It has been very aptly remarked by a recent writer, that “to send forth a work without a preface, is like thrusting a friend into the society of a room full of strangers, without the benefit of an introduction;” a custom that no fashion can redeem from the charge of incivility.  A book, however insignificant, grows beneath the author’s pen, to occupy a place in his regard, not unworthy the title of friendship; and as that sacred bond of social union is not dependent upon individual perfection, s

Page 7, line 15, for “these,” read “those.” „ 8, line 10, for “querus,” read “querns.” „ 37, line 16, for “veriest,” read “various.” „ 59, lines 24 and 26, for “Hoptin,” read “Hopkin.” „ 64, line 8, for “spirit—powers,” read “spirit-powers.” Who that has ever looked upon the strange conglomerations of architecture that line the thoroughfares of an ancient city, bearing trace of a touch from the hand of every age, from centuries far remote,—or watched the busy scenes of modern every-day life, sur

The Cathedral .— Forms .— Symbols .— Early history of the Christian church .— Growth of superstition .— Influence of Paganism .— Government .— Growth of the Papacy .— Monasticism .— St. Macarius .— Benedict .— St. Augustine .— Hildebrand .— Celibacy of the clergy .— Herbert of Losinga , founder of Norwich Cathedral .— Crusades , their influence on Civilization .— Historical memoranda .— Bishop Nix .— Bilney .— Bishop Hall .— Ancient religious festivals .— Easter .— Whitsuntide .— Good Friday .—“

The Castle .— Present aspect .— Grave of the Murderer .— Historical Associations .— View from the Battlements .— Thorpe .— Kett’s Castle .— Lollard’s Pit .— Mousehold .— Plan of Military Structure of Feudal Times .— Marriage of Ralph Guader .— Roger Bigod .— Feudal Ranks .— Social Life .— Field Sports .— Hawking .— Legend of Lothbroc .— Laws of Chivalry .— Tournaments .— Feminine Occupations .— Tapestry . In the centre of the Old City rises one of those huge mounds, heaped up by our ancient warr

Market-place .— Present aspect .— Visit to its stalls .— Norfolk Marketwomen .— Christmas Market .— Early History .— Extracts from old records .— Domestic scene of 13th century .— Early Crafts .— Guilds .— Medley of Historical Facts .— Extract from Diary of Dr. Edward Browne .— The City in Charles the Second’s reign .— Duke’s Palace Gardens .— Manufactures .— Wool .— Worsted .— Printing .— Caxton .— Specimens of Ancient Newspapers .— Blomefield . The old city, so rich in antiquarian remains, can

The Guildhall .— Visit to its dungeons .— Bilney .— St. Barbara’s chapel .— Legend of St. Barbara .— Assize court .— Old document .— Trial by Jury .— Council chamber .— Old record room .— Guilds .— St. George’s company .— History of St. George .— Legend of St. Margaret . Our rambles have now brought us to the threshold of that quaint, but beautiful old “studwork” chamber, the guildhall; the seat of civic honour, power, and glory, with its many appendages of courts and cells, the witnesses of tho

Pageantries .— Ancient “ Mysteries .”— Origin of the religious drama .— Moralities .— Oratorios .— Allegorical plays of Queen Elizabeth’s time .— The Pageants got up to do honour to her visit .— Will Kempe , Morris dancer , his “ nine days wonder .”—“ Hobby-horses .”— Festivals .— St. Nicholas or Boy Bishop .— Bishop Blaize .— Woolcombers’ jubilee .— Southland fair .— St. Valentine .— Mode of celebrating the festival .—“ Chairing the members .”— Origin of the custom . Among the many quaint speci

Superstitions .— Witchcraft .— Heard’s Ghost .— Wise Men and Women .— Sayings by Mrs. Lubbock .— Prophecies .— Treasure Trove .— Confessions of Sir William Stapleton and Sir Edward Neville .— Cardinal Wolsey supposed to have been conversant with Magic .— Effect of Superstition on the Great and Noble in Early Times . Forby, in his “Vocabulary of East Anglia,” has described the whole of this district of the country as barren of superstitions or legendary lore.  Its characteristics are adverse to t

Conventual Remains .— St. Andrew’s Hall .— The Festival .— Music : Dr. Hook , Dr. Crotch .— Churches .— Biographical Sketches : Archbishop Parker , Sir J. E. Smith , Taylor , Hooker , Lindley , Joseph John Gurney . The sketch of the Cathedral has embraced so much of the early history of the various religious “orders,” as to render but little necessary respecting the origin of the “frères,” or friars, whose settlements, in the city and neighbourhood, once occupied such important place in its limi