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!

Dragon Hall

Here is short film that supplements Mike Hudson's film on Dragon Hall.  It illustrates the life of Robert Toppes and the trading that took place in the great Dragon Hall.  Please select the following link and press play, you can always give the film a thumbs up:

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

For those that like a written article, here is a link that supplements the film shown by Mike Hudson:

https://www.dragonhallnorwich.org.uk/pages/history-of-dragon-hall.html

Henry March and the Wymondham Double Murders

Here is an article that Colin wrote about the above some time ago.  The article is presented by an actor.  So who was Henry March and why did he murder two people?  Who were his victims and what do the initials 'JF 1870' etched on a wall mean?  To find out more information please select the following link and scroll down to ‘JF and the March Murder':

https://www.capnorfolk.com/project-outcomes

For those that like a written article, here is a link that describes the double murder:

https://www.facebook.com/315934825111204/posts/henry-march-for-a-double-murder-at-workat-800-am-on-tuesday-the-20th-of-november/3601169406587713/

Edward Burgess and the Origins of the Norfolk Womens Institute (WI)

I have recently read an article about Edward Burgess who was editor of a paper called Daylight during late 19th and early 20th century Norwich.  Edward Burgess was a standard bearer for the working class of Norwich and he wasn’t afraid to take on those who were exploiting the working class, to such a degree that he was once publicly horse whipped by a victim and was often in court for libel.  Anyway Edward had a daughter Mary who along with Lady Evelyn Suffield inaugurated the Norfolk WI in 1918.  This is a wonderful story of the working classes working together with the aristocracy for the greater good.  To find out more information please select the following link:

https://norfolk.thewi.org.uk/about-us/early-days

William Paulet

Here is a repeat of an old article.  So who was William Paulet?  He was a participant in many of the famous events in Tudor history and served four monarchs and lived to the ripe old age of 87!  He was a participant in the executions of Sir Thomas More, Anne Boleyn and Catherine Howard, the attempt to change the succession with lady Jane Grey and the sinking of the Mary Rose. He played a central role at royal weddings, coronations and funerals and, as a councillor and member of the House of Lords, he influenced major changes to the religion, economy and social fabric of England. He was definitely not a man of the shadows.  Please select the following link to learn more:

https://onthetudortrail.com/Blog/resources/biographies/william-paulet 

Barsham City - What Is Life Like In The World’s Tinniest City?

Tony Harper has suggested this article which is about Barsham in Suffolk.  So why is a small line of houses labelled the world’s tinniest city?  To find out more information please select the following link:

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23154071.barsham-city-life-like-worlds-tiniest-city/