Alderman Moore was the last mayor, under the old corporation, by the charter of which the chief magistrate was chosen out of the twenty-four aldermen, by the freemen, on the first of May; and sworn into office, on the Tuesday before the eve of New Midsummer-day.
There were two sheriffs, one chosen by the court of aldermen—the other by the freemen, on the last Tuesday in August, and both sworn into office on New Michaelmas-day.
Under the Municipal Corporation Reform Act, the mayor and sheriff are chosen by the sixteen aldermen and forty-eight councillors, the former from amongst themselves, on the ninth of November, and they enter upon their office on that day.
1836.
T. O. Springfield (Jan.)
Horatio Bolingbroke
1836.
Thos. Brightwell (Nov.)
John Bateman
1837.
Samuel Shalders Beare
John Francis
1838.
John Marshall
Henry Woodcock
1839.
Philip J. Money
John Barwell
1840.
Edward Willett
Richard Coaks
1841.
John Marshall
William Storey
1842.
Samuel Mitchell
William Freeman
1843.
William Freeman
George L. Coleman
1844.
Sir Wm. Foster, Bart.
John Betts
1845.
John Betts
Jeremiah Colman
1846.
Jeremiah Colman
Charles Winter
1847.
George L. Coleman
James Watson
1848.
Samuel Bignold
Robert Chamberlin
1849.
Henry Woodcock
James Colman
1850.
Henry Woodcock
Edward Blakely
1851.
Charles Winter
Robert Wiffen Blake
1852.
Richard Coaks
George Womack
1853.
Sir Samuel Bignold, Kt.
Henry Birkbeck
1854.
Robert Chamberlin
Robert John Harvey Harvey
1855.
John G. Johnson
Timothy Steward
1856.
Robert Chamberlin
Robert Seaman
1857.
Edward Field
Charles Crawshay
1858.
George Middleton
Henry Staniforth Patteson
1859.
Jacob Henry Tillett
J. Underwood
1860.
W. J. Utten Browne
Donald Dalrymple
1861.
John Oddin Taylor
Arthur J. Cresswell
1862.
Henry Stan. Patteson
Jeremiah James Colman
1863.
Osborn Springfield
Frederick Brown
1864.
Charles Edw. Tuck
Charles Jecks
1865.
Wm. Peter Nichols
William J. Cubitt
1866.
Frederick E. Watson
W. H. Clabburn
1867.
Jeremiah Jas. Colman
Robert Fitch
1868.
Edward K. Harvey
John Robison
Recorders of Norwich
1521.
William Elys
1522.
John Spelman
1563.
Thomas Gawdy, sen.
1576.
Francis Windham
1582.
Edward Coke
1595.
Robert Houghton
1603.
John Silver (Deputy)
1612.
Richard Gwynne
1648.
Samuel Smith
1649.
Erasmus Earl
1663.
Francis Cory
1677.
Francis Bacon
1680.
John Norris
1683.
William Earl of Yarmouth
1684.
John Warkehouse, (Deputy)
1688.
Robert Davy
1703.
Stephen Gardiner
1727.
Richard Berney
1737.
Robert Britiffe
1743.
William Brooke
1752.
Edward Bacon
1783.
John Chambers
1788.
Henry Partridge
1801.
Charles Harvey
1826.
Robert Alderson
1831.
Isaac Preston Jermy
1848.
Michael Prendergast
1859.
Peter F. O’Malley
The Recorder, whose office is held for life, must be a Barrister; he formerly assisted as Chief Judge in the Mayor’s Court, and was one of the council for the city.
By the Corporation Reform Act the Recorder is sole judge at the Quarter Sessions for the borough and city, and is no longer a member of the corporate body.
Stewards of Norwich.
1521.
Francis Moundford
1691.
Arthur Branthwayt
1536.
Edmund Grey
1703.
Richard Berney
1555.
Richard Catlyn
1727.
William Brooke
1563.
John Bleverhasset
1743.
Francis Larwood
1585.
Robert Houghton
1750.
Edward Bacon
1595.
Henry Hobart
1752.
Charles Buckle
1618.
William Denny
1781.
John Chambers
1648.
Erasmus Earl
1783.
Charles Harvey
1650.
Charles Geo. Cocke
1803.
William Firth
1663.
William Watts
1807.
Robert Alderson
1677.
John Norris
1826.
Isaac Preston
1680.
John Mingay
1831.
Fitzroy R. Kelly
1688.
Robert Ward
The Steward, who must have been a barrister, was appointed for life; he assisted as Chief Judge in the Sheriffs’ Court, and was one of the council for the city. By the Corporation Reform Act the office of Steward was abolished in 1835.
Theorigin of the See of Norwich is attached to Sigebert, king of the East Angles, who, being in France about the year 630, brought over Felix, a priest of Burgundy, and constituted him bishop, fixing his seat at Dunwich, in Suffolk. About forty years afterwards the diocese was divided, Dunwich and North Elmham having each a bishop, and this continued till the year 870, when the two sees were again united under Wybred at Elmham. Owing to the devastations of the piratical Danes the see remained vacant nearly one hundred years, but was restored by Theodored, in 995 according to the common account; but there is evidence which tends to prove that he was bishop in 945, if not before. During the reign of William I. the see was removed to Thetford, and in the year 1094 it was finally settled in Norwich. This added greatly to the importance of the city, and made it the capital of East Anglia.
The diocese, as to its seat, has continued unchanged since 1094, and as to its extent and government has been but slightly modified. The most prominentbishops have been Losinga, who established the see at Norwich and founded the cathedral, and John Grey or Gray, who governed Ireland, divided it into counties, placed it under English laws, fought in France, and captured fortresses there,—for bishops were fighting men in those days; Pandulph, who excommunicated King John Lackland; W. Middleton, who acted as Guardian of the Kingdom; John Salmon and William de Ermine, who were Lord Chancellors; and Bateman, who founded Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Others less noted were Henry le Spencer, who fought as a soldier for the pope on shore, and as an English admiral at sea; Richard Courtenay, who died at the siege of Harfleur; John de Wakering, who was Lord Privy Seal; Nykke, known as the blind bishop, who conducted a traitorous correspondence with the pope; William Rugge, who deprived the see of its barony; Parkhurst, who was famous for entertaining Oxford scholars; Scambler, called “the scandalous;” John Jeggon, called “the wag;” Montague, called “the excellent;” Corbet, called the “merry wit;” Hall, “the saintly;” Overall and Sparrow, “the learned;” and Bathurst, “the good,” who pleaded for Catholic emancipation. Three of the dignitaries, J. Harpsfield, H. Prideaux, and T. Sherlock, became cardinals; one, John, became archbishop of Smyrna; and one, Montgomery, became bishop of Meath.
The cathedral establishment includes the bishop, the dean, three archdeacons, four canons, twenty-four hon. canons, four minor canons, and a chancellor. The income of the bishop is £4,500; that of each ofthe archdeacons is £200; and that of the other archdeacon is £184. The diocese comprises all Norfolk except the parishes of Emneth and Brandon, and all Suffolk except the deaneries of Thedwaster and Thingoe, and parts of the deaneries of Clare, Fordham, and Sudbury; and it is divided into the archdeaconries of Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Population, 743,000; acres, 1,994,535; deaneries, 41; benefices, 908; curates, 253; church sittings, 294,177. A few more particulars may be stated respecting some of the earlier prelates.
Herbert de Losinga
A.D.1094.
Founder of the diocese and builder of the greater part of the Cathedral.
Eborard or Everard
A.D.1121.
Divided the archdeaconry of Suffolk into two, founded the hospital and church of St. Paul in Norwich. He either resigned or was deposed.
William Turbus
A.D.1146.
A friend and advocate of Thomas à Becket, who induced him to excommunicate the Earl of Norfolk and some other nobles, for which he was forced to take sanctuary till he had appeased the wrath of the King, Henry II.
John of Oxford
A.D.1175.
Took part with Henry II. against Becket, and built the church of the Holy Trinity at Ipswich.
John de Grey
A.D.1200.
Built a palace at Gaywood, near Lynn, made that town a free borough, and lent large sums to King John, for which he received in pledge the royalregalia. After him the see was vacant seven years.
Pandulphus
A.D.1222.
Obtained a grant of the whole of thefirst fruitsof the clergy in his diocese for himself and his successors, which was not revoked till the time of Henry VIII.
Thomas de Blandevill
A.D.1226.
Ralfo(died soon after)
1239.
William de Raleigh
1244.
Translated to Winchester.
Walter de Suthfield
1244.
Obtained for the bishopric a charter of free warren to himself and successors, erected and endowed the hospital of St. Giles, and made a valuation of all the ecclesiastical revenues for Pope Innocent.
Simon de Walton
A.D.1258.
Roger de Skernyng
1265.
William de Middleton
1278.
Ralph de Walpole
1288.
Translated to Ely.
John Salmon
1299.
Enlarged the Palace and founded the Charnel House School (now the Grammar House School).
Robert de Baldock
A.D.1325.
Resigned the same year.
William de Ayrminne
1325.
Enclosed and fortified the Cathedral and Palace with stone walls.
Thomas Hemenhale
A.D.1337.
Translated to Worcester same year.
Anthony de Beck
1337.
Being of a quarrelsome disposition, was poisoned either by the monks or his own servants.
William Bateman
A.D.1343.
Was a native of Norwich, and founded Trinity Hall, Cambridge.
Thomas Percy
A.D.1355.
Youngest brother of the Earl of Northumberland; was only twenty-two years of age when he obtained the prelacy.
Henry le Spencer
A.D.1370.
Was consecrated by the pope in person. He took an active part in the warfare between the Urbanites and Clementines. He was an enthusiastic zealot, and a fierce persecutor of the Lollards.
Alexander de Tottington
A.D.1407.
Richard de Courtenay,LL.D.
1413.
John Wareryng
1416.
William Alnwick,LL.D.
1426.
Translated to Lincoln.
Thomas Browne,LL.D.
1436.
Translated from Rochester; he left money to pay the city tax, and founded exhibitions at the Universities for poor scholars in the diocese.
John Stanbery,D.D.
A.D.1445.
Chosen but never consecrated.
Walter Lyhart
1446
He repaired the Cathedral, and made many ornamental additions to the edifice.
James Goldwell
A.D.1472.
Granted twelve years and forty days pardon to all who assisted him in beautifying the Cathedral.
Thomas Jan
A.D.1499.
Richard Nykke or Nix
1500.
Alienated the revenues of his diocese for the Abbacy of Holme, by agreement with Henry VIII., and was a cruel persecutor of the reformers, who, at this period, begun to be numerous.
William Rugg D.D.
A.D.1535.
Resigned the See for an annuity of £200 per annum.
Thomas Thirlby
A.D.1550.
Translated from Westminster, of which he was the first and last bishop; and afterwards removed to Ely.
John Hopton,D.D.
A.D.1554.
A sanguinary persecutor of the reformers, and is supposed to have died through fear of retaliating vengeance on the accession of Queen Elizabeth. “Thus conscience cloth make cowards of us all.”
After the Reformation the following were the bishops of Norwich in the 16th century:—
Richard Cox
A.D.1558.
Translated to Ely.
John Parkhurst,D.D.
1560.
A friend of Oxford scholars.
Edmund Freke,D.D.
1575.
Translated from Rochester and afterwards removed to Worcester.
Edmund Scambler,D.D.
A.D.1584.
Translated from Peterborough.
William Redman,D.D.
1594.
The following were bishops of Norwich in the 17th century:—
John Jeggon,D.D.
A.D.1602.
In his time a fire broke out in the palace at Ludham and consumed the whole of the library, and many valuable documents respecting the diocese.
John Overall,D.D.
A.D.1618.
Translated from Lichfield and Coventry.
Samuel Harsnett,D.D.
1619.
Translated from Chichester, and afterwards became archbishop of York.
Francis White,D.D.
A.D.1628.
Translated from Carlisle, afterwards removed to Ely.
Richard Corbet,D.D.
A.D.1631.
Matthew Wren,D.D.
1635.
Translated from Hereford and afterwards removed to Ely. He was father of the celebrated architect, Sir Christopher Wren.
Richard Montague,D.D.
A.D.1636.
A distinguished scholar, translated from Chichester.
Joseph Hall,D.D.
A.D.1641.
Translated from Exeter. During the civil wars he was sent to the tower for asserting his right to vote in the house of peers; and parliament deprived him of his temporalities, and prohibited him from exercising any spiritual jurisdiction. The See was vacant four years.
Edward Reynolds,D.D.
A.D.1660.
Was a liberal benefactor to the city of Norwich, and paid much attention to the comforts of the parochial clergy.
Anthony Sparrow,D.D.
A.D.1676.
Translated from Exeter.
William Lloyd,D.D.
1686.
Translated from Peterborough. On the accession of William III., refusing to take the oath of abjuration against James II., he was deprived of his bishopric.
John Moore,D.D.
A.D.1691.
Translated to Ely. He collected a large library of rare books, which, at his death, was purchased by George I. and presented to the University of Cambridge.
The following were the bishops of Norwich in the 18th century:—
Charles Trimnell,D.D.
A.D.1707.
Translated to Winchester. He was a native of Norwich, and greatly assisted the Protestant emigrants who fled to his diocese from the Palatinate on the Rhine, through the irruptions and exactions of the French. Many of these emigrants were artisans, and greatly increased the general welfare of the city and county.
Thomas Green,D.D.
A.D.1721.
Translated to Ely.
John Leng,D.D.
1723.
William Baker,D.D.
1727.
Translated from Bangor.
Robert Butts,D.D.
1732.
Translated to Ely.
Sir Thomas Gooch,Bart.,D.D.
1738.
Translated from Bristol and afterwards removed to Ely.
Samuel Lisle,D.D.
A.D.1748.
Translated from St. Asaph.
Thomas Hayter,D.D.
1749.
Translated to London.
Philip Yonge,D.D.
1761.
Lewis Bagot,LL.D.
1783.
Translated from Bristol and afterwards removed to St. Asaph.
George Horne,D.D.
A.D.1790.
Author of a “Commentary on the Psalms,” and other works of considerable merit, more especially an “Introduction to the Study of the Bible.”
During the present century the following eminent divines have been bishops of Norwich:—
Rt. Hon. C. M. Sutton,D.D.
A.D.1792.
Prelate of the Order of the Garter. Translated to the archbishopric of Canterbury.
Henry Bathurst,LL.D.
A.D.1805.
He died in the 94th year of his age.
Edward Stanley,D.D.
1837.
We have already given a sketch of the life of this estimable bishop, and also of those of his immediate predecessor and successor, at pages 520 to 524, in our notices of the eminent citizens of the 19th century.
Samuel Hinds,D.D.
A.D.1850.
Resigned in 1857, and lives in retirement
Hon. John Thos. Pelham,D.D.
A.D.1857
The second son of the late earl of Chichester, and brother of the present earl; was born in 1811, andgraduated at Oxford. In 1845, he married a daughter of Thomas William Tatten, Esq., and was appointed chaplain to the queen in 1847. After this he was collated to the rectory of Bergh Apton, in Norfolk, by the earl of Abergavenny, which he held till 1852, when he was appointed to Christ Church, Hampstead, and in 1854 he was nominated by the crown to the rectory of St. Marylebone, Middlesex. He fulfilled the arduous duties of minister of that populous parish for three years. He was installed at the Cathedral church, Norwich, on June 26th, 1857, and since then he has ruled the diocese with satisfaction to the great body of the clergy.
A.D.
William Castleton, the last Prior, was made the first dean of the Cathedral
1538.
John Salisbury, suffragan bishop of Thetford, was made dean on the resignation of William Castleton, and deprived about 1553
1539.
John Christopherson; afterwards bishop of Chichester
1554.
John Boxall. Resigned
1557.
John Harpsfield (Archdeacon of London.) Deprived 1560
1558.
John Salisbury, restored. Buried in the Cathedral
1560.
George Gardiner. Buried in the Cathedral
1573.
Thomas Dove: afterwards bishop of Peterborough
1589.
John Jeggon: afterwards bishop
1601.
George Montgomery (bishop of Meath). Resigned
1603.
Edmund Suckling. Buried in the Cathedral
1614.
John Hassall. Died 1654: buried at North Creake
1628.
Void till after the Restoration.
John Crofts. Buried in the Cathedral
1660.
Herbert Astley. Buried in the Cathedral
1670.
John Sharp. Removed to Canterbury
1681.
Henry Fairfax. Buried in the Cathedral
1689.
Humphrey Prideaux. Author of a learned work entitled “Connection of the Old and New Testament.” Buried in the Cathedral
1702.
Thomas Cole. Buried in the chancel of East Raynham church
1724.
Robert Butts: afterwards bishop
1731.
John Baron (Archdeacon of Norfolk). Buried at Saxlingham
1733.
Thomas Bullock. Died May, 1760. Buried in the Cathedral, at the extreme east end
1739.
Edward Townshend
1761.
Philip Lloyd. Buried in the choir of the Cathedral
1765.
Joseph Turner. Buried in the choir of the Cathedral
1790.
The Honourable George Pellew. Buried at Great Chart
1828.
Edward Meyrick Goulburn, D.D., Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen
1866.
Bishop.
The Hon. and Rt. Rev. JOHN THOMAS PELHAM, D.D. 1857.
Chancellor of the Diocese.
Worshipful E. Howes, Esq., M.A., M.P., 1868.
Archdeacons.
Norwich, Ven. A. M. Hopper, M.A.
1868
Norfolk, Ven. W. Arundell Bouverie, B.D.
1850
Suffolk, Right Rev. Bishop Ryan, D.D.
1868
Examining Chaplains.
Rev. J. J. S. Perowne, B.D., and Rev. T. T. Perowne, B.D.
Registrars: Rev. E. S. Bathurst and John Kitson, Esq.
Deputy Registrar: W. T. Bensly, Esq.
Secretaries to the Bishop.
J. Kitson, Esq.,Norwich; J. B. Lee, Esq.,Dean’s Yard,Westminster.
Assistant Secretary; W. T. Bensly, Esq.,Norwich.
Registrars of the Archdeaconries.
Norwich, Edward Steward, Esq.,Norwich.
Norfolk, Henry Hansell, Esq.,Norwich.
Suffolk, C. R Steward, Esq.,Ipswich.
Proctor for the Chapter, Rev. Canon Heaviside, M.A.
Proctor for the Archdeaconries of Norfolk & Norwich, Rev. H. Howell, M.A.
Proctor for the Archdeaconry of Suffolk, Rev. W. Potter, M.A.
The Dean and Chapter.
DEAN.
The Very Rev. EDWARD MEYRICK GOULBURN, D.D., 1866.
Canons.
A. Sedgwick, LL.D.
1834
C. K. Robinson, D.D.
1861
J. W. L. Heaviside, M.A.
1860
J. M. Nisbet, M.A.
1867
High Steward of the Cathedral.
The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley 1866.
Honorary Canons.
Hon. E. S. Keppel, M.A.
1844
Hon. K. H. Digby, M.A.
1858
Archdn. Bouverie, B.D.
1847
R. H. Groome, M.A.
1858
Bishop of Columbia, D.D.
1850
Thomas Mills, M.A.
1859
Edw. J. Moor, B.A.
1850
W. F. Patteson, M.A.
1860
W. H. Parker, M.A.
1852
H. R. Nevill, M.A.
1861
Robert Eden, M.A.
1852
W. Howorth, M.A.
1863
Wm. Potter, M.A.
1853
S. Everard, M.A.
1863
Wm. Jackman, M.A.
1853
J. Lee-Warner, M.A.
1863
Archdn. Hopper, M.A.
1854
E. F. E. Hankinson, M.A.
1863
W. R. Colbeck, B.D.
1856
R. Blakelock, M.A.
1864
R. Collyer, M.A.
1856
W. Blyth, M.A.
1868
Hinds Howell, M.A.
1856
G. King, M.A.
1868
Minor Canons.
J. C. Matchett, M.A.,Sacrist
1824
E. Bulmer, M.A.
1865
H. Symonds, M.A.,Precentor
1844
J. S. Müller, M.A.
1865
Chapter Clerk, John Kitson, Esq.
Organist, Dr. Z. Buck.
The following is a list of the clergy of Norwich, revised to the time of our going to press.
Rural Dean—Rev.W. F.Patteson, Vicar of St. Helen.
Benefice.
Pop.
Incumbent.
Wh. Inst.
Curate.
Ch. Acc.
All Saints St. Julian, R.
667
Kant W.
1868
150
St. Andrew, V.
978
Copeman A. C.
1857
700
St. Augustine, R.
1890
Rackham M. J.
1848
240
St. Benedict, V.
1381
Dombrain J.
1865
300
St. Clement, R.
3961
Rigg R.
1842
350
Christ Church, V.
Wade R.
1852
629
St. Edmund, R.
753
Taylor T.
1864
425
St. Etheldred, V.
614
Bishop W.
1865
100
St. George Colegate, V.
1607
Durdin A. W.
1852
380
St. George Tombland, V.
687
Trimmer K.
1842
400
St. Giles, V.
1586
Ripley W. N.
1859
Brownjohn J.
600
St. Gregory, V.
934
Wortley J.
1864
500
St. Helen, V.
507
Patteson W. F.
1824
289
St. James, V. Pockthorpe and Barracks
3408
Pringle A. D.
1865
340
St. John Maddermkt, R.
537
Price G. F.
1863
461
St. John Sepulchre, V.
2219
Moore W. T.
1865
300
St. John Timberhill, V.
1302
Titlow S.
1831
400
St. Julian, R.
1361
See All Saints
150
St. Lawrence, R.
877
Hillyard E. A.
1861
600
St. Margaret, R.
664
Cobb J. W.
1848
500
St. Martin at Palace, V.
1085
Barker R. W.
1866
360
St. Martin at Oak, V.
2546
Caldwell C.
1858
300
St. Mary Coslany, V.
1498
Morse C.
1851
250
St. Mary in the Marsh, V. (Bishop’s Chapel)
451
Matchett J. C.
1824
120
St. Michael Coslany, R.
1365
Kidd R. H.
1867
600
St. Michael at Plea, R.
379
Morse C.
1839
200
St. Michael at Thorn.
2121
Davies A.
1865
379
St. Paul, R.
2907
1826
430
St. Peter Hungate, R.
399
Titlow S.
1839
200
St. Peter Mancroft, V.
2575
Turner C.
1848
Ram E.
1000
St. Peter per Mountergate, V.
2868
Durst J.
1862
Hull B.
400
St. Peter Southgate, R.
457
Bishop W.
1865
120
St. Saviour, V.
1532
Cooke W. H.
1856
400
St. Simon & St. Jude, R.
283
Osborne J. F.
450
St. Stephen, V.
4191
Baldwin C.
1863
700
St. Swithin, R.
699
Slipper W. A.
1865
350
The following are the clergy of the Hamlets not included in the Deanery of Norwich.
Benefice.
Pop.
Incumbent.
Wh. Inst.
Curate.
Ch. Acc.
Earlham, V. with Bowthorpe (no church)
195
Payne J. H.
1849
120
Eaton, V.
930
Weston F.
1865
200
Heigham, R.
13894
Dixon J. G.
1868
Rust J. C.
Sharley G.
250
,, Holy Trinity, R.
Rust C. T.
1865
1100
,, St. Philip, V.
Nash T. A.
1868
Hellesdon, R.
496
Howell H.
1855
Cornford J.
100
Lakenham St. Mark, V.
3808
Garry N. T.
1861
Morse A. S.
Leach J.
840
Thorpe St. Matthew, V.
2388
Owen J. S.
1869
518
Trowse, V.
1404
Pownall A.
1860
300
with Lakenham, V.
2079
200
Baptist.
Acc.
Rev. Geo. Gould
St. Mary’s Chapel
900
Rev. Thos. Foston
St. Clement’s Chapel
900
Rev. R. B. Clare
Priory Yard Chapel
400
Rev. C. H. Hosken
Gildencroft Chapel
500
Rev. W. Hawkins
Cherry Lane Chapel
250
Rev. J. Brunt
Orford Hill Chapel
500
Rev. R. Govett
Surrey Road Chapel
1100
Rev. H. Trevor
Pottergate Street Chapel
100
Independent.
Rev. J. Hallett
Old Meeting Chapel
700
Rev. Philip Colborne
Chapel in the Field
900
Rev. G. S. Barrett
Prince’s Street Chapel
1000
Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion.
Rev. Burford Hooke
The Tabernacle Chapel
1000
Rev. J. J. J. Kempster
Dereham Road Chapel
100
Wesleyan Methodist.
Rev. Hugh Jones
Rev. Wesley Butters
Rev. George Boggis
Lady’s Lane Chapel
1000
Methodist Free Church.
Rev. J. Schofield
Calvert Street and New City Chapel
1200
Rev. R. Abercrombie, M.A.
900
Primitive Methodist.
Rev. J. Scott
St. Catherine’s Plain Chapel
600
Rev. R. Betts
Cowgate Street Chapel
300
Rev. B. Bell
Dereham Road Chapel
700
Free Church.
Rev. J. Crompton
Dutch Church
600
Unitarian.
Rev. J. D. H. Smyth
Octagon Chapel
750
Presbyterian.
Rev. W. A. Mc Allan
St. Peter’s Hall
800
Catholic Apostolic Church.
Rev. A. Inglis, B.A.
Clement Court, Redwell Street
200
Roman Catholics.
Rev. P. Costello / Rev. R. Sumner
Willow Lane Chapel
400
Rev. Canon Dalton
St. John’s Chapel
600
Jews.
Rev. S. Caro
The Synagogue, St. Faith’s Lane
150
Nearlyall of the Religious Institutions in Norwich have arisen during the present century, and annual meetings are held on their behalf. But the Bible Society, the most important of them all, has been supported by both Churchmen and Dissenters. It was founded in 1811, since which year it has distributed 323,000 bibles in the city and county, and remitted to the Parent Society more than £120,000. The late J. J. Gurney was an ardent supporter of this society, and delivered his last great speech on its behalf at an annual meeting in St. Andrew’s Hall.
Of the other societies the Church Missionary Society has taken the lead, and the Lord Bishop of the diocese has generally presided. This society was instituted here in 1813, and it has raised more than £70,000. The Rev. Edward Bickersteth, one of its founders and its first secretary, was partner with Thomas Bignold, Esq., solicitor of this city (brother to Sir Samuel Bignold), whose sister he married. At the first meeting in St. Andrew’s Hall, upwards of £700 was collected. Mr. Bickersteth was ordained in 1815 by Bishop Bathurst, and after visiting Africa onbehalf of the mission, became secretary of the Parent Society.
The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts is, however, the oldest missionary society of the Church of England, and annual meetings on its behalf have been held here all through the present century. It has two objects in view—first, by carrying the gospel to our colonists to prevent christians from becoming heathens in faith and practice; second, to make heathens christians. The work of the society has been chiefly in our colonies. In following the direction of its original charter, the society has been vindicated by the practice of other more recent missionary societies of the Church of England.
The Church Pastoral Aid Society was instituted in the year 1835, for the purpose of supplying assistance to the incumbents of large and populous parishes, to enable them to obtain the help of additional curates and lay agents. Aid is now afforded to 548 incumbents, and the grants of the society, when all occupied, are for 502 curates and 181 lay assistants. Meetings are held here every year in support of the parent institution. The total receipts for the year ending March 31st, 1868, were £57,019 16s. 7d., and the expenditure £64,065 16s. 3d.
The Norwich Diocesan Church Association was established in 1862. Its object was to combine, as far as possible, Churchmen of every shade of political and religious opinion in the support of the established church, particularly as regards all questions affecting its welfare, likely to become the subject of legislation,and generally in the promotion of measures calculated to increase its stability and usefulness; but points of doctrine are never brought under discussion. Annual meetings are held every year on the second Thursday after Easter, when reports are read, and the officers and committee elected. This society comprises 800 members, one half of whom are laymen.
The Norwich Diocesan Church Building Association was established on October 20th, 1836. It is in union with the Incorporated Society for promoting the enlargement, building, and repairing of churches and chapels in England and Wales. The patron is the Earl of Leicester, and the president the Lord Bishop of the diocese. Grants have been made to many parishes in this county.
The Norfolk Book Hawking Association was established in December, 1855, for the sale, throughout the county of Norfolk, by the agency of licensed hawkers, of bibles, prayer books, tracts, and prints of a religious and instructive character. In the year ending August 31st, 1868, the number of bibles, testaments, prayer books, church services, tracts, and prints sold, amounted to 11,449, the receipts being £523 1s. 11½d. The receipts for the year (including a balance of £56 2s. 5d.,) were £759 18s. 4d., and the expenditure amounted to £722 9s. 1½d., leaving a balance in hand of £37 9s. 2½d. President, the Lord Bishop of the diocese.
The Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge was founded in the year 1698. The Norwich Auxiliary is of later date. During the year 1868 the committeeforwarded to the Parent Society contributions amounting to £154, in addition to donations of £30 from the local fund; and the sale of books at the depository realised £350, viz., for bibles and testaments, 1,489; prayer books, 3,731; other books, 16,993; total, 22,213. By the rules of this society all its members must be of the established church. Its principal object is the distribution of the Holy Scriptures at home and abroad, and other religious books which are calculated to diffuse christian knowledge.
The Norwich Churchman’s Club was instituted in the early part of the year 1868, mainly through the exertions of the Rev. F. Meyrick, for the moral and mental improvement of young men in the city. For these purposes a reading room has been established, supplied with books, periodicals, and newspapers. Lectures are delivered and classes have been formed for secular and religious instruction. About 100 honorary, and 200 reading-room members have been enrolled.
Annual meetings have also been held here on behalf of the London Missionary Society, which is chiefly supported by Independents; on behalf of the Baptist Missions, the Wesleyan Missions, and other missions to the heathen; the Society for Promoting Christianity amongst the Jews; and also on behalf of the Norwich City Mission, a society which has been of great benefit in improving the spiritual condition of the poor. A full account of the operations of this mission would exhibit the social state of the city far better than any elaborate description.
Turning our attention now to the question of Education, it will not be too much to say that Norwich has always been the head quarters of education in the eastern counties, on account both of the number and the character of the schools, some of which have produced very eminent men. The Grammar School is a far-famed ancient institution. It was originally founded and endowed by the bishops of the See who collated the masters, and the archdeacon of Norwich inducted them. The Singing and Grammar Schools belonging to the Convent were kept in the Almonry, the masters of which were frequently collated by the bishop on the Convent’s nomination, and as soon as inducted they generally published the bishop’s inhibition, prohibiting all other persons from teaching grammar or singing in the city. At the Reformation they were dissolved; and the present Free Grammar School was appointed, and took the name of Edward VI. It is divided into the upper and lower schools, has considerable endowments, and an interest in fifteen scholarships at Cambridge. It has afforded instruction to many distinguished scholars, including Archbishop Parker, Bishops Cousin, T. Green, Maltby, and Monk, Dr. Caius, the founder of Caius College at Cambridge, Wild, the learned tailor, Admiral Lord Nelson, Coke, Rajah Brooke, and many others. The Commercial School, in Bridge Street, shares the same endowments, and affords instruction to more than 200 boys.
The report of the Schools Inquiry Commission, which was issued in March, 1868, and is the most comprehensive on the subject of the education of theupper and middle classes that has yet appeared, is very favourable as regards the Norwich Grammar and Commercial Schools, but quite the reverse respecting the schools in the county. Norwich Grammar School is stated to have been established in 1547. The gross income of the charity is £1558. The endowment of the school is £662. The course of instruction is classical, under a head master and competent teachers. This is no doubt the best school for the classics, but the Commercial School is the most useful to the citizens.
Mr. Hammond, the assistant commissioner, in the report upon endowed schools says, that no education, preparatory to the University, is supplied in Norfolk, except at the Grammar Schools of Norwich, Holt, and King’s Lynn, in none of which does it, except in Norwich, “engross very much of the teacher’s time and attention, nor is it anywhere carried out to the same perfection as at such schools as Marlborough College and the City of London School. In Norfolk, Latin, so far as it went, was in the endowed schools generally satisfactory. But hardly any boy could have been set to write five consecutive lines of Latin, not taken from the exercise book. It is fair to add that Norwich sacrifices nothing to it. In mathematics, modern languages, and general literature, the school has few equals; and certainly none superior in the county. French is in Norfolk a recognised study in classical schools, as well as in most of the semi-classical schools; is very good, and in all but one satisfactory. In the non-classical schools, French,when attempted, is worthless. Arithmetic is in the great majority of Norfolk schools practically, and perhaps educationally, the most important subject taught, and a large portion of time and attention is assigned to it.”
Only at a few schools is any useful knowledge of Algebra given, and only at Norwich Grammar School does it extend beyond the solution of quadratic equations. Euclid is not learnt in a very satisfactory manner; it is taught too exclusively by papers in Norfolk. Of natural science no real or substantial knowledge is imparted. Of English subjects, history is the least taught and the worst learnt. English literature is hardly taught at all, yet it is the noblest literature in the world.
Mr. Hammond says that in Norfolk it is simply impossible to establish a classical day school without boarders. At Norwich, Yarmouth, and possibly Kings Lynn, semi-classical day schools might, under very favourable circumstances, remunerate an able certificated teacher, but no private day school in these towns is any better than a national school;a fortiori, this is true of smaller towns and villages.
The Boys’ and Girls’ Hospital Schools were founded, in 1618, by Thomas Anguish; admit on the foundation sixty-nine boys and fifty girls; allow to each boy £10 yearly for board with parents or friends; the girls are boarded and lodged at the new School Rooms in Lakenham. The schools have an endowed income of £2,097 in the boys’ department, and £1,012 in the girls’ department. Baron’s School has an endowed incomeof £536. Scott’s School has £137; Balderstone’s School has also £137; Norman’s School has £650, and maintains thirty boys; and several other schools have endowments. The Lancasterian School, in College Court, has room for 300 children, and is supported by Nonconformists. The School for the Blind, in Magdalen Street, was founded in 1805 at a cost of £1,000, and has an income of £1,300 yearly, and is open to the blind from every part of the kingdom.
The Norwich Diocesan National School Society, established in 1812, has contributed £250 per annum towards the support of schools in the city and county, and has supported an institution for training mistresses for the charge of schools. These trained teachers have been in great demand all over the diocese. The Norwich charity schools are church schools, nine in number, and they have afforded instruction to a large number of boys and girls. But the education of the poor in this city has not been left entirely to the church, as there are many British schools supported by all classes of Nonconformists.
In early times the monks or the clergy were the schoolmasters. Their schools, when not carried on within the walls of a monastery, were, and have been called, Grammar Schools, up to the present time. Other similar schools have also been established from time to time in various parts of the district, some for educating the sons of the poor, and others for the middle classes. The population of the country, however, increased so rapidly, and the people were soignorant, that no comparison can be made with the present state of society. Dr. Bell introduced the monitorial system, in 1796, and warmly advocated its adoption as the most effectual means of rapidly extending popular instruction. It was as warmly received, and he was chiefly instrumental in establishing the National Society for Promoting the Education of the Poor in the principles of the Established Church. This society was started in 1811, and has been very successful. The British and Foreign Society was established shortly before upon the principles advocated by Lancaster, of allowing the bible to be read in the schools without note or comment.
A great change has taken place as regards the intelligence and morals of the people, and this may be attributed to the vast increase in the number of day and Sunday schools. Popular education is almost the creation of the present century, although the day-school epoch may be dated from the year 1796, when the youthful quaker, Joseph Lancaster, began to teach children in his father’s house at Southwark. Lancaster was an enthusiast in his calling, and acted as much in the character of a guardian to his scholars as a master, and whilst often charging nothing for his instruction, he fed his pupils as well. No wonder that he had at one time 1000 scholars.
According to the census of 1851, the city contained then 45 public day schools, with 5,207 scholars; 10 private day schools, with 2,553 scholars; and 55 Sunday schools, with 6,859 scholars, which numberhas since been very greatly increased. About twenty-nine of the Sunday schools, with 2,650 scholars, belonged to the Church of England; and twenty-six Sunday schools with more scholars belonged to the Dissenters. Five schools with 534 scholars were endowed schools; thirteen with 1,915 scholars were church schools; ten with 712 scholars were national schools; five with 546 scholars were dissenting British schools. All the rest belonged to the Non-conformists.
According to the census of 1861, the Norwich Parochial Charity Schools afforded instruction, on the national system, to more than 700 boys and 400 girls. The Model School for boys numbered 400, and that for girls 300 scholars. New schoolrooms had been built in Heigham, Lakenham, Thorpe, and various parts of the city; and the bishops, the clergy, and ministers of all denominations zealously promoted the educational movement. A great change has, as might consequently have been expected, taken place for the better as regards the morals and intelligence of the mass of the citizens, and this may be attributed in a great measure to the number of day and Sunday schools. Crimes are not now of so frequent occurrence as formerly. The magistrates and police have less to do; and churches and chapels are more numerous, and better filled and supported.
While the population has been increasing and schools becoming more numerous in this city, some means of continuing the education of young men seemed to be required, and this want has been in a measuresupplied by the establishment of popular literary institutions. Of these there have been several at various periods, including the Mechanics’ Institution, the Athenæum, the People’s College, and the Young Men’s Institute, all of which are now defunct, and in their places we have a Young Men’s Christian Association, and a Church of England Young Men’s Association; the former having about 400 and the latter 200 members. Of both of these the object is to promote the religious, moral, social, and intellectual well-being of young men, and we are happy to be able to say that their work is most energetically and efficiently accomplished. There are also a School of Art and a Free Library, both of which we have already noticed at pages 431 and 432.
As might also be expected, the growth of education and the spread of religion have led to that which always, sooner or later, comes out of the improved intellectual and moral condition of society—the establishment of a large number of benevolent institutions with various noble purposes. Perhaps it would be quite within the bounds of the strictest truth to say that there is hardly a city or town in the kingdom, of the same population and extent as Norwich, in which a greater amount of genuine charity exists, and where institutions for the relief and comfort of the sick and the poor are more abundant. In fact these are so numerous in Norwich that we cannot even mention them. We may say, however, that amongst them are the Norwich District Visiting Society for relieving the sick poor at their own houses, established at apublic meeting held on January 16th, 1815; the Norwich Public Dispensary, instituted in the year 1804, for the purpose of giving advice, medicine, and attendance free of expense to indigent persons unable to pay for the same; the Jenny Lind Infirmary for sick children, established on May 30th, 1853, by the proceeds of a concert, when the Swedish Nightingale was the principal vocalist; the Benevolent Association for the relief of decayed tradesmen, their widows and orphans, established here on November 16th, 1790; the Norwich Magdalen or Female Home, established in 1826, for the reclamation of females who have deviated from the paths of virtue; the Orphans’ Home, established in 1849, for training orphan girls for domestic service; the Soup Charity, established in 1840, for supplying the poor with a nutritious soup at a low price in winter; the Bethel Hospital, erected in 1713, for the support and treatment of poor lunatics at a very moderate charge; the Blind Hospital, founded in 1805 by Thomas Tawell, a blind gentleman, for teaching the blind to read and work; the Old Man’s or St. Giles’ Hospital in Bishopgate Street, founded by Edward VI. as an almshouse; Doughty’s Hospital in Calvert Street, founded by William Doughty, gentleman, in 1687, for twenty-four poor men and eight poor women; and, most valuable of all, the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital for the relief of sick and lame poor. This last, in fact, is an institution of such importance, and is accomplishing so important a use, that we deem it deserving of a more extended notice. This noble institution is an extensive brickbuilding situated on St. Stephens Road. It was erected in 1771 at a cost of more than £21,000, including about £8,000 expended on subsequent additions and improvements. It has been considerably enlarged at different times, and it is fitted up with all the latest improvements. It was commenced by the voluntary contributions of the benevolent, and has received many donations and legacies. It has been well supported by a long list of annual subscribers. In 1867 the annual subscriptions amounted to £2038 14s. 0d.; benefactions, £422 3s. 4d.; collections, £313 1s. 7d.; legacies, £124 4s. 10d.; dividends and interest, £745 15s. 1d.; sundries, £62 0s. 4d.; total, £3785 19s. 2d. The expenditure in that year amounted to £4935 9s. 3d. The stock purchased since 1770 amounts to £23,976 12s. 7d. The stock sold since 1770, £4890 4s. 4d. Present stock, £22,091 9s. 5d.—3 per cents. Bank stock, £166 13s. 4d. From 1824 to 1864 the institution received £6018 1s. 9d. from the profits of the Triennial Festivals in St. Andrew’s Hall. From the opening of the hospital in 1772 to January 1st, 1868, in-door patients 56,828, out-door 52,387. Daily average number of in-patients, 133; average number of days of each, 43. The physicians and surgeons attend in turn to take in-patients every Saturday at 11 a.m., and every Wednesday at the same hour to prescribe for the out-patients, gratuitously.
The affairs of the institution are superintended by a board of management, selected annually from the governors, who consist of persons who have contributed thirty guineas or upwards at one time; and that theinstitution is managed well is sufficiently attested by the vast amount of good which, through a long series of years, it has successfully effected, and the cordial support which it has uniformly received from the nobility, gentry, and trading community of both city and county. Doubtless it is a noble exemplification of true Christian Charity, and it is earnestly to be hoped that as years pass on its means of usefulness will be more and more extended by the increasing sympathy and support of an appreciative public.