The Great Fire of Wymondham 1615
The Great Fire of Wymondham broke out on the morning of Sunday 11th June 1615. Two areas of the town were affected implying there were two separate fires. One area was in Vicar Street and Middleton Street and the other in the Market Place, including Bridewell Street, Fairland Street and the north-eastern side of Market Street. About 300 properties were destroyed in the fire.
Key buildings destroyed included the Market Cross, dating from 1286, in the Market Place; the vicarage in Vicar Street, possibly on the site of the present vicarage; the 'Town Hall' formerly the Guildhouse on the corner of Middleton Street and Vicar Street; and the schoolhouse, presumed to be near to Becket's Chapel which was used by the Grammar School.
The fire was started deliberately by three gypsies, William Flodder, John Flodder and Ellen Pendleton (Flodder) and a local person, Margaret Bix (Elvyn). The register of St Andrew's Church in Norwich records that John Flodder and others were executed on 2nd December 1615 for the burning of Wymondham.
A start on rebuilding properties destroyed in the fire was made quickly in some cases and more slowly for others. A new Market Cross, the one we see today, was started and completed by 1617. Also the Schoolhouse which was finished by 1616/17, the vicarage and some houses such as The Manor House in Bridewell Street, the home of Richard Lincoln. However by 1621 there were still about 15 properties not yet rebuilt. Economic conditions in the 1620s and 1630s may have been a contributory factor to the delay in rebuilding.
The Market Cross after 1617
Many of the fine buildings in the town centre date from the rebuilding work after the Great Fire in the seventeenth century and can be seen to this day.
Acknowledgements: John Wilson and Wymondham Heritage Museum
The Great Fire of Wymondham broke out on the morning of Sunday 11th June 1615. Two areas of the town were affected implying there were two separate fires. One area was in Vicar Street and Middleton Street and the other in the Market Place, including Bridewell Street, Fairland Street and the north-eastern side of Market Street. About 300 properties were destroyed in the fire.
Key buildings destroyed included the Market Cross, dating from 1286, in the Market Place; the vicarage in Vicar Street, possibly on the site of the present vicarage; the 'Town Hall' formerly the Guildhouse on the corner of Middleton Street and Vicar Street; and the schoolhouse, presumed to be near to Becket's Chapel which was used by the Grammar School.
The fire was started deliberately by three gypsies, William Flodder, John Flodder and Ellen Pendleton (Flodder) and a local person, Margaret Bix (Elvyn). The register of St Andrew's Church in Norwich records that John Flodder and others were executed on 2nd December 1615 for the burning of Wymondham.
A start on rebuilding properties destroyed in the fire was made quickly in some cases and more slowly for others. A new Market Cross, the one we see today, was started and completed by 1617. Also the Schoolhouse which was finished by 1616/17, the vicarage and some houses such as The Manor House in Bridewell Street, the home of Richard Lincoln. However by 1621 there were still about 15 properties not yet rebuilt. Economic conditions in the 1620s and 1630s may have been a contributory factor to the delay in rebuilding.
The Market Cross after 1617
Many of the fine buildings in the town centre date from the rebuilding work after the Great Fire in the seventeenth century and can be seen to this day.
Acknowledgements: John Wilson and Wymondham Heritage Museum