road. Its front aspect is nearly south east; it is a neat brick building, in the form of an H; it was erected and is still supported by voluntary contributions, and cost upwards of £13,000. A new wing was added in 1802, which completed the original plan. The governors meet every Saturday at eleven o’clock, to transact the business of the hospital. It appears from an abstract of the register to the end of the year 1808, a period of 36 years—there have been on the admission list, 27,051 in and out patients, out of which 17,727 have been discharged as cured; 3786 relieved; 3400 for non-attendance, and other irregularities; 640 incurable; 1292 died; and 206 remaining on the books, the number of patients have been much increasing, as appears from the yearly statements.
Bethelham Hospital, or Bedlam, was founded in the year 1713, for the reception of lunatics; for its endowment, the founder settled by will, all her estates on a body of trustees, who were to have the management of the house forever. As many poor lunatics are kept here gratis, as the funds will allow—the inhabitants of the city having the first claim; after which the trustees have the power of selecting proper objects from any part of the county; they may also admit others, while there is room, whose friends will agree to pay the moderate allowance of four shillings and sixpence per week. Additions were made to the building in 1807. The number of objects are considerably increased,
by the good management of the trustees, and some late benefactions, and the funds are in a thriving state. The master’s salary is £40 besides his dwelling, and two chaldron of coals yearly.—There is also a private lunatic house, situate near where brazen doors formerly stood.
The Norwich Dispensary, in Pottergate street, instituted in 1804, for the purpose of giving advice and medicine gratis to such indigent poor of the city, as are unable to procure assistance. Mr. Powel, the apothecary, has a liberal salary, including house rent and taxes. The physicians attend every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Mornings, for the examination and admission of patients. The number of patients who have received the benefit of this institution, have in the course of 12 months, amounted to near 600, of which the greater part have been discharged cured.
The Infirmary in St. Augustine’s parish, just outside the city walls, was probably founded by a bishop of Norwich, as an hospital for lepers, but is now occupied by ancient poor of both sexes, who are past labor, and not fit to be put into common workhouses; they are in wards from 8 to 12 in each ward, and have every necessary, both of food and raiment; the number entertained here is 103, and as soon as one dies, the vacancy is filled up by election of the committee of the court of guardians for the poor. The master has a good house on the premises, and a liberal salary.
The hospital for indigent blind of Norfolk and Norwich, was instituted in 1805, and in the
month of October, various pupils were admitted. It is principally indebted to Thomas Tawell Esq. who purchased a very handsome house, with upwards of 3 acres of ground, in Magdalen-street, which he contributed for the use of the establishment, and applied it as an asylum for aged blind persons, and a school for the instruction of the young, in manufacturing articles, by which they may obtain a livelihood; there are now 5 aged persons and 16 pupils. The annual subscriptions already raised for its support, amount to about £400, and the benefactions to nearly £1000.
The Humane Society for the recovery of persons apparently drowned, paid from June 1807, to June 1809, £5. 8s. 6d. for assistance given to 18 objects who were in danger of being drowned—The Mayor of Norwich, for the time being, is Treasurer.
The Friars’ Society, for the participation of useful knowledge, instituted in 1785; their rooms for meeting are in Crown-Court, Elm Hill. Their principal is an abbot, who has a prior and other officers under him; they, during the winter season, distribute soup and bread to a great number of the poor in Norwich.
The Friendly Society, for the benefit of poor women in sickness and old age, was instituted in April, 1802, and consists of subscribing and recommended members. A subscribing member pays on admission 5s. 6d. and 7s. 6d. annually, which enables her to recommend one poor woman under 45 years of age. A benefactor of five guineas has the same privilege.
A recommended member pays 2s. 9d. on
admission, and 6½d. on the first Monday of every calendar month, which after one year entitles her to 5s. per week during her confinement in child-bed, for one month, and 2s. 6d. per week afterwards, if confined by consequent illness; and during any other sickness or misfortune, 3s. 6d. per week for one month, and 2s. 6d. per week afterwards; at the death of her husband £1; and 5s. for each of her children under 14 years of age.
At the age of 60 years, a recommended member ceases to pay her monthly subscriptions, and is entitled to an annuity of £2. 12s. for life, or to such other annuity as the funds of the society are judged capable of paying.
This society from its institution, to April, 1809, has paid £613. 11s. 6d. to 760 women; to 308 during confinement in child-bed; 438 during sickness; and to 14 losing their husbands. Treasurer, the Rev. C. J. Chapman Secretary, Mr. J. English.
Charity for Clergymen’s widows, &c. in Norwich and Norfolk. President, the Lord Bishop of Norwich for the time being Treasurer, the Rev. Mr. Parr.
The Norfolk Dissenters’ Benevolent Association, for the relief of aged dissenting Ministers, their widows and orphans, is supported by voluntary subscriptions among the Calvinistic Unitarian, and Baptist Dissenters; and an annual collection, in aid of the funds, is made at every meeting of the above persuasions in the county. The annual meeting of the society is held the first week in May. J. Barnard, Esq. of Knapton, Treasurer.
The Benevolent Association, for the relief of decayed tradesmen’s windows, and orphans; was instituted in 1790. From the statement of the society, it appears that near 700 tradesmen’s widows and orphans have already received benefit from the funds of the association; and that the accumulating fund of the society from benefactions, &c. amount to nearly £3000. Mr. C. Bagg, Clerk.
The Norfolk Benevolent Medical Society, for raising and establishing a fund for the relief and benefit of widows and children of surgeons and apothecaries, and of indigent members of the profession, in Norfolk and Norwich, instituted in 1786. This society holds a general meeting yearly, in May, at Norwich and Swaffham, alternately.
The Society of Universal Goodwill, in Norwich, for the relief of foreigners who are not entitled to assistance from the parish laws of this country. The number of persons who have been relieved by this society, amounts to near 3000.
The Amicable Society for Attornies, for raising and establishing a fund for the relief and benefit of the widows and children of Attornies in Norfolk and Norwich, instituted 1784. Subscribers pay one guinea annually, and they have accumulated a fund of upwards £2000. Meetings of the society are held at the White Swan, St. Peter’s, on the first Monday in April and October.
Besides the preceding, here are some other public, and many private charities and benefactions, which, together with those already
enumerated, serve to shew that the spirit of beneficence is not fled, nor the hand of liberality closed.
Formerly, here were two workhouses for the poor, one the Duke of Norfolk’s Palace, hired by the Court of him for that purpose, and within these few year, pulled down; the other in St. Andrew’s, adjoining the Hall, which is the only place occupied for that purpose at present.
The annual expence of maintaining the poor of Norwich, has amounted to £20,000 on an average for the last 20 years, which has been raised by an assessment on the half rental of occupations, at about 5s. on the pound quarterly.
The workhouses falling to decay; inconvenient, unhealthy, and unnecessarily expensive; an act was obtained, in 1802, for building a new workhouse, without side the city walls, capable of containing 1300 persons. Seven acres and a half of land was purchased for this purpose, in a healthy situation, near Chapel-field; but, after many meetings, and various plans and estimates offered, it was determined not to build a new house, but to enlarge and completely repair the old one in St. Andrew’s, some adjoining buildings were accordingly purchased, the whole new modelled, and made convenient and comfortable for 600 people, and if necessary, room can be made for 200 more.
Bridewell is in the Mayor’s jurisdiction for the confinment of such as commit petty offences or outrages in the city, is situated in St. Andrew’s parish. The north wall of which is
about 79 feet in length, by 27 in height, and is considered one of the greatest curiosities of the kind in the kingdom; it is incrusted with flints squared to about three inches each, and cut to so great a nicety, that the edge of a knife can scarcely be insinuated between the joints; it appears as regular and smooth as brick-work; it was built about the year 1370, and seems to have sustained little or no injury by time or accident, although the other parts of the building have been twice nearly consumed by fire. There are some other pieces of flint-work in the city, equally well executed, particularly on the south side of St. Michael’s Coslany church. The art of squaring flints appears to have been lost in England, but some works executed in that way within the last century in France, prove the art is in some measure recovered there.
The City Gaol, till the year 1597, occupied the east end of Guild-hall, at which time it was removed to its present situation, opposite the Guild-hall in the market, and had, until that time been a public inn, called the Lamb, which was purchased by St. George’s company, to be converted to its present use.
The Guild-hall was originally a small thatched building, and in Edward the third’s time, was called a toll-booth; about the same time, a small room was added, from which it acquired the name of the Guild-hall, and continued in this state till Henry the Fourth in 1406, granted the city, a charter for electing a Mayor, &c., at which time, a committee was formed, and a warrant granted them to raise money, and press
all workmen for the erecting of a new Guild-hall, which business was so vigorously pursued, that in 1409, the roof was raised; in 1511 part of the roof at the east end fell down, and in 1635 it was near being demolished by the deputes’ servants undermining its foundation in digging for saltpetre. The windows of the Council chamber were formerly of painted and stained glass, which have been miserably mutilated.—This room is ornamented with portraits of various eminent persons, and also the arms of the great Norfolk hero, the late Lord Nelson, with the sword of the Spanish Admiral, taken by his Lordship in 1797, and presented by him to the Corporation.
The Common-council-chamber underwent a complete repair in 1806, at which time it was considerably enlarged: in this Hall the Assizes, and quarter Sessions, for the city, are held. It contains also the Mayor’s office for transacting daily business, the Town-clerk’s and Chamberlain’s offices; and all elections for Majors and other officers, and all questions of moment relative to the city, are here determined.
St. Andrew’s hall, is a noble fabric, and was formerly a conventual church of Benedictine friars, it was founded in 1415, consists of a nave and two aisles, which remain nearly perfect; it had formerly a handsome steeple, which fell down in 1712; the aisles are separated from the nave by six elegant slender colomns which support the roof, they are half the width of the nave, and the same length, the whole is 120 feet long, and seventy wide; within the walls there are 45 windows, most of which were formerly
ornamented with painted glass, which is chiefly removed or demolished. In the time of Henry the Eighth, through the interest of the Duke of Norfolk, the citizens obtained leave to make of the church, a fair and large hall for the Mayor, &c. to repair unto at a common assembly, &c.
The St. George’s Company formerly held their feasts and meetings here. This fraternity took its rise in 1385, and at one time amounted to 240 members; in 1416, they received a charter of incorporation: in 1731, the company resigned their charter into the hands of the Corporation; their plate and paraphernalia were sold, their debts paid, and their meetings entirely ceased. In 1544, the first Mayor’s feast was held here, and in 1561, a sumptuous dinner, was given to the Duke of Norfolk, and a numerous assembly of nobility and gentry, at which the Mayor’s portion of the expence, amounted to £l. 12s. 9d. The bill of fare exhibits a striking difference between the price of provisions at that period and the present, beef being 1s. 6d. per stone, flour 6d. per bushel, and double strong beer 2s. 6d. per barrel. King Charles the Second, and many of the nobility, were entertained here in 1671. In 1774, this building, underwent alterations, and received some additions, among which were the present porch, and the room over it, fitted up as the City Library, in which the Court of Requests for the recovery of small debts, is held. In 1796, the hall was opened as a Corn-Exchange for which purpose it is used every Saturday. It was new painted, and the pictures cleaned in 1806. The walls are decorated with numerous
portraits of those who from official situations or otherwise, have contributed to the welfare of the city, among which, at the upper end is an admirable portrait of the immortal Nelson, being the last, and it is considered the best for which he ever sat. It was painted by Sir Wm. Beechey, in 1801. Also, two fine historical paintings by Wm. Martin, of Edward and Eleanora, and the death of Lady Jane Gray, which he presented to his native city. At the lower end over the window is displayed, the ensign of the French ship, La Genereux, captured by Sir Edward Berry, in 1800. Every satisfactory particular, relative to this place, the pictures, artists, &c. may be learned from a late publication, “A Companion to St. Andrew’s Hall, Price, 1s.”
There is also a Jew’s synagogue in St. Peter’s Mancroft; two Catholic meetings, one in St. John’s Maddermarket, erected within the last thirty years, the other in St. Swithins lane, of longer standing, and much smaller. A French church in Queen-street, near Tombland, and the Dutch church, so called, from having been formerly used by a Dutch congregation adjoining St. Andrew’s hall, but which is now used for the poor belonging to the workhouse. Two Quakers’ meetings, one of which is in St. Augustine’s Parish, on the south side the Gildencraft, which is a strong brick building with a large burying-ground; the other in the Goat-lane, near the market-place, which is much smaller and more generally attended. There are several other places of worship, used by the Protestant Dissenters, of which, that belonging
to the Unitarians is by far the most elegant. It is an octangular building supported within-side by eight elegant Corinthian Pillars. The pews are wainscot, the cieling is an ornamented dome, and the effect of the whole, is remarkably striking. The first stone of the Building was laid, by the celebrated Dr. Taylor, on the 25th of February, 1754. The expence of the building which was near £5000. was defrayed by the congregation, who can number among their Ministers, several of great literay celebrity, in particular Dr. John Taylor, Dr. Enfieid, Mr. Bourne, and Mr. George Morgan.
The Independents’ meeting-house, stands a little to the east of the foregoing, in the parish of St. Clement’s: it is a large handsome square building, and was finished about 1693. The limits of this design will not admit of a particular enumeration of all the places of worship, belonging to the various congregations of Anabaptists, Methodists, &c. of which there are many, chiefly in the northern part of the city.
The Excise-office, is at the Bull, in Magdalen-street. The Permit-office, in St. Peter’s Hungate, opposite the Church. The Stamp-office, St. Giles’s Broad street, I. H. Cole, Esq. Receiver.
The Post-office is in the Tuns’ court, near the market-place, where the Mails arrive from London, every forenoon, (Monday excepted), between and 12 o’clock, and are dispatched every afternoon, (Saturday excepted), at four o’clock; the Mails from all the intermediate places branching upon the London road, arrive and are dispatched at the same time every day. The Mail to Yarmouth, is dispatched immediately
after the arrival of the Mails from London, and the Mail from Yarmouth, arrives here every day at four o’clock. The Mails from Cromer, Aylsham, North-Walsham, &c. arrive here every day, early in the forenoon, and are dispatched from twelve to one. G. Litchfield, Esq. Post-master.
Post-horse duty office, Rampant-horse street, St. Stephen’s, Mr. J. M. Murry, Collector.
Surveyor of Assessed Taxes, Mr. C. Lay. St. Giles’s, broad street.
Norwich market has for a long series of years, been held in the highest estimation, for the quantity and quality of provisions, with which it has been supplied, particularly for poultry, which are sent from hence, in considerable quantities to London, and various other parts of the kingdom. The market is under the regulation of a Committee from the Court of Aldermen, and Commons. Market-days, Wednesday and Saturday. Collector of the market, Mr. R. Harmar. The Fish-market, adjoining, is generally well supplied (from Yarmouth) daily, as is the butchery, with beef and mutton.
The Norwich cattle-market, held on the castle meadow, every Saturday, has for many years been increasing, and is considered at this time, the first cattle-market in the kingdom, out of the metropolis. The Corporation, at an Assembly held in September, 1809, ordered pens to be erected for pigs and sheep, more convenient places to be assigned for beasts, horses, stalls, waggons, carts, &c.; and tolls were ordered to be collected, viz. for pigs and sheep, 8d.
per score; beasts, when sold 2d. each, by the purchaser; for horses, 6d. each; for waggons, brought for sale, 1s. each; for stalls, 6d. each; for every auction, 1s.; for calves and mules, 1d. each. Here also is the weighbridge for Hay, &c., Mr. C. Hubbard, hay-weigher, and collector of the cattle-market.
Norwich Public Library, was instituted in 1784, and was held in the City Library-room adjoining St. Andrew’s hall, till 1794, when it was removed to the building formerly the catholic chapel, Wymer-street, where books are delivered by the librarian to the subscribers, every day, between the hours of eleven and two, Sundays and a few holidays excepted. It contains upwards of 7000 volumes. Every subscriber pays two guineas and a half, on his admission, and an additional half-guinea, annually. There are about 500 subscribers, under the regulation of a President, Vice-president, and a Committee of 24, chosen from their body, half at each of their annual meetings for two years. A meeting of the Committee, is held on the second Monday of every month, and the annual meeting, the first week in September.
The Assembly-rooms, usually called Chapel-field-house, where assemblies, &c. are held, built in 1754. The rooms are spacious and brilliant.
The Theatre was built in 1757, and much enlarged, and improved by the present Patentee, W. Wilkins, Esq. in 1800, at which time, distinct entrances were made to each part of the house; it is convenient, and tastefully fitted up.
It contains two circles of boxes, besides those above which range with the gallery. The box-lobbies are commodious, and at the back of the upper-circle, is a bar-room, where refreshments of every kind may be procured. The stage is large, and the house has every necessary convenience of green-room, dressings-rooms, scene-rooms, painters-room, property-rooms, music-room, carpenter’s shop, several rooms occupied by the person who keeps the house, &c. It will conveniently hold £130. and has been a nursery for many performers of celebrity, who have afterwards become favorites in the metropolitan theatres, among whom where Mr. Murray, Harley, C. Bannister, Powell, Townshend, Waddy, Blanchard, &c. The house when well filled, appears to the best advantage, and then any person who has a taste for theatrical amusements, neatness and elegance, cannot fail being agreeably entertained with the appearance of the audience, the performers and the house.
The principal place of Summer-amusement and resort, is Ranelagh garden, just without side the City walls, on the London road. Here is a large octangular building, the Pantheon, which is 70 feet in diameter and is fitted up with two tier of boxes, for the reception of company, and an orchestra with rooms behind, for the accommodation of the musicians, leaving a large area in the middle; it is capable of conveniently holding 1200 persons, and here on some public occasions, and annually in the Assize week, which in the regular way commences on the Monday, eight
weeks after Trinity Sunday; the proprietor entertains the public with some of the principal vocal performers from the London theatres, and a suitable band. In the garden is also a bowling-green and an orchestra for the reception of a military band, and the garden and pantheon on this occasion is elegantly lighted up with thirty thousand lamps, in a style superior to any thing of the kind out of the metropolis; the pantheon is at other times occasionally used for very large dinner parties, and for the exhibition of performances, for which the theatre is not adapted. The area is sometimes fitted up as a circus for equestrian exhibitions, for which it is better calculated than any place in the kingdom, out of London.
A garden and bowling-green, called Norwich Vauxhall, in Barrack-street, Pockthorpe, very pleasantly situated against the navigable river from Yarmouth; it is on a smaller scale than Ranelagh, is well furnished with boxes for company, and was tolerably frequented for two or three seasons after it was enlarged and fitted up in its present manner, but has been gradually falling in public estimation since, notwithstanding the proprietor has at several times brought forward a variety of amusements: and indeed it is not probable his exertions can be productive, its situation precluding it from a share of public favor.
The bowling-green near chapel-field, is much the largest in or near Norwich, and is well frequented by the tradesmen in the neighbourhood, and strangers, during the summer season.
The Adam and Eve garden, in St. Martin’s palace, near the cathedral, is a pleasant rural spot, on the opposite side of the river to Vauxhall, it has a good prospect of the horse-barracks, and in the summer seasons is very well frequented.
At Bracondale and Carrow, are some pleasant gardens, commanding a beautiful general prospect, particularly towards Thorpe, over the river.
The village of Thorpe is delightfully situated on the navigable river to Yarmouth, and commands a charming prospect; here are several places of public resort which are well frequented during the summer season.
Chapel-field, which is on the south-west part of Norwich, was formerly a place of much resort as a promenade, particularly on Sunday afternoons; but within the last few years a reservoir has been made, and a large tower built, which by a steam engine, at the New Mills, (which were first erected in 1430, improved in 1695, and brought to perfection in 1802,) and a subteraneous conveyance, is constantly suplied with water, some of which is by machinery conveyed from the reservoir to the tower, for the supply of such parts of the city as are above the level of the reservoir, from whence it is distributed by cylinders and pipes of different materials. The reservoir and tower have however, in some degree, spoil’d its appearance, and together with military parades being generally in the Market, or on the Castle-hill, and Meadow, have occasioned those places to become the principal promenades.
The horse-barracks, about a quarter of a mile north-east of the City, were erected in 1792, and are well worth the observation of a stranger; they are capable of holding about 230 horses and men; the foot barracks, just on the northern side of Coslany-bridge, are calculated to contain about 740 men.
There are five public bridges over the river Wensum, besides one at the New Mills, generally used by sufferance, which is of wood; four of the others, viz.—Blackfriars’, Fye-bridge, Whitefriars, and Bishop-bridge, of stone, and Coslany of iron.
Among the miscellaneous buildings, &c. worthy the attention of the antiquarian or stranger, is Kett’s castle, so called from the famous Norfolk rebel of that name, who encamped there in 1549, at the head of 20,000 insurgents, whose numbers were continually increasing. From this place he attacked the city, where he committed every kind of outrage, wantonly destroying many of the principal inhabitants, merely because they were gentlemen, and burning and plundering most part of the city and country adjacent. Every possible means were used by government to disperse them by lenient means in vain; after which, a sufficient military force was sent to subdue them, which was not effected till many battles and skirmishes had taken place, with great slaughter to the insurgents, and some loss to the army. After the main body were subdued, pardon was again offered to a smaller party who remained in reserve, and who presently complying with the offer, and with one voice cried out “God save King Edward.”
Kett and his brother were soon taken and committed to the Tower of London, where they were tried and convicted of high treason, and shortly after executed on gibbets, and hung in chains, one on the top of Norwich castle, the other upon Wymondham steeple, Wymondham being the place of their nativity, and nearly three hundred others of the ringleaders suffered. It is computed that Kett’s rebellion cost the nation at that time near £20,000. This Castle was founded by Bishop Herbert, about seven hundred years since, as a Chapel dedicated to St. Michael, some small ruins of which are yet standing: it is situate on the brow of Mousehold hill, just over Bishop bridge, near to which, close by the river on the left hand, flows a spring of pleasant water, formerly much resorted to, and over which was erected a handsome freestone conduit, by Sir John Pettus, in 1611. A little further to the left, on the other side of the river, stands the tower in the Hospital meadow, called the Dungeon, or Cow’s tower; it is a circular building, about fifty two feet in height, and twenty four in diameter, with a round spiral staircase reaching to the top; is supposed to have been originally built as an advanced post and watch tower to the castle; Blomfield thinks it was built in order to levy the tolls then belonging to the prior and the church, and says it was used as a prison for the jurisdiction of the Cathedral. The present tower is stated to have been built in 1390, at the expence of the city.
In St. James’s parish, opposite the church, is an old house, said to have been built by the celebrated Sir John Fastolf, and termed in antient records his palace, or city house.
Just within side of the walls near Ber-street, stands St. Catherine’s hill, on which is Mrs. Burroughes’s house, the sight of which will well repay the trouble of a walk. The buildings in Surry-street, among which is Surry-house, a curious specimen of domestic architecture, the windows of which were emblazoned on glass, with many armorial bearings. There are also a number of good houses in St. Giles’s-street, Messrs. Gurneys’ Bank, in St. Michael’s Plea; the Flour mill, by steam, in St. Andrew’s; Mr. Patteson’s brewery, in Pockthorpe, and many others, which will arrest the attention of the stranger in his perambulation about the city.
Norwich, including the Hamlets, is divided into four great wards, viz.—Conisford ward, Mancroft ward, Wymer ward, and Great Northern ward; each of which is again subdivided into three small wards; Great Conisford containing South Conisford ward, in which is comprized the parishes of St. Peter per Southgate, St. Etheldred and St. Julian, and the hamlets of Trowse-milgate and Carrow; North Conisford ward, in which is the parish of St. Peter per Mountergate. Ber-street ward, in which are the parishes of St. John at Sepulchre, St. Michael thorn, St. John Timber-hill, All Saints, and the Hamlet of Lakenham. Great Mancroft ward contains the Parishes of St. Stephen, St. Peter per Mancroft, and St. Giles, each parish being a small ward in itself, including the hamlets of Eaton, and part of Earlham and Heigham.
Great Wymer ward, is subdivided into three small wards, viz.—West Wymer ward, contains the parishes of St. Benedict, St. Swithin, St. Margaret, St. Lawrence and St. Gregory, with part of the hamlets of Earlham and Heigham. Middle Wymer ward, contains the Parishes of St. John at Madder-market, St. Andrew and St Michael at Plea. East Wymer ward, contains the parishes of St. Peter at Hungate, St. Simon and Jude, St. George Tombland, St. Martin at the Palace, and St. Helen.
Great Northern ward, subdivided into three small wards, viz.—Coslany ward contains the parishes of St. Michael, St. Mary and St. Martin. Colegate ward contains the parishes of St. George’s Colegate, and St. Augustine. Fye Bridge ward includes the parishes of St. Edmund, St. James, St. Paul, St. Saviour, and St. Clement. Each of the small wards have the right of electing two Aldermen, and one of the Nominees for the Common Council; the rest of the Common Council being chosen by the Nominees. Great Conisford ward, including the Nominees, choosing twelve,—Great Mancroft ward sixteen,—Great Wymer ward twenty,—and the Northern ward twelve. In ward elections the resident freemen only have at right to vote, and the election for Nominees takes place on the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, before passion-week.
The City is governed by a Mayor, Recorder, Steward, two Sheriffs, twenty-four Aldermen, (of which the Mayor is one,) sixty Common Council-men, a Town-clerk, Chamberlain and Sword-bearer, attended by suitable officers.
The Mayor is elected by the freemen, on the first day of May, and sworn into office on the guild-day, which is on the Tuesday before Midsummer, except Midsummer-day fall on a Wednesday, in which case the guild is kept the Tuesday se’nnight before the Mayor is chosen from among the Aldermen, is a Justice of the quorum during his mayoralty, and afterwards Justice of the peace.
On the death or resignation of an Alderman, the Mayor on receiving notice thereof, must within five days, and not less than two; and giving not less than twenty-four hours notice to the freemen in the great ward, in which the small ward belongs, to elect another.
The Sheriffs are chosen—one by a letter from the court of Aldermen, in the early part of July, and returnable if a full assembly can be made, within fourteen days, upon paying a fine of £80 to the corporation, till the 10th of August; on which day, whoever holds it must serve the office. The other Sheriff is elected by the freemen on the last Tuesday in August, and they are both sworn into office on Michaelmas-day. The Mayor with the Sheriffs, hold courts every Wednesday and Saturday, to hear complaints, and to do every other act tending to the peaceable government of the city.
The Recorder assists in the Mayor’s court as chief Judge, as does the Steward in the Sheriffs’ court, they must both be barristers, and are always Justices of the quorum, and Council for the city.
The quarterly assemblies are held on February the twenty-fourth, May the third, the day before guild-day, and Sept. the twenty-first.
There are three Fairs in Norwich,—one on the Thursday before Easter, on Tombland;—one on Easter-Monday and Tuesday;—and one on Whit-Monday and Tuesday, by Bishop-bridge.
Here are several Insurance-offices, viz.—The Norwich Insurance Fire-ffice, on Orford hill, opened in November 1792.
The Union office for insurance against loss by fire, corner of Briggs’s lane, near the market, established in March 1797;—and at the same place The Union office, for the insurance of lives, and granting Annuities and Endowments for children.
The General Equitable assurance office, for insuring property from fire, in Bank street, established Michaelmas, 1807. The Anchor fire office, Back of the inns, established in June 1808; besides various agencies, viz.—
Sun fire office agent, Mr. John Taylor, St. Andrew’s;—Royal Exchange, Mr. J. Woodrow, St. George’s Colegate;—Phœnix, Mr. H. Francis, Surry street;—Suffolk, Mr. Marsh, Bank street;—British, Mr. L. F. Boyce, St. John’s Maddermarket;—Imperial, Mr. Charles Norton, King street.
A gentleman desirous of spending a few days in Norwich, cannot help being gratified by seeing the various employments of its extensive manufactories in Stuffs, Cottons, Shawls &c.—the first and last of which are here carried to a perfection no where else to be met with in England.
Norwich adds greatly to the trade of Yarmouth, by the importation of about 40,000
chaldrons of coals yearly; wine, fish, oil, Irish yarn, and all heavy goods which come from thence by the river Yare: and in Peace the exportation of its manufactures to Russia, Germany, Holland, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Portugal, Italy, &c. The keels and wherries which navigate between Norwich and Yarmouth are acknowledged to be superior to any other small craft in England, for carrying a larger burthen, and being worked at a smaller expence;—their burthen is from fifteen to fifty tons; they have but one mast, which lets down, and carry only one large square sail, are covered close by hatches, and have a cabin superior to many coasting vessels, in which oftentimes the keelman and his family live; they require only two persons to navigate them, and sometimes perform their passage (thirty-two miles) in five hours.
Norwich has experienced of late years, a number of improvements; the lighting is much more brilliant, and better regulated than formerly; the paving also, which is in great forwardness, and the alterations consequent thereon, have already much improved many parts, and will when finished, add greatly to the beauty of the city, and to the convenience and comfort of the inhabitants and occasional visitors. The act for paving the streets, &c. was obtained in June 1808, and empowers the commissioners to levy on all houses laid to the poor-rate, four shillings in the pound on the half-rental, and one shilling and four pence in the pounds on such houses &c. as do not pay to the poor-rate, computed on half their annual value;
also by a frontage of two-pence per running foot. The commissioners under the paving act are one hundred and thirty-six in number; sixty-three permanent, besides the Mayor, Aldermen, Sheriffs, Recorder, Steward, the Speaker of the Commons, the Rev. the Dean and Prebendary, in all thirty-one, and forty-two Parochial Commissioners, chosen annually. Clerk’s office on Elm-hill, there are also a surveyor and four collectors of the rates.
Among the modern institutions of the city is one which serves to shew that the fine arts are encouraged even at this distance from the metropolis; this is a “Society of Artists,” the members of which have made an annual public exhibition of their pictures, for the last few years, during the Assize and following week, at their room in Sir Benjamin Wrenche’s court, St. John’s Maddermarket, where they also hold a meeting once a fortnight. If societies of this kind were more encouraged, instead of that deformity, which disgraces many modern alterations, beauty, consistency, and propriety would be introduced.
Two mail coaches run daily between London and Norwich; a double bodied coach, called the Expedition, by Newmarket daily, and a post coach by Bury three times a week;—they all leave Norwich in the afternoon, and arrive in London the following morning. A Lynn and Norwich Expedition by Dereham and Swaffham, leave Norwich on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday morning at seven o’clock, and arrive at Lynn the same evening, returning
to Norwich on Wednesday, Friday and Monday, in winter time it runs only twice a week, viz. on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
A Machine to Yarmouth twice every day, from the Black horse, Tombland, at eight o’clock in the morning and four in the afternoon, in the summer, and nine o’clock in the morning and three in the afternoon in winter, Saturday mornings excepted; and in the worst part of the winter it sometimes runs only once each day.
Two London waggons leave Norwich every Tuesday and Friday evening, and return to Norwich every Wednesday and Saturday sen’-night following. By these waggons through Cambridge, there is a regular conveyance to Manchester, Birmingham, Sheffield, York, and all the manufacturing towns in Yorkshire:—here are also York, Manchester, Lynn, Bury waggons, &c.—also a Barge to Yarmouth every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
The Diocese of Norwich consists of a Bishop, Chancellor, Archdeacon, Commissaries, and other officers of the Ecclesiastical Court, a Dean, Prebendaries, Minor-Canons, and other officers of the cathedral. The Bishop’s office is in the upper close—the Consistory court is held in the cathedral, about once in three weeks—the Dean and Chapter’s office is in the cloyster—Archdeacon’s office at Mr. Steward’s, Bank street.
