See YOUNG, John R. :
The Inns & Taverns of Old Norwich, pages 74/75,
for a fascinating account of the history of this
pre-eminent house; which began as a monks' hospice
related to the Bishop's Palace.

As already noted, THOMPSON, Leonard P. :
Norwich Inns (pages 9 - 15) has an even more
detailed account.

The pub is fairly near the river, historically much
associated with fishing : hence the original pub names.
The term 'maid's head' refers to the
young of a Skate or Thornback.

Guests would watch, at the gateway of the hotel yard,
as a termagant went past on a cart; being taken
to the Quayside.
There she would, by tradition, be placed on a
'cucking stool', and dipped in the river.

The original name of Wensum Street was
Cook (or Cooks') Row; indicating another
important gastronomic function of the area.

The landlords in 1762 and 1806 was described as
Innkeepers (i.e. full-timers); which was fairly unusual,
but not surprising in this case.

The building was restored in the 18th Century.
See separate notes re the 19th Century and
Richard Bristow's website.

The most important juncture occurred almost
as soon as long-serving landlord, Edward Webster,
retired in October 1889.
The noted antiquarian, Walter Rye, although born in
London, took the opportunity to buy the hotel in 1890.
His urgent reasons have even more relevance
and resonance today.

... it was rumoured that the whole scope of the old
Tory house - the nearest approach to the typical old
hostel that I ever saw - was going to be changed;
that it was to be let to a big brewer, and be turned
into a commercial inn, with a coloured glass bar,
a billiard room, and the rest of it; and, in fact,
the whole place was to be spoiled, and no longer be
a refuge for those who like peace and quiet
and old surroundings.

Continued . . .

He went on to say that he had spent some money on
restoring it, as nearly as possible, to its old state.

The mock-Tudor facades appear to date from around
this time (see Details), indicating an expansion into
Tombland from the original Wensum Street site.
The 1890 Trades Directory lists a
'private and family hotel and posting house'.

Walter Rye's work was appreciated by
the Westminster Gazette of June 1894 :-

Few hostelries are so rich in historic associations.
There, in olden days, have the Orfords, Walpoles,
Howards, Wodehouses, and other Norfolk Notables
stayed, while society of all kinds have kept high festival.
The oaken beams and mullioned windows in the
room where good Queen Bess slept in 1578 may be
seen, as also a wide fifteenth century fireplace.

Rye did not hang onto the property long;
handing over in March 1894.

In January 1900 : HQ of the 43rd and 44th Companies
of the Imperial Yeomanry
(raised by the Suffolk Hussars).

The original Wensum Street entrance is still in use,
and has recently (late-2007) been re-vamped.
By mid-2008 it had acquired its own identity as
The Courtyard.

Meanwhile, a row of ancient properties in Palace Street
had (late-20th C.) been added to the hotel complex,
fronting the large car park.

Also see Gittings, wine and spirit merchant c. 1845-50.

Young, p. 75, agrees that the name Tombland Stores
survived into the early years of the 20th Century.

The Trades Directories did not show the new name
until c. 1916, but the licensing records are clear
that the name changed upon the transfer of the licence
in 1879 from the nearby Elm Tavern.

It is doubtful if the pub ever became a clothiers' shop,
and the first licence change occurred in 1905.
However, also see the notes on the former
Black Horse pub, listed at 7 Tombland.

A survey in 1961, by the Bystanders Society, noted
that a "bottle and jug" facility was still in operation.
This is, of course, no longer the case, but the relevant
etching on the door (facing the Cathedral) remains.

Edith Cavell (1865 - Oct. 1915), a nurse, was shot
by the Germans in Belgium in WWI, for helping
allied soldiers to escape to neutral Holland.

A vicar's daughter, she was born in Swardeston,
Norfolk; and went to Brussels in August 1914.
Her statue stands roughly opposite the pub,
by the Cathedral gate.
She is buried near the Cathedral.

There is a well-maintained website devoted to her.

Young, page 75, suggests that the original name was
derived from the yard behind the pub : which had
its own smithy facility.

The house was formerly occupied
by a Mayor of Norwich.

The original pub was one of only 44 principal
coaching inns listed in the 1783 Directory.

In 1890 the landlord was also listed as a painter.

Louis Marchesi founded Round Table in 1927,
at a meeting in Suckling House. The pub was home
to the "Norwich No. 1 Round Table" for many years.

Take Five took over in 2004, and changed the
name to that of the house they had had to leave in
St. Andrew's Hill.
This move was on account of the major
refurbishment of Cinema City.

A photographic record c. 1896 can be found in :
STANDLEY, Philip : In and around Norwich, page 34.
Also (1909) in STANDLEY, Philip :
Norwich - in old postcards, Volume 1, page 78;
and c. 1922 in Volume 2, page 32.

Also a photo c. 1908 appears in STOREY, Neil R. :
Around Norwich, page 46.