History
learn from it!
x

History

The history and traditions of Lowestoft and its society, including the stories of some of today’s companies and businesses. Explore stories, information and local links about Lowestoft’s history, including an INDEX of over 100 articles by David Butcher

Visit our new project Our Fallen. Try the Historic High Street Stroll where you can click on a building and find out some key facts about its history. And if it's a business, what it can do for you. Try the Timeline to look at some key dates in our history. Just scroll or swipe down the page, or click on the 'related topic' below, or use the highlighted menus above.

And check out stories with a connection to the area's history, from Heritage Action Zone to walks along The Scores. Want to add information? Or suggest a link? Just email us with the details using the [Got a comment] block on any story

A view across Normanston Park - a substantial surviving piece of the medieval South-west Common Field (sometimes found referred to as the West South Field).   

Land-use in Lowestoft Parish – 17th & 18th Century 

It is unarguable that maritime influences were the major factor in shaping Lowestoft during the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods. Yet,…
CREDIT: BluePen/Ventura — created for community history and freely available for reuse.   

Founding of Lowestoft as Hluda’s toft (mid-late 500s)

Mid-late 6th century? - Founding of Lowestoft as Hluda’s toft, meaning “the homestead of Hluda” - with Hluda itself translatable as…

Lowestoft Manorial Rules, Regulations and Fees (16th & 17th Century)

A number of rules and fees payable (applying to both residents and outsiders) surviving from the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods is to be…

Waller’s Raid

   Waller’s Raid CREDIT: AJ Turner
Tue, 01/13/1942 - 00:00 Lowestoft’s worst raid of world war II 80 years ago today on 23 January 1942, while convoys of lorries were still trucking…
Richard Powles’s ink-and-wash view of the High Street in 1784, looking straight down Crown Score. Note the humber of premises with shop fronts. The inn sign on the left, with its portrait of Queen Anne (reigned 1702-14) advertised the “Queen’s Head” premises, halfway down Tyler’s Lane (Compass Street) on the south side. Taken from the Isaac Gillingwater collection of illustrations (c. 1807): Suffolk Archives (Ipswich), 192/3/1.

Lowestoft Inns and Shops (16th-18th Century)  

InnsThe configuration of roads and the importance of land transport have always been major influences on the development of towns and their inns.…
Leathes Ham - a flooded Late Medieval peat-digging

Hundred Roll of 1274-5

When Henry III died in November 1272, his son and successor Edward (thirty-three years old) was in Sicily, on the way home from fighting in the…