Thomas Erpingham

Following on from Anne May’s talk on Tuesday, here is a summary on Thomas and a link for additional reading:  

Sir Thomas Erpingham (c. 1357 – 27 June 1428) was a legendary English knight and military commander, most famous for leading King Henry V’s longbow archers to a stunning victory at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415. Spanning four decades, his career cemented the House of Lancaster on the English throne and transformed him into one of the most powerful and wealthy figures in East Anglia.

Rise of a Lancastrian Loyalist

Norfolk Roots: Born in Erpingham, Norfolk, to Sir John de Erpingham, a local gentry family.

Early Warfare: Cut his teeth early, potentially accompanying his father to Aquitaine in 1368 under Edward, the Black Prince.

The Lancaster Bond: Joined the service of John of Gaunt in 1380, fighting in Scotland and Spain.

Exile and Rebellion: Accompanied Gaunt's son, Henry Bolingbroke, into exile in 1398.

Dethroning a King: Returned with Bolingbroke in 1399, leading the ambush that captured King Richard II.

Royal Rewards: When Bolingbroke became King Henry IV, Erpingham was named Chamberlain of the Royal Household. He later became a Knight of the Garter and Marshal of England. 

Hero of Agincourt

The Archer Command: During the 1415 invasion of France under Henry V, Erpingham was entrusted with directing the English longbowmen.

The Critical Signal: According to chroniclers, the elderly Erpingham rode before the lines, threw his baton into the air, and shouted "Nestroque" (Now strike!), triggering the devastating volley that broke the French cavalry. 

Shakespearean Fame: His reliable, grandfatherly presence on the field was later immortalised by William Shakespeare in his play, Henry V. 

Impact on Norwich & Norfolk Architecture

As an incredibly wealthy, childless noble later in life, Erpingham poured his fortune into local religious infrastructure to secure his legacy and spiritual passage. His impact is still visible today: 

The Erpingham Gate: He funded this striking, magnificent stone gateway between 1420 and 1435. It serves as the main western entrance to the Norwich Cathedral.  It features intricate carvings of 24 saints and a small statue of Erpingham kneeling at the top.

Blackfriars' Hall: After a devastating fire destroyed the local friary, Erpingham funded the rebuilding of the grand civic church, now part of the historic The Halls, Norwich complex.

Heraldic Footprint: His distinct coat of arms—featuring martlets (footless birds) on a green background—can still be spotted carved throughout medieval structures in Norwich. 

Erpingham died in 1428 and was buried in a place of high honour on the north side of the presbytery inside Norwich Cathedral.

Here is an article that goes into detail of his activities in Norfolk:  

https://heraldryinnorfolk.wordpress.com/2014/09/22/sir-thomas-erpingham-his-activities-in-norfolk/

Norwich Swing Riots of 1830s

These riots were country wide in 1830s, led by the mysterious Captain Swing.  The riots followed the poor harvest of 1830 which resulted in lower wages for agricultural workers.  The objective was to stop the spread of new threshing machines and rich farmers and clergymen were targeted.  The penalties were severe countrywide, with nine being hanged and 450 deported to Australia.  To find out more, please select the following link:

https://norfolkrecordofficeblog.org/2022/05/07/he-will-have-the-dance-of-swing-norfolks-involvement-in-the-swing-riots-of-1830s-england/

 

History of Lalique

To supplement the talk on Tuesday, here is a summary of the history of Lalique and a link for more information.  

Founded in 1888 by visionary French artist René Lalique, the House of Lalique stands as one of the ultimate symbols of French luxury, evolving from an avant-garde Art Nouveau jewellery house into a world-renowned pioneer of Art Deco glass and crystal. 

The Master of Art Nouveau Jewellery (1885–1905)

Early Training: René Lalique apprenticed under goldsmith Louis Aucoc and studied in both Paris and London.

Workshop Takeover: In 1885, he assumed control of Jules Destape's Paris workshop to launch his independent career.

Breaking the Rules: Lalique disrupted traditional jewellery standards by prioritizing artistic design over the intrinsic value of precious gemstones.

Innovative Materials: He mixed gold with unconventional, organic components including horn, enamel, ivory, and early glasswork. 

Exposition Triumph: His naturalistic, sinuous designs made him a leading figure of Art Nouveau, culminating in sweeping critical acclaim at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle.  

The Transition to Master Glassmaker (1905–1945)

Coty Collaboration: In 1907, legendary perfumer François Coty commissioned Lalique to design artistic fragrance flacons.

Perfume Revolution: This partnership married commercial industry with fine art, introducing mass-produced, beautiful perfume bottles to the public for the first time.

Industrial Expansion: Shifting completely away from jewellery, Lalique acquired the Combs-la-Ville Glassworks in 1913 and later opened the historic Verrerie d’Alsace factory in Wingen-sur-Moder in 1922.

Art Deco Icon: At the 1925 Paris International Exposition, his signature style of contrasting frosted and clear glass cemented him as a master of Art Deco design.

Grand Architecture: The brand expanded into luxury transport and interior decoration, outfitting the Orient Express, the SS Normandie ocean liner, and grand fountains on the Champs-Élysées.

The Evolution into Crystal (1945–Present)

The Crystal Era: Following René's death in 1945, his son Marc took the helm and transitioned the company's output from glass to brilliant lead crystal.

Generational Legacy: Marc's daughter, Marie-Claude Lalique, took over in 1977, reviving the brand's long-dormant jewellery division and launching its signature in-house fragrance lines.

Modern Expansion: Swiss firm Lalique Group SA (formerly Art & Fragrance SA) acquired the heritage brand in 2010.

Enduring Savoir-Faire: Today, the factory in Wingen-sur-Moder remains Lalique's sole manufacturing site, blending a century of artisanal heritage with contemporary art, homeware, and fashion partnerships. 

https://fr.lalique.com/en/pages/story-of-lalique?srsltid=AfmBOoqz8Qg_s-ZL74VQ2d8uvNRe7j7u95Qeshqr92yTM9Bcbo9LDgwb#

The Fallible Flaneur - The Death of John Barker

Here is a recent post by Colin in his blog “The Fallible Flaneur”.  It’s about his recent visit to the Rosary Cemetery and the grave of John Barker who was the man who brought steam to fair attractions.  Be warned it’s about about his awful death:

https://colinhowey.substack.com/p/the-heroic-death-of-a-late-nineteenth?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=5103464&post_id=207332134&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=5r7ewp&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

 

Travelling From Norwich to Watton in 1845

I came across this advert the other day which describes travelling from Watton to Norwich in two hours.  I find the advert quite confusing although it would appear that you travelled to Attleborough station from Watton by omnibus which was a horse drawn carriage and then presumably by train to Norwich and then by omnibus or “flies”  (a fast lightweight carriage) into the city.  The return journey is less clear but I it looks like you were transported to Trowse station by omnibus and then presumably back to Attleborough by train and then omnibus to Watton.  I did wonder whether Watton ever got a railway and it appears it did in 1869.  

History of the Bridewell

Following on from our visit, here is a summary of the history of this historic building:  

14th-Century Merchant Residence: Built around 1325 by Geoffrey de Salle and later enlarged by William Appleyard (the first Mayor of Norwich), the property is a rare architectural marvel. It features the largest brick-built undercroft in the city and one of the finest examples of exposed flintwork facades in England.

The House of Correction (1585–1828): In 1583, the City Corporation purchased the home and converted it into a Bridewell to punish vagrants, "troublesome" individuals, and local beggars. Inmates faced harsh, punishing conditions, and the mere presence of the prison was designed to strike fear into local citizens. Following a devastating fire in 1751, the building was extensively repaired.

Industrial Use (1828–1923): After the inmates were moved to a new city facility, the Bridewell was used as a leather warehouse and a boot and shoe factory before eventually closing as an industrial space.

Museum Era (1925–Present): In 1923, Sir Henry Holmes, a local shoe manufacturer, purchased the building and donated it to the City of Norwich. It opened as the Bridewell Museum in 1925. Following a massive £1.5m redevelopment, it was rebranded as the Museum of Norwich at the Bridewell, shifting its focus to showcase the city's broader social history, trades, and local communities.

Here is an article with more detail on it’s history:

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

Who Was Rumsey Wells?

There was a great deal of interesting information at The Bridewell Museum on Tuesday, some I had heard before and some gems that I hadn’t heard.  One of those gems was the story of Rumsey Wells who was an extrovert who owned a hatters on St Andrew’s Street.  So if you didn’t get to see this in the museum, here is an article about him.

https://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/article/rumsey-wells/