ROW NINETY NINE ‑ CASTLE ROW *1
Castle Row, 1600*2
From Middlegate Street to King Street:
As a means of defence, in addition to the town wall, towers and gates, a square castle with turrets was
erected at the east end of this row, hence it's name. Beacons were
burned here, and later it was used as a jail.
Mr. Thomas Penrice, in 1808 purchased the ruins and built stables and
coach houses. The adjoining row takes the name of Penrice Stables Row. Numerals were on the wall of some 17th. century houses on the north side,
but in 1927 only the figures 1 and 6 remained. The covered west entrance
with a part‑timbered house in view was a favourite study for the
artist.*2
From Middlegate Street to King
Street, was called Castle Row, because it was in the immediate vicinity of the
Castle. (mentioned in P.P. vol I, p.
91.)
In 1758 the corporation
granted the lease of a piece of ground, garden and premises in castle
row to Christopher Sayers.
At the north‑east corner of
this row is a public house recently rebuilt as a liquor shop, and called the
"Jamaica Stores", which in 1789 belonged to William Austin, and was
called the "King of
Prussia", and afterwards
the "North Country House",
and had an evil reputation.
In a neighbouring house resided the old family of Castell. In 1309 Nicholas Castell Esq. died, and was buried
at the White Friars. (North Quay)
Abraham Castell took a leading part in the affairs of the town in
the time of Charles the first, but
resigned after the execution. He signed
the address to Richard Cromwell, and
was named also in the Charter of
Charles II, and filled the office of
Bailiff in 1661 and 1672.
He died in 1682, leaving two
sons, Abraham, who served as Bailiff in
1673, who married Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Suckling of Woodton, High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1664, by Margaret
his second wife, daughter of Sir William D'Oyly, Bart. of Shottisham.
The houses fronting Middlegate Street between this row and the next ‑
Row 101, were early in the last century the property of Benjamin
Dowson who died
in 1716.
That at the south‑west corner of this row was afterwards in 1759
the property of Nathaniel
Palmer. It was
divided into two
occupations prior to 1870. *1
The next house south was in 1769 conveyed to Samuel Paget, at which time
there was a large yard at the back called "Foxes
yard", and a place called "Foxes Hole". The next house south was in
1741 the property of Thomas Ellys, who died in 1761 aged 63 (see 55 King
Street re. Ellys), and 1774 of John Emms, (also with property in King
Street)
The 1936 Row Survey says ‑ Has a good flint and brick house on the
south side. This has on each of its long sides, four bulls eye windows formed
in brick, and some of these lights have their old glass in diamond leaded panes
and wrought iron saddle bars. This house is in two main floors over cellars, and with attics in the roof. It is at
present three tenements, dry, and structurally sound. Most of the windows are
sash barred, and of good proportion and size,
but on the south side towards row 101, one or two windows are casements
of an early Stuart type. (It is towards
row 101 that the other four bulls eye
windows are seen). This row runs into King Street opposite the large Congregational
Church.
