A monument to a famous family

November 17, 2003

Howard Close, Howard Mews and Howard Terrace

Howard House, the former residence of Henry Howard, on the junction of Mountergate and King Street, is to be preserved.

THERE it stands. All boarded up. Waiting for the tender loving care it so richly deserves. A monument to one of the most famous Norwich families of all time — the Howards.

Historic Howard House, at the corner of King Street and Mountergate, has survived centuries of civic vandalism and regular bashings from lorries trying to get round the junction.

This property, once the handsome residence of Henry Howard, 6th Duke of Norfolk, in the reign of Charles II, has been sadly neglected in recent years.

So what is going to happen to it as the builders continue to develop King Street — bringing back life to what was once the most important and famous street in the city?

Rachel Bobbitt, spokeswoman for Norwich City Council, explained: “We are currently looking at revisions to the planning application for the St Anne’s Wharf development, which includes Howard House.

“It is hoped that the application will go to committee in December.

“The plans are that the building will be preserved and retained as offices and the developers will carry out necessary repairs in keeping with the building,” she added.

Looking at this building today, it is almost impossible to imagine what it must have looked like in its heyday when it was a playground for the rich and famous.

Centuries before, Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was once the owner and occupier of two palaces in Norwich — one in Surrey Street and one on Mousehold Heath.

Henry Howard, the 6th Duke of Norfolk.

He was one of the foremost poets in the land under the reign of Henry VIII, as well as being brave and chivalrous.

He served under his father, the Duke of Norfolk, in Scotland and France and was praised for his skill and boldness.

Henry had a habit of beheading those around him — especially those he thought were a threat to his throne — and poor Henry was taken out to Tower Hill in 1547 and lost his head.

It was the 6th Duke of Norfolk, Henry Howard, who built Howard House in the 17th century in the grounds of the convent of the Austin Friars, who were there in the 14th century.

Records from the time say: “Mr Henry Howard hath lately bought a piece of ground of Mr Mingay, in Norwich, by the waterside in Conesford, which he intends for a place of walking and recreation and for a garden.”

The large gardens and orchard, which stretched down to the river in the 18th century, were known as “The Lord’s Garden”. They have been lost forever.

The house has a fine Jacobean staircase which may have come from the old Duke’s Palace in the city when it was demolished. The sundial — still surviving — was added later.

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