A TIMELINE OF NORWICH HISTORY
By Tim Lambert
10th Century Norwich is a small town and inland port with its own mint
1004 The Danes sack and burn Norwich
1086 Norwich has a population of about 6,000
1094 The bishop moves his seat from Thetford to Norwich
1194 Norwich is given a charter (a document granting the people certain rights)
1294 Great Hospital is founded
1266 During a civil war Norwich is sacked by rebel barons
1268 Norwich Cathedral is consecrated
1272 Riots in Norwich
1278 Cow Tower is built
1300 Norwich has a population of about 10,000. The main industry is making wool but there is also an important leather industry.
1370 The Bridewell is built
1381 During the Peasants Revolt rebels capture Norwich
1404 Norwich is given a new charter
1407 A Guildhall is built
1420 Erpingham Gate is built
1463 A spire is added to Norwich Cathedral
1505 Norwich suffers a severe fire
1549 During Kett's Rebellion the rebels sieze Norwich
1565 onwards Weavers come to Norwich from Holland and Belgium
1579 An outbreak of plague kills about 1/3 of the population of Norwich
1625 Plague strikes Norwich
1648 Riots break out in Norwich
1665 Plague strikes Norwich again
1700 The population of Norwich is about 25,000
1714 Bethel Hospital is built
1721 The first newspaper in Norwich is published
1754 An Assembly House is built
1756 The first bank is founded in Norwich
1801 Norwich has a population of 36,000
1806 A body of men called the Improvement Commissioners is formed to pave, clean and light the streets of Norwich
1819 Smallpox kills 530 people in Norwich
1844 The railway reaches Norwich
1857 The first public library opens
1877 Slum clearance begins in Norwich
1884 The Roman Catholic Cathedral is built in Norwich
1886 Mousehold Heath opens as a park
1894 Castle Museum opens
1899 Royal Arcade is built
1900 Electric trams run in Norwich
1912 The first cinema opens
1922 James Stuart Garden opens
1927 Woodrow Piling Park opens
1935 Electric trams cease running in Norwich
1938 City Hall is built
1962 A new Central Library is built in Norwich
1963 Norwich University is founded
1977 The Arts Centre opens
1980 Anglia Square Shopping Centre opens
1993 Castle Mall opens
1994 Central Library burns down
1999 Riverside Leisure Complex opens