Recently discovered 16c carved arch leading from the courtyard to the cafe.

Mullioned window of the gallery seen from the courtyard.

Tudor Building

The King of Hearts occupies a remarkable Tudor merchant's house dating back to the 15th and early 16th century. A major restoration project took place between 1986 and 1990, undertaken by Norwich Preservation Trust with the support of English Heritage.

The architect, John Sennitt, won a Civic Award for the project.

The building comprises two halls, one above the other, and an inner courtyard, each with many features of interest. The ground floor hall, which serves as the Art Gallery, has a beamed ceiling in a star-shaped pattern and a very long mullioned window; in the upstairs hall, used as a Music Room, a painted ceiling with moulded beams was revealed underneath Georgian plaster. More interesting features were found as the restoration proceeded: two fireplaces, and in the courtyard, a high mullioned window and a carved and painted arch.

History

The first owner, Edmund Wood, was a wealthy merchant grocer who became Sheriff, then Mayor of Norwich in 1548. His son Robert was also Mayor, and in 1578 he received Queen Elizabeth I when she visited Norwich, entertaining her to "a Loyal Latin Oration", in return for which she knighted him.

The next known owner, Thomas Toft, was also a grocer and Mayor (1654), of extreme Puritan views, and took an active part in the destruction of statues and "superstitious pictures and reliques of idolatry" in churches and in the Bishop's palace.

During the 18th century, the dwelling was split into shops, and in 1801, the Bull Inn can be found at No.11; later, we find a grocer, a saddler and a bootmaker.

Finally, in the last quarter of the 20th century, the street frontage was occupied by 3 shops, the upper level by small flats, and the whole in a dilapidated condition.

The restoration of Nos. 11 to 15 was completed in 1990, and the rest of the street corner onto Fishergate (nos. 7-9) was acquired in 2000.