New history book on medieval trademarks visible in Norwich

This is one of the most unusual and fascinating history books about Norwich and the medieval merchants who left their mark on the city.

And it takes us back in time to tell the stories behind the medieval logos which are some of the earliest examples of company logos.

Settle down with the new Logo Rewind: Trademarks of Medieval Norwich…it is a memorable journey and a statement of pride in the richness and depth of Norfolk’s material culture.

Logo Rewind: Trademarks of Medieval Norwich (Image: Andi Sapey)

The evidence is there. The marks have survived but what do they mean, who do they represent and just where are they?

This book from the UEA Publishing Project in collaboration with CreativeUEA features the work of designer, researcher and educator Darren Leader who has painstakingly collected and digitally remade more than 200 of these trademarks.

A collection of trademarks from medieval Norwich (Image: Andi Sapey)

He explores so well the history of these marks which were emblems stamped onto goods and carved into the facades, beams and windows of buildings across the city.

During the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries, Norwich was a centre of regional and continental trade with products defined by these merchants’ marks. Each one had to be different from its competitor and distinguishable by a mostly illiterate population.

The marks were used to indicate craftsmanship by stonemasons, saddlers, cutlers, and goldsmiths and by city artisans such as woollen and tapestry weavers, drapers, tanners, grocers, bakers and brewers.

Merchants’ marks redrawn for Notices of Merchants’ Marks in the City of Norwich, William C Ewing (1850) (Image: Andi Sapey)
Many of them remain carved above door frames engraved in stone or rendered in stained glass inside churches and on gravestones to this day.

Logo Rewind is a great opportunity for Norwich to reconnect with this historian past.

John Gordon, academic lead, CreativeUEA, said: “In creating this book, graphic designer, researcher and educator Darren Leader has digitally remade 200 trademarks from Medieval Norwich. These early logos are strikingly modern and testament to the spirit of creativity that has always characterised our fine city.

The mark of John Gilbert, Grocer from a rubbing of a large brass in the Church of St Andrew’s, Norwich (Image: Andi Sapey)

“We hope that this book is a springboard for future research and that it will appeal to and bring the subject matter to diverse audiences through a range of events, exhibitions and workshops,” he said.

The launching of the book will be accompanied by a touring exhibition at the open at the Enterprise Centre on the UEA campus.

Merchants’ marks can be found at city centre locations including: Colegate, Cinema City, St John Maddermarket church, the Museum of Norwich and Strangers Hall.

The Book Hive on London Street, Norwich, have commissioned their own merchants’ mark now painted on the front of the shop (Image: Henry Layte)

The Book Hive on London Street in Norwich have commissioned their own bespoke merchants’ mark which is painted on front of the shop and there is a display of the marks on the Jarrolds window in Exchange Street.

The display of merchants’ marks on the Jarrolds shop window in Exchange Street, Norwich (Image: UEA)

The book which costs £35 is on sale in both shops and also front https://www.ueapublishingproject.com/product-page/logo-rewind-by-darren-leader