| Ancient house is one of city's
great survivors
February
16, 2005
MUSIC HOUSE LANE
(King Street to Rouen Road)
A rather dull stretch of road, but it pays
tribute to what is reputed to be the oldest dwelling
house in Norwich.
 |
| The former Music House,
which is now part of Wensum Lodge in King Street,
Norwich. |
The Music House, now Wensum Lodge, is one of the great
survivors from the glory days of ancient King Street.
And as the builders now move along the street putting
up new homes, this building helps to remind us of our
rich heritage.
As the late Norwich historian Geoffrey Goreham once
wrote in the Evening News:
“Of all the buildings in King Street there is
nothing like the Music House.
“It dominates with a superiority that is at once
recognised and unchallenged. It survives and shrugs
off the centuries as if waiting for better times,”
said Geoffrey.
It certainly has a fascinating history. Here is a brief
look at the Music House through the ages.
- 1087-1100 — Moses, a wealthy Jew, built the
house in the time of William Refus. Abraham (son of
Moses the Jew and Isaac,son of Abraham) then lived
there and it became known as Isaac Hall.
It is said that Isaac was condemned by King John to
pay a forfeit of 10,000 marks. This demand was not
readily complied with so the King commanded a tooth
to be drawn daily until it was all paid.
- 1199-1216 — Escheated to King John and called
the King’s Music House.
- 1216 Escheated to King Henry III and given by him
to Sir William de Valeres. Ralph de Erlham, Richard
de Norwich.
There were various wealthy and powerful owners over
the years.
- In 1488, Sir John Paston took it over and rebuilt
it.
- It was visited by Queen Elizabeth in 1578.
- It later became a meeting place for the musical
City Waits and became known as the Music House.
- The building went on to become a pub, the original
home of Nugent Mock’s Norwich Players, a hand
loom and weaving centre and it is now part of Wensum
Lodge, the adult education centre.
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