The fire of 1413

What happened?

On 4 May, 1413, a serious fire broke out in Norwich, and consumed a significant part of the city. The church and conventual buildings at The Halls were badly damaged, and the friars were obliged to withdraw to their old buildings on the other side of the river, by then known as the Black Hall. They remained there until 1449, when they returned to their newly restored church and convent.

In the case of this second church, which was rebuilt on a grand scale at considerable expense, we have quite good evidence regarding the source of finances. It is this Dominican church which has survived until the present day, the nave now being known as St Andrew’s Hall and the choir as Blackfriars’ Hall.

Who financed the rebuilding?

Indeed, the church of Norwich Blackfriars was now 254 feet in length, and, as a Dominican church, matched in size only by Coventry and surpassed solely by London.

Drawing dated 1796 by Benjamin Sewel showing a reconstruction of the buildings.

The church itself benefited from many donations. Valuable chalices and vestments were given and altars were embellished through gifts of money.
In fact, this period witnessed a great phase of ecclesiastical rebuilding throughout the city, which transformed the landscape of late medieval Norwich.
Support for the rebuilding of Norwich Blackfriars came from both the county and the city, and was prominently advertised by the Dominicans. Until the eighteenth century, one of the outbuildings preserved some armorial glass with the shields of no fewer than 32 local families, all of whom had probably contributed. They include some mayoral families, such as the Appleyards, Wetherbys and Cliftons, but the majority were minor Norfolk gentry.
One of the most notable benefactors, however, was Sir Thomas Erpingham, whose arms were carved in the stonework between each pair of clerestory windows, and may still be seen today. The clerestory itself was built of freestone, a very expensive commodity in Norfolk, and contrasts with the walls of the nave aisles and of the north clerestory which were constructed from local flints.
It has been claimed that the clerestory windows were financed by Friar Robert de Erpingham, rector of Braconash, who was thought to be the son of Sir Thomas. However, we now know that, although Sir Thomas married twice, both marriages were childless.