Part 2
The THEATRE ROYAL is situated at a short distance from the Assembly Rooms. It is a well-built though somewhat plain-looking edifice, erected in 1826, adjoining the site of the old theatre, which was built in 1757. The interior is upon the model of Drury Lane, the embellishments are both chaste and handsome, and the arrangements are well suited to public convenience, being upon the same plan as those of the metropolitan theatres. The building is but rarely used for other than dramatic entertainments.
The BETHEL HOSPITAL FOR LUNATICS stands in the street of the same name, upon the site of the old City Committee House. The building is well adapted for the purpose for which it was designed. There is a handsome committee room containing several portraits, one of which is that of the worthy foundress, painted in 1724.
The CITY GAOL is at the end of St. Giles’ Street. It was completed in 1827, from a design by Mr. Philip Barnes, a native of Norwich, at a cost of £30,000. The front elevation is massive, and is supported by rusticated Tuscan columns. In the wings are niches with cross arrows. The building encloses an area of 1A. 2R. 34P., and contains 114 cells. The governor’s house stands in the centre, and commands a view of the entire prison, which is well ventilated, and supplied with water pumped by the tread wheel.
The NORFOLK AND NORWICH HOSPITAL, founded in 1771, for the relief of the sick and maimed poor, is an extensive brick structure, situated without St. Stephen’s Gates. It deservedly ranks as the most useful institution in the county, and is supported by donations, legacies, and voluntary subscriptions, and also by a large proportion of the proceeds of the Norwich Musical Festival. Since its foundation, it has admitted about 45,000 in-door, and 35,000 out-door patients. Three physicians and four surgeons regularly attend gratuitously. The Hospital contains 144 beds for the reception of patients.
ST. GILES’ HOSPITAL, commonly called the Old Men’s Hospital, is situated in the parish of St. Helen. It was founded as early as 1249, by Bishop Walter de Suffield, for maintaining four chaplains to pray for his soul; and also to be an asylum for the aged, decrepid and infirm clergy of the diocese of Norwich, and to support 13 old people, who were to have their lodging, and one meal a day for life. It subsequently received considerable augmentations, and can now accommodate 200 persons.
The CAVALRY BARRACKS are situated in Barrack Street, in the Hamlet of Pockthorpe, on the site of the Old Manor House of that hamlet. They were erected by the Government in 1791, at an expense of £20,000. The buildings are of brick, and form three sides, the centre being for the accommodation of the officers; upon the upper part of this are the national arms sculptured in stone, and surrounded by military trophies. The wings are appropriated to the reception of the soldiers, and are capable of containing 320 men and 266 horses. The high wall which surrounds the entire barracks (including the spacious parade ground) encloses an extent of about ten acres.
The DUNGEON TOWER is opposite the Cavalry Barracks, upon land called the Hospital Meadows. It is a large round tower of brick, originally surmounted by a battlement.
The INSTITUTION FOR THE INDIGENT BLIND is situated in Magdalen Street. The establishment is devoted to two objects—a hospital for the aged blind, and a school for the instruction of blind children, who are taught the manufacture of baskets, mats, and other articles, by which they may obtain a livelihood. These may be purchased in a shop adjoining the institution.
DOUGHTY’S HOSPITAL, in Calvert Street, was founded in 1687, by William Doughty, who bequeathed £6000 for building and endowing it, for 24 poor men and 8 poor women, of the age of 60. Since its foundation, the hospital has been augmented by several benefactions. It is a square building of almshouses, with a garden in the centre. Each inmate has a tenement of one room for his or her own use, and there is one of two rooms, the residence of the master. There is now accommodation for 28 men and 16 women, who each receive 5s. 6d. per week, and the master 11s. per week. Each has also a supply of coals, and a suit of purple clothing annually, with other advantages.
The CATHEDRAL is one of the chief ornaments of the city, and is a very fine edifice, principally in the Norman style of architecture. It has a nave and choir, with aisles, transept, several small chapels, chapterhouse, and cloisters. These, with the Bishop’s Palace and the Deanery, constitute a great mass of ecclesiastical buildings. The Cathedral is 407 feet long, and the breadth across the transept 178 feet, and across the nave and aisles 72 feet. The cloisters form a square of 174 feet, inner dimensions. The large west window is composed of elegant perpendicular tracery, and contains some elegant stained glass, inserted as a memorial of the late Bishop Stanley. On the south side of the nave, between the sixth and seventh pillars, is the tomb of Chancellor Spenser, upon which, in accordance with the leases, the dean and chapter formerly demanded the payment of their rents; and between the next pillars stands the tomb of Bishop Nix, a violent persecutor of the Reformers, who erected the roof of the transepts. He suffered a long imprisonment for aiding the cause of the pope against Henry VIII. The space which this tomb occupies, as well as that between the two next pillars to the west, was formerly enclosed as a chapel, the roof of which is remaining, displaying obtuse arches inserted between the Norman piers; the vaulting, which is rich, is considered a good specimen of the latest florid style. On the west side of the ninth pier, on the same side, is the tomb of Bishop Parkhurst, the eminent lexicographer, a very excellent prelate, and a great promoter of the reformed religion. In the ninth arch of the south wall is a monument to Dean Gardiner. Opposite, on the east side of the ninth pier, is the tomb of Sir James Hobart, attorney-general to Henry VII. A chapel was formerly enclosed here, which belonged to the Hobart family. In the centre of the nave will be observed a chaste marble slab, which covers the remains of the late highly-esteemed Bishop Stanley. The Bishop’s Palace is partly Norman. It has a grand hall and a large chapel. The Deanery and Prebendal Houses are the remains of the Priory. Among the cathedral appurtenances are three ancient gates of remarkable structure—the Erpingham gate, St. Ethelbert’s gate, and St. Martin’s Palace gate. The Cathedral precincts form a peculiar jurisdiction of the Dean and Chapter, who appoint a coroner and ecclesiastical judges and officers. The Bishop has the remarkable privilege of being the only abbot in England, being Bishop of Norwich and Abbot of St. Bennet’s-at-Holm.
The FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL is situated near the western door of the Cathedral, and was originally a chapel dedicated to St. John. It was erected about 1315, by Bishop Salmon, lord chancellor, who endowed it with four priests, one of whom was to sing mass for his soul, those of his parents, and of all his predecessors and successors. The portico, which is singular in construction, was built by Bishop Lyhart in 1463. The buttresses at each end of the south side are especially worthy notice; they are ornamented with rich columns representing the trunks of trees, from the tops of which spring imitations of branches. In this grammar school, in addition to many eminent scholars, were educated the celebrated Hero of the Nile and Trafalgar, Lord Viscount Nelson, and Sir James Brooke, the Rajah of Sarrawak. The celebrated Dr. Valpy was once head master.
PARISH CHURCHES.
‘ALL SAINTS’, situated at the east end of Westlegate Street, is a small structure, with a square tower, and three bells. The font is very ancient, and curiously carved with figures of the Twelve Apostles, St. Michael and the Dragon, &c. The living is a rectory, in the gift of Mrs. Sculthorpe. Rev. Thomas Gurney, M.A., is the rector.
ST. ANDREW’S “Broad Street,” to which it gives name, is esteemed the finest parochial church in the city, excepting that of St. Peter’s Mancroft. The tower, which has ten bells and a clock, was rebuilt in 1478, and the nave and chancel in 1506. The interior is neatly pewed, contains a good organ erected in 1808, and several handsome monuments. At the end of the north aisle is a sumptuous monument, with recumbent effigies of Sir John Suckling and his lady. To the altar belongs a handsome and costly set of plate, of which two noble flagons, weighing nearly 60 ounces each, were given by L. Goodwin, Esq., in 1704. The church of St. Christopher, which stood in this vicinity, was burnt down in the reign of Henry VIII., and its parish united with St. Andrew’s. The parishioners are the patrons. Rev. J. Brown is the incumbent.
ST. AUGUSTINE’S, situated in St. Augustine’s Street, is an unpresuming edifice with a square tower, containing a clock and three bells. The tower and porch were partly rebuilt of red brick in 1726. The living is a rectory in the gift of the dean and chapter. Rev. M. J. Rackham is the incumbent.
ST. BENEDICT’S, Upper Westwick Street, is a small structure, with a tower, round at the base and octangular above. The patronage is in the gift of the parishioners. Rev. W. Goodwin, incumbent.
ST. CLEMENT’S, Colegate Street, is one of the most ancient churches in the city. The venerable structure consists of a nave and chancel, and has a square tower, in which are three bells. It was thoroughly repaired in 1845, at a cost of £430. In the churchyard is the “Leper’s Tomb,” which, tradition says, was raised over the remains of a leper, who, being permitted burial here, bequeathed his lands to the church: but Blomfield discredits this legend, and conjectures that the leper died in the lazar house, without St. Augustine’s gate, which entitled him to burial here, that building being in one of the detached parts of this parish. The living is a rectory in the gift of Caius College, Cambridge. Rev. R. Rigg is the rector.
ST. EDMUND’S, in Fishgate Street, a small structure, founded about the time of William the Conqueror, has a tower and one bell. Among the relics formerly preserved here, was a piece of the shirt of St. Edward the King and Martyr, kept in a box of crystal, and visited with great reverence. The living is a rectory in the gift of the Rev. C. Brereton. The Rev. J. Pearson is the rector.
ST. ETHELRED’S, in King Street, is a small fabric, with a short tower and one bell. In the burial ground was formerly an anchorage, which continued till after the Reformation. Rev. J. Deacon is the incumbent.
ST. GEORGE’S COLEGATE, a large handsome gothic structure, rebuilt at different periods, has a lofty tower, in which is a clock and three bells. The interior is neatly fitted up, and there is a good organ. In the chancel is a fine altar tomb to Robert Iannis, a great benefactor to this church and the city; and near it a beautiful mural monument to John Herring, Esq. The window over the communion table is beautifully adorned with stained glass. The churches of St. Margaret at Colegate and St. Olave, in Cherry Lane, were taken down, and their cures consolidated with St. George’s; the former in 1349, and the latter in 1546. The dean and chapter are patrons. Rev. A. W. Durdin, incumbent.
ST. GEORGE’S TOMBLAND consists of a nave, chancel, and side aisles, has a handsome square tower, which contains five bells, and was erected by the parishioners in 1445. In the interior are several spacious galleries, and many monumental inscriptions. Rev. K. Trimmer is the incumbent.
ST. GILES’ was founded in the reign of William the Conqueror, by Elwyn the priest, who gave it to the monks of Norwich, and the patronage is consequently vested in the dean and chapter. It was wholly rebuilt in the reign of Richard II., and is now one of the handsomest churches in the city. The tower (120 feet high) contains a clock and eight bells, and is surrounded by a cupola and battlement. The chancel has been demolished since the year 1581, when the dean and chapter, to quit themselves of the expense of repairing it, gave all the materials to the parish, for “a stock to be put out for the encouragement of poor trades.” There are many curious old brasses, and several neat mural monuments. Rev. R. Sedgwick is the incumbent.
ST. GREGORY’S, Pottergate Street, is a lofty gothic structure, consisting of nave, side aisles, and chancel, the latter built in 1395; since which, the whole pile has received many reparations. In the tower are a clock and six bells; the font is very large, having an octagonal top, and on its eight sides the four evangelists, and figures emblematic of the four quarters of the globe. In the nave is a fine brass reading-desk, in the shape of an eagle with expanded wings. Among the monuments is one to Sir Francis Bacon, a Judge of the Court of King’s Bench, in the time of Charles II. Here are also some ancient brass inscriptions. Rev. W. R. Sharpe is the incumbent.
ST. HELEN’S, Bishopgate Street, belonged to the monks who demolished it, and consolidated the cure with the church of St. Giles’ Hospital, now called the Great Hospital. The whole of this hospital church, which serves also as the parish church of St. Helen, and is partly converted into lodgings for the almspeople, is still standing. It has a square tower at the south-west corner, with one bell; the choir is turned into lodgings for the almswomen, and part of the nave and aisles is divided into apartments for the men. The church is neatly fitted up with open seats, and opposite the altar stands a modern seat of gothic carved work. Rev. W. F. Patteson is the incumbent.
ST. JAMES’, Cowgate, includes within its parish the hamlet of Pockthorpe, and part of Mousehold Heath. It is a small structure, with a tower, rebuilt in 1743, and contains three bells. It was re-pewed in 1842. This was a well-endowed rectory till 1201, when it was appropriated to the cathedral priory, and is now a peculiar of the dean and chapter.
ST. JOHN’S MADDERMARKET is an ancient but handsome church, consisting of nave, side aisles, and a fine tower, in which are six bells. It is dedicated to the Holy Trinity and St. John the Baptist, and was founded before the survey made in Edward the Confessor’s time. The lead was removed, and the roof covered with slate in 1835. It contains many ancient sepulchral inscriptions, with a few brasses and several neat mural tablets. Lady Margaret, Duchess of Norfolk (second wife of the duke, who was beheaded in Elizabeth’s reign), died at the Duke’s Palace, in this parish, in 1563, and was interred with great pomp on the north side of the choir, where a mural monument was raised to her memory in 1791. The living is a rectory in the gift of New College, Oxford. The Rev. J. Perowne is the rector.
ST. JOHN’S SEPULCHRE, a commodious structure, at the south end of Ber Street, dedicated to St. John the Baptist and the Holy Sepulchre, consists of nave, chancel, and transepts, with a lofty tower, in which are five bells and a clock. Rev. Thomas Calvert is the incumbent.
ST. JOHN’S TIMBERHILL, an ancient pile, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, and situated at the north end of Ber Street, was founded soon after the priory, to which it was appropriated. It consists of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with chapels at the east end, and has a small wooden steeple, with one bell. It had formerly a tower, which fell down in 1784, and was never rebuilt. The Rev. S. Titlow is the incumbent.
ST. JULIAN’S, situated in King Street, a small ancient fabric, with a round tower; was founded before the conquest. On the south side may be seen the ancient entrance, in the Saxon style, but now disused. In the churchyard was an anchorage, demolished at the dissolution of religious houses.
ST. LAWRENCE, Upper Westwick Street, is a handsome gothic fabric, with a fine tower, 112 feet high, containing a clock and six bells. The windows are large and beautifully foliated, and were formerly decorated with stained glass, all of which was destroyed by the Puritans in 1643. Over an arched door, on the western side, are two ancient carvings, one of which represents the cruel martyrdom of St. Lawrence. The original church was founded in the Confessor’s reign, on the site of a quay for landing fish, but was taken down in 1460, and the present one completed about twelve years after. Rev. P. U. Browne is the incumbent.
ST. MARGARET’S, Westwick Street, consists of nave, chancel, and side aisle, and has a square tower, in which were five bells till 1830, when four of them were sold to assist in defraying the expense of covering the structure with blue slate. The living is a rectory in the gift of the Bishop of Norwich. The Rev. J. W. Cobb is the rector.
ST. MARTIN’S AT OAK, in Oak Street, consists of nave, chancel, south aisle, and a square tower, with three bells. It derived the latter part of its name from a large oak, formerly standing in the churchyard, with the image of St. Mary in it. This was much visited in superstitious times, and several legacies were given towards repairing and painting it. The oak now standing on the site was planted about 50 years ago. An alabaster tomb, with effigies, remember Jeremiah Ravens and his wife. Rev. C. J. Blake is the incumbent.
ST. MARTIN’S AT PALACE, situated opposite the entrance to the palace, is a venerable structure, consisting of nave, chancel, and side aisles, with a tower and five bells. In early times a boys’ singing school was kept here; and in 1500 John Blomfield gave a robe of worsted linen, lined with blue silk, for the boy bishop. Rev. A. Braddell, incumbent.
ST. MARY’S, Southgate Street, consists of nave, transepts, and chancel, with an ancient round tower, with six bells. The body of the church was built in 1477. It contains six antique stalls, and several neat monuments. Rev. C. Morse, incumbent. St. Mary’s in the Marsh. The Rev. J. C. Matchett, incumbent.
ST. MICHAEL’S, Coslany Street, usually called St. Miles’, is a commodious and handsome structure, with a lofty embattled tower, containing a clock and eight musical bells. The interior of the church is handsomely decorated, and two of the windows contain some ancient painted glass, but the heads of the figures were taken off to gratify the Puritans in the reign of Cromwell. The altar-piece represents the ascension, and the four evangelists; and the floor in front is paved with black and white marble, brought from the domestic chapel of the Earl of Yarmouth, at Oxnead. On the south side is a chapel of beautiful workmanship, erected of flints and freestone, and considered one of the finest specimens of flint-work in the county. The church contains a very old font, several mural monuments, and some ancient brasses. The living is a rectory in the gift of Caius College, Cambridge. Rev. R. Rigg is the rector.
ST. MICHAEL’S AT PLEA, situated on the north side of Queen Street, is so named from the Archdeacon of Norwich holding in it his Pleas or Courts. It is built in the form of a cross, and has a square embattled tower, with two bells. There are eight ancient paintings near the pulpit, well worthy of inspection. The living is a rectory in the gift of Sir T. B. Leonard and J. Morse, Esq. Rev. Charles Morse is the rector.
ST. MICHAEL AT THORN, in ancient deeds, called St. Michael’s super Montem, has still a large thorn tree growing in the graveyard. It is a small structure, with a tower, built in 1436, in which are three bells. Rev. C. T. Rust is the incumbent.
ST. PAUL’S, in St. Paul’s Street, is an ancient fabric, with a small tower, the upper part of which was octangular, but was rebuilt in 1819 of white brick, with a stone coping. It contains a handsome screen and sounding board, and was renewed in 1841. The living is a rectory in the gift of the dean and chapter. Rev. B. Cook is the rector.
ST. PETER HUNGATE, on Elm Hill, one of the oldest churches in the city; was anciently called Hungate, or Houndsgate, from the hounds formerly kept there for the use of the bishop. The old church was demolished in 1458, when the present one was commenced and finished in 1460. It is a cruciform structure, of black flint, with a square tower and two bells. Over the communion table is a handsome window of ancient stained glass. Among the plate belonging to the altar is a curious old cup and cover. The living is a rectory in the gift of the lord chancellor. Rev. S. Titlow is the rector.
ST. PETER’S MANCROFT stands in an elevated situation, near the upper side of the Market-place, and is a handsome cruciform structure of freestone, begun in 1430, and finished in 1455. It stands on the site of a former structure, and is considered the finest parish church in the city, measuring 212 feet in length and 70 feet in breadth, having a noble tower 98 feet high, containing an excellent peal of twelve bells, with a clock and chimes. The bells were exchanged for the old peal of ten in 1775, at the cost of more than £800, raised by public subscription. The interior has an elegant appearance; the clustered pillars supporting the roof, with the arches surmounting them, are lofty and slender, and the windows are large and handsome. The organ, a fine-toned instrument, was erected in 1707. The decorations of the altar are elegant, and the plate massive, especially a superb standing cup and cover. The altar piece represents the delivery of Peter from Prison, and the east window is decorated with stained glass. In the vestry are several ancient books, among which is a beautiful manuscript bible, written on vellum, in 1340, and a more ancient manuscript of the Epistles of St. Paul, with a comment finely illuminated. Here are several fine old paintings, and a piece of tapestry, dated 1574. Over the door hangs an old carving, in alabaster, of nine female saints, among which is St. Margaret holding down a dragon. The capacious old font is surmounted with a lofty covering of costly tabernacle work, and near the north door are two carved stalls. Rev. C. Turner, incumbent.
ST. PETER PER MOUNTERGATE, in King Street; so called from a gate anciently placed near the churchyard; was erected in 1486, and has a fine square, embattled tower, with a clock and five bells. In the chancel are 24 stalls, which belonged to a college of secular priests, that stood at the north-east corner of the churchyard. A tomb, dated 1623, on the south side of the altar, with recumbent effigies, remembers R. Berney, Esq., and his wife. In the nave is interred Thomas Codd, who was mayor in Kett’s Rebellion, and was a great benefactor to the city. The heads of his will are read annually on the Sunday before St. Thomas’ Day. Rev. G. Day is the incumbent.
ST. PETER’S, Southgate Street, is an ancient fabric, consisting of nave, chancel, side chapel, and a square tower, in which are three bells. The living is a rectory in the gift of the Bishop of Norwich. Rev. J. Deacon is the rector.
ST. SAVIOUR’S, Magdalen Street, a small fabric, dedicated to the transfiguration of our Saviour; has a square embattled tower, with a clock and bell. It contains several neat mural monuments. In Bishop Oxford’s time it was appropriated to the almoner of the cathedral convent. Rev. S. O. Attlay is the incumbent.