The old-fashioned town Wymondham, to the south-west of Norwich,
contains an interesting church and market-cross, and one or two fine
Gothic houses, all in good preservation. But stay, the quaint
octagonal Jacobean timber structure in the market-place was holding
forth a petition for contributions, as it was feeling somewhat decrepit.
This was six or seven years ago, so probably by now it has entered
upon a new lease of life. How much more picturesque are these old
timbered structures than the jubilee clock-towers which have sprung
up in many old-fashioned towns, putting everything out of harmony.
But few towns are proud of their old buildings. They must be up to
date with flaring red-brick, and electric tramways, and down comes
everything with any claim to antiquity, without a thought of its past
associations or picturesque value. But let us hope that Wymondham
may be exempt from these terrible tramways for many years to come,
as its population is, or
[Pg 53]
was, decreasing.
The abbey and the church appear to have got rather mixed up; but
having come to a satisfactory arrangement, present a most pleasing
group, and, in the twilight, with two lofty towers and a ruined archway,
it looks far more like a castle on the Rhine than a church in Norfolk.
The effect doubtless would be heightened if we could see the rebel
Kett dangling in chains from the tower as he did in the reign of Bloody
Mary. The timber roof is exceptionally fine, with its long array of
carved oak bosses and projecting angels.
Near Wymondham is the moated Hall of Stanfield, picturesque with
its numerous pinnacles. Here the heroine of the delightful romance
Kenilworth was born in 1532; but poor Amy's marriage, far from being
secret, was celebrated with great pomp at Sheen in Surrey in 1550,
and is recorded in the Diary of Edward VI. now in the British Museum.
"Lydcote," the old house in North Devon where she lived for some years, was pulled down not many years ago. Her bedstead from there
we
[Pg 54]
believe is still preserved at Great Torrington Rectory.