| The wealthy city with a silver
lining
November
10, 2005
PETERSON ROAD
(Bignold Road to Blomefield Road)
When Norwich was one of the most important
cities in the land it had a silver lining, and one of
the greatest silversmiths of all was a man called Peter
Peterson.
For most of the Middle Ages until about 1700 Norwich
was England’s second city — and it was a
wealthy one.
 |
| The Peterson or Ransom
Cup — Peterson presented it to the city so
he could be excused all civic duties apart from
that of chamberlain. |
Its industry was the weaving of high quality cloth.
It made many people rich, and they could afford silver.
The goldsmiths and silversmiths of Norwich were among
the most talented craftsmen in the land.
They formed a respected and powerful company and the
quality of their designs and workmanship was second
to none.
The sign of the Norwich silver mark — the city
arms, a castle over a lion, was a symbol of top class
silver.
One of the most famous Norwich craftsmen in the 16th
century was Peter Peterson.
He was born in 1518 and he died in 1603 and always lived
in the parish of St Andrew where most of the goldsmiths
settled.
Peterson was Warden of the Company of Norwich Goldsmiths
on four occasions and he took a leading role in civic
life, becoming chamberlain in 1570. His work was sought
after and that was what he loved doing most.
In 1574, to avoid accepting the office of Sheriff, he
presented the city with a silver cup weighing 15 ounces
and £40 in money — a huge sum in those days.
Peterson lived in a house in Cutlers Row, now 3 London
Street, and during his life he became a wealthy man.
No fewer than 72 pieces of silver plate are mentioned
in his will, many “graven with the Sun”
— referring to the Sun in Splendour mark on Norwich
plate at his time.
He left his nephew, Peter Peterson II, his goldsmith’s
tools, and to the churchwardens of the Parish of St
Andrew £20 to be loaned to tradesmen in need.
He was buried at St Andrews on July 11, 1603.
Rare pieces of Norwich silver are part of the City Regalia
and others are at the Castle Museum.
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