Jayna Makwana continues her investigations into Old Norwich by looking at some of the medieval undercrofts that will be open for viewing during Norwich Heritage Open Days September 8 - 11, 2005.
It is quite apparent when walking around the city of Norwich that it is packed with a rich and vibrant history. With its medieval street plan, cobbled streets, churches and market it is a city packed with interesting architecture and spaces.
However literally sitting beneath these treasures there are more - hidden beneath the city streets. Some were discovered recently - like the remains of a Norman House underneath Norwich Magistrates Court, whilst others are well known. Together they form the finest collection of medieval undercrofts in the UK.
During the Heritage Open Days running from Thursday 8th – Sunday 11th September 2005 you will be able to fully explore this hidden world beneath the streets of Norwich. The Heritage Open Days strives to provide free access to what is normally hidden and buried and for local people to learn more about Norwich’s energetic past.
I decided to get a sneak preview of some of the places that will be opening up their floors, rather than their doors, for people to go deeper underground and for once I found myself grateful for my 5’ 3” height because I had to get into some small doorways.
One of the most fascinating hidden treasures is the Norman House hidden beneath the city’s Magistrate’s Court. Situated next to Norwich Cathedral, the house was found during archaeological work carried out before the construction of the new courts in 1981.
Historians were very exited to find the building, especially in such good condition, as there was no surviving documentary evidence stating that the building had existed.
I was lucky enough to have a personally guided tour of the house with Steve, a full time security guard and part time tour guide. It was obvious that he takes pride in showcasing this magnificent find and I had the opportunity to see why.
Under the warm glow of spotlights are the truly magnificent remains of a Norman house. Remnants of the doorways and windows are still preserved along with a latrine arch and some stairs - if you look carefully.
The latrine arch signifies that the people who lived there over the years would have been rich and of a high social standing as very few houses could afford an inside toilet. According to Steve, today’s equivalence would be a house worth approximately £5 - £6 million!
Today only the undercroft or ‘basement’ of the house is left which would have been used as a warehouse to store food supplies such as cheese and wine - a perfect place to store such items, as the temperature would have been constantly cool.
However this is not the case today. The area is surrounded by ventilation shafts that pour in air making it very muggy and humid. This type of temperature is crucial as it stops the remains from drying out and disintegrating.
Another interesting aspect about being underground in the Norman House is the sound of running water. Steve informed me that the river runs next to the building and during the house’s hey day the river would have played a vital part in the daily lives of its inhabitants.
The barrels of wine stored here would have been transported to the house via river and whenever the river flooded it would run into the house and act as a flush for the outside toilet. It may have even been the world’s first flush toilet!
Research has revealed that the building was erected around 1170 during the reign of Henry II for the Cathedral priory. Evidence suggests a high-ranking church official occupied the upper floors. The house was ransacked and severely damaged in the late 13th century when the townspeople people of Norwich rioted against the priory in 1272.
Around 1956 a timber yard was built upon the remains which were hidden away until the 1980s when this amazing discovery occurred. This is an important find as records show only a dozen of these types of buildings remain in England.
Remarkably another of these buildings is also in Norwich. It is part of Wensum Lodge or as it was previously known, the Music House and before that - Jurnet’s House, after it was sold to a wealthy Jewish merchant Isaac Jurnet in 1225.
The wonderful arched vaulted undercroft is the oldest surviving domestic building in Norwich and now serves as a bar for the Adult Education Centre. It has been transformed into a curious place to eat and drink and although only members have day to day access, it will be open for the public during Heritage Open Days.
Another of the oldest buildings in Norwich is Strangers’ Hall. One of the most renowned buildings in the city, it has been home to wealthy merchants and Mayors since the 1320s. Even though its undercroft does not look as magnificent as some others today, it is in fact one of the finest as it is made of stone rather than brick.
The undercroft is the oldest part of the house and is all that remains from the original building and again would have been used for storing the wealthy merchant’s stock. Perhaps this business function explains why this undercroft has its own entrance from the courtyard through an open arch at the end.
Beside the undercroft is the main entrance where merchants would go in and out doing their daily business. I can imagine many of them would have hit their heads going through the door as I can just about fit through without having to lower down!
Next to the narrow passage way that leads to the undercroft is a little ‘squint’ window where porters were able to keep a check on visitors. This is a deep tunnel that people can look through and it is supposed to be longer than a swords length to prevent the porter from being stabbed. You could call it a medieval security room.
Today the undercroft is used for temporary exhibitions; therefore its role has not changed dramatically. It used to exhibit the merchants stock; today it does the same thing just without the items being on sale.
Another place that has made valuable use of its underground location is the crypt at Blackfriars Hall, which is used for public functions and during the week as a café. The crypt and the Thomas A Becket Chapel are the two oldest parts of the building dating from around 1300.
The crypt, which in the past, may have been used as a burial place, has an eerie but somehow inviting atmosphere. Compared to the dark enclosed undercrofts that I had previously visited the brightness of the crypt was like a breath of fresh air.
Two doors lead from the crypt into the Becket Chapel, which is a curious place. As a stoor room for furniture it is usually locked from the public gaze. But through the door’s small windows I could see the worn and damaged stonewalls juxtaposed against a plastic roof, presumably placed in order to prevent more damage.
During the Heritage Open Days one will be able to appreciate the beauty and magnificence of both the crypt and chapel together – the latter is to have its contents of stored plastic tables and chairs removed to reveal its splendour.
These are just a handful of the hidden gems beneath the city streets of Norwich, which will be open for inspection during Heritage Open Days 2005.
The Heritage Open Days run between September 8 & 11 and aim to expose as many of these fascinating subterranean sites to the public as possible. With more undercrofts than any other UK city, it's going to be a question of choosing your undecroft carefully - and carefully minding your heads too.
Discover Secret Norwich: Heritage Open Days 2005 run between 8 & 11 September 2005.
Jayna Makwana is the 24 Hour Museum/Norwich HEART Student Writer in Norwich. Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust is the groundbreaking initiative to regenerate, manage and promote one of the most remarkable heritage resources in the UK and in Europe.
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