IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
St. Margarets Place, KING'S LYNN, PE30 5DL

A view from the west door of the Minster, taken on a bright day in November. The church gates and the buildings on St Margaret's Place are Grade II and II* listed.

Grade II Listed house said to be 1830 but looks 1810. The 2005 Rotary Club plaque informs us 'Built c.1830 for a Lynn merchant, this house has been the vicarage since 1912. From the previous house on this site novelist Fanny Burney (1752-1840) observed the social life of Lynn, staying there as a regular visitor.'

The Youth Hostel in College Lane is part of a 16th century college that was restored in the 1960's - the hostel occupies one wing, and sheltered accommodation most of the rest.

Now used as offices serving the magistrate's court, this pleasant house was built in the mid 18th century. Listed, grade II*, with details at: https://www.historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1195390

The Minster is behind the tree.

Grade II* Listed 17th century house remodelled early 18th century. The Rotary Club 2005 plaque informs us that 'On this site stood Sparrow Hall, owned between 1393-1513 by the Town Council. Behind the restyled exterior stands a late 15th century house, occupied since 1513 by merchants, doctors and a vicar.' Norfolk Heritage Explorer describe it as late 16th or early 17th century house and warehouse, the warehouse being converted to a ballroom in the 18th century, and a grand staircase hall added. The interior of the ballroom possibly by Brettingham is now in Kansas City in America. Pevsner comments that the 15th century warehouse was rebuilt in the 16th century. From the mid 15th century the warehouses were built at right angles to the river so that as it changed its course the warehouse could be extended.

This shows some details which aren't obvious from street level. At the bottom of the large panel in the middle of the picture is the motto DIEU ET MON DROIT, then in the little arch above it the words ELIZ: REGINA - so what we're looking at is the royal arms of Queen Elizabeth I. The poor old Lion and Unicorn are badly weathered away. Above the window on the right, at this same level, is the date: ANNO DNI: 1624. In the corresponding position over the left-hand window is the name of the MAIOR (mayor) in that year - it looks to me like HARGAT. At the very top of the building is a similar panel (or 'cartouche'), but somewhat smaller. In the middle again the royal arms, to the left the name WILLIAM WHARTON, to the right the inscription MAIOR 1664. By that date, King Charles II had been welcomed back, Cromwell's republic was a thing of the past. You are left wondering how long it took to get this building finished.