One of the most impressive and inspiring buildings in Norwich must be the magnificent Tudor Strangers’ Hall. This building contains many stories, but perhaps it’s the name, one that is born out of welcome and sanctuary, but also an element of economic savvy. The undercroft at Strangers’ Hall is thought to date from the 1320s, probably used to securely store, and sell goods. It is considered that the Great Hall was built during the 15th century, when William Barley, a mercer (cloth merchant) lived here.
During the 16th century, the house was owned by Norwich grocer and mayor, Thomas Sotherton and it is under his ownership that the house eventually became known as Strangers’ Hall. During the 16th century Dutch, Walloon and Flemish refugee weavers fled the low countries as a result of the persecution of Dutch Calvinists by their Catholic Spanish rulers. The word ’Stranger’ really means anyone who was not a member of the Norwich community, so it actually included English as well as people of other nationalities.
Under Elizabeth I, England as a Protestant country welcomed the refugees. Thomas Sotherton sought to encourage these skilled textile weavers to settle in Norwich, as these immigrants had a high economic value to him and the local economy. Many may have lodged at Strangers’ Hall and much of the prosperity of Norfolk after this period can be traced to this influx of refugees. Today Strangers’ Hall is a Norfolk Museum Service owned building that contains collections across the decades, why not take time to explore the ongoing story of Norwich welcoming ‘Strangers’?
