Abbot of Ely's fortified house in Norwich (The Gatehouse Record)

In the civil parish of Norwich.
In the historic county of Norfolk.
Modern Authority of Norfolk.
1974 county of Norfolk.
Medieval County of Norfolk.

OS Map Grid Reference: TG232086
Latitude 52.62934° Longitude 1.29737°

Abbot of Ely's fortified house in Norwich has been described as a probable Fortified Town House.

There are no visible remains.

Description

The abbot of Ely had a fortified house in Norwich in 1082. (Renn)

{1082.} 153. Precept by Wilham I to Abp. Lanfranc, Gosfrid Bp. of Coutances, and Count Robert of Mortain.
That {Simeon} the Abbot of Ely have his benediction forthwith and his lands and customs, as the King has frequently commanded by his letters. Whatever part of his demesne the Abbot acquires by legal process, he is to alienate it to no one without the royal licence. 'Et sede placitorum ei facite rectum defendentes ut us eius incidat siluas.' The Abbot is to have his fortified house in Norwich, and his men may be there when they have need.
Witness : Roger de Ivri {MSS. Lureio}. (RRAN)

Munitionemque suam habeat in Norwico, et homines sui ibi sint cum opus fuerit, omniaque sua cum honore habeat.

Sources of information, references and further reading

Further information may be available from the holder of the county Historic Environment Record.

Books
- Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 262
Primary (Medieval documents or transcriptions of such documents - This section is far from complete and the secondary sources should be consulted for full references.)
- Davis, H.W.C. (ed), 1913, Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum, 1066–1154 Vol. 1 Regesta Willelmi Conquestoris et Willelmi Rufi p. 42 no. 153 online copy
  Bigelow, M.M., 1879, Placita Anglo-Normannica (Boston: Little, Brown and co) p. 28 online copy
  1848, Liber Eliensis Vol. 1 p. 259-60 no. 126 online copy
  Bentham, J., 1771, History and Antiquities of Ely App. p. 11 (no. 8) online copy
  1086, Domesday Book ii, 117

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