The stories behind
our street names

RACHEL CLOSE (Cunningham Road)
Another Norwich road named after a member of the wealthy and powerful Gurney family. Rachel was one of the seven Gurney girls who was born at Gurney’s Court off Magdalen Street. She was described as a “most industrious girl, energetic and persevering in all she undertook. “Full of purpose and liking to take a part in everything that passed.” In 1797, Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, nephew and later son-in-law of King George III, was stationed at Norwich with his regiment and visited the Gurney home at Earlham Hall. They had moved from Magdalen Street in the city centre to the countryside — at Earlham. One of her sisters later wrote: “He insisted that Rachel should preach him a sermon. “She gave a most capital sermon . . . he does so admire Rachel.” She died, not married, on September 17, 1827, and is buried in the Gildencroft Quakers’ burial ground.

RACKHAM ROAD (Philadelphia Lane)
At one time the Grove at Catton (later described as a “mental home”) was where Thomas John Carter Rackham lived.
Also in Catton lived Thomas Hanworth Rackham, a solicitor whose office was in Tuck’s Court, St Giles where writer George Borrow was articled.
He died in 1888 and several of the family are buried in Catton churchyard.
One of his sons, Thomas Charles Martelli Rackham, born in 1867, was a leading authority on freemansonry.

RAGLAN STREET (Dereham Road to Lothian Street)
Fitzroy James Henry Somerset, first Baron Raglan was a celebrated British soldier.
A younger son of the 5th Duke of Beaufort, he was born in 1788.
As Lord Fitzroy Somerset he served with distinction under Wellington and at Waterloo he lost an arm.
When Wellington was made Commander in Chief, he became his secretary.
In 1854, having been made a baron in 1852, he went out in command of the force sent to the Crimea and he remained there until his death in 1855.

RAMPANT HORSE STREET
Thousands of busy shoppers step on it every day . . . but I wonder how many have noticed it. This is a memory of a time long when ago when it was horses that people came to buy in this part of Norwich.If you look down as you walk into Debenhams, off Rampant Horse Street, you will see, picked out on the floor in tiles, a picture of a rather rampant horse. It pays tribute to the 13th century inn known as The Ramping Horse.
More about Rampant Horse Street

RANDLE GREEN (from Knowland Grove)
Named in honour of an officer and a gentleman, who turned into a one-man army and became one of our greatest heroes.
His name was John Neil Randle, a member of the proud Royal Norfolk Regiment, who lost his life saving others on the other side of the world. After his death he was awarded the nation’s highest honour for valour — the Victoria Cross.
It was one of a record five VCs awarded to the men of the Norfolk’s fighting for our freedom during the Second World War.
John Randle came from a middle class family — one that was broken apart by the war. He was a former Oxford graduate and a close friend of Leonard Cheshire, who joined the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment when it was rebuilding after Dunkirk.
Captain Randle travelled with his unit to India in 1942 and two years later was commander of a company involved in the famous battle of Kohima in north-east India. Ordered to attack positions manned by tough Japanese soldiers, he crowned two days of outstanding gallantry by leading a daring frontal assault on a well-fortified Japanese bunker position.
As the attack faltered in the face of withering fire, he made one lone bayonet charge. Repeatedly hit by gunfire, he ran on and somehow succeeded in hurling a grenade into the bunker before — in a last act of extraordinary bravery — sealing the gun slit with his dying body.
As a result of his actions, British soldiers lived, and he was awarded the VC. Two years earlier, his brother-in-law Leslie Manser had earned a VC during a bombing raid on Cologne. Sadly, that too was a posthumous award.

RANSON ROAD (Cotman Road)
Named after Joshua Farrar Ranson, a Norwich timber merchant and a very popular man about the city.
He was born at Ipswich in 1824, the son of Alderman Robert Gill Ranson, and he brought his business to Mountergate in Norwich during 1868. Joshua went on to became a magistrate. He was Sheriff of Norwich in 1883 and then Mayor in 1888/9.

RAYNHAM STREEET (Heigham Street)
Raynham Hall, near Fakenham, is the home of the Marquis Townshend — ranking in splendour, the mansion was said to be the third in Norfolk.
It was built near the site of an ancient moated hall in about 1630 for Sir Roger Townshend under the direction of the celebrated architect Inigo Jones and improvements were added later.
The second Viscount, Charles succeeded to the family honours in 1697.
It was said that he noticed the general cultivation of turnips while in attendance upon George I at Hanover.
He introduced the seed to England . . . and became known as “Turnip” Townshend.

RECORDER ROAD (Prince of Wales Road to St Faith’s Lane)
More than half a century ago the future of this road was at the centre of an almighty row that had city councillors at each other’s throats . . . and accusing each other of “disfiguring the face of Norwich for a hundred years”. There was an enormous barny in 1953 when Norwich City Council agreed to lease land at Recorder Road to the Norwich Motor Company and Maudes (Norwich) for 99 years.
More about Recorder Road

RED LION STREET (Orford Hill to Westlegate)
Originally this busy street in the heart of Norwich street was called Westlegate, having its present name since the 18th century.
The Red Lion is a heraldic term and all kinds of heraldic animals are quoted on the road and inn signs. The lion first made its appearance in the badges of William I and William II, and were blue, black, white and golden as well as red.
The Red Lion, apparently, came from John of Gaunt’s badge. The son of Edward III, father of Henry IV. He was one of the most powerful figures in the realm.
The Red Lion took its name from a popular old pub in the street where many “plays and drolls” were performed.
All of the buildings on the left of this 1890 picture looking towards St Stephen’s were regarded by the Victorians as slums and pulled down — including the Red Lion.

REDWELL STREET (Bank Plain)
An area of Norwich that is steeped in history –— it is thought that in late Saxon times Bank Plain and Redwell Street was the meeting place and court of the burgesses.
It owes its name to an ancient well, situated at the corner of the churchyard of St Michael at Plea (or Pleas).
More about Redwell Street

RICHENDA CLOSE (Cunningham Road)
Sparky Richenda was the sixth child born to John and Catherine Gurney when they lived in the old Court House in Magdalen Street.
It was said of her that she was “the most easy-tempered, active, happy child imaginable.”
Her father, the wealthy Norwich banker and leading Quaker who later moved to Earlham Hall, called her his favourite, because she was so like his much-loved wife.
One of her sisters, Louisa, wrote: “She is by far the most pleasing character of us four and all those by whom I should most wish to be admired prefer her.”
When Richenda was aged 15 she wrote: “Went to the Hemmings to meet the prince, and a large party. It was very entertaining seeing everybody flirt and look so silly.”
The sisters once went on the Earlham Road just to be rude to passers-by — so even that is not a new pastime. “I do think being rude is most pleasant sometimes,” said Richenda. She eventually left the Quakers and married a clergyman, Francis Cunningham, who also has a road named after him in Norwich.
They were married at Earlham Church in 1816 and he became rector of Lowestoft for several years.

RIDER HAGGARD ROAD (Heartsease Lane to Frere Road)
He was the Norfolk squire who wrote adventure stories that captured the hearts of boys all over the world. His most famous was King Solomon’s Mines — turned down by half a dozen publishers before it finally saw the light of day in 1885. Rubbished by the critics, it went on to be a best-seller loved by generations who were hooked on this classic adventure of explorers hunting for diamonds in deepest Africa.
More about H Rider Haggard

RIGBY’S COURT (Bethel Street)
It was back in August 1818 that Norwich Corporation gave Dr Edward Rigby and his wife a piece of plate valued at 25 guineas — a handsome sum in those days.
It was a memento to celebrate the “memorable birth of four children at the same time”. The event was also recorded in the city books. Tragically, two children died after seven weeks while the other two only lived to be 12 weeks old.
Edward Rigby MD, was born at Chawbent, Lancashire, in December 1749. He studied medicine under Dr Priestly until he was 14, before coming to Norwich where he was apprentice to Mr David Martineau.
He rose through the ranks of civic life in the city to become Mayor in 1805.

RILEY CLOSE (Antingham Road)
Named after the man who helped to run the air raid warden committees in Norwich during the Second World War — and had his own home in King Street destroyed. Walter Riley — who could be described as an expert on beer — was a powerful force in the booming brewing world in Norwich — one that employed thousands of men.
More about Walter Riley

RIPLEY CLOSE (Elizabeth Fry Road)
Named after Canon William Nottidge Ripley, who lived from 1824 until 1919, a leading member of the church in Norwich.
Educated at Caius College, Cambridge, he became the curate of Little Hukely in Huntingdon before heading east.
From 1849 until 1854 he was a rector at Lowestoft before becoming vicar of St Giles’, Norwich.
In that year he married Laura, widow of John Gurney, and went to live at Earlham Hall. He was appointed Hon Canon of Norwich Cathedral in 1885 and resigned the living of St Giles’ and was appointed Vicar of Earlham and Rector of Colney.
His wife died in 1899, when he resigned the Earlham living and went to live in retirement at Harford Lodge, Norwich.
He is buried in Earlham Churchyard.

ROBIN HOOD ROAD (Hall Road)
The first of a series of roads, the names of which are based on the central character in stories told in old English ballads of a robber outlaw.
He robbed the rich to give to the poor and it is said he was a goodly yeoman, or a certain Robert who claimed to be the Earl of Huntingdon.
The whole story of Robin Hood’s exploits may be legendary or, put another way, believe them if you like.
We cannot be sure that Robin Hood ever lived. Still, it’s good to think there was once a man dressed in green who lived in Sherwood Forest and robbed the rich to give to the poor. Just a shame his home wasn’t on Mousehold.

ROCELIN CLOSE (St Clement’s Hill)
A name remembering an ancient Norwich family . . . hundreds of years ago it is recorded that Stephen de Gerner granted to Sir Peter Roscelin a piece of land in St Vedast in Nether Connesford.
This road was adopted by the corporation in 1965 and was a private housing development by W F Pointer & Son Ltd.
The houses were built on the site of the grounds of St Paul’s Vicarage.

ROMANY ROAD (Crome Road)
What better name for a road so near Mousehold, where Norwich author George Borrow spent so much of his time with the gipsies who lived on the heath.
He began to study their language so he could understand more about them and their way of life and in 1857 he published Romany Rye.
Borrow died a lonely man at Oulton, near Lowestoft, in 1881.
More about George Borrow

ROCKINGHAM ROAD (West Earlham)
There was a man, Edward Miller, born back in Norwich of 1731, who became a composer. One of THE composers of his time.
He wrote a famous hymn called Rockingham and dedicated it to his friend and patron, the Marquis of Rockingham – former Prime Minister of Great Britain and one of the most powerful men in the land.
The words sung, usually, are “When I survey the wondrous cross.” Do you know the one I mean? This marvellous melody is found in most hymn books as a vehicle for Isaac Watt’s famous When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.
Rockingham in its present form first appeared in Dr Miller’s Psalms of David for Use of Parish Churches published in 1790.
So who was Edward Miller?
He was the son of a humble stonemason, or, as he was then called, pavior, at Norwich.
Young Edward was apprenticed to his father’s trade but he didn’t fancy life as a stonemason.
He dreamed of making music.
His father was determined that his son should stay in the family business and be trained in this honest trade, but Edward had other ideas.
He upped sticks and ran away from Norwich to follow his dream of becoming a musician.
Edward became a pupil of the great Dr Charles Burney at Lynn who taught him to become a fine musician and composer.
As a flute player he obtained a place in Handel’s orchestra whom he visited at his home.
Then he headed north.
From 1756 Miller was organist at the parish church in Doncaster.
A post he held for no less than 50 years.
It was there that he wrote his famous tune and dedicated it to a man who had become a friend – Rockingham, who lived in a stately home in Yorkshire.
Edward Miller died in 1807 and the organ on which he composed his most famous piece of work was destroyed when the church was burned down in 1851.
Whistle the hymn next time you wander down Rockingham Road – and remember Edward Miller, a young stonemason who ran away from Norwich to become a talented musician and composer.

ROSEBERY ROAD (St Clement’s Hill to Angel Road)
The Earl of Rosebery had an estate at Postwick.
When he visited it in 1870 he was met at the entrance to the village by a brass band which led his carriage to the rectory.
The village “orator” proposed His Lordship’s health.
A diner for the tenants was put on followed by a firework display.
In 1889, he addressed a meeting in favour of home rule at the Agricultural Hall in Norwich.
And when he left he was preceded by two brass bands and escorted by torchlight.
He was one Earl who loved a brass band!

ROSE LANE (King Street to Mountergate)

Rose Lane in about 1880

The scent of roses is superseded by petrol fumes in this road that has had the stuffing knocked out of it over the years.
Mind you, it is looking better in recent times with some new developments and traffic lights to slow the cars down.
Many businesses moved out over the years and there are some new office blocks – but it’s good to see Gerald Giles is still operating in Rose Lane.
The name originally comes from an alehouse.
It was said: “A lane runs down out of Parmentergate from Rose Corner, so called from an alehouse having the sign of the rose.”
Records show it was called Rose Lane in 1688, by the south side of Cooke’s Hospital and near the old churchyard of St Vedast.
Originally the lane continued down to Foundry Bridge but it was knocked about when the lower portion of Prince of Wales Road was built in the 1860s.
One building that is in desperate need of a new lease of life is the old Peppermint Park that many still remember as Tudor Hall.
This picture was taken in around 1880 when it was still a lane bustling with people and small shops.

ROUEN ROAD (Cattle Market Street to King Street)
During the early 1960s civic vandalism went on the rampage in Norwich when the bulldozers were given the green light to run riot.
Thousands of men, women and children lived in the “village on the hill” between Ber Street and King Street, a bustling community in its own right.
More about Rouen Road

ROYAL ARCADE (The Walk to Castle Street)
Next time you rush through this busy shopping precinct just pause, look around, and admire a masterpiece. It is a gem we should all be proud of. Few developments in Norwich can match this one. Famous Norwich architect George Skipper (1856-1948) is the man we have to thank for it. It is perhaps his finest work. The Arcade, a new and revolutionary concept in shopping at the time, was opened in 1899 and described as “a fragment from the Arabian Nights dropped into the heart of the old city.”
More about the Royal Arcade

RUGGE DRIVE (Norvic Drive to Wren Drive)
William Rugg was a controversial Bishop of Norwich who was actually booted out of his job. He was the son of William Rugg, of Northrepps, and assumed the name of Repps from his birthplace. In 1530 he was installed Abbot of St Bennet’s in the Holm. A powerful man in the land he was concerned and involved in the complex matrimonial affairs of King Henry VIII. He served as Bishop of Norwich from 1536 until 1550 when he was forced to resign. Complaints had been made to the King (Edward VI) about his behaviour. He also had a pay a fine of £900 – a huge amount in those days – but retained a pension of £200. It was during his occupancy of the bishopric that the rather complicated action was taken whereby the Bishop of Norwich, to this day, sits in the House of Lords as Abbot of Holm.

RUPERT STREET (Vauxhall Street)
Rupert who? No one is really sure who this road was named after.
Could it have been Rupert the Fearless?
It may have been that when this street was being adopted in 1879 someone came up with the idea of naming it after Prince Rupert of the Rhine, son of James I’s daughter, Elizabeth.
During the vicious civil war that raged during the 1640s he commanded the troops for his uncle, Charles I, and gained a reputation as a dashing cavalry leader despite defeats at Marston Moor and Naseby.
He went on to distinguish himself as an admiral in the Dutch wars.
The name was first introduced into England by Prince Rupprecht whose name on English lips became Rupert.

RUSKIN ROAD (North Park Avenue)
John Ruskin, the famous British author was born in London of 1819, the son of a wine merchant.
He was educated privately and at Christ Church, Oxford.
He had strong views on social problems and tried to use his wealth for education and for non-profit-making enterprises.
Ruskin College, Oxford, was founded in 1899 and was the first residential college for working people. It was named after him.
In 1848, he married Euthemia Gray, but the marriage didn’t last.
In later years his mind was clouded and he lived at Brantwood, Coniston, where he died in 1900.
Norwich Corporation adopted this road in 1955 and named it after a great man.

RUSSELL STREET (Devonshire Street)
Russell who? Once again it is difficult to come up with hard evidence proving who this road was named after.
There were Russells in 17th century Norwich and many of them were tailors and bricklayers.
And there was a more famous Russell family. A powerful and wealthy one founded in the 15th century by Henry Russell.
His grandson was made a baron in 1539 and in 1550 was made Earl of Bedford.
Massive estates accrued to the family in London and across the Home Counties.
The 3rd Earl, Bertrand Arthur William Russell, was a famous philosopher and mathematician.

RYDAL CLOSE (Wordsworth Road)
The connections between the Gurney family and the Lake District seem never ending as far as Norwich street names go.
The poet Wordsworth still dominates the area around Rydal, a beautiful part of the country loved by so many, especially the Gurney clan.

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