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1776-1783
"Thomas TILBURY, innkeeper of the White Swan, St. Peter's street, Haymarket, St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich."
(1648-1895: White Swan, Swan Inn or Swan Hotel; closed 1895; demolished early 1960's to allow car parking)
History of Norfolk Pubs
Online photos of the White Swan Inn, 31 St. Peter’s Street:
"... this building, formerly a coaching inn, is mentioned several times by Parson Woodforde in his 18thC diary;
before the “New Theatre” was built in 1758 the Norwich Company of Comedians played here."
"Architecture:
- bracket, south end, 1st floor jetty,
- carved posts flanking entrance to yard,
- street facade: oak timber frame concealed by hanging tiles shaped to resemble bricks,
- inn yard: 1st floor, north wing: room used as a play-house, lit by four large sash windows."
"Immediately within the shadow of St. Peter Mancroft’s tower stood No. 31 St. Peter’s Street, formerly the White Swan...."
"Records show it to have been an inn at least since the 15thC;
18thC coaching inn: to London in one day;
20thC ... many structural features remained, including the bar parlour, cellars, a large assembly room where the Norwich Company of Comedians performed before Thomas Ivory built his New Theatre (1757-8)."
Photos of the Swan Inn, Norwich, by George Plunkett
The home page of the above site of old Norwich buildings, photos and architecture, a wonderful resource
"... by 1726 the city [Norwich] had a permanent company, known as the Norwich Company of Comedians, who performed regularly from January to May at the White Swan Inn."
From "The Cambridge History of British Theatre" Vol. 2, 1660-1895, edited by Joseph Donohue (Cambridge University Press, 2004, ISBN:0521650682) ("Theatre outside London" page 173)
Pictures and descriptions of some of the sculptures at the entrance to the White Swan Inn, Norwich
Engravings
Further references to elements from the White Swan Inn site
The above 2 pages on the Norfolk Museums & Archaeology Service website
White Swan Inn, Norwich
Arthur Bensley Whittingham (1901-1986): antiquarian papers
- 1961 plans of, before demolition (ref.MC.186/109, M3)
- 1960s-1980s: notes, sketches and photos (ref.MC.186/193, 649x4)
Available at the Norfolk Record Office
The Society of Gregorians
"Mr. Urban, - In your Magazine for May 1850, you did me the favour to insert a communication of mine on the history of the Society of Gregorians alluded to by Pope. Since that time the kindness of various friends has procured me some further particulars, which I beg to submit to your readers.
In my former communication I showed you that about the middle of the 18th century the Gregorians were widely spread throughout the country, having lodges or meetings in various cities and large towns. Their meeting at Norwich, as I am now informed, was held at the Swan Inn, in a room 38 feet by 27. Over the fire place, near the ceiling, their still remain their arms."
[...]
"The society dined generally once a month. Dinner was provided for thirty-four. They had decanters that held three bottles, but their wine-glasses, though of great substance, were not larger than common. The decanters had their arms engraved upon them, which, though we cannot confidently blazon heraldically, we will attempt to describe. The field is apparently Azure, charged with a fess way argent, between an eagle soaring to the skies in chief, and tow serpents, entertwined as in the caduceus of Mercury, in base. The crest is old Father Time, holding the handle of his scythe and standing on its blade: he is crowned with an hour-glass. The supporters are, - dexter, a winged dragon; sinister, an eagle, with a sunflower in his beak, and his right foot on an orb. Immediately below the shield are three characters, apparently intended for a Hebrew word. Underneath, two hands conjoined; below that, a star; and, beneath all, this Latin motto, fulget ubique unitas."
[...]
"In the Norwich Directory of 1783, page 46, is the following entry:- The Gregorians meet at the White Swan Inn every Monday evening."
From Sylvanus Urban's "Gentleman's Magazine", 1853, March (pages 277-278)
28 August 1773 - Norfolk Chronicle
To be SOLD by AUCTION By Jonathan GLEED
At the White Swan Inn in St. Peters, Norwich, on Saturday 11th Day of September 1773, between the Hours of 2 & 4 in the Afternoon A DWELLING HOUSE & about 3 Acres of meadow Land & also a Watermill & Windmill near thereto, with their Appurtenances, in Wramplingham, within about Seven Miles of Norwich ...."
Norfolk Mills, pictures & history
1776
The World's End Inn, Norwich Road Turnpike, Humbleyard Hundred
"Offered for sale by auction - To be held at the White Swan, St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, as advertised in the Norfolk Chronicle 7th September 1776, then in the occupation of William LARTER."
History of Norfolk Pubs
1779
Note of meeting of Freemason's Lodge at the White Swan Inn, Norwich, addressed to the Hon. Henry HOBART [of Blickling].
The Colman Manuscripts Collection, Papers of the Rev. James BULWER (1794-1879) (ref.COL/13/28)
Available at the Norfolk Record Office
13 May (p. 2, col. 3)
"Tuesday s'ennight Mr. George BIDWELL, of Matishall, formerly a linen weaver, was found hanging on a tree about a mile from the Swan Inn, where he boarded; he had been merry there that day, being the fair. The Jury brought in their verdict, non compos mentis."
25 January (p.3, col. 2)
"... Auction, by Jonathan GLEED, At the White Swan, St. Peter's, between the Hours of Twelve and Two o'Clock of Saturday the 8th of February next...."
15 February (p.3, col. 2)
"John HUBBARD, late Waiter at the White Swan Inn, St. Peter's, returns his sincere Thanks to his Friends, and the Public in general, for Favours already conferred, and begs Leave to acquaint them that he has taken the House known by the Sign of the Ship, in Bethel-street, where he has laid in a fresh Assortment of Mr. JACKSON's Beer and Porter, with the best of Accommodation for both Man and Horse; at the same Time that he solicits a Continuance of the Favours of his Friends, he assures them they will be ever gratefully acknowledged, by their humble Servant, John HUBBARD, Norwich, February 14."
13 September (p.2, col. 2)
"On Thursday last the Independent Club held the anniversary of the Eleventh of September at the White Swan Inn, in commemoration of the glorious and successful effort made in 1780, by the Freemen of this city, to return to Parliament a Representative of Their Own Choice, and to emancipate themselves ...."
20 September (p.2, col. 3) - Corn & Coal Trade
"John CLOVER, Corn Buyer and Coal-Dealer, having taken the Granaries and Coal Bynns late Mr. Theophilus EDWARD's, Merchant, deceased ....
Constant Attendance will be given at the underneath mentioned Places for the buying of Corn ....
... in the City of Norwich ... Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday Mornings ... [at] The White Swan, St. Peter's, from Two till Evening. "
From The Foxearth and District Local History Society
and on GENUKI Norfolk pages
1784, May
"... our Warden of New College with Peckham the Steward, and JEFFRIES and JEANES the Outriders came to Norwich this Afternoon they being on their Progress and went to the Swan Inn - therefore soon after Tea I went to them and there supped ..."
From "The Diary of a Country Parson" by James WOODFORDE [of Norfolk] 1758-1802, page 153, (selected passages edited by John Beresford, published by Canterbury Press, Norwich, 30 juin 1999, ISBN:1853113115)
From the Minutes of "The Norfolk And Norwich Benevolent Medical Society"
"... two special meetings of the Society held in July and August 1832 at the White Swan Inn, opposite the west door of the church of St. Peter Mancroft. Famed as a coaching inn and for its cockpit and playhouse ...."
History of the Society