History of Harleston

This ‘History of Harleston’ originated from exploring the history of Harleston Common. Research into the history of the Common (and the activities and lives of its inhabitants) spread into researching parts of the town itself as the ‘Commoners’ drifted between the town and the Common. Eventually this became a history of the town itself as experienced by individuals and also within the context of what was then going on in the wider world. Kate Chenneour, Harleston Historian

We will be publishing excerpts from a forthcoming book and downloads of the entire publication.

Hidden Gems

Those with a keen eye and inquisitive mind will be able to identify the features which reveal the period of the buildings and spot details which uncover those which hide earlier incarnations.

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St John's Church, Broad Street

Merchant's House, 6 Broad Street

Brimstones, Broad Street

St John's Church, Broad Street

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Highlight on Buildings

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Evolution of the Market

In 1259, Roger Bigod, the 4th Earl of Norfolk, was granted the first Market Charter for Harleston. However, the title and rights repeatedly lapsed as the person with the title left no heir. It was not until late 16th C that evidence can be found of a market place. I strongly suspect that the original market place of more than 10,000 square yards was a broad based triangle with a base at Exchange Street and ending at Box Iron Corner, and more or less matches the footprint

The Value of Land

Harleston’s very existence as a town in its own right is deeply rooted in trade. At the time of the Doomsday Census, Harleston was a small hamlet. Although there may have previously been an unregulated market, it was when Harleston was granted a market charter almost eight centuries ago that the foundations were laid for the bustling commercial centre it later became. Stied as it is in rich agricultural lands only 20 miles or so from Norwich, Harleston’s development and chara

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Chapter 1