The violent history of a city street

December 13, 2001

BETHEL STREET (St Peter’s Street to St Giles Street) Yes, it is Bethel Street. You may have difficulty recognising it, but this photograph was taken on the street back in 1920.

The photographer from Neals of Wellington Road snapped it from its narrow end where it joined St Peter’s Street. All the properties on the right were demolished to make way for the City Hall… and the rest went a few years later. I expect they got in the way of something or other.

Originally known as “Over Newport” or Bedlam Street after the asylum founded for poor lunatics, it was then changed to the much kinder name Bethel — meaning God’s House.

But the peace of this ancient street was shattered in 1648 when the Royalist rioters swarmed into the area with the cry “For God and King Charles!”

On the site of the Bethel stood a large house which served as headquarters of the County Committee and in which were stored arms and ammunition, including casks of gunpowder. Suddenly, as the struggle continued to rage outside, the Committee House blew up, killing a number of people and injuring many more. The huge explosion shattered windows of several churches, including St Peter Mancroft, and showered debris all over the city.

What's in a Name homepage