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Norwich 12, A journey through the English city
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The Halls - St Andrew‘s and Blackfriars‘

St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls
St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls
St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls
St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls
St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls
Medieval door
Remains of Anchorite cell
St Andrew\'s Hall
St Andrews and Blackfriars Halls

What

The only English friary to survive intact from the medieval period

The Halls were built over 600 years ago and were part of the medieval precinct of the Dominican or Black Friars.

The layout is typical of a medieval English friary church, including a large nave (St Andrew's) used for preaching to congregations and a smaller chancel (Blackfriars'), where the friars held services. The nave and chancel were separated by a walkway, which would have allowed direct access to the cloisters.

St Andrew's Hall has an impressive hammer beam roof, a gift of the Paston family, whose townhouse was in nearby Elm Hill.

After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, Augustine Steward (three times Mayor of Norwich) sent a proposition to Henry VIII in London, asking if the City of Norwich could buy the Dominican friary buildings. By pledging to use the Halls for the good of the citizens, for fairs and feasting, Steward ensured the friary's survival.

The Halls now hold the country's largest collection of civic portraits, totalling 127 late 16th to 19th century paintings of Norwich Mayors, Sheriffs and other dignitaries. Today both Halls host conferences, antique fairs, markets, weddings, concerts and even the largest provincial Beer Festival in the country.

Regeneration plans

Ambitious plans are underway to transform The Halls into a regionally important cultural and conference venue and an accessible community facility for the city and beyond. The complex will also act as a hub for a range of nearby cultural facilities and the story of these iconic buildings will be told to new generations of audiences and visitors.

HEART is leading on the project with the support of Norwich City Council, the buildings' owners. For more information please visit www.heritagecity.org or click here to view aninformation leaflet as a PDF

Thoughts, comments and questions you may have about the project are warmly welcomed. If you would like to be kept up-to-date about the plans for The Halls and public consultation periods or pledge your support for the plans please send us your name, organisation name (if applicable), email address and/or postal address.

Norwich HEART
PO Box 3130
Norwich NR2 1XR

info@heritagecity.org

01603 305575



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