Category Archives: C18th Norfolk

Norfolk, Napoleon and the Decline of Trade

Posted on May 10, 2017 by William Savage

Many of england’s mediaeval wars were primarily ‘dynastic’ – fought to advance the power, prestige or hegemony of the king and nobles. Even the wars of the first part of the eighteenth century were more for political gain than anything … Continue reading →

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The Heyday of Norfolk Smugglers

Posted on April 19, 2017 by William Savage

Smuggling is usually associated with the south coast of england, from Kent to Cornwall, where the crossing to the French coastline was shortest. Yet East Anglia was also a popular haunt of these criminal gangs. Norfolk, in particular, offered long … Continue reading →

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Justices of the Peace in Georgian Norfolk

Posted on March 1, 2017 by William Savage

It’s hard to imagine a time when there was no police or detective force, no system for public prosecution and no official means to investigate crimes and collect evidence to bring the criminals to justice. But that’s just as it … Continue reading →

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Norfolk and the Sport of Kings

Posted on December 21, 2016 by William Savage

Horse racing was an especially popular sport with royalty, the aristocracy and the gentry during the eighteenth century. Its origins go back well beyond that time, though earlier races tended to be simple challenges between two riders and their horses. … Continue reading →

Posted in C18th Norfolk | 4 Comments

Contemporary Statements about Privateers

Posted on October 19, 2016 by William Savage

A little while ago, I posted this blog about privateers operating off England’s east coast during the latter part of the eighteenth century. I thought readers might also be interested in some contemporary accounts of privateers’ activities, taken from the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime, Military | 2 Comments

The Path to Landed Gentry Status

Posted on October 5, 2016 by William Savage

Until recent years, the British upper classes, including the aristocracy, were defined by the ownership of land. Why should land ownership matter so much? After all, from the 17th century onwards, there were many merchant and professional households with incomes well … Continue reading →

Posted in C18th Norfolk, Commerce, Georgian Society | 5 Comments

The Uses—and Drawbacks—of ‘Dibbling’ Grain

Posted on August 10, 2016 by William Savage

      In most of the 18th century, before the introduction of the mechanical seed-drill, there were only two ways of sowing crops. Wheat and barley, turnips and beans were either broadcast (scattered on the land) or ‘dibbled’ into … Continue reading →

Posted in Agriculture | 1 Comment

Same Old, Same Old?

Posted on June 8, 2016 by William Savage

Studying 18th-century British history provides clear proof that we have learned almost nothing in the 250-odd years since then. The problems we grapple with today are the same ones our ancestors were trying to solve in the 1780s and 1790s. Then, … Continue reading →

Posted in C18th Norfolk, Politics | 1 Comment

Carry on ‘Camping’ in Norfolk

Posted on May 11, 2016 by William Savage

The old Norfolk game of Camping was already dying out in the 18th century, replaced by modern games like football (soccer) and cricket that required fewer players and were much less anarchic and violent. All that we might have known … Continue reading →

Posted in C18th Norfolk | 2 Comments

‘Snap’ and The Whiffler

Posted on April 27, 2016 by William Savage

The museum in Norwich Castle holds a strange model dragon, larger enough for person to get inside and carry around, snapping the jaws at people. What was it for? Then, on the northern outskirts of Norwich, to one side of … Continue reading →

Posted in C18th Norfolk | 2 Comments