John Blanke

I thought the following would be of interest after seeing his name mentioned under a Black Lives Matter article.  John was a trumpeter for Henry VIII and he petitioned Henry for a pay rise -  brave man!  It is also apparent that John is a free man not a slave and probably a Christian.  He also knew his value to the King which prompted this bold move.  How much of a pay rise did he require?  What were his reasons?  Was he successful?  What did the King buy him as a wedding gift?  To answer these questions and learn more, please select the following article: 

https://manyheadedmonster.wordpress.com/2015/07/27/john-blanke-henry-viiis-black-trumpeter-petitions-for-a-back-dated-pay-increase-2/

Emma De Gauder and the Revolt of the Earls

The extended Bayeux Tapestry in Norwich castle tells the story of Emma De Gauder.  She was a noble woman who held Norwich castle against the King and she was only sixteen years old.  She even held the castle for three months and also negotiated her safe passage.  This was connected to what was known as the “Revolt of the Earls” and Emma and her husband Ralph De Gauder were an integral part of this.  To find out more, please select the following links:  

https://rosiesplaques.com/pages/plaque-emma-de-gauder

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolt_of_the_Earls

13 Most Interesting Norfolk Village Signs

 Here is an article about some of the most intriguing Norfolk village signs:  

https://www.greatbritishlife.co.uk/magazines/norfolk/22614887.norfolks-village-signs-13-interesting/

Village Signs

I don’t normally like including Wikipedia as a source but this was the best article I could find about the background to village signs.  I didn’t realise that it all started in Norfolk with Edward VII - something else we are indebted to him (remember he brought the Victorians to Norfolk and helped to establish resorts such as Hunstanton and Cromer).  To find out more please read the following article:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Village_sign

The Gin Craze

The effects of the consumption of gin on the inner city population of London during the 18th century has been compared to the impact of crack cocaine on the American inner city ghettos.  It was the arrival of William of Orange to the English throne in 1689 that drove the popularity of jenever (clear, botanically rich, malted grain-based spirit) in England and turned gin from being a medicine to a fashionable drink.  It resulted in Eight Gin Acts!  Did these Acts achieve their objective?  Who were the professional informers?  What was the shocking case of Judith Defour?  To find out more please read the following article:

https://www.diffordsguide.com/g/1108/gin/history-of-gin-1728-1794#google_vignette

Window Tax

Here is an oldie and hopefully a goodie! Introduced in 1696 this tax was intended to tax the rich more and the poor less - but did it achieve it?  How did inhabitants try to avoid paying the tax?  What was the impact on public health? And what constituted a window?  To find out more please read the following article:

https://www.parliament.uk/about/living-heritage/transformingsociety/towncountry/towns/tyne-and-wear-case-study/about-the-group/housing/window-tax/ 

Life One Hundred Years Ago - Would You Fancy It?

This is an interesting article from the EDP.  It outlines the fashions, foodstuffs, entertainments of the day.  How much would a Cadillac car cost you?  Which King visited Norwich?  How much could you buy a brick built villa for in Ipswich?  And there were still hangings taking place in Norwich.  To find out more please read the following article:  

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/20765268.look-used-live-100-years-ago-fancy/