ST. ANDREW’S HALL,
Formerly the monastery church of the Black Friars, or Benedictine Monks, is a beautiful structure, about 50 yards in length, and 30 in width: the roof is supported by twelve neat and very slender pillars. It was built by Sir Thomas Erpingham, Knt. in 1428; and was the place where the company of St. George used to hold their meetings of business and pleasure.
The Mayor’s guild-feast is always held here.
Over a clock, in the center of the East end, is carved the effigies of Justice, and underneath, the royal arms of England. On each side, the pictures of Queen Anne, George Prince of Denmark, Robert Earl of Orford, John Lord Hobart, afterwards Earl of Buckenhamshire, Horatio Walpole, Esq. Lord Suffield, and two Historical Paintings of Edward and Eleonora, and the Death of Lady Jane Grey, by Mr. W. Martin, between which is placed, in a splendid and emblematical frame, a highly-finished portrait of the brave Lord Nelson, painted by Sir William Beachey, with several Aldermen and Benefactors to the city. The figure of St. George killing the dragon, neatly carved, was placed here in 1686, by order of the St. George’s Company. On the walls of the North and South ailes are placed elegant paintings at full length, superbly framed, of those Gentlemen who have gone through the public offices of the Corporation with dignity and honour.
Against the further pillar on the North side, is an Ensign, 60 feet in length, supported by a flag-staff, near the top of which is an ornamented Shield, with the following Inscription:
“The Ensign of the French Ship,
Genereux,
Taken in the Mediterranean, Feb. 18th, 1800,
By His Majesty’s Ship, Foudroyant, and Squadron,
Commanded by
LORD NELSON:
The Genereux, with the Guillaume Tell, since taken by the Foudroyant, Lion, and Penelope, were the only Ships which escaped the memorable Victory obtained by Lord Nelson over the French, at the Nile, Aug. 1st, 1798.In testimony of his Gratitude for the Honours conferred on him by the City of Norwich, this Trophy is presented, in the second Mayoralty of Robert Harvey, Esq. by
SIR EDWARD BERRY, KNT.
Captain of his Majesty’s Ship, Foudroyant,
1800.”
Herein is a handsome room for the city Library, re-built in the Gothic taste, under the direction of the late Mr. Rawlins.