Norwich City From Ketts Heights 1998
To see images of Norwich CLICK HERE
Norwich Castle was built by the Norman conquerors at the expense of King William. A steep sided artificial hill was made in 1067, which rose 40 feet above natural ground level, that gave it a total height 60 feet from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the hill.
The first Castle on this site was made from wood, and surrounded by a fence of wooden stakes. It is thought that the present stone keep was started between 1120 and 1130. The keep is about 70 feet in height. Local flints were used and it is faced with stone from Caen in Normandy.
Unlike it's predecessor, the new stone keep served as the main residence of the Constable and his garrison. In 1220 the Castle was designated as the Norfolk County Gaol (jail) for local criminals and state prisoners. It remained in this role until 1887 when the Castle was sold to
the city for conversion into a museum. At the gates of the castle most of the public executions took place. One of the more notable of these was of Robert Kett who led a band of 20,000 protesters and took control of Norwich. Six weeks later after fights with two royal armies Kett was defeated and hung with
48 other rebels. Their protest was about increased rents and the fencing in of common land by rich sheep farmers for grazing. After he was hung Ketts body was placed in a gibet and hung from the Castle walls.To go to the Norwich Castle web pages click Here.
St Peter Mancroft
The largest church in Norwich, in fact it is often mistaken for the cathedral by visitors to the city. The first church on this site was instigated by the Normans, but it is thought that the present church was built between 1430 and1455. There are many things to hold interest inside. One of these is a Flemish
Tapestry made in 1573 which is famed for showing Christ wearing a hat and holding a spade. Depicting, maybe Mary mistaking him for a gardener after the resurection. As the Tapestrey is sensitive and fading it is covered with curtains. It is advised that you ask a guide to show it to you if you visit the Church.
City Hall
Work started on this project in 1935 at the cost of £222,000, cheap at todays prices. It was hoped that the work would span a three year period as it was designed to help
the major unemployment problem in the area. The bell in the 185ft high clocktower weighed in at three tons(tonnes). The building was officially opened by King George VI and Queen
Elizabeth on Saturday, October 29th 1938.
Cathedral Church of John The Baptist
This Catholic cathedral stands at one of the highest points of the city. It was built about 1900 and opened
in 1910. The church is built of English limestone and inside the smaller columns are of marble
from Durham
Norwich Cathedral
To Link to the OFFICIAL Cathedral web page click Here. Thankyou.
Bishop Gate
This is the oldest surviving medieval bridge in Norwich, and said to be the oldest in England dating from 1345.
As it was part of the city defences this bridge had a gate and tower,
the tower was said to have been the finest of all the city gates.
However by 1790 it had fell into ruin and the tower was demolished. There was also the added fear that the bridge couldn't take the weight. It was at the approaches
to this bridge in 1549 that Robert Kett did battle with the Earl of Warwicks troops
and took control of Norwich.
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