Also until recently there existed just beyond the gate a series of remarkable and ancient chalk vaults, or excavations. They are described by Mr. Woodward (“Archæologia” vol. xxiij., p. 411), who showed a plan of them made by John Bond in 1571. Woodward thinks they were galleries made to obtain the chalk flints for building purposes, whilst Mr. Rye says “they were probably worked by the masons of the Castle and Cathedral for the sake of the chalk.” They are now filled up.
The City Wall, built between 1294 and 1319, surrounded the outer and western margin of this parish; and St. Giles’s Gateway, the “Porte de Newport,” or Gate of Newport, stood at the western end of St. Giles’s Street. Over this gate, at one time, lived an hermit. It was pulled down in 1792. In 1867 the greater portion of this part of the City Wall was also taken down; only a small portion near the southern end of Chapel Field, with one of the towers, being left standing. A photograph of this remnant is given in my book on St. Giles’s parish; as well as views of the Gateway as it existed in 1720 and 1792. The latter were sketched by the Ninhams, and published by Mr. Fitch in his work on the Gates of Norwich.
Chapel Field, whose history is so strongly interwoven with that of Norwich, lies on the southern side of St. Giles’s. It takes its name from a Chapel of St. Mary, which formerly stood where now is the building used as a High School for Girls. More than half of it lies in this parish (4·790 acres out of a total of 8·994 acres). It was formerly known as Chapel Field Croft; and its ancient owners are stated by Blomefield to have been the Prior of Buckenham, the Prioress of Carhowe, and the Dean and College of the Chapel in the Fields. But it appears to have been acquired by the City during the sixteenth century, after the dissolution of the monasteries. Chapel Field was at one time a sort of Campus Martius of the city, and was used for the musters and training of the local trained bands, as well as for military reviews. After its acquirement by the Corporation, the Field was for a long time usually let out on lease.
In 1707 it was first railed in. In 1746 its main avenues of trees were planted by Sir Thomas Churchman. In 1792 a large portion of it was used for the construction of the reservoir of the old Norwich Waterworks. In later times it has been used for the drilling of Militia or Volunteers; as well as for Volunteer reviews; also for the holding of fêtes, flower shows, bicycle meetings, and horse shows. The well-remembered Fisheries Exhibition was held in the Drill Hall in 1881.
In 1866 the Prince and Princess of Wales each planted a Wellingtonia tree in the Field, but these did not flourish, and have been removed. In the same year the Field was enclosed with its present handsome iron palisading, and it has since then been transformed into the delightful Chapel Field Gardens, as we now see them, with their special beauties, and the handsome iron Pavilion in their midst.
The Church of St. Giles, dedicated to the Saint of that name, stands on the north side of Upper St. Giles’s Street; and is a striking object as we pass up the street, as well as from many other points of view. It occupies a commanding position, overlooking much of the surrounding district, and was anciently called St. Giles’s on the Hill.
Blomefield says it was founded by Elwyn the priest, and given by him to the Monks of Norwich, after he had procured an indulgence of twenty days’ pardon for all who should come and offer here on St. Giles’s Day, or within seven days after, and it was rebuilt in the time of Richard II. The chancel, which appears to have been a very long one, was demolished in 1581, and was not rebuilt until the general restoration of the Church in 1866, when it was restored mainly at the cost of the Rev. W. N. Ripley (now Canon Ripley) who was then Incumbent.
The Church is a fine perpendicular flint-work structure. The tower is large and well proportioned. It is battlemented and crowned with a small bell-cot and weather-cock. It is rather more than 113 feet high, and the hill upon which it stands is 85·8 feet above the level of the sea. From its height and conspicuous position, it was selected in 1549 for placing a cresset, for a fire beacon, upon its top. There was formerly a Cross and Image of the Trinity in a niche on the west side of the steeple (Blomefield). It has a clock on its eastern face, and contains eight bells, one of which is rung as a Curfew every evening at eight o’clock, as has been the case for more than four hundred years, in accordance with a benefaction of one John Colton, in 1457.
The Belfry Chamber contains five large steeple-boards, with many names of ringers.
The Porch has a fine groined vault, with fan tracery, and a rich parapet and cornice.