The dates which shaped our city explored in new book

%image(14806473, type="article-full", alt="Kindra Jones with her new book, Norwich in 100 Dates.Picture: ANTONY KELLY")

The book, by Kindra Jones, was launched at an event at Jarrold's on November 24, where 28-year-old Miss Jones picked a few of her favourite dates and made them come alive.

'It was all very strange how it came about,' said Miss Jones, who lives in North Walsham. 'I contacted the History Press about doing another book, and they said no but we do want to do this one, and asked if I'd do it.'

Miss Jones studied history at the University of Bath, before graduating with a PGCE from UEA in 2014.

%image(14806474, type="article-full", alt="Kindra Jones, The Lady Knight, in costume. Photo: Kindra Jones")

Since, she set up her company, The Lady Knight, which provides historical education through entertainment.

'I've tried my absolute best with the book,' she said. 'It starts at 1066 because before then it's impossible to find a specific date.'

She said her favourite dates in the book were the personal stories, such as February 26, 1830, when two prisoners escaped from Norwich Castle by fashioning a rope out of bedsheets and rugs.

%image(14806475, type="article-full", alt="Kindra Jones, The Lady Knight, in costume. Photo: Kindra Jones")

Norwich in 100 Dates is available to buy in Jarrold's, or online on Amazon.

Dates which shaped our city

With 100 dates in Miss Jones' book, it is difficult to pick just a few, but here are some highlights.

%image(14806476, type="article-full", alt="Kindra Jones, The Lady Knight, in costume. Photo: Kindra Jones")

September 24, 1101 – The dedication of Norwich Cathedral. The building first began with the laying of the foundation stone in 1096 under the first Bishop of Norwich, Herbert de Losinga. At the time it was the largest building in East Anglia.

March 24, 1286 – Walter Eghe, a convicted and hanged man, received a posthumous pardon. Just over a month previously he had been brought to the Tolhouse, which stood where the Guildhall is today, and charged with the theft of cloth from Richard de la Hoe. There he was questioned, found guilty and sentenced to hang, which he did. However when they removed his body from the gallows and took it to St George's church ready for burial, he revived. After 15 days, he escaped to the cathedral priory, seeking sanctuary until a pardon arrived.

%image(14806477, type="article-full", alt="King George VIKing George VI on a visit to Norfolk where he inspected the Home Guard outside Norwich City Hall in1942.City Hall, Norwich")

June 14, 1526 – Bishop Nicke visited Carrow Priory (now Carrow Abbey), a Benedictine nunnery that had been founded in 1146.

%image(14806478, type="article-full", alt="The interior of the Keep at Norwich Castle c1890, after architect Edward Boardman had overseen the demolition of the prison buildings. Pic: Submitted.")

March 8, 1600 – Will Kemp danced his way into Norwich having left London on February 11. His Nine Days Wonder, a pamphlet he produced afterwards, described the feat in detail and the journey along the way. Taking nine days to Morris dance the route, with 16 days rest, he was cheered on by crowds.

May 3, 1608 – Norwich gained its first City Library, the first public library in England to be established by a municipality in a building owned by a corporation. Up until this point libraries and centres of learning were mostly to be found in religious insitutions and were inaccessible to the majority of the populace. To begin with members were only allowed access to the books but in 1716 books could be borrowed too.

%image(14806479, type="article-full", alt="Scenes from the Bayeux tapestry")

May 3, 1631 – The first Florists' Feast was held in Norwich, with guests entertained by Ralph Knevet's play Rhodon and Iris. The play was addressed to the Society of Florists and caused trouble with the Norwich Puritans, who viewed flowers as frivolous and disliked the pagan association of the feat with Flora, the goddess of flowers.

%image(14806480, type="article-full", alt="Scenes from the Bayeux tapestry")

December 25, 1645 – Christmas was cancelled and business in Norwich was ordered to go on as usual. A law in 1644 had banned decorations, carol singing and seasonal puddings on Christmas Day. Then, in January, the Directory of Public Worship decreed that all holy days were nothing more than festival days and were to pass unmarked. So, on Christmas Eve 1645 the ministers and wardens of the city were told by the mayor they must not hold services or administer sacrament the next day.

September 6, 1701 – Francis Burges published the very first Norwich Post, the first English provincial newspaper. Relaxation of the licensing laws in 1695 opened up the opportunity for publications of newspapers outside of London. Bristol and Exeter were quick to set up printing presses, but Norwich realised the need for print-quality paper to be available first.

%image(14806480, type="article-full", alt="Scenes from the Bayeux tapestry")

January 31, 1758 – The Norwich Company of Comedians moved from their original location at the White Sawn Playhouse t the New Theatre, near Chapelfield, and adjacent to the current Theatre Royal.

%image(14806481, type="article-full", alt="Opening of Norwich City Hall by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on 29th October 1938.Archant staff photo01603 772434")

September 7, 1819 – Mary, the wife of Christopher Berry, and their six children were ordered to enter the Norwich Workhouse. During an episode of BBC's Who Do You Think You Are? It was discovered that the great-great-great-grandparents of celebrity chef Mary Berry fell on hard times. However, it seems that while his wife and children were inside, Christopher Berry continued his work as a printer while contributing to their upkeep.

February 26, 1830 – Prisoners Jame and William Brooks made a bid for freedom from Norwich Castle, by using ripped up blankets and rugs to fashion a rope. The rope snapped, dropping William some 70ft. He survived but both were charged with robbery, eventually both being sentenced to death. Somehow, they both managed to avoid it and James was transported while William spent the rest of his life in a prison hulk moored off Portsmouth.

%image(14806482, type="article-full", alt="SUBMITTED PICTURE OF THE NORWICH GUILDHALL")

March 1, 1836 – The first patrol of the new Norwich City Police Force took place. The force numbered just 18 at the beginning, plus 32 night watchmen. The first police station was in Guildhall.

%image(14806483, type="article-full", alt="Britannia Barracks from a photograph taken in 1936. The Barracks, built on a hilltop still dominate the city of Norwich although today they stand empty - a silent memorial to the many who passed through their gates, never to return.")

May 1, 1844 – The first train in Norfolk to carry passengers left Great Yarmouth at 8am, heading into Norwich. Some 200 privileged guests then left Norwich by train at 10.30am, leaving to the sounds of a brass band playing See the Conquering Hero Comes. It took 50 minutes and third-class passengers were left unprotected against the elements and without seats.

July 1, 1881 – The Norfolk Regiment was formed from the 9th (East Norfolk) Regiment of Foot as part of Childers Reforms. Britannia Barracks were built in Norwich as the regiment's headquarters for the recruitment, training and accommodation of soldiers.

%image(14363190, type="article-full", alt="Carrow abbey")

June 17, 1902 – Two school teachers, Robert Webster and Joseph Cowper-Nutchey, formed Norwich City FC in the Criterion Café on White Lion Street.

%image(14806484, type="article-full", alt="Norwich Library")

October 29, 1938 – City Hall was officially opened by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in front of vast crowds. Afterwards the King made his way to Carrow Road to see a football match, the first British monarch to do so.

July 19, 1951 – The last execution in Norfolk took place at HMP Norwich. It was a double hanging, with both Alfred Reynolds and Dennis Moore being sentenced to death for the murder of their pregnant fiancées. Reynolds sand Danny Boy twice before his death.

%image(14806485, type="article-full", alt="1973 PA File Photo of David Bowie, seen in 1973 during his Ziggy Stardust period. See PA Feature MUSIC Bowie. Picture credit should read: AP/PA Photos. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature MUSIC Bowie. UK REGIONAL PAPERS AND MAGAZINES, PLEASE REMOVE FROM ALL COMPUTERS AND ARCHIVES BY 27/01/16")

October 27, 1959 – At 4.15pm Anglia Television first went on air as an independent company broadcasting to the East of England. The first broadcast introduced viewers to the modern studios and facilities of Anglia House, in Norwich.

%image(14806486, type="article-full", alt="Norfolk Ninja Martin Faulks. Martin has spent years training asa ninja travelling to America and Japan and has now written a book about his journey to become a Norfolk ninja.")

May 21, 1973 – The Ziggy Stardust tour hit Norfolk as part of the superstar Carnival Week in which Monty Python's Flying Circus also headlined. David Bowie took to the stage in a packed-out Theatre Royal. The next day the EDP reported his performance 'put the adjective fantastic to legitimate use.'

January 19, 2011 – Norwich-born Martin Faulks made national headlines as the Ninja of Norwich.

%image(14806487, type="article-full", alt="NCFC v Middlesborough; October 2010; Stephen Fry joins the crowds at Carrow RD")

January 18, 2016 – After five years on the board of directors for NCFC, Stephen Fry stepped down. Mr Fry said his love of the club was present before his love of sport in general.

%image(14806488, type="article-full", alt="Bishop Herbert de Losinga and some pictures of his tomb, memorial slab and the Bishop’s Throne, the foundations of which Bishop Herbert brought to Norwich from Thetford")

%image(14428434, type="article-full", alt="Delia Smith signs Stephen Fry on to the board at Norwich City Football ClubPhoto: Bill SmithCopy: Steve DownesFor: ArchantArchant © 201001603 772434")

%image(14806489, type="article-full", alt="Transport - TrainsTimetables and fare information for the first train journey from Great Yarmouth to Norwich, as printed in the Norwich Mercury in 1844.Photograph C10637")

%image(14806491, type="article-full", alt="Norwich - BuildingsEntrance to Norwich Prison. At the time city councillors descibed it as " old fashioned, ugly and inconvenient " and called for a new prison outside the city.Dated 13th May 1949Photograph C1676 Gould")

%image(14806493, type="article-full", alt="Norwich Castle 1834( EN 6.8.09)")

%image(14806494, type="article-full", alt="David Bowie performed at Norwich Theatre Royal in 1973.")

%image(14806495, type="article-full", alt="Norwich Post plaque edp 6/9/01")

%image(14806496, type="article-full", alt="Founder bishop Herbert de Losinga at the 900th 'birthday' of Norwich Cathedral.Photo: Bill SmithCopy: Emma Outten edp 25/9/01")

%image(14806497, type="article-full", alt="Norwich aerial views from Norwich Castle pic taken 5th march 1968 m7423-27a pic to be used in lets talk march 2013")

%image(14806498, type="article-full", alt="Trade and Industry -- Land BasedAnglia Television commenced broadcasting on Channel 11 in their studios at Anglia House, (formerly the Agricultural Hall), Norwich, from the 1000-foot, 200 kw, Mendlesham transmitter of the Independent Television Authority at 4.15 pm on 27 October 1959Picture shows filming in studioDated -- 27 October 1959Plate -- p9045")

%image(14428798, type="article-full", alt="Norwich Soccer History Under the Hammer Rare Picture of The Men Who Started Norwich City Will Be Sold By Bonhams.A 100 year old black and white photograph showing one of Norwich’s earliest league football team (CEYMS or Churches) will be sold by Bonhams as part of their East Anglian View Sale on 30 October 2008. The photograph, found in a garage in Norwich, was taken 108 years ago and shows two of the footballers who went on to form Norwich City in 1902 the teams’s captain, Robert Webster and Vice Captain, Joseph Cowper Nutchey. Bonhams estimate that this rare piece of Norwich soccer history may sell for over £400.pic - submitted 13.10.08copy - Lorna MarshFor EDP")