Norwich
on the River Wensum flourished under the Normans. The cathedral was
begun in 1096 but was not finished until the 15th century. In the
Middle Ages Norwich established itself as a major centre of the wool
trade. Norwich continued to prosper and by 1831 was the eighth
largest town in population in England and Wales.
In 1836 the Eastern Counties Railway gained permission from Parliament
to build a railway between London and Norwich.
Progress was slow and the Yarmouth to Norwich via Cambridge
was opened first in 1845. Four years later the London
to Norwich line was completed but inter-company disputes prevented
the running of through trains until 1854.
(1)
Daniel Defoe, A Tour Through the Whole
Island of Great Britain (1724)
The county of Norfolk has the most people in the least
tract of land of any county in England, except London, and the West
Riding of Yorkshire. Norwich is the capital of Norfolk. It is ancient,
large, rich and populous city. The inhabitants being all busy at their
manufactures, dwell in their garrets at their looms, and in their
combing shops, twisting mills, and other work houses. There are 120,000
people employed in the silk and wool manufactures. There are in this
city thirty-two parishes besides the cathedral, and a great many meeting-houses
of Dissenters.
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