Norwich Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

Though there is some evidence of small pre-Roman settlements, the origins of Norwich date from Anglo-Saxon times, and by the reign of Edward the Confessor it was among the biggest ten 'burhs' (boroughs) in England. The key Roman settlement in the area was on the site of the modern Caistor St. Edmunds, about 3-4 miles south of the city and just to the north of Venta Icenorum. (The latter was reduced in size by the Romans following Boudicaa's rebellion).

Answer: North Elmham

The Normans first moved the see to Thetford before finally choosing Norwich. North Elmham is a small village and the cathedral is no longer standing. However, significant parts of the foundations remain and indicate that the ground plan of the cathedral was a miniature version of that of St. Peter's Basilica at the time.

Answer: 1450-1700

In the late Middle Ages Norwich became very prosperous and held its position in the early modern period. Throughout this period, Bristol was always very close behind and overtook Norwich just after 1700, and by 1750 Liverpool had pushed Norwich into fourth place. Key trades in the city included the production of woollen cloth (Worstead, in particular), leather goods (belts, footwear and outer clothing) and metal wares (ranging from silver ware and agricultural implements to pins). There were also merchants who imported wine from France and the Rhineland and various other luxuries from further afield.

On the other hand, enclosures in the countryside in the Tudor period drove many people into the city. It is estimated that in the latter half of the reign of Elizabeth I about 20% of the population of the city was heavily dependent on charity while in about 1600 the richest fifty households each had assets of £20,000 plus.

Answer: 32

This is easily the record in Northern Europe. Originally, the aim was to have one church for every hundred households, and at one time the old city had 56 churches. These churches range from the grandiose, like St. Peter Mancroft (by the market place) to the small, squat and rural-looking, such as St. Saviour's. In the second half of the 20th century many of these churches were put to other uses, but even in 2000 at least one church was standing completely empty, while some others had temporary uses - in one case as a furniture depository.

The walled area was just under one square mile (or 2.6 square km) - about the same area as that of the medieval City of London.

Answer: Calvinists from the Spanish Netherlands

The majority of these refugees were from the Walloon area of what is now Belgium, then part of the Spanish Netherlands. There were also some from Dutch-speaking areas. Many of the refugees were weavers, and at first the city tried to insist that they teach their craft to Norwich apprentices. Attempts to regulate immigration were not very successful.

Despite friction between the refugees and the indigenous population in the early decades after their arrival, the 'Strangers' (as they were called) gradually integrated with the local population.

A small group of them continued to hold their own services in French till c. 1830.

Answer: True

Like much of the rest of eastern England, Norwich was solidly behind Parliament. The cathedral was used as stabling for Parliamentary cavalry. After the Restoration non-conformist denominations flourished in Norwich. The small Quaker and Unitarian groups later played an important part in the life of the city - and the nation.

Answer: Horatio Nelson

Horatio Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe on the North Norfolk coast, about 35 miles from Nowich. However, he received part of his brief schooling in Norwich. John Crome (1768-1821) is a well known artist and member of the Norwich School [of Art]. Elizabeth Fry (1780-1845), a Quaker, is best known for her work in reforming conditions in prisons and is shown on the English five pound note (E series - 2005 onwards). Harriet Martineau (1802-1876), a Unitarian, was a well known abolitionist and active in the US as well as Britain.

Answer: Its distance from the coalfields

The nearest coalfields are in Nottinghamshire, at least 130 miles away, and as a result coal was expensive in Norwich. From about 1910 onwards the development of industries that required less fuel led to new investment and resulted in a gradual economic recovery.

Answer: False

The University of Leicester was established in 1921 with this aim. In 1918-19 there was talk along similar lines in Norwich, but the sponsors could not raise the necessary money. The University of East Anglia was one of the seven completely new English universities founded in the 1960s and received its royal charter in 1964.

Answer: 'Nickers off ready when I come home

It's possibly an urban legend, but too good to omit! :)