1.--The poor freemen of Great Wymer Ward, Norwich, presented a silver
cup, of the value of 50 guineas, to Mr. Samuel Mitchell, one of the
nominees of the ward.
--A match was decided at Blickling Park between three horses belonging
respectively to Mr. Sheppard and Mr. Roper, of Coleby, and Mr. Wright, of
Aylsham. The best of three one mile heats was won by Mr. Sheppard's
horse. A second race between two horses, the property of Mr. Gay, of
Oulton, and Mr. Smith, of Aylsham, was won by the former.
4.--Died, at Drayton, Sarah Codenham, aged 105. "This poor woman had
been so long in poverty and affliction that, according to the overseer's
calculation, she had cost them 500 pounds."
8.--At a meeting held at the Guildhall, and presided over by the Mayor,
it was resolved to petition the House of Lords against the Corn Bill,
which had been passed by the House of Commons by a majority of 119. (The
Bill was passed by the Lords and received the Royal Assent on the 23rd.)
15.--The Expedition coach arrived in Norwich "with the gratifying account
displayed in large letters on its panels" of the ratification of the
Treaty of Peace with America. The bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung,
and a bonfire was lighted in the Market Place.
17.--Mr. T. W. Coke, M.P., Lord Albemarle, and other gentlemen, while
attending a cattle show held on the Castle Ditches, Norwich, by the
Norfolk Agricultural Association, were attacked by a mob in consequence
of their supposed support of the Corn Bill before the House of Commons.
The mob drove them into the Angel yard, and it was not until the
Brunswick Hussars had been called out, and the Riot Act read, that the
disturbance was quelled. By strategy Mr. Coke and his friends escaped
through the back gate of the Angel Inn and drove to Quidenham Hall. Some
of the rioters were apprehended, and one of the Brunswickers was wounded
by a stone. The Mayor and magistrates of Norwich received the
commendations of Government for their activity and exertions in
suppressing the disturbance. The Grand Jury at the Norfolk Assizes, held
at Thetford on March 29th, resolved "to enter into a subscription to
bring to justice the instigators of the late premeditated attack on Mr.
Coke and other gentlemen." On May 2nd the Corporation of Norwich
accorded their thanks to Col. Von Tempsky and the officers and privates
of the Brunswick Hussars for their prompt assistance in quelling the
riot.
--A curious race took place in Chapel Field, Norwich. The competitors
were Thomas Jenner and William Palmer, "two men with two wooden legs
each." The wager of 1 pound was won by the former.
25.--In the official year, ending this date, Norfolk (including Norwich)
raised the sum of 219,238 pounds 10s. 1d. for the poor, church rate,
highway rates, &c.
27.--At the Norfolk Assizes, which commenced at Thetford on this date,
before Mr. Justice Heath, a curious case, the King _v._ Garratt, was
heard. This was a criminal indictment which had been moved by
_certiorari_ into the Court of King's Bench, and was tried at _nisi
prius_. "It was for a nuisance complained of by the exposition of a
stallion in the public market of East Dereham." The Judge was of opinion
that the mere fact of leading a stallion to market was not an offence
indictable at law, and the defendant was acquitted.
A number of human bones and upwards of 20 urns, containing bones in a
calcined state, were this month dug up at a farm at Markshall, adjoining
the Roman camp at Caister, near Norwich.