Category Archives: NRO Research Bloggers

Digging for diamonds: A voyage of fortune

Posted on December 7, 2019 by

In the winter of 1871, twenty-one-year-old Charles Howes, son of Reverend T.G.F. Howes, set off on the R.M.S. Cambrian alongside other enthusiastic prospectors to South Africa where an event very reminiscent of the Californian Gold Rush was taking place. While … Continue reading →

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An Elizabethan Beguinage in Hempstead cum Eccles, Norfolk?

Posted on November 19, 2019 by

Evidence of a Beguinage? Agnes Vincent, of the east Norfolk village of Hempstead cum Eccles clearly states in the text of her will that three of her kinswomen, Catherine, Audrey and Elizabeth Derham were all ‘dwelling in my house’; with … Continue reading →

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A Glimpse into The History of Elm Hill: The 1860s and Father Ignatius

Posted on November 2, 2019 by

Since moving to Norwich three years ago, I have spent many a day ambling around the city centre, often with my camera, and the sight of Elm Hill was immediately of intrigue to me. This intrigue is obviously shared by … Continue reading →

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Elizabeth Bradwell: Accused of Witchcraft and Executed in Great Yarmouth, 1645.

Posted on October 28, 2019 by

The retelling of history does not lend itself so willingly to the lives of women like Norfolk-born Elizabeth Bradwell. With scarce records surviving that allow us to trace her life, much of our understanding of Bradwell comes from the events … Continue reading →

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Bicycle Journeys through Norfolk in the tyre tracks of Leonard Bolingbroke

Posted on October 5, 2019 by

The Bolingbroke Bicycle Journal (NRO, BOL 1/87, 739X2) is an intriguing find. It documents cycle rides throughout Norfolk, and further afield, with instructions on bicycle care and repair bills. The journal begins in 1878 and records to 1884.

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King’s Lynn’s burning issue

Posted on September 26, 2019 by

Much has been said about King John, and he is frequently named as Bad King John, although it has to be said it was John who granted various concessions to Lynn, and indeed its charter. But there was among his … Continue reading →

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Norfolk’s ‘Downton Abbeys’, and recruiting for below stairs

Posted on September 13, 2019 by

With the Downton Abbey movie released in September 2019, and the relationship of masters and servants vividly brought to life on the big screen, it was with interest that I reflected on the experiences of Rachel Ketton of Norfolk’s Felbrigg … Continue reading →

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Great Yarmouth’s Battle against Herring Piracy during the English Civil War

Posted on September 7, 2019 by

I have spent nearly a decade of my life researching and writing about Great Yarmouth’s Civil War history, something which has been rewarding and endlessly fascinating because of the quality of Great Yarmouth’s civic records held at the Norfolk Record … Continue reading →

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