Refugee History in Norwich

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1 During Refugee Week, Norwich is celebrating the positive contributions that refugees have made to our culture and society. At one time almost half the population of Norwich were refugees, and many of us in Norwich can claim ancestry from these people. Today, Norwich is still home to many different cultures, which enrich our shared history and future. Look for the Discovering Refugee History panels around the City to learn more about the important contribution that refugees to Norfolk have made in the past - from canaries to printing. 1 The Canary NCFC Shop, Castle Mall Vincentiana Herjtes' inventory Strangers' Hall 3 Anthony de Solempne's Book Blackfriars' Hall 4 Hertha Fischer's story City Hall, first floor 1 5 Harriet Martineau The Guildhall For more information about Refugee Week events in Norwich, go to Please check with individual sites for opening times. Discovering is a partnership project between Norfolk Library and Information Service, Norfolk Record Office and Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service. Members of the Norwich refugee community chose the objects and documents on panels and we would like to thank the New Routes Project and Norwich International Youth Project for their involvement.

2 The Canary It is widely known that 'The Canaries' is the nickname of Norwich City Football Club, but did you know that it is thanks to refugees that Norwich is associated with the bird? In the 16th century a large number of Dutch refugees settled in Norwich. This group, Champion canary breeder William Drake, c.1900 who became known as the The Bridewell Museum (Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service) Strangers, brought their pet canaries with them. By the early 18th century canary breeding had caught on in Norwich and the City had developed its own varieties. Norwich City Football Club adopted the Canary as its badge in 1922 but the team was commonly known as 'The Canaries' from soon after its formation in A group from the New Routes project chose The Canary: This is the symbol for Norwich. When you look at Norwich you see green everywhere, especially in the summer. When you see everybody wearing yellow and green it looks amazing. A Norwich Canary Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery (Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service)

3 Vincentiana Herjtes In 1556 the Mayor invited 30 Flemish families to Norwich, in the hope that their influence would improve the city's weaving industry. The families had been victims of religious persecution at home and so came to Norwich to settle. They worked on improving the weaving industry using new techniques and providing a form of quality control. These refugees became known as the Strangers. Vincentiana Herjtes was one of them. This inventory is a list of all or Vincentiana's household furnishings and items at the time of her death around It shows her involvement in the weaving industry, with remnants of fabric included in the list. Probate inventory of Vincentiana Herjtes, of Norwich, 1590/1, Ref. NRO DN/INV 6/130. Norfolk Record Office Inventory of Vincentiana Herjtes Item a womans gowne of turkye grograi[m] Item one other cloth gowne Item one other cloth gowne Item ii payre of velvet sleves Item one remna[n]t of grogr[a]im Item one gowne of the old fashon Item a cassacke and a payre of hose Item one silke aporn Item ii remant[e]s of bayes the one black the other crimson[n] Item one flemish cloake for a woma[n] Item two rugges for a bedde Item old trash Item lace and old remnant[e]s of velvet Item ii payre of sheetes with other small trifles Item a peece of coursse diaper for napkens Item one table cloth Item one duytsch cloake li iii li iii li s xii s x xv xii s vii s v s vii s iii s vi s iii s d vii d iii d xi d 1/2 x d viii d A group from the New Routes project chose Vincentiana Herjtes inventory: Clothes were as important to this woman as they are now. She looks very nice. Drawing of Vincentiana Herjtes, based on items included in her inventory by Helen Hoyte.

4 Books and Printing Did you know that it wasn't until 1567 that the first books were printed in Norwich? And did you know that a refugee from Antwerp printed those books? In the 16th century a large number of Dutch refugees settled in Norwich. This group, who became known as the Strangers, brought new skills and trades with them. Two of the refugees, Anthony de Solempne and Albert Christian, were printers and soon began printing books in Norwich. Image courtesy of Norfolk County Council Library and Information Service The Dutch Church was at Blackfriars. Image courtesy of Norfolk County Council Library and Information Service Solempne's early works were printed in Dutch for the Dutch-speaking community. Pictured here is the Belijdenisse Ende or Confession of Faith, which was printed in Norwich in The Dutch refugees who attended church at Blackfriars Hall would have known this book. Solempne later printed several pamphlets in French, and an execution broadside in English. Members of the New Routes project chose the Belijdenisse Ende: This is important for Norwich because it was the first book printed here, printed by a refugee who lived a long time ago. It was difficult for him but he did something very important.

5 Harriet Martineau It is a name which many local people will be familiar with, but did you know that Norwich-born Harriet Martineau is considered one of the most influential people of her time? Harriet was descended from French refugees (the Huguenots) who settled in Norwich in the 17th century. Born in 1802, she experienced hearing loss and health problems throughout her life and many achievements. Harriet became famous for her outspoken and fearless writing on freedom and equal rights. In 1834 she travelled to America where she inspired other women to join the anti-slavery movement through talks and writing. Today she is remembered around the world for her work. A group from the Norwich International Youth Project chose the portrait of Harriet Martineau: She went to America, and helped women. She was writing to stop slavery. She was really an inspiration. Although she couldn't hear well, she decided to write. Portrait of Harriet Martineau by Samuel Laurence NWHCM : : F Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery Norfolk Museums and Archaeology Service)

6 Hertha Fischer's story Just before the Second World War, the British government agreed to take in Jewish refugee children from Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Poland. The children, aged between 7 and 17, were in danger of religious persecution in their homeland. They fled their home countries through a network of trains known as the Kindertransport. Hertha Fischer was a refugee from Vienna who was adopted by the Norfolk and Norwich branch of the National Council of Women, in spring In the first few years of the Article by Hertha Fischer, taken from Blyth Second World War the branch gave Secondary School magazine, the many reports on Hertha's progress in Microcosm January 1941 Norwich. During her time at the Blythe Ref. NRO D/ED 23/31 Norfolk Record Office School in Norwich, Hertha wrote an article for the school magazine the Microcosm on the differences in school life in England compared to Vienna. A group from the Norwich International Youth Project chose Hertha Fischer's article: Hertha Fischer was able to learn English so quickly. When she came she couldn't speak at all and there was nobody to help her like social services. Yet in 5 months she could go to school. It was good they were able to take and help a young girl.