Author Archives: victoriadraper24

From workhouse, to prison, to asylum, what could the future hold for Harriet Kettle?

Posted on 27 September 2024 by victoriadraper24

After spending her formative years in and out of the workhouse, the asylum and five periods of imprisonment in what sounds like a plot of a Dickensian novel, what were the chances that Harriet Kettle, could not only survive to … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, NRO Research Bloggers, Snapshots from the Archive | 7 Comments

THE BROWN LADY OF RAYNHAM HALL: The World’s Most Infamous Ghost (continued)

Posted on 14 August 2024 by victoriadraper24

The Brown Lady was not to remain hidden for long. The next witness to be terrorised was Captain Frederick Marryat, a friend of the family. Staying at the house in 1836, he is supposed to have asked to sleep in the most … Continue reading →

Posted in All Posts, NRO Research Bloggers, Snapshots from the Archive | 5 Comments

THE BROWN LADY OF RAYNHAM HALL: The World’s Most Infamous Ghost

Posted on 31 July 2024 by victoriadraper24

If you have arrived here as a fan of history, folklore and Norfolk, I will surmise that you have heard of, and perhaps even been fortunate enough to visit Raynham Hall. Situated in West Norfolk, the Hall began construction in … Continue reading →

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Great Thorpe Railway Disaster 1874 on its 150th Anniversary

Posted on 19 July 2024 by victoriadraper24

The tenth of September 2024 will mark the 150th anniversary of The Great Thorpe Railway Disaster.  This Victorian railway collision was described by Captain Tyler, Inspecting Officer for Railways, when presiding over the Board of Trade Inquiry, as: “….. the … Continue reading →

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‘Wilfully Destroying a Geranium’ and other Crimes in 19th Century Great Yarmouth

Posted on 9 July 2024 by victoriadraper24

Great Yarmouth gaol was housed in the twelfth century Tolhouse for several hundred years until its closure in 1875. In 1819 the Borough Council purchased adjacent buildings and converted them into a House of Correction (aka the Bridewell) which was … Continue reading →

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Parson Woodforde and his diary: a new website 

Posted on 28 May 2024 by victoriadraper24

The famous diarist, the Revd James Woodforde (1740–1803), lived for 27 years at Weston Longville, twelve miles northwest of Norwich. He began his daily diary at the age of nineteen while at Oxford, continued it as a young curate in … Continue reading →

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Colonel William Roy and Burgh Castle Fort

Posted on 1 May 2024 by victoriadraper24

This blog will focus on how one of the most important mapmakers in British history has a link to Norfolk. William Roy was a key figure in the development of the Ordnance Survey (OS), Great Britain’s national mapping agency (so-named … Continue reading →

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‘Nothing fresh today – war declared’: A diary of the Second World War

Posted on 26 March 2024 by victoriadraper24

Tue May 8th 1945Great V E day war overin Europe no more fightingfor all the brave men andwomen who havesaved us fromuntold horrorno ore sirens no more fearand ahead no more bombingThank God and mayWe never forget his mercy This … Continue reading →

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