In dealing with the larger county of Norfolk I can hardly hope to escape the censure of those who know the land and its literature. Both are large and full of matter. Nor, though I have seen much myself, can I claim direct knowledge of all that I describe.

It has been a question difficult of decision where to begin: whether to link up with Suffolk by one of the various roads on the southern border, and, if so, by which. After much hesitation I have settled to plunge in medias res, and begin with—

NORWICH

Norwich is as full of historic interest as any city in England; it compares, one may say, with London, York, and Bristol in regard of its ancient commercial and ecclesiastical importance, and in the great number of its urban parishes.

It cannot be expected that a complete guide should be incorporated in this book, and it would be tiresome to give only outlines which are bloodless. I shall therefore presuppose that my readers will consult some other guide-book (there are several good ones), and shall proceed to tell them what I think they ought not to miss.

First of course comes the cathedral. The East Anglian bishopric, after having been located at Elmham (see above), was moved to Thetford about 1070 and to Norwich in 1091. The present church was begun in 1096.