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1549 - Norwich besieged by Kett's Rebellion
Kett's Rebellion took place in the summer of 1549. It started off in Wymondham after a small group of peasants got together to protest against rich robber barons who had stolen the common land, leaving the peasants to starve.

Led by Robert Kett, the peasants marched 10 miles into Norwich and gathered on Mousehold Heath, attracting the support of the poorer people of Norwich.

Some 15,000 rebels eventually gathered here and their pitched battles against government forces on the streets of Norwich led to a national crisis...

Hundreds of peasants were killed and 300 were captured and executed in Norwich.

Kett himself was imprisoned and later hanged from the battlements of Norwich Castle.

www.bbc.co.uk/ norfolk/ your/ a-z_norfolk/ a-z_ketts.shtml

By the 16th century Norwich had grown to become the second largest city in England; but over one-third of its population died in the plague epidemic of 1579.

wikipedia.org

1620 - Pilgrim fathers sail to the new world on board the Mayflower. 32 of the 107 on board were from Norwich & Norfolk.

www.oldcity.org.uk/ norwich/ history/ history06.php

1665 - Bubonic Plague in Norwich
Norwich experienced its last epidemic of Bubonic Plague during 1665-6; this resulted in most of the wealthy citizens leaving Norwich. Unemployment became a serious problem, followed by a severe food shortage in 1666, which was only averted by huge catches of herring which were brought ashore at Great Yarmouth. Agricultural wages in East Anglia were very poor and country life became increasingly difficult; this prompted people to move from the country into the city in search of work.

www.norfolk-norwich.com/ norwich/ discovering-norwich/ history-of-norwich.php

1687 - Doughty's Hospital founded in Norwich
It began in March 1677 when William Doughty, mariner, declared to the Court of the Mayoralty his intention to reside in Norwich requesting that he be allowed to remain free of all taxes and charges. In consideration of that favour it seems he undertook to endow a hospital or almshouse in Norwich.

In 1687 he drew up a long, complicated will...

Following Doughty‘s death in March 1688 his Trustees purchased an orchard in the parish of St Saviour‘s (the present site), along with twelve other plots of land to endow the Hospital. They arranged the building of 32 almshouses on four sides of a square, eight on each side, in accordance with William Doughty‘s wishes...

www.heritagecity.org/ research-centre/ social-innovation/ doughtys-hospital.htm

1693 - Old Meeting House built by Norwich Non-conformists
...In 1662 the Act of Uniformity ejected any minister who could not or would not adhere to official Church of England doctrine. Some of these dissenting clergymen simply did not feel they could agree to the 1662 Prayer Book, and were forced to leave the Church of England.

Many of the leading Dissenters of Norwich were Congregationalists, and they included among their numbers some of the wealthiest and most influential members of Norwich society. Life was difficult for the Dissenters, but in 1689 the Act of Toleration made it legal for them to build and own property. As a result, they could officially own their ow meeting place for the first time. The result of this legal change was the Old Meeting House, built in 1693, just over 3 years after the Act took effect...

www.britainexpress.com/ counties/ norfolk/ norwich/ old-meeting-house.htm

1713 - Bethel Hospital built in Norwich
The Bethel Hospital in Norwich, founded by Mary Chapman, was opened in 1713 and was the first purpose-built asylum in the country. In 1712, the site, a 'wast peece of ground,' in Committee Street (later re-named Bethel Street, because of the hospital) near to St. Peter Mancroft Church, had been leased to Mary Chapman for one thousand years at a peppercorn rent. Carpenter Richard Starling and mason Edward Freeman were contracted to build the hospital... From 1713 to 1814 (when the local county asylum was opened), the Bethel was the sole public facility for the mad or insane in Norwich...

'This house was built for the benefit of distrest Lunaticks Ano Dom. 1713 and is not to be alienated or employed to any other use or purpose whatsoever. Tis also requir'd that the Master, who shall be chosen from time to time, be a Man that lives in the Fear of God and sets up true protestant Religion in his Family and will have a due Regard as well to souls as bodies as those that are under his... Read MORE...

1721 - In 1721 the Norwich Weekly Mercury, or Protestant Packet, was established, price three-halfpence... The Mercury was printed by William Chase, Cockey lane...
Fletcher's Norwich Hand-Book, compiled by Mrs. Madders
Authors Susan Swain MADDERS, Josiah FLETCHER
Published 1857
Page 212

1732 - Market Cross pulled down in Norwich
Archaeologists excavating Norwich market before refurbishment work begins have uncovered the foundations of the medieval Market Cross.
An original cross was built in 1411 and stood 60ft tall, dominating the market.

The last structure stood opposite what is now Davey Place and featured a chapel on top of a plinth 30ft wide.

David Adams site manager of the Norwich Market Archaeology Project said: "It is an octagonal building demolished in the 1730s but it is fantastic to see it."

The cross was on the site for 200 years and Mr Adams said "it was the beating heart of the market".

...The Cross was expensive to maintain and over the years the citizens were taxed to raise funds for its repair.

In 1732 it was pulled down, the stone sold for £125 and the site levelled...


news.bbc.co.uk/ 2/ hi/ uk_news/ england/ norfolk/ 4312711.stm

1766 - Food riots in Norwich.

www.oldcity.org.uk/ norwich/ history/ history07.php

1771 - Norfolk & Norwich Hospital opened.
The citizens of Norfolk had felt the need for a hospital in Norwich for many years...

In August 1770 William Fellowes organised a meeting at the Guildhall in Norwich to discuss the [hospital] project. A committee of wealthy and influential Norfolk gentry was appointed, a subscription fund opened and a site for the hospital purchased. Large sums of money were liberally subscribed by the inhabitants of Norfolk and Norwich for carrying the laudable design into effect. Gooch wrote excitedly to his friend Messenger Monsey about all this. The scheme faltered no more and on 5th March 1771 the foundation stone was laid by William Fellowes and the hospital erected at the cost of £13,323/ 8/ 11...

www.takeheart.co.uk/ earlynn.htm

1895 - Norwich
Norwich, nor'rij (anc. Wen'ta Iceno'rum), a city of England, capital of the co, of Norfolk, on the Yare and Wensum Rivers, 2 miles above their junction, and at a railway junction, 98 miles N.N.E. of London. It was formerly surrounded by walls, fragments of which still exist, flanked with numerous towers, and entered by 12 gates, but the modern city and suburbs extend much beyond the ancient walls. Not a few of its streets are narrow, winding, and either unpaved or paved badly; and the houses, with their rude pointed gables, are far more remark able for their antiquity than for the merits of their architecture. The market-place is one of the largest and finest in the kingdom. The cathedral, founded in 1094, is a cruciform structure, with a tower and spire rising to the height of 315 feet. Around it are the cloisters, bishop's palace, deanery, &c. Besides the cathedral, Norwich possesses about 40 other churches, and many chapels. The other principal buildings are the castle, a noble... Read MORE...

1906
Norwich, a city and parliamentary and county borough of England, within the territorial limits of the county of Norfolk, on the Wensum, just above its confluence with the Yare, 98 miles NNE. of Lon don. It retains many quaint medieval dwellings and has numerous venerable edifices. Some of the gates of the ancient fortifications have survived. The most interesting structures are the old Norman castle, situated on high ground near the centre of the city, its keep now used as a museum : the beautiful Norman cathedral, founded at the close of the eleventh century, with one of the highest spires in England (315 feet) ; the church of St. Peter's, Mancroft ; the guild-hall, dating from the early part of the fifteenth century ; and St. Andrew's Hall. There is a grammar- school dating from the reign of Edward VI. Norwich early became the seat of the textile industry through the influx of the Flemings, and this branch of manufacture is still important. The town has manufactures of mustard,... Read MORE...

2023 - Here's a list of places to visit and activities to enjoy in and around Norwich:
Norwich Cathedral: Start your visit with a trip to Norwich Cathedral, an impressive Norman structure that dates back to 1096. Explore its beautiful cloisters, admire the stunning architecture, and don't forget to climb the tower for panoramic views of the city.

Norwich Castle: This historic castle, now a museum, offers a glimpse into Norwich's past. Discover exhibits on everything from medieval warfare to fine art collections. The castle itself is an iconic part of the city's skyline.

Elm Hill: Take a stroll down Elm Hill, one of the most picturesque streets in Norwich. Lined with historic buildings, quaint shops, and cozy cafes, it's a perfect place for a leisurely walk and some shopping.

The Norwich Lanes: Explore the narrow alleyways and lanes of Norwich's historic center, known as the Norwich Lanes. Here, you'll find a treasure trove of independent boutiques, artisan shops, and charming eateries.

Norwich Market: Visit one of the largest open-air markets in England,... Read MORE...

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