Tombland was the site of the Anglo-Saxon Market Place before the Normans arrived. (By the way, the name 'Tombland' has nothing to do with tombs - it means open-space.)
Based on a cross-roads that date back to the time of the Iceni, the layout of the roads was radically changed by the Normans who gave the whole East side (up to the river) to the church. In the photograph above you can see two of the gates that lead into the Cathedral grounds.

The building of the Cathedral was started in 1096 and took nearly 200 years to complete. The stone used was shipped from Caen in Normandy. After the townsfolk set fire to the cathedral in the riots of 1272, the timber roofs were replaced with stone vaulting with carved and painted roof bosses - the first use of story bosses anywhere. There are over 1,000 throughout the Cathedral and Cloisters, now being carefully restored.

On the opposite side of Tombland stands Augustine Steward's House, now home to a collection of antique dealers. It was built in 1530. Today a tranquil scene, but the building looked upon some of the bloodiest fighting during Ketts Rebellion in 1549.

And that ends our brief introduction to Norwich. There is so much more to show you, which we will do in this Photo Tours section.

Copyright © Ken Ward 2004
Photographs Copyright © Ken Ward 2004 (unless otherwise stated)
Last Updated: 08 November 2004