The History Behind Nine Festive Carols

We all enjoy singing these every year but do we know their origins so here is an article that explains some of these.  I’ve included the text of the first carol below because it isn’t easy to read on the website.  

The Twelve Days of Christmas

Of all the Christmas carols we sing today, none presents more of a challenge than The Twelve Days of Christmas, with its baffling list of lyrics. What exactly are we to make of this aviary of birds – the swans, geese, doves, hens and calling birds – and what on earth is a partridge (strictly a ground bird) doing up a pear tree? The origins of the carol make things a little clearer. Historians generally agree that the verse first evolved as a festive memory game. The list of objects or animals grows with each verse and forfeits are imposed for forgetting one.

But that still leaves us with the problem of the partridge. While the English partridge is a creature of fields and moors, its French cousin is apparently more likely to find itself up a tree. And if the partridge really is French then it would be called une perdrix. Correctly pronounced ‘pere-dree’, suddenly this word sounds an awful lot like that pear tree. Could it, perhaps, just be an elaborate international game of Chinese whispers that has left us with a partridge stuck forever in a misheard pear tree?

One interpretation of the carol places its origin in the 16th century. The list of bizarre gifts given by the carol author’s ‘true love’ becomes a secret code for Catholics – whose religion had to be practised in secret after the Reformation – to share their beliefs. So the ‘true love’ becomes God himself and the partridge Jesus Christ.   The ‘two turtle doves’ are the old and new testaments, ‘three French hens’ the Trinity, ‘four calling birds’ are the four Gospels, all the way through to ‘twelve drummers drumming’ – the twelve points of the apostles’ creed. If you were a Tudor child, wouldn’t you much rather recite this than your catechism?

For the other nine carols please select the following link.  There are also other links you may wish to explore inserted in the article:

https://www.historyextra.com/period/victorian/christmas-carols-history-festive-songs-origins-silent-night/

Lost Norwich Airports

I’ve discovered a series of short films on YouTube called Lost Norwich and here is one on lost Norwich airports, in particular Mousehold Aerodrome.  There are some excellent pictures of the old aerodrome which was located where the Heartsease Estate is today.  I like the pictures of the roads of today followed by the roads of yesterday, please make a special note of the old hangars on the Salhouse Road that still exist today.  The film also includes RAF Horsham St Faith which is now Norwich Airport and the daring mission to fly out Douglas Barder’s legs!  To find out more please select the following link:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUbM-tgGDJw

Princess Charlotte of Wales (1796-1817)

I thought it would be of benefit to provide some additional information relating to my talk.  If you are interested in the life and death of Princess Charlotte and the out pouring of grief on her death that has been compared to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997 then please select the following link.  It is interesting to note the grieving of her death was across all classes at the time which was typified by the gambling dens being closed, and this was before the internet!  

https://www.rct.uk/collection/georgian-papers-programme/princess-charlotte-of-wales

For those that are interested in the marriage (or lack of it) between Caroline of Brunswick and George IV and the Delicate Investigation then please select the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUHgreHkCb4&t=793s

The Last Duel in Norfolk

I recently did a ramble in Cawston and came across this story of a duel between Sir Henry Hobart of Blickling Hall and Oliver Le Neve in 1698.  It was the last recorded duel in Norfolk and is memorialised by a monument on the Norwich Road in Cawston.  It appears that the duel was prompted by the headstrong Hobart after he had supposedly overheard rumours that Le Neve was spreading the word that Hobart had been cowardly at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.  Hobart, a skilled swordsman challenged Le Neve, a hard drinking country gentleman to the duel at a place of his choosing.  To find out what was the outcome please select the following link:  

https://norfolkrecordofficeblog.org/2023/06/23/norfolks-final-farewell-to-the-drama-of-the-duel/

History Of A Broads Holiday

Wroxham is often packed full of holiday makers during July and August, so how did this all come about?  Here is a film that tells the story of holidays on the Broads from the first holiday in 1834.  It informs us on the influence of writers, photographers, even movie makers on selling a Broads holiday to the public.  Who was the writer of the guide book in 1882 that did more to encourage visitors to the Broads than any other?  What influence did the railways have?  To learn more please select the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBY7LN8Aeuc

Keswick Hall

I was on a Ramblers walk recently that went past Keswick Hall and I was intrigued about its history.  The worsted weaver Joseph Gurney came to Keswick Old Hall in 1747 but when the fabulously wealthy Hudson Gurney (who inherited brewing as well as banking money) took over the estate in 1811 he built the current Keswick Hall in the Regency style.  When Hudson Gurney died in 1864 his estate passed to his nephew John Henry Gurney of Earlham who had been tainted by the collapse of Overend, Gurney & Co Ltd. Much later, Keswick Hall was to become the new home of trainee teachers who had been displaced from their training college in Norwich’s College Road when it was bombed in the Baedeker Raids of 1942.  On the 15th December 1950 Keswick Hall became the sole site of the local teacher training establishment with the closure of Wymondham Training College. The East Wing of the new college was formally opened with great pomp and ceremony in 1951 by Queen Elizabeth (soon to be known to all as the Queen Mother).  In the early 1950s the Royal Norfolk Show was held there.  It served as a Teacher Training college until 1981 and currently is private apartments.  Here is a picture of Keswick Hall:

History of the Picnic

From its French origins of refined indoor grandeur by the aristocracy to the simpler less extravagant gentle outdoor social experience adopted by the middle classes, this article covers it all.  What were the origins of a picnic? Did you know you could dance at a French picnic.  You could even go Dutch or gamble.  Why was Richard Brinsley Sheridan portrayed as a harlequin?  The answer to these questions are in the following article.  Please be aware there is a lady with no clothes on in the first image!

https://www.historytoday.com/archive/historians-cookbook/history-picnic

St Stephen’s Church

To supplement Stephen’s talk on Tuesday, here is a link to a history of the church.  You can further learn about Richard Caister “The Good Vicar”, his association with Margery Kempe, the changes to the church over the years, how it has survived to huge explosions and how it continues to serve the community to this day:    

https://www.ststephensnorwich.org/history-2/#:~:text=The%20chancel%20was%20re%2Dbuilt,than%20those%20of%20the%20nave.

 

Blomefield Account of the Great Fires of 1508 (which he refers to as 1507)

Following on from the talk by Carol Rawcliffe on the Great Fires of Norwich of 1508 where she pointed out that the fires took place in 1508 and not 1507 as stated by Blomefield.  Here is the original Blomefield text.  It is written in old English but just about decipherable.  The Popingjay was an Inn located where All Bar One is now.  Also note that the fire spread more easily because the river was piled up with rubbish.  There also seems to be a suggestion that the second fire was started on purpose:  

In 1507, on the 31st day of March, one Tho. Norrice, condemned by Richard Nix Bishop of Norwich, was for the true profession of the Gospel burnt in this city: (fn. 28) which soon after felt the violence of flames in a great degree, for on the 25th day of April following (being St. Mark's day, and Easter Tuesday) a fire broke out, which burnt with continual violence four days. (fn. 29) And it was not long before the same fate attended the city again, for on the 4th of June following (being Ascension day) happened another lamentable fire, which burnt two days and a night, both which, as an old roll in the Herald's Office (fn. 30) informs us, burnt above 18 score houses, "Norwich was byrned with fire at twey times, to the noumbir of xviij score howsholdys and mo and most parte of their goodys." But I find by the evidences, that the city was almost utterly defaced, that there were 718 houses burnt, in the parishes of St. Peter of Mancroft, St. Giles, St. Gregory, St. Laurence, St. Margaret in West-Wymer, Little St. Mary, St. Cuthbert, St. Buttolph, All-Saints in Fibrigge, St. George of Tombland, St. Simon, St. Michael at Plea, St. Andrew, St. Saviour, St. George in Colgate, St. Martin in the Bail, &c. And by what I have seen, it seems to have begun near the Popinjay, which was then burnt, and to have made the greatest havock on the river side from the bottom of Tombland through St. Andrew's, &c. up the city; for the river was so stopped up with rubbish, that the first thing the court did, was to publish an order for it to be forthwith cleared, and then they chose Tho. Aldrich, Rob. Browne, and Henry atte Mere, to go to the King's privy council to inform his Majesty of their misfortune, and implore his aid and advice, to maintain the sufferers in their present extremity, and rebuild the city: and soon after they sent Tho. Aldryche, John Clerk, John Marsham, and Henry atte Mere, to the King, for his Majesty's answer.

The second fire (as Holingshed says, (fn. 31) though he hath placed it in the wrong year) began in the house of a French surgeon, named Peter Joknson, in the parish of St. George in Colgate, I suppose by accident; the former, as I learn from the History of Yarmouth, (fn. 32) which says, 'The citye of Norwiche was set on fyer, and a great parte thereof was brente,' seems as if it was supposed to have been done purposely; but however it was, the city of London and the rest of the country raised large sums, which joined to what the court and other private subscriptions raised, soon re-edified part of it again.

Marble of Surrey House

Joan pointed out the correct origin of the marble on the Heritage Walk and it is also described in the attached article.  In 1895 construction had commenced of Westminster Cathedral, the interior of which is also lavishly decorated with marble. By the time Surrey House was being built the Cathedral was nearing completion but the costs were running over budget. Canon law decrees that a church must not be consecrated until it is free of debt, so cuts had to be made. Skipper heard that a consignment of marble originally destined for the Cathedral was being offered for sale at a substantial discount and he persuaded the board of Norwich Union to purchase it and changed his plans accordingly. The rest is history and the result is here for us to enjoy today.  Please select the following link to find out more about Surrey House:  

https://www.norwich360.com/surreyhouse.html

The Pastons and Ketts Rebellion

To Supplement Colin’s talk on Tuesday here is an article related to Kett’s Rebellion.  I have tried to find an article with a slightly different take on this topic and this one describes the involvement of the Paston family during the rebellion.  They were involved but what role did they play?  Please select the following link to find out:  

https://www.thisispaston.co.uk/kett01.html

Travels with Pevsner - Architectural Treats of Norfolk

Below is a link that was recommended by Mike H in the past and I thought it worthwhile including again.  Sir Nikolaus Pevsner was an architectural historian who wrote detailed county-by-county guides.  In this film Dan Cruikshank follows the Pevsner guide for Norfolk.  Please select the following link and press play:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8Mut9fxMRE

Ten Towers Trail

I posted this link onto our Facebook page recently.  It is a 15 mile walk that includes 10 churches.  For those that don’t fancy the 15 miles in one go, the walks can be shortened - just download the map and have a look:

https://haveringlandchronicles.wordpress.com/home/haveringland-church/ten-towers-trail/?fbclid=IwAR25FYn2ZcuPKmKM1UosOniTSD6J6B-WwK1AstCqmf58HYWIW5bprAXH_zI

Robert Catton Prior of Norwich

Colin posted this article on our Facebook page above Prior Catton and I thought I would draw your attention to it.  The  door plate in Norwich Cathedral bears the letters, 'RCPN’ which refers to Robert Catton who was the Prior during the 15th century, so who was this man?  It appears he was far from perfect during his reign as Prior of Norwich and also as Abbot of St Albans.  The latter post came as a result of winning the favour of Henry VIII for a while.  Here is the link to find out more about the not so perfect Prior:

https://norfolktalesmyths.wordpress.com/2021/06/26/the-not-so-perfect-prior-catton/?fbclid=IwAR3seTSwYYjYdPEAiedsE84uDRyoLo6qbCmA4q6_MMB6f6uompv9tjXNFUg

Kelmscott Books

 Here are some of Morris's collection of Kelmscott Books held in the Norfolk Heritage Centre:  

Nuremberg Chronicles (below):  One of the most lavishly decorated books - which outlines the history of the world since creation.  

The History of Godefrey of Boloyne (below):  the last of Morris’s reprints of the works translated and printed by William Claxton, England’s first printer.  

News from Nowhere (below):  is arguably Morris’s most influential book combining utopian socialism with aspects of science fiction. 

William Morris

Following on from the session last Tuesday here is an article of William Morris.  He is well known for his arts and crafts but he was also a shop keeper businessman, designed wall paper, a writer, collector of books, a master if calligraphy and also had strong socialist views which drove him to found the Socialist League.  Here is a link to find out more:

https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/introducing-william-morris

Drayton Lodge

I recently heard on the local news that they had restored some of the ruins of the old Drayton Lodge so I popped over to see this on my way home the other day.  There are some excellent information boards about Sir John Fastolf who built it in 1437 (yes the famous knight that the Shakespearian character of Falstaff was based on) and of course the restored old ruin.  The below article provides some pictures and further information on the lodge and how it fell into the hands of the Paston family and became used by warreners and shepherds.  Please select the following link to find out more:

https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/in-your-area/east-of-england/drayton-lodge-norfolk-saved/

Thomas Paine

Here is an article I sent out in 2020.  Thomas was born and educated in Thetford.  In 1774 he emigrated to the American colonies on the recommendation of Benjamin Franklin.  In 1776 he became one of the founding fathers of the American War of Independence when he wrote a pamphlet called Common Sense which played a major role in influencing the American colonies to continue their fight for independence against the British.   He then travelled to France in 1787 as a supporter of the French Revolution and in 1791 published the Rights of Man.  Paine spoke out effectively in favour of republicanism as against monarchy and went on to outline a plan for popular education, relief of the poor, pensions for aged people, and public works for the unemployed, all to be financed by the levying of a progressive income tax. As a member of the National Convention he campaigned unsuccessfully to save the life of King Louis XVI, favouring banishment rather than execution and was imprisoned when Robespierre came to power.  He was released in 1794 and returned to the United States in 1802. An exponent of Deism, he called Christianity “a fable.” and denied “that the Almighty ever did communicate anything to man, by…speech,…language, or…vision.” .  He died in 1809.

Below is a link to an Encyclopaedia Britannica article on Thomas Paine, just left click on the link to access the article:

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Thomas-Paine  

Below is a link to a You Tube clip on the story of Thomas Paine:

With these links just left click on the link and the film should fire up, you can pause/play the film similar to pause/play on your TV.  You may have to drag the red bar on the video to play from the start.  You also should be able to select skip to bypass the adverts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJbGgZowCcA

Edmund Bonner, Bishop of London

Following on from the trip to Dereham Tuesday, here is an article on “Bloody Bonner” who owned the cottage we visited.  The article is a good insight into his life and his bloody reign of terror during the reign of Mary I.  Also note that contrary to common belief, religious persecution did take place during the reign of Elizabeth I.  Please select this link to find out more information:  

https://www.tudorsociety.com/edmund-bonner-bishop-of-london/?utm_content=cmp-true

Maddermarket Theatre

 Originally built as a Roman Catholic chapel in 1794.  Here is a picture of the chapel:

In the nineteenth century it had been used as a baking soda factory, a grocery warehouse, and as a hall for the Salvation Army. It was small, the main body of the building measuring only forty by forty-six feet. However, a vaulted ceiling gave it excellent acoustics; more importantly, it already had galleries on three sides. 

The building was quickly converted by the Guild of Norwich Players from a state of near-dereliction into an Elizabethan style playhouse. Nugent Monck, the founder of the Guild of Norwich Players used to say it was a half scale model of the Fortune Theatre, although later scholars have suggested that Blackfriars Theatre would be a more accurate comparison.  

The Maddermarket Theatre opened in 1921.  The founder was Nugent Monck who had worked with William Poel. Poel was the first to restore Shakespeare's plays with the full text and to play them in the Elizabethan style without elaborate scenery.

The theatre is reputed to have a spirit monk haunting the walls of the theatre who over the years many audience members have claimed to have seen as well as actors and actresses saying they too have seen the monk. In 2004 an actress even claimed she was pushed by the entity!

Maddermarket

Just in case you missed some of the information on my Heritage Walk, here are my notes on the Maddermarket, note that brown coloured water tasted better than the black and scarlet water:

The Maddermarket site stands on the location of what was a medieval market that sold scarlet dye called ‘madder’ and this is where the theatre got its name from. The dye was used to colour textiles allegedly first discovered in Tutankhamen’s tomb.  It has been called Maddermarket since the 13th century.

Madder is a plant. The root was also used to make medicine. The root was recommended in the treatment of yellow jaundice, obstruction of the spleen, the melancholy humour, palsy, sciatica, and of bruises.  Currently can be used for conditions such as kidney stones, menstrual disorders, urinary tract disorders, wound healing, and many others.

The River Wensum is reported to have run red due to the madder dye. In 1850 it was reported that residents near the Duke’s Palace Bridge, were taking their water supply directly below the dye works, and the water was coloured according to the dye being used. People found brown coloured water the best as “the black spoiled the tea and so did the scarlet”!

New Buckenham Castle

I went on a ramble today to New Buckenham and came across its castle.  Did you know there was a castle at New Buckenham?  Well it all started with William d’Abini with the Norman victory in 1066.  He was given lands as his reward for supporting William the Conqueror so he built Castle Rising to defend his lands in North Norfolk and built a castle at New Buckenham to defend his lands in South Norfolk.  In 1145 his son, also named William, decided to build a new castle that had a better site and was nearer to the Norwich and Thetford road, he also gave the old castle to the Augustinians from which they built a priory.  William then built the village of New Buckenham to service his castle but what was unique about the street layout?  How did New Buckenham become so wealthy?  What did William build to protect his castle?  It was attacked several times over the centuries but who attacked it in 1263 and 1461?  To find out more please select the following link:

https://www.britainexpress.com/counties/norfolk/castles/new-buckenham-castle.htm

East Anglian Misericords

Following on from Mike Hudson's talk on Tuesday, here is a related article with some excellent pictures and descriptions.  A number are in Norfolk so you may wish to visit them.  To find out more please select the following link:

https://www.misericords.co.uk/eastanglia.html

Chrism Oil

 Here is more information on the chrism oil.  The most secret part of the coronation is when the monarch is anointed with the chrism oil behind closed screens.  Anointing with chrism oil signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit. It is used to consecrate someone or something to God's service.  This appears to originate from catholicism and has been adopted by the Church of England.  So how is it made and where does it come from?  To find out more please select the following article:

https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-03-03/the-consecration-of-the-coronation-oil#:~:text=The%20Archbishop%20of%20Canterbury%20said%3A&text=I%20want%20to%20thank%20especially,great%20care%20for%20its%20peoples.

10 Strange Facts About British Coronations

Following on from the Coronation.  Here is a related article of some well known and little known facts.  What is the only coronation artefact to survive the interregnum?  Who were the three British monarchs that never had a coronation?  What is the holy chrism oil?  To find out more please select the following link:

https://www.history.co.uk/articles/strange-facts-about-british-coronations 

Pictures of Blenheim Palace, Stonehenge and Salisbury

Here are some pictures of Salisbury, Stonehenge and Blenheim Palace and some historic facts that may be of interest.  Below is a picture painted by Winston Churchill and it is his only self portrait but can you see him. 

Below is a picture of Stonehenge.  But did you know they had to drag the stones from Wales.  

Below is a picture of a flooded Salisbury Cathedral in 1915.  Did you know that Salisbury Cathedral has the tallest spire in Britain.  I believe Norwich Cathedral comes second.  Salisbury Cathedral is built on five rivers hence the flooding and did you know that they have to keep the foundations moist to maintain the stability of the building.

The Last Wherry - Albion Documentary 1998

 Here is a film on the Albion.  I couldn’t find the film that Dale mentioned but hopefully this film will suffice.  Please select the following link and press play, you may need to move the red bar back to the start:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MZ5UvS-fNM

Albion's Working Life

For those that are interested in wherries, here is an article from the Norfolk Wherry Trust website about the working life of the Albion.  Please take time to explore the website as the trust has numerous open days and provides the opportunity to sail on the Albion.  Please select the following link:

https://wherryalbion.com/history/working-life/

 

Norwich Society Heritage Trails

The Norwich Society has a range of down-loadable self-guided trails that take you round some amazing places in Norwich as well as telling you more about its history.  Please select the following link to find out more:  

https://www.thenorwichsociety.org.uk/explore-norwich/trails

William Crotch

Here is an article about William Crotch.  He was a composer and organist born in Norwich and like Mozart was a child protégé.  William played for King George III at the age of three years old.  To find out more about William, please select the following link:

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

Howlett and White (later Norvic) Shoe Company Ltd, St Georges Plain

I led a Heritage Walk for Colin today around some of the old shoe factories in the Colegate and Fishergate area and I thought a related article would be of interest.  

A leather business originally established on site in 1846.  In 1876 Howlett and White were established.  Over the years that followed the factory on St George's expanded and in 1909 was described in the press as 'the largest boot and shoe factory under one roof in the kingdom’.

Similar to other Norwich shoe manufacturers the firm initially specialised in the production of high-quality shoes for ladies, but after WWI they recognised the need to diversify which they did by taking over firms that could fill gaps in their range namely: the Nottinghamshire-based Mansfield Shoe Company Ltd that made cheaper ladies shoes; the Northampton-based Oakeshott & Finnemore Ltd that made high-quality shoes for men.; the Norwich-based S.L. Witton Ltd that made children's shoes. In 1935 these companies were formally merged to create the Norvic Shoe Company Ltd. At the time it was the largest footwear manufacturing group in Britain.

Howlett and White escaped the bombing in WW2 and in the 1950s it remained one of the major footwear manufacturers in the country.

Despite its success the St George's factory was dated. In 1961 they met the challenge by opening a new plant called the Riverside factory in the area behind the main factory leading down to the River Wensum. Three years later they opened the modern Heathside factory on Vulcan Road (Mile Cross). 

The firm thrived in this era and it regularly generated annual profits in excess of £500,000 well into the mid-1960s. However, the cost of building new plant took its toll and in the late 1960s this once great firm ran into finanical difficulties albeit it was still employing 1500 employees.  They seemed to be weathering the storm, then in 1971 Norvic were the subject of a takeover bid by Drakes, a London-based investment group. In the years that followed many of the company's assets, including its chain of shops, were sold. By 1981 the company was in a dire position and in July of that year receivers were appointed for this once great Norwich firm.

Here is an excellent website about the Norwich Shoe Industry with a map that shows all the shoe factories and associated businesses in Norwich during the 1950s.  Please select M for the factory location and i for the related information:  

http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/shoe_factories/norwich_shoe_factory_map_2019.shtm

Stay healthy!

Regards

Mike

Harriet Martineau

Here is an article on Harriett Martineau.  She is a fascinating woman.  Born in Norwich in 1802 with a Unitarianism upbringing, strong minded and rebellious, never married, wrote in a very straight forward manner on such matters as; the poor having too many children that was out growing the food supply, anti-slavery, against strikes, campaigned for better working conditions for women, criticised celebrities including Dickens and Bronte, and used Mesmerism to overcome an ovarian cyst!  Please select the following link:  

https://www.thoughtco.com/harriet-martineau-3026476

Victoria Station

Last Monday I led a Heritage Walk for the Pit Stop to the old Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on St Stephen’s Road.  On the way we stopped off at the site of the old Victoria Station which is now where Marsh was located.  I was never really clear on the orientation of the station until I saw the two pictures below.  The first shows the entrance to the station with the four pillars, the second photo (which is a little fuzzy) shows the station aligned at 45 degrees to Queens Road (on the left), you can see the four pillars of the entrance (towards the right) and you will note that the goods yard buildings on the left are twice the size of the passenger buildings on the right, which is why it was probably converted to a goods yard in 1916 and finally closed in 1966 although the coal yard further up the line operated until 1986.  Victoria Station was the main railway link with London from mid 19th century to 1916 before the passenger line was changed to Thorpe Station.  

Here is a map of the railway lines that fed the four Norwich stations during 1914.  This shows how the lines to Victoria and Thorpe Station were linked together bringing about the closure of passenger traffic at Victoria.  Note that Thorpe Station was originally linked to Yarmouth, Cromer and Lowestoft only.

Stay healthy!

Regards

Mike

History of John Lewis in Norwich (previously Bonds)

From time to time, Vanessa Trevelyan of the Norwich Society, posts some interesting articles to our Facebook page.  Here is an article that she has recently posted about the above.  I didn’t realise that Bonds was founded way back in the late 19th century.  Do you remember the thatched assembly rooms on All Saints Green which turned into a cinema and a ballroom, you can see it on the far right of the large first picture.  Venessa has included some wonderful pictures, so please select the following link to our Facebook page to find out more: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/565649630121625/permalink/6353599974659866/ 

John Sell Cotman

You are probably aware that I don’t know much about Norwich painters, so here is another one.  Born in Norwich in 1782, the son of a silk merchant and lace dealer, Cotman was educated at the Norwich Grammar School. He was a leading figure in the Norwich School of Painters.  Towards the end of his life he suffered with depression.  Like a lot of painters, he became famous after his death.  If you would like to find out more then please select the following link:

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

What Was Health Care Like Before The NHS?

This is an article that was issued over two years ago about the NHS.  With the current challenges and industrial action in mind it may be worth reminding ourselves of the health care system before 1948.  It outlines the structure of health care in this country during the 19th and 20th century.  The National Insurance Act of 1911 improved the situation but what were its weaknesses?  The country acquired the "Hospital Habit” after the First World War but how did this enhance health care? The article also goes on to explain the role of First Aid Networks and how they initiated the ambulance service.  If you would like to find out more then please select the following link:

https://theconversation.com/what-was-healthcare-like-before-the-nhs-99055 

Jem Mace

I was on a walk with Colin recently and he mentioned the bare knuckle boxer Jem Mace who was born in Beeston near Dereham.  He became the first Boxing World Heavyweight Champion and did his early boxing in Norfolk.  This was when boxing was illegal, so the fights took place by word of mouth, similar to rave parties nowadays.  He also liked the ladies and had three marriages and fourteen children, played the violin, worked for Pablo Fanque for a short period, owned a bar in Liverpool and a bar in New York amongst other things - all packed into his life of 79 years.  To find out more information, please access this article via the link below:  

https://british-boxers.com/pages/meet-jem-mace

Here is a YouTube film about Jem Mace, please access the link, press play and you can always give the film a thumbs up:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7bk40H44JU&t=6s

Suckling House

I was in Cinema City recently and thought a related article on Suckling House would be of interest.  Suckling House is a merchant's house built between 1350 and 1370. It has a timber framed open hall with a king post roof. Two medieval doorways remain, one on the south side of the building and the other on the north. The building takes its name from Robert Suckling MP (mayor 1564), who was the grandfather of John Suckling the famous poet.  Why was part of the house demolished in the early 1900s?  Which famous city architect rebuilt it in 1925?  To find out answers to these questions and more information, please access this article via the link below:  

https://www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk/record-details?MNF605-Suckling-House-St-Andrew%27s-Street-(Cinema-City)

Here is a short YouTube film about Suckling House, please access the link, press play and you can always give the film a thumbs up:  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5kVl6fYBWo

Norwich Chalk Mines

Here is a short film from nearly two years ago about the Norwich Chalk Mines with an accompanying narrative and includes a very interesting map of the mines.  Please select the following link and press play, you can always give the film a thumbs up as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hneVwuDdu-E 

John Crome

I must be the only person in Norfolk who has never heard of him!  So here is an article on John.  Otherwise know as “Old Crome” to distinguish him from his artist son.  He was a founding member of the Norwich School of Painters, which was the first art movement established outside London.  He was a Romantic era artist - but what was the Romantic era?  What did he and John Constable have in common?  He has a Broad named after him and a Heartsease ward.  To find the answers to these questions and more information please select the following link:

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

George Borrow

I am reading a book called Heroes, Villains and Victims of Norwich and one of the chapters is on George Borrow, who I had never heard of.  So who was he?  He was born in Dereham and was an English writer of novels and of travel based on personal experiences in Europe.  His literature provided a detailed accounts of life in 1820s England and 1850s Wales.  It is rumoured that he had a knowledge of over 100 languages and was admired for his inspirational work on gypsies.  If you want to find out more information about George then please select the following link:

https://www.georgeborrowtrust.org.uk/Georgeborrow.php

Sir Hugh Hastings

I recently did a walk at Elsing near Lyng which is situated out through Lenwade and did some research on the local church, St Marys.  I discovered that it has one of the most celebrated medieval brasses in England, dating to 1347.  The church is essentially a mausoleum for Sir Hugh Hastings, who was a knight and administrator for Edward III and was held in very good regard by the nobility of the time.  Sir Hugh fought in the 100 years war against the French and was a celebrated soldier.  Unfortunately the original brass remains in the church under lock and key, however, there is a replica of the brass displayed - see picture below.  If you are interested in Sir Hugh Hastings and his brass then please select the following link:

https://www.mbs-brasses.co.uk/index-of-brasses/sir-hugh-hasting

Happy New Year!