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{{header
| title = [[../../]]
| author = Francis Blomefield
| translator =
| section = Chapter 37
| previous = [[../Chapter 36/]]
| next = [[../Chapter 38/]]
| notes =
}}
==CHAPTER XXXVII==
OF THE CITY IN THE TIME OF KING GEORGE THE SECOND.
George the ''Second'', King of ''Great Britain'', &c. was magnificently crowned, with his royal consort, Queen Caroline, on the 11th of ''October'', 1727.
In 1728, was renewed and published the Table to show what Habits the right worshipful Mr. Mayor, Justices, Sheriffs, and Aldermen of the city of Norwich, and such as have been Sheriffs, are to wear upon all ''festival days'', and at other meetings.
On ''Christmas'' day, the ''mayor justices'', and ''aldermen'',in scarlet; the ''sheriffs'' in violet: and in the afternoon, the ''mayor'' and ''justices'' in cloaks of justice.
The same on ''Twelfth'' day; (when Mr. ''Anguish's'' commemoration sermon is at St. ''Edmund's'' in the afternoon;) ''Palm-Sunday, Easterday, Wednesday'' in ''Easter'' week, (when the court is at St. ''Helen's'' church in the afternoon:) ''Ascension-day'', (at Archbishop ''Parker's'' commemoration;) ''Whit-Sunday, Trinity-fair-day'', (to go at 10 o'clock through the fair in ''procession'';) ''Trinity Sunday'', and ''Sunday'' in ''assize week'', (to wait on the judges.)
The mayor in scarlet, the ''justices, sheriffs'', and ''aldermen'' in black, on St. ''Stephen's'', St. ''John's'', and ''Innocent's'' days, St. ''Matthias'' and ''Midsummer'' days, if ''Sundays''.
The mayor in scarlet, the ''justices, sheriffs'', and ''aldermen'' in violet, on ''New-year's'' day, ''Easter'' Monday, ''Whitsun'' Monday, St. ''George's'' even and ''Holy-mass'' day, if Sunday.
Mr. mayor, ''justices, sheriffs'', and ''aldermen'' in black, on the 30th of ''January, Good-Friday, Rogation'' Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Mr. mayor in violet, the ''justices, sheriffs'', and ''aldermen'' in black, on ''Candlemas'' day, ''Easter'' Tuesday, and ''Whitsun'' Tuesday.
The mayor, and ''justices'' in scarlet, the ''sheriff's'' and ''aldermen'' in violet, on ''May'' day, and ''Michaelmas'' day.
The mayor and ''aldermen'' in scarlet, and the ''justices'' to have their scarlet cloaks brought to the ''New-hall'' before morning, at St. George's feast, or the gild-day.
The mayor in velvet, the ''justices'' and ''aldermen'' in scarlet, the ''sheriffs'' in violet, on the 29th of ''May'', the ''coronation'' day, and the 5th of ''November''.
The mayor in scarlet, ''justices'' and ''sheriffs'' in violet, and ''aldermen'' in black, on the last ''Tuesday'' in ''Aug''.
At sessions, the mayor, the three first days in scarlet, the ''justices'' and ''sheriffs'' in violet.
On court days the mayor and ''sheriffs'' in their gowns.
''Commemoration'' sermons, at which the ''court'' attend, besides those mentioned, are, Sir ''John Pettus's'' at St. ''Simon and Jude's'' church, in the afternoon, on the first ''Sunday'' in ''August''.
Sir ''Joseph Payne's'' at St. ''Gregory's, August'' 19, once in seven years; preached in 1738.
Mr. ''Maultby's'' at St. ''Mary's, October'' 28, in the afternoon.
Lady ''Suckling's'' at St. ''Andrew's'' on Friday after St. ''Simon'' and ''Jude''.
Sir ''John Suckling's'' there the Sunday after.
Mr. ''Codd's'' at St. ''Peter's per Montergate'', on Sunday before St. ''Thomas''.
The mayor and ''justices'' to wear ''English'' gowns faced with ''furs'', from ''Holy-mass'' to ''May'' day.
When the ''mayor'' and ''aldermen'' wear scarlet, such as have been ''sheriffs'' wear violet; but when the ''aldermen'' wear violet, such as have been ''sheriffs'' wear black.
At assemblies, the ''mayor'' and ''aldermen'' are to wear their gowns, and such as have been ''sheriffs'' are to be in ''English'' gowns and silk ''tippits'', and all the ''commoners'' in their gowns and hoods.
And whenever the mayor, ''justices'', and ''aldermen'' wear scarlet, the ''sword, cap'' of maintenance, and ''maces'' are to be born.
In 1729, was an act passed for the better regulating of elections in the city of ''Norwich'', and for preserving the peace, good order, and government of the said city, which took place ''April'' 25, 1730, by which it which it was enacted, that at every election for burgesses in parliament, every one that votes must swear, that he hath been admitted to his ''freedom'' 12 ''kalendar'' months before that ''election'', and that he hath not been polled at that election before, or (in case of an election for two members) but for one person.
And in all elections for ''mayor'' or ''sheriffs'', instead of the oath required in the act made in the 9th of ''George'' I. each shall swear, that he hath not only been a ''freeman'' as aforesaid, but that for six ''kalendar'' months last past, he hath been an ''inhabitant'' within the ''liberties'' thereof.
And in ''elections'' for ''aldermen'' or ''common-council-men'', each man shall swear, that for six ''kalendar'' months last past (he) hath been an ''inhabitant'' within the ''ward'' for which the ''election'' is.
And all persons in ''work-houses, hospitals'', or ''prisons'', are to poll in that ''ward'' in which they inhabited the last six ''kalendar'' months before their entering such places, the truth of which they must also swear.
And if any refuse to take such oaths, which are to be administered by the ''mayor'', his ''deputy'', or such ''sworn clerks'' as shall be by himself or deputy appointed, such person's votes are to be rejected and disallowed.
In all ''elections'' a ''check'', and one of the ''sworn clerks'', shall be admitted to the ''common gaol'', to take the ''votes'' of those confined there, and the ''sheriffs, gaoler'', or ''prison keepers'', are to admit them for that purpose, under 50''l''. penalty for refusal.
At all elections, every person, if required by any one of the ''clerks'' at any ''poll'', must first take the ''oaths'' appointed by the ''act'' of 1 ''George'' I. or else their vote to be disallowed, and the ''presiding officer'' or the sworn ''clerks'' refusing to administer such oaths, forfeit 50''l''. besides costs of suit.
And if any person takes the ''oaths'' appointed by this ''present act'', wilfully, falsely, and corruptly, if they be convicted by information or indictment, they shall incur all such penalties as persons convicted of wilful corrupt perjury are liable to by common law.
There are to be no more than three ''common-council-men'' for each ''great ward'' yearly elected by the ''freemen'', upon the days appointed by the charters, and the three so elected for each great ''ward'', or the major part of them, shall within 48 hours after their ''elections'', or within six days after such ''scrutiny'' as shall be demanded on their polls are finished, upon notice thereof from the mayor or his deputy, elect and fill up the remaining number of ''common council-men'', directed to be elected by the charters of the said ''city'', for each great ''ward'', under 50''l''. penalty, and all such named by the three are to be as effectually ''common council-men'', as if elected by all ''freemen''; and if any person elected by the ''common council'' as aforesaid, shall refuse to serve, or happen to die, the three ''common council-men'' entered in the ''assembly'' book for that ''ward'' where such vacancy is, who shall be then living, shall in 48 hours after notice from the ''mayor'', &c. fill up such vacancy by electing others to serve in their stead the rest of the year.
The mayor, or his ''deputy'', appointed under his hand and seal, or in case of the mayor's death, the surviving ''justice'' of the ''peace'', who last served the office of mayor, shall be the presiding officer at every ''election'' of ''mayor, sheriffs, aldermen'', and ''common council-men'', and of such ''scrutinies'' as shall be demanded thereupon.
And no person shall be subject to be elected into the office of ''sheriff'' of the city of Norwich, who is not an ''inhabitant'' thereof, at the time of such ''election''.
No act, order, or ordinance whatsoever, at any time from and after the 25th day of ''April'', 1730, shall be made or passed in the ''common council'' or ''assembly'' of the representative body of the said ''city'', without the assent of the mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen present at such ''common council'' or ''assemby'', or the major part of them, nor without the assent of the ''commons'' present at such common council or assembly, or the major part of them.
The Mayor elect, and the mayor for the time being, to nominate and appoint, for the time of his mayoralty, a sword-bearer, two ''ward officers'', and such other inferior ''officers'', as have been customary for them to nominate and elect.
The mayor shall summon the ''sheriffs, aldermen'', and ''common council-men'', to meet at the ''quarterly assemblies'' according to ''custom'', and if one of the sheriffs, and the major part of the aldermen or common council-men, shall neglect to meet at the ''Gild-hall'' at the time appointed for holding an ''assembly'' upon notice left in writing at their several houses 24 hours before the time fixed, each so absenting shall forfeit 5''s''. over and above such prosecutions as they may be subject to by law, and one of them that shall depart from any assembly without ''consent'' of the ''mayor'', shall forfeit 10''s''. to be paid to the chamberlain for the ''city'', over and above such prosecutions as they may be subject to by law.
All penalties (except the 5''s''. and 10''s''.) shall be recovered by action of debt in any of his Majesty's court of record at ''Westminster'', in the name of the chamberlain of the city, and when recovered, shall be for the benefit of the ''city'', and the 5''s''. and 10''s''. shall be levied by distress and sale of the offender's goods, by warrant of two ''justices'' of ''peace'' of the said city, and paid to the ''chamberlain'', returning the overplus, if any be, to the offenders.
The ''act'' is to be taken and deemed a ''publick'' act, and be ''judicially'' taken notice of as such by all ''judges, justices'', and ''courts'' whatsoever, without specially pleading the same.
In 1730, the right honourable the Lord Lynn, lord ''lieutenant'' for the county of ''Norfolk'', and county and city of ''Norwich'', sent down new ''commissions'' for Capt. ''Balderstone'', and the rest of the ''officers'' of the ''artillery company''.
In 1731, the market place began to be new paved.
''October'' 30, a large ''sturgeon'' taken in a poor fisherman's nets at ''Sheringham'', was brought hither, being 12 feet long; the liver weighed five stone and an half.
At the quarterly ''assembly'', on St. ''Matthias's'' day, were 161 persons admitted and sworn ''freemen'', and a committee appointed for that purpose, reported that they had treated with St. ''George's'' company, who agreed to resign their books, charters, and records, into the hands of the ''city'', which was done, and that ''company's'' power suspended, and the following procession agreed upon for the ''gild'' day, instead of the said ''company's viz''.
At nine in the morning, the sheriffs, justices, and aldermen, shall attend the ''new-elect'' mayor at his house, and with him wait on the old mayor, and go thence to the ''Gild-hall'', where the ''common council'' are to be ready in their ''black'' gowns, whence they are all to proceed to the ''cathedral'' as follows.
Two ''trumpeters'', a ''standard''-bearer, two blue-coat ''officers'' with staves, the ''common council-men'' as elected for the great ''wards'' two abreast, the ''speaker'' of the ''commons'' alone, a standard, the city ''musick'', the city ''officers'',the mayor and mayor-elect, the recorder and steward, the ''justices'', the ''sheriff's'', and ''aldermen'', all in their usual habits, the whole being closed by four sheriff's officers.
After divine service, they are to proceed from the ''cathedral'' in like manner (the orator and speech boys following the ''court'') to the ''Gild-hall'', and after the mayor is there sworn, they are to go in manner aforesaid to the ''New-hall'', where before dinner (if there be time) the ''orator'' and ''speech boys'' are each to make their speech, and after the feast, the ''justices, sheriffs, aldermen'', and ''common council-men'' (following then the ''aldermen'') are first to attend the new mayor home, and then the old mayor.
And the ''company'' of the ''feast'' of the ''mayor, sheriffs, citizens'', and ''common-council'', commonly called St. George's Company, being laid aside, together with the ''procession'' on the day of ''swearing'' the mayor, it was ordered, that for the future, every ''mayor'' should be excused making a gild breakfast, and holding any ''mayor's'' feasts in ''May'' or ''August'', and that in lieu thereof, the ''new-elect-mayor'' shall make a ''feast'' on the day he is sworn at the ''New-hall'', and there entertain the ''recorder, steward, sheriffs, justices, aldermen'', and their ''ladies'', and ''common council-men''; and every mayor that makes such a ''feast'', he, his executors, or administrators, shall be entituled to an allowance or grant of one hundred pounds, to be paid by the ''chamberlain'' of the city, immediately after making the said ''feast'', and the further sum of 50''l''. shall be paid by the ''chamberlain'' to such person as shall be mayor of the ''city'' on ''Christmas'' day next ensuing such feast.
This year, 487''l''. 5''s''. 4''d''. was collected in the city, for the sufferers by fire in ''Blandford, Tiverton, and Ramsey''.
In 1732, there was great damage done by mad dogs, many beasts perishing thereby; Mr. ''Reeve'' of St. ''Peter's'' of ''Hungate'' died by a bite of his favourite dog, as was said. The year was very sickly.
''Sherer's Cross'', commonly called Charing Cross, which was a neat ancient stone pillar, was taken down this year, and the ''market cross'' also.
A new silk damask gown was bought by the corporation, to be worn by the ''speaker'' of the ''common council'', on all publick occasions, and was first worn on the ''gild-day'', by Mr. ''Tho. Johnson'', then ''common speaker''.
In 1733, ''July'' 11, at an ''assembly'' then held, the right honourable Sir ''Robert Walpole'' was complimented with his ''freedom'', and sworn in person in the ''Gild-hall'', and was then presented by the ''mayor'' with the copy of his ''freedom'' in a gold-box, after which he made a short speech, thanked them for the honour they had done him, and assured them of his endeavours at all times to promote the city's welfare.
''Tombland'' was paved, and the front of St. ''Stephen's'' gates beautified.
In 1734, a new silver ''mace'', weighing 168 ounces, ''gilt'' and finely ''exchased'', was presented to the city by the right honourable Sir ''Rob. Walpole''; on the cup part of it are Sir ''Robert's'' arms, and the arms of the ''city''; it was first carried before the mayor on the 29th of ''May''.
On the 31st of ''Dec''. was the greatest flood known since 1696; all ''Heighan'' was under water, and several streets in the lower part of the city, so that boats rowed in them.
In 1735, the ''artillery company'' presented a picture of their Capt. ''Timothy Balderstone'', Esq, to be hung in the ''New-hall''.
In 1736, a picture of ''Tho. Harwood'', Esq. ''treasurer'' of the ''charity schools'', was hung up in the ''New-hall'', being presented by a subscription of the trustees of the said schools,
And another of ''Tho. Vere'', Esq.
''Hoghill'' was paved this year, and the city was much visited with the small pox.
In 1737, ''Oct''. 4, was a very great flood.
A picture of ''Benj. Nuthall'', Esq. was hung up in the ''New-hall''.
The gild was kept this year according to the ''ancient'' custom, with ''hangings, pictures'', &c.
''Nov''. 20, died her most sacred majesty Caroline Queen of Great ''Britain'', &c. and was interred ''Saturday, Dec''. 17, when at six in the evening, the great bell of every church in this city began to toll, and continued tolling till 11 at night. The mayor and court appeared in deep mouring at church on ''Sunday''. Of whom the following deserved ''encomium'' was then made:
When as Heaven's gift, the crown she wore, None e're deserved it, none adorn'd it more, Belov'd and honour'd thro' each various scene, As friend, as wife, as mother, and as ''Queen'': Her life, of all the learned the esteem, The maid's example, and the matron's theme: Her death, the wish and comfort of the wise, Religion's honour, and great vertue's prize.
Mrs. ''Anne Havet'' of this city being indisposed and let blood, had a living worm about three inches long come out of the orifice of her vein, while she was bleeding; she did not live long after.
In 1738, the ditches on the southern part of the Castle-hill were levelled, and now the market for cattle is kept there.
In 1739, ''Oct''. 30, being the King's birthday, war was proclaimed against ''Spain'', by the ''court'', on horseback, in six different places of the city; the two sheriffs appeared then first with their ''gold-chains'' on, which were given by ''Tho. Emerson'' of ''London'', a native of this ''city'', to be worn by the ''sheriffs'' for the time being; they cost 100 guineas each.
The gild was kept as anciently, with hangings, garlands, pictures, &c.
This winter was extremely cold and sharp, a deep snow fell about ''Christmas'' day, and laid till ''March'', and when it brake up, was a prodigious flood; it exceeded the coldest days in the sharp winters in 1708, and 1715, and continued so long, that had not the poor in this city, and other places, been generously relieved by the wealthy, many must have perished.
In 1740, wheat was above 20''s''. a comb, and other corn very dear. The season held so cold, that on the 5th of ''May'' in the morning, it snowed so much, that at 10 o'clock, the snow hung on the cathedral spire, from its top to the second windows.
''Nov''. 8, was a violent hurricane of wind, but not altogether so high as in 1703.
This year, on pretence of the scarcity and dearness of grain, there was much ''rioting'' throughout the kingdom, and at most of the principal places in ''Norfolk'', as ''Yarmouth, Lyn'', &c. at ''Wisbitch'' assizes fourteen were found guilty, but were not all executed; in ''Norfolk'' two were convicted and executed accordingly. There were none executed for the ''riot'' in this ''city'', which came to such a height, that the magistrates were obliged to seek for assistance from the soldiers quartered here, whose commanding officer, fired upon the populace in order to quell them, by which means several unconcerned persons were accidentally killed, and only one of the ''rioters'', who was said to be the chief ''ringleader'': a lad, who was shot in the knee, died of the wound, and was said in the publick papers to be the 7th person that lost his life by this ''riot''.
In 1741, at an ''assembly'' held ''May'' 3, it was ordered, that no person for the future, being a ''foreigner'', should be permitted to exercise any trade in the city longer than ''six'' months, without taking up the ''freedom'' of the ''city''.
===Mayors and Sheriffs===
===Burgesses In Parliament===
* 1727, † Robert Britiffe, Esq. Waller Bacon, Esq.
* 1734, † Horatio Walpole, Waller Bacon died, and † Tho. Vere, Esq. was chosen in his room.
* 1741, Horatio Walpole, Esq. and Tho. Vere, Esq. are the present members.
And thus I have brought down the history of this city from its ''rise'' to the present year 1742,
''September'' 29, when the whole corporation, consisting of the mayor, sheriffs, recorder, steward, justices, aldermen, common council-men, and other ''officers'', are as follow,
The right worshipful William Wigget, Esq. Mayor, who was chosen ''alderman'' of ''Coslany ward, July'' 11, 1733.
William Greenaway, Esq. sheriffs.
Thomas Wigg, Esq.
Robert Britiffe, Esq. ''recorder'', chosen ''May'' 3, 1737, on the resignation of ''Richard Berney'', Esq.
William Brooke, Esq. ''steward'', chosen ''June'' 14, 1727, on the resignation of ''Richard Berney'', Esq.
The ''Aldermen'' past the chair, and consequently ''justices'' of ''peace'', in the whole city and county thereof, are,
The ''Aldermen'' below the chair, who are ''justices'' in their own ''wards'' only, are,
The city is divided into ''four'' great wards, out of which 60 of the chief ''commoners'' are yearly elected common council-men, to be of the ''assembly'' to join with the mayor, sheriffs, &c. to consult, advise, determine, and enaot, any thing concerning the state of the city, ''viz''.
The great ward of ''Mancroft'', which elects 16 common council. of ''Wimer'', which elects 20. of ''Conisford'', which elects 12.
And that beyond the water, or Northern ward, which elects 12.
And these four, are subdivided each into three small or petty wards, ''viz''.
''Mancroft'' contains ''Mancroft'', St. ''Stephen's'', and St. ''Giles's''.
''Wimer'' contains ''East-Wimer, Middle-Wimer'', and ''West-Wimer'' wards.
''Conisford'' contains ''South-Conisford, North-Conisford'', and ''Berstreet'' wards.
The Northern ward contains ''Fybridge,Colgate'', and ''Coslany'' wards.
And each of the petty wards have two aldermen to serve for it, elected by the freemen of the great ward that it lies in.
===Common-council-men===
For ''Mancroft'' great ''ward''.
1. Dan. Ganning.
2. James Elmy.
3. John Aldridge.
4. Hen. Crosgrove.
5. Timothy Ganning.
6. Mark Addy.
7. Timothy Money.
8. Robert Francis.
9. Fran. Procter.
10. Thomas Colton.
11. Isaac Schuldham.
12. Edmund Clarke.
13. Tho. Craske.
14. Edward Appleby.
15. John Nickalls.
16. Jeremiah Berry.
For ''Wimer'' great ''ward''.
1. John Simpson, plamber.
2. James Barnham.
3. Edmond Hooke.
4. William Chase.
5. John Hoyle.
6. William Woods.
7. Robert Rushbrooke.
8. John Webb.
9. † Robert Wingfield.
10. John Turner.
11. John Simpson, glover.
12. John Shilling.
13. Jolland Leach.
14. James Holland.
15. Elisha D'Hague.
16. John Gay, junior.
17. Samuel Mottram.
18. Joseph Chamberlain.
19. William White.
20. William Clarke.
The ''Conisford'' great ''ward''.
1. George Hainsworth.
2. Will Sherringham.
3. William Lincolne.
4. William Tuck.
5. James Merry.
6. Richard Phillips.
7. Townsend Sheringham.
8. George Sharpen.
9. Benjamin Pendleton.
10. Will. Pearson.
11. Samuel Tooke.
12. Tho. Simpson.
The ''Northern'' great ''ward''.
1. Richard Humfrey.
2. Ambrose Gedge.
3. Robert Mott.
4. Abraham Larwood.
5. Thomas Hurnard.
6. Peter Colombine.
7. Samuel Harvey.
8. John Wigget.
9. John Day, junior.
10. Joseph Hardingham.
11. Charles Buckle.
12. Ralph Smith.
Mr. Nehemiah Lodge, ''town-clerk'', elected ''June'' 20, 1730.
Mr. John Ewan, ''foreign-receiver'', and ''deputy-clerk''.
''Officers annually elected at the assembly held May'' 3, ''are'',
''Coroners'', Alderman John Wood. Mr. Ambrose Gedge.
''Chamberlain'', Mr. Thomas Kirkpatrick.
''Sub-chamberlain'', Thomas Burrage.
Twenty-four ''constables'', for the twelve wards, two for each.
Thirty and two ''guardians'', according to the workhouse ''act''.
''Officers attending the Mayor are'',
Mr. John Hilyard, ''sword-bearer'' and ''water-bailiff''.
Henry Harper and Mathew Baltis, ''officers at mace''.
Thomas Kemplin and Thomas Hovell, ''marshal-men''.
William Smith, ''bellman''.
John Tuck, ''charcoal-man''.
John Weston, John Tyler, Will. Reeve, Sam. Cooke, and Isaac Lawes, ''wayts''.
''The other officers are'',
''Under-sheriff'', Mr. Dan. Negus.
''Gaoler'', Aaron Fromow.
''Serjeants at mace to the Sheriffs are'',
1. Henry Stone.
2. Daniel Peachman.
3. Henry Wharton.
4. Tho. Rawlins.
5. John Simpson.
6. Richard Harvey.
7. Will. Ducket.
8. John Allam.
And Tho. Jackson and Joseph Nevill were sworn at large.