|
|
About Kett's Heights
Kett’s Heights, an open space owned by Norwich City Council, is one of Norwich’s best-kept secrets. It is steeply wooded and contains the remains of a medieval chapel, 19th century garden terraces and one of the three strategic viewpoints overlooking Norwich. It is from where Robert Kett and his 10,000 followers besieged the city in 1549. Following transfer to the City Council there was substantial restoration work in the 1980s. Unfortunately, this was not maintained and Kett’s Heights became overgrown and unwelcoming again.
The oldest structure on the site is a wall that was once part of St Michael’s chapel, built by the Normans in compensation for a church in Tombland destroyed to make way for the cathedral. Around that wall now are remains of greenhouses built by the gas works in the 19th century when the site was developed as a garden with the terraces and steps that you follow today. On the south side, overlooking where the gasworks were, the slopes are particularly steep as this area was quarried for chalk and flint. In 1549 this was where Robert Kett and his 10,000 followers gathered to lay siege to the city, hence today’s name. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the chapel ruins, known as “Kett’s Castle”, were a popular destination and the subject of several works of art.
The site underwent much restoration in the 1980s after ownership transferred to the City Council. But subsequent maintenance has been largely reactive, which is why the site became rather overgrown. Work by community payback teams in winter 2015/16 started the clearance, which is now ongoing.
The site underwent much restoration in the 1980s after ownership transferred to the City Council. But subsequent maintenance has been largely reactive, which is why the site became rather overgrown. Work by community payback teams in winter 2015/16 started the clearance, which is now ongoing.
In 2015 the Friends of Kett’s Heights was established with the aim of restoring the site so that it is once more a welcoming and attractive space for the local community and visitors to Norwich. Working with the Norwich Fringe Project we have cleared trees to bring back the view and started restoring the community orchard, cleared paths and removed ivy that was swamping trees.
Viewpoint landmarks.
      |
Kett's Rebellion 1549
"In 1549 AD Robert Kett yeoman farmer of Wymondham was executed by hanging in this Castle after the defeat of the Norfolk Rebellion of which he was leader. In 1949 AD - four hundred years later - this Memorial was placed on the castle wall by the citizens of Norwich in reparation and honour to a notable and courageous leader in the long struggle of the common people of England to escape from a servile life into the freedom of just conditions"
To learn more about the history of Kett's Rebellion follow this link to Wikipedia
"In 1549 AD Robert Kett yeoman farmer of Wymondham was executed by hanging in this Castle after the defeat of the Norfolk Rebellion of which he was leader. In 1949 AD - four hundred years later - this Memorial was placed on the castle wall by the citizens of Norwich in reparation and honour to a notable and courageous leader in the long struggle of the common people of England to escape from a servile life into the freedom of just conditions"
To learn more about the history of Kett's Rebellion follow this link to Wikipedia
Kett's Rebellion 1549
Download a booklet which celebrates a the anniversary of the arrival of Robert Kett and his supporters to Mousehold Heath in 1549, and the stand they made for democracy and social justice, known as Kett's Rebellion. |
| ||
Kett's Rebellion plaque
|
Kett's Oak by Samuel Wale (c. 1746)
|
