Guildhall Norwich the medieval undercroft was once used as a gaol to hold prisoners before execution

The Grade I listed Guildhall in Norwich was built in 1407-24. It is the largest and most elaborate city hall ever to be built outside of London. Henry IV's charter of 1404 gave the City the right to elect a Mayor and two Sheriffs. This effectively made Norwich an independent and self-governing entity. From 1412 until 1597 the common gaol of Norwich was in the dark depths of the vaulted cellars in the Guildhall. The 14th century undercroft pre-dates the Guildhall by at least a century. Before being used to imprison offenders on death row it was originally where tolls for the market were stored after collection. The undercroft continued to be utilised as a dungeon for dangerous criminals well into the 17th century. The Guildhall vault was where Protestant martyr Thomas Bilney spent his last night before being burned at the stake at Lollard’s Pit in 1531. Famous rebel Robert Kett was also imprisoned in the Guildhall dungeon prior to being executed for leading a failed uprising in 1549. Robert and William Kett were captured and held in the undercroft prior to being taken to London for trial. Robert Kett was found guilty of high treason and was once again imprisoned in the vaults of the Guildhall before being hung from the walls of Norwich Castle on 7th December 1549. His brother William suffered a similar fate and was hung from Wymondham Abbey. The Guildhall Undercroft is registered as a Grade II listed building and is one of more than 60 medieval undercrofts in Norwich (which is the largest collection in the country).

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