The members who attended on this very warm evening were given a really interesting, informative and illustrated talk by Mr. David Berwick. The subject was “Beating the bounds” in Norfolk villages and towns but those especially in Norwich.
Having studied this topic for over 30years, it was no doubt a subject dear to his heart, and so it proved. Land boundaries started in 1066 when land was shared out amongst the gentry. The beating of a bounds dates back to the Roman times when the Roman god Robigus protected agriculture and gave us what is known as Rogation Sunday and Rogation days.
Parish clerks and Wardens were responsible for the organising and the subsequent costs of such events, which included calling at several intoxicating premises en route. The groups were made up of all ages with young choir boys, the clergy and in one photo the local bobby had joined in.
It was interesting to hear the explanation of the various boundary plates which still exist. We were shown slides of these which still exist attached to buildings on some streets in Norwich. Depicted on these plates is not only the year, mostly dating to the 1700’s, but the initials of the areas with designs applicable to that area. One such plate in Bethel Street relates to St Peter Mancroft. Most are made of metal which David handed round an example of one. Some are inscribed in stone on buildings. Look up when next in Norwich they are quite distinctive. Not to be confused with the fire insurance plates.
Barry Leggett