Haunted Norwich - Lollards Pit Traditional Cache
FootpadUK: This one has gone missing yet again - the 4th time!
Maintaining it is proving to be a nightmare so sadly I'm going to archive it.
The magnet has been removed to prevent people claiming it anymore ;-)
I hope everyone who has found it has enjoyed it and the gory history surrounding this site
Haunted Norwich - Lollards Pit
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This is the 1st of what is to be a series of caches at some of the most haunted sites around the old city of Norwich. The city has a rich history of hauntings, apparitions and other supernatural happenings in its alleyways, winding streets, churches, pubs and other historic buildings. This series of caches celebrates this fascinating aspect of living in this great medieval city.
Who knows what lurks in the shadows as you search for these hidden caches? Dare you even look for them in the hours of darkness?!
Cachers with young children might not want to read them the following descriptions about the sites.
Lollards Pit is the most infamous site in the city with the most gristly of histories. It was the spot where witches and lollards (those who dared disagree with the teachings of the catholic church) were burned alive in front of baying and jeering crowds. Many of these so called witches were made to walk from their dungeon below Cow Tower to the pit carrying their own faggot (the wood that would be lit beneath their feet). Having been accused to witchcraft their innocence or otherwise was decided at the cucking stool at Fye Bridge where they were ducked into the River Wensum. Should they survive without drowning they were deemed to be guilty and if they drowned they were deemed innocent but sadly dead! The time between this ‘trial’ and their subsequent burning was spent chained in rat infested dungeons in such a way that they had to stand on tip toe for days in agony while the rats gnawed at their feet.
Stories abound of the horrific fate that these poor women (and men) had to endure when they reached the pit. Imagine the scene - hundreds of baying onlookers wanting blood as a young woman is tied to the stake and the fire lit. The hem of her dress catches fire as she screams for mercy. No mercy is forthcoming though as the flames lick higher, she gasps for breath as the smoke engulfs her and her skin catches alight, eventually dripping from her bones as she prays for a quick release from the horror.
The site of the pit itself was behind what is now the Bridge House pub. Look over the fence at the bottom of Gas Hill at the site which is now a beer garden and carpark! The cache is nearby. On the opposite side of the road near the river you’ll see a stone plaque in the grass which commemorates the lollards who met their horrible ends in Lollards Pit during the reign of Queen Mary 1.
*****CONGRATULATIONS TO SPARKLES2010 ON BEING FTF*****
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
abar lrg
Treasures
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