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Hello
These are my initial findings, I will still be investigating further, regarding the Norwich "Bridewell".
Background info.
Bridewell Palace, London was an official residence of Henry VIII which then later became a "Poorhouse and Prision".
The term "Bridewell" was adopted firstly by prisons in London which housed;
"Homeless Children and for the punishment of disorderly women!"
The "Bridewell" Institutions appeared all over English cities soon after and the term usually refered to a cities main detention facility close to a courthouse for minor offenders and our "unfortunates!"
Brief History of Norwich Bridewell.
1325- Original building built by Geoffrey De Salle.
1386- William Appleyard, future Mayor of Norwich (1403) enlarged the building.
1538- City of Norwich purchased building for use as a reform centre.
"Brydewell to keep and stay ydle persons to somme honest worke and labour!"
Tramps, Beggars and Prostitutes were put to work cutting wood and grinding malt.
Fact or fiction
A Human Treadmill may have been installed, or re-installed, in 1570 to grind malt as form of punishment.
18th C Bridewell converted to conventional prision.
1751 Fire destroyed building??????
1828 All inmates tranfered to new prision built near to St Giles Gate (on the site of the now Roman Catholic Cathedral).
1890 Building became a leather warehouse and soon after a tobacco factory.
1896 Shoe Factory which specialises in "childrens shoes and boots". Childrens shoes and boots made until 1923 most displayed may have never been worn.
1923 Henry Nicholas Holmes, childrens shoe and boot manufacturer forms "consortium" to purchase the building to open a museum.
24/10/1925 Duke of York officially opens the museum.
Reported Hauntings
Apart from the edp24 forum reports there is, as far I currently know, no reported incidents of paranormal activity.
Further investigations
In the early days before the "Poor Laws" the church was the only refuge for our "unfortunates" an issue worth following.
"Wish me luck in my investigations concerning the Dominican Frairs (St Andrews Hall) the black monks!"
Happy hunting
N
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