King's Lynn

King's Lynn lies at the mouth of the River Great Ouse just south of its confluence with The Wash. Historically, King's Lynn was on of England's most important ports - trading with countries through out the world. As well as literary figures, it was also the home of George Vancouver who claimed British Columbia in the name of the English Crown. The town is undoubtedly one of Norfolk's best-kept secrets and streets such as the Purfleet and King Street offer a wealth of historic buildings and period charm - a fact which has not been overlooked by the film and TV production companies. (See Norfolk Film Locations for more information.)

Fanny Burney (1752-1840)

The novelist and diarist was born in King's Lynn - possibly at 84, High Street - but when she was young her family moved to London where she grew up amongst the capital's literary set - mixing with the likes of Dr Johnson, Joshua Reynolds and Edmund Burke. At the age of 25 she wrote a successful novel entitled Evelina. This was followed by Cecilia (1782) and Camilla (1796). In 1793, she married General d'Arblay - a French refugee in England.

Here is a passage from her diary where she recalls her own confirmation - which she wrote at a time when she was preparing her son Alex for his confirmation:
 

Daniel Defoe (1660-1731)

Defoe described King's Lynn as 'beautiful, well built and well situated'.

There are also a number of 'Robinson Crusos' (without the 'e') buried in St. Nicholas' Chapel. However they all post date Robinson Crusoe which was published in 1719. However, it is fascinating to ponder whether Defoe may have been familiar with the family and used the name when he was writing his famous novel. Defoe certainly visited the town in 1724 - and he would certainly have been aware of King's Lynn's rich maritime history. Who knows?

St. Nicholas' is England's largest surviving Parochial Chapel and its 15th century wooden roof features a magnificent series of carved angels.
 

Cruso family gravestone

See also Great Yarmouth

St. Nicholas' Chapel

Margery Kempe was born in King's Lynn and was the daughter of John Brunham who was once the Lord Mayor. She went on many pilgrimages both in the UK and on the continent and even visited Rome, Compostella and Jerusalem. She kept a record of her spiritual journeys in her Book of Margery Kempe - probably dictated some time during the 1420s. It is thought to be one of the first autobiographies ever written by a woman. In about 1400 she also recorded a fire in King's Lynn which threatened to engulf St. Margaret's Church. (Bishop's Lynn was the original name of the town.):
 

St. Margaret's is one of the largest churches in the country. It was founded in 1101 and partially rebuilt in 1741 after the spire collapsed onto the knave during a storm.
 

St Margaret's Church

Margery also visited Julian of Norwich (the 'Recluse atte Norwyche') and recorded the meeting in her book. She remained in Norwich for a number of days and Dame Julian counselled her as follows: 'Set all your trust in God and fear not the language of the world. Patience is necessary for you, for in that shall ye keep your soul.'

Like Julian, Margery was a mystic but the two women were very different in their spiritual approach - one travelling widely - the other staying in her cell.

Wrote a poem called The Dream of Eugene Aram - about a master at the Grammar School in King's Lynn who was arrested for murder in 1758. The last verse of the poem goes as follows:
 

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Links:

King's Lynn Preservation Trust