Guildhall Norwich the medieval undercroft was once used as a gaol to hold prisoners before execution

The Grade I listed Guildhall in Norwich was built in 1407-24. It is the largest and most elaborate city hall ever to be built outside of London. Henry IV's charter of 1404 gave the City the right to elect a Mayor and two Sheriffs. This effectively made Norwich an independent and self-governing entity. From 1412 until 1597 the common gaol of Norwich was in the dark depths of the vaulted cellars in the Guildhall. The 14th century undercroft pre-dates the Guildhall by at least a century. Before being used to imprison offenders on death row it was originally where tolls for the market were stored after collection. The undercroft continued to be utilised as a dungeon for dangerous criminals well into the 17th century. The Guildhall vault was where Protestant martyr Thomas Bilney spent his last night before being burned at the stake at Lollard’s Pit in 1531. Famous rebel Robert Kett was also imprisoned in the Guildhall dungeon prior to being executed for leading a failed uprising in 1549. Robert and William Kett were captured and held in the undercroft prior to being taken to London for trial. Robert Kett was found guilty of high treason and was once again imprisoned in the vaults of the Guildhall before being hung from the walls of Norwich Castle on 7th December 1549. His brother William suffered a similar fate and was hung from Wymondham Abbey. The Guildhall Undercroft is registered as a Grade II listed building and is one of more than 60 medieval undercrofts in Norwich (which is the largest collection in the country).
Music provided by HearWeGo (goo.gl/nDS3zR)
Artist: Tikk
Title: Extremely Far
Listen on RUclips: • Tikk - Extremely Far
#haunted #norwich #hauntedandabandonednorfolk
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[@madcatlady4312]

I would love to walk around there. I've been in the Guildhall but never underneath. All that misery for centuries must have left its energy there. Those cells were just awful 😧 I still find it hard to imagine people were burnt at the stake for their beliefs.
Very well done with this 👍

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

Hi thanks for tuning in and commenting - it is quite rare to gain access to the inside of the Guildhall these days - particularly to the cells and undercroft beneath - I can imagine the undercroft in total darkness would be a very eerie place - so many emotions and so much suffering that went on down in the vault in the past - you could feel the history in the walls - thanks for your interest

[@sylviarowley6668]

Wow! That was amazing! Thank you soo much for showing us this., I have been in the Guildhall, but never known the undercroft was there & to be able to here amazing. ❤x

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

Thanks so much Sylvia 🙂 - it’s quite rare to gain access inside these days - I visited during Norfolk Heritage Open Days so was pleased to be able to look in areas which are normally closed off to the public - appreciate you tuning in and commenting

[@DustyFingersRC]

Very interesting, thank you for this insight. Incredible history.

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

Thanks so much very regularly tuning and commenting - always appreciated 🙂

[@loonylinda]

lived in norwich since birth never ever seen inside here before...that was great thanks..didnt need the noisy music though

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

Thanks Linda appreciate the comments - quite rare to gain access inside here so enjoyed the opportunity to visit 🙂

[@janetwinslow2039]

Much of that graffiti looks very modern - past 20 years or so. How on earth did they get in? Or was it occasionally used for detaining people up until then?

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

Hi Janet - the Victorian style cells were used up until as recently as 1983

[@ParanormalContact83]

This was fantastic episode i very much enjoyes watching

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

Thanks very much for tuning and commenting - quite rare to gain access to the interior of this building so was pleased to finally get inside 🙂

[@seancoombetalkingwithspiri7926]

Awesome video this, been wanting to go inside tgis place myself :)

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

Cheers Sean - highlighted in the video I captured what seems to be a voice on the audio which I can’t really explain? It’s not in the dungeon but in one of the old cells above. It’s a really old section of the prison which is only accessible through an old looking wooden door (which fortunately was propped open at the time of my visit). It was a separate area to the more modern Victorian style cells - thanks again for tuning in - appreciated 🙂

[@janetwinslow2039]

Interesting potential EVP!

[@HauntedandAbandonedNorfolk]

Thanks Janet - was surprised to hear this on playback when reviewing the video 🙂