History: Courts and Yards

At the turn of the 20th century, more than 10% of Norwich’s population lived in the old courts and yards. For some, these courts and yards were a hellish place. For others, they were important areas of historic interest which needed to be preserved. In either case, they were an interesting feature of Norwich’s history, and they tell a story of the communities and individuals that live there.

In this short course, students can expect to learn about these old courts and yards, their historical significance, and the impact they have had on the city of Norwich. This course will seek to address questions surrounding the significance of this aspect of Norwich’s history: What were the old courts and yards? Where were they located? What happened to them? Where did the people move to when they were demolished? Should they have been preserved? What was it really like to live there?

Join local historians and authors Frances and Michael Holmes as they unpack their research into this fascinating part of Norwich’s history, across two class based sessions and one walking session through Oak Street, Wessex Street and St Benedict’s Street. All are welcome.