If your ancestors lived in and around King's Lynn in Victorian times and you enjoy the following extracts from our book, why not buy a copy?

• It provides "a colourful and interesting record of events." (Shirley Wittering The Local Historian)
• It "will enlighten those with an interest in the social history of Lynn. Its perspective is refreshing and its narrative style engrossing." (Robin Everett The Norfolk Ancestor)

The obituary in the Norfolk Chronicle in January 1884 which fired our imagination:
'Died, at Kings Lynn, Mr James Fiddaman. He began life in very humble circumstances and without the advantages offered by education. The son of a tailor in a small way of business, he first acted as assistant to his uncle, who was ostler at a tavern in Lynn. He was afterwards ostler or "boots" at inns and hotels in neighbouring towns, subsequently he tramped the country for a time, visiting London, Brighton, and other places in quest of a good situation. Eventually he returned to Lynn, took a public-house known as the Wheatsheaf, in Norfolk Street, and made it the local centre of the sporting interest in West Norfolk. After a time he bought the house, converted it into an hotel and wine vaults, and rapidly made a fortune. Mr Fiddaman was a munificent donor to many benevolent institutions, and his private acts of charity were numerous. An enormous concourse of persons attended his funeral.'

'In 1874 the Christmas poultry outside the kitchen at Fiddaman's provided too great a temptation to J. Wright, a thirty nine year old travelling shoemaker from Chester. It was about half-past nine o'clock on Christmas eve. A brace of pheasants and a considerable quantity of other poultry were hanging at the back of the hotel, either destined for the dinner table or prizes still awaiting collection from that year's draw. Wright entered the passage leading to the wine and spirit vaults and saw the poultry. He took the brace of pheasants, hid them under his coat, and left swiftly in the direction of the Tuesday Market place. Unfortunately PC Taylor, who was standing on a nearby corner, spotted the bulge under his coat and saw the telltale beak of a pheasant hanging below the hem. Wright protested that he had picked them up on the road but PC Taylor saw that the birds' feathers were quite dry despite the streets being damp. Wright was arrested. The theft was quickly traced to Fiddaman's and Jemima identified the pheasants by the special knot which she always tied in the string when she hung poultry. At Lynn petty sessions on Monday 28 December, Wright pleaded guilty to stealing the pheasants, which were valued at 8s. The magistrates were unimpressed by his plea that he stole because he was hard up and sentenced him to 21 days hard labour.'

No evidence. But blood was spilt one summer evening in 1878:
'At about six o'clock on Tuesday 23 July, the bar was quite full. Amongst others, there were: William Leeds, a dealer of Longham, and his father; Henry Rix, a Dersingham farmer; Mr Norris; Mr Gardiner; James Rippingale of Flitcham; and Watts Tann, a horse-breaker of West Lynn. Mr Scott entered with his two year old dog, which played about the bar, while he sat drinking. Tann and Leeds were sitting close together. They picked up the dog and played with it behind their backs. The dog suddenly 'shruck' out, was thrown down by Tann, and ran about the bar shrieking and tail-less. The barmaid, Emily Hollingsworth, saw the distressed dog, and its blood on the floor, and called James Fiddaman. James was disgusted by the cowardly act. He asked who had cut off the tail and immediately offered a reward of £5 for the discovery of the culprits. Tann & Leeds left immediately. There was blood where they had been sitting and the tail was found underneath the seat. Superintendent George Ware was called.'

'By 1880 James was also one of the largest bottlers of ale and stout in the county. He had begun using the new patent stoppered bottles which eliminated not only the need for a corkscrew but also the hazard from corks propelled by the products of secondary fermentation. He charged a refundable deposit of 1s 6d per dozen for corked bottles and 2s 6d per dozen for those with patent stoppers. He offered ales brewed by Bass, Younger and Guinness at prices between 3s 5d and 4s 6d per dozen Imperial pints. He bought stout from Guinness in hogsheads (52 gallons) for 57s and charged his cash customers 28s 6d for a kilderkin (18 gallons) or 3s 6d for a dozen Imperial pints.'

was the brainchild of Robert Henry Bollin, keeper of the Duke's Head on Tuesday Market place, and Walter Moyse, the Mayor. It was first held in 1850 on a course:
'... on 50 acres of pasture at West Lynn, just over the Free Bridge on the way to Clenchwarton. The land was rented by two farmers, Thomas Mawby and James Baker, who made it available despite the threat of fines and penalties from their landlords, the Eau Brink Commissioners. The organising committee offered to make good any damage and began preparing the land, which had been the river bed before the Ouse was straightened by the Eau Brink Cut. Frederic Cruso, civil engineer and son of Robinson Cruso, Lynn's postmaster at the time, oversaw the filling of creeks and levelling, giving his services free of charge. The work took nearly a month and cost almost £100. The result was a course, about a mile round, with curves at each end which were considered "a little too sharp". Jockeys rated it "equal to any other course in the kingdom - those of one or two towns excepted." A substantial grandstand was built on the north side of the field.'

'At noon on Wednesday 10 September the rain clouds cleared, the sun broke through, and the course on the reclaimed bed of the old Ouse river at West Lynn began to dry out. Despite the refusal of the Great Eastern Railway Company to run excursion trains or to offer special fares, nearly 10,000 racegoers flocked to the course. Entrance cost pedestrians 1d, saddle horses 1s, horse and gig 1s 6d, four-wheel carriages 2s 6d and waggons 5s.'

'The Wheatsheaf always had something out of the ordinary to grab the attention of a sport, like the week in September 1853 when A. Elson attempted to walk sixty miles each day for six successive days. This slight eighteen year old, a few inches over five feet tall and weighing less than seven and a half stone, appealed to a generous public to reward him if he should be successful. Each day he set out from the Wheatsheaf via Swaffham to the Lord Nelson at East Dereham and back, returning to sleep at the Wheatsheaf before eight o'clock at night. In a single stroke, James gained valuable publicity and was virtually guaranteed extra custom every night that week, not to mention the opportunities for taking wagers or running a book on the outcome. Much to everyone's surprise, Elson triumphed. Both he and James must have been rewarded handsomely for he returned a year or so later to attempt 100 miles in 24 hours for a wager of £10. On this occasion he started from the Wheatsheaf inn at 6 o'clock on Thursday evening and was due to finish there at the same time on the next day.'

'The Volunteers never saw action but their lives were not without danger. Just before nine o'clock in the evening on the first Sunday of the 1869 encampment at Hunstanton, news began spreading that several volunteers had been killed in an accident. Surgeon Thomas Masters Kendall and Honorary Assistant-Surgeon T.G. Wales junior were on the scene within half an hour. They found a large crowd of onlookers and soon saw that matters had been exaggerated. Mr Bull, a Hunstanton carrier, had been taking five volunteers from the Lynn and Holt corps into town when his horse unexpectedly swerved off the road - in the direction of the L'Estrange Arms - and the wagonette overturned.'

'One Sunday in late May 1870, crowds were promenading up and down the Marine parade (South quay) enjoying the sights, sunshine and warm sea breeze. They were outraged when four members of the crew of a Dutch ketch, moored opposite the Mariners' Arms, stripped off and took a swim. The police were summoned and the men were arrested. Petro, Egberto, Lodwig and Julius spoke little English. Commander William H. Garland, vice consul for the Netherlands, represented them when they appeared at Lynn petty sessions the next day, charged by Supt Ware with indecently exposing themselves. He explained that they had not been aware that they were committing any breach of the laws of England, or they would not have acted in that manner. The magistrates could only deal with the case by sending the defendants to trial at the quarter sessions. They decided that such a course was too severe and discharged the men who promised not to repeat the offence.'

'Weather permitting, Lynn Roads regatta was an annual happening in the 1850s and '60s. Sailing boats competed over a course from the port of Lynn, round Lynn Well lightship and back, a distance of forty or so miles. There were usually two classes, one for yachts and pleasure boats and the other for fishing boats belonging to Lynn, each with prize money of about £10 for the winning boat. Frank Cresswell regularly contested the first. The banks and quays were always lined with spectators to see the morning start, and even more crowded for the return many hours later, but only the favoured few could follow the race on board one of the steamers.'

was held on Wednesday 8 July 1868 on the Cricket Ground off Hardwick road:
'Flags were fluttering from poles and festooned from tree to tree. John J. Lowe was already at work supervising the preparation of refreshments in their large new marquee, which was pitched on the south side of the field. Beyond, on the east side of the field, were a shooting gallery, an aunt sally and a carousel with horses driven by an engine which was puffing black smoke into the clear blue sky. On the north side were a large refreshment booth and three stages for the bands and other shows. Ethardo, the great spiral ascensionist of the Crystal Palace, Sydenham, was making the final adjustments to his apparatus, a forty foot high construction which bore a strong resemblance to a giant corkscrew.'

on 19 and 20 June 1872 was openend by the Prince of Wales:
'On opening day the town was a glowing mass of colour, bathed in a brilliant sunrise. Church bells rang out at intervals. A stream of carriages entered the Walks, queuing to pass through an elliptical arch under a motif of plough and sheaves into the show ground. Those on foot jostled their way alongside. By noon the town and showground had filled to overflowing and excitement intensified in anticipation of the royal arrival.'

'In 1878 the Town Council purchased a lightship for the Lynn channel in the hope that it would improve the port's safety and trade. The vessel, built of iron by Schlesinger and Co of Hull, arrived at Lynn dock in early August where she attracted large crowds of sightseers. At nine-o'clock on Thursday 12 September a select party assembled on board the Spindrift, which had been chartered to tow the vessel into position. Mr W. Burkitt, the chairman of the Port and Harbour Committee of the Town Council, was the host for the day and his guests included: the Mayor, W. Thompson; Sir Lewis Jarvis, chairman of King's Lynn Dock Company; John Dyker Thew; J.K. Jarvis, James Bowker and J. Paul, all members of the Port and Harbour Committee; Alfred Dodman; A.G. Russell, dock manager; F.J. Swatman, dock master; Mr Beaumont of the Hamburg Steamship Co; Charles Wise, manager of the East Coast Steamship Co; J.B. Rix representing the Carron Co; C.W. Harding, borough treasurer; and F.B. Archer, deputy Town Clerk.'

There is a snippet of information, in many cases much more, about every one of the following surnames:
Abbott, Abel, Abram, Agger, Allen, Allison, Amhurst, Andrews, Archer, Armes, Arnold, Asplin, Bacon, Bagge, Bailey, Baker, Barker, Barnard, Barnes, Barrett, Barry, Bathurst, Batterbee, Beaumont, Beck, Beckington, Bentinck, Berenburg, Berry, Betts, Bibby, Billing, Birch, Bird, Black, Blackie, Blanchflower, Blomfield, Bloyce, Boileau, Bollin, Bond, Bone, Boon, Bourke, Bowker, Bowles, Boyce, Braithwaite, Bransby, Bray, Brickwood, Brooks, Brooman, Brown, Bryan, Bull, Bullen, Bunting, Burcham, Burkitt, Burlingham, Burton, Butcher, Bywater, Cadman, Calver, Campbell, Campling, Cape, Capstick, Carey, Carpenter, Carr, Carse, Cartwright, Chadwick, Chambers, Charlton, Chase, Chester, Churchman, Clark, Clarke, Claydon, Clayton, Clifton, Cochrane, Coke, Colman, Cooke, Cooper, Coston, Cozens, Creak, Cresswell, Crisp, Cross, Crowe, Cruso, Curson, Dace, Dale, Dasborough, Dawes, Dawson, Defries, DeGrey, Digby, Dixon, Dodman, Dotchin, Dow, Drice, Dryden, Duff, Dugmore, Dunn, Durrant, Dye, Eagleton, Eden, Edgeley, Edgington, Elliott, Elson, Emms, Everard, Ewes, Eyre, Farmer, Fayers, Feaks, Feast, Fell, Fellowes, Ffolkes, Fisher, Flegg, Flood, Forder, Foreshaw, Franklin, Freeman, Fry, Fulcher, Fyson, Gamble, Gardiner, Gardner, Garfit, Garland, Garman, Garner, Gathergood, Gaul, Gay, Gent, Gerrard, Girling, Goebbels, Goodwin, Gore, Green, Greeves, Gull, Gurney, Hains, Hall, Hamilton, Hamilton, Hankinson, Harding, Hare, Haughton, Hawkins, Haylock, Hewitt, Hill, Hinde, Hitchcock, Hoare, Hobson, Holdcross, Holding, Holditch, Hollingsworth, Hollway, Holmes, Hornigold, Horsley, Household, Howard, Howes, Howlett, Hulton, Hunt, Hyde, Inglefield, Ireland, Ives, Jackson, Jarvis, Jewitt, Johnson, Jones, Keary, Kelley, Kendall, Kendle, Kent, Kerkham, King, Kingscote, Kitteridge, Lack, Lane, Langley, Langwade, Laws, Leader, Leeds, Leggett, LeStrange, Lifely, Linay, Linford, Little, Lockwood, Lorrimer, Lowe, Machell, Maltby, Manning, Manton, Markham, Marshall, Marsham, Maud, Mawby, Miller, Mingay, Monement, Moore, Morris, Moss, Mowll, Moyse, Munson, Murrell, Naylor, Neville, Newby, Nicholls, Nichols, Noakes, Norris, Nuccoll, Nurse, Ogden, Oldham, Ollett, Overman, Page, Paget, Parfrement, Parker, Pattrick, Paul, Paviour, Payne, Penny, Percy, Perren, Perring, Pickering, Pimbley, Platt, Platten, Plowright, Pollard, Potter, Powell, Pratt, Pridgeon, Priestley, Prince, Probyn, Rayner, Reddie, Reed, Reeder, Reeve, Reeves, Regester, Riches, Ridley, Rippengill, Rippingale, Rix, Roberts, Robinson, Rogers, Rose, Row, Russell, Rust, Rutter, Sadler, Sainty, Sampson, Saunders, Savage, Scott, Seaman, Self, Seppings, Sharman, Shaul, Shaw, Sheringham, Shiels, Simpson, Skipper, Slator, Smetham, Smirke, Smith, Softly, Sooby, Spalding, Sparkes, Spencer, Spicer, Spikings, Springall, Stafford, Staniland, Steele, Sugars, Sutton, Swatman, Tann, Taylor, Terrington, Thew, Thompson, Thorley, Thorn, Thornton, Thurrell, Thurwell, Townley, Townsend, True, Tungate, Valentine, Verral, Wadlow, Wagg, Wales, Walker, Wanty, Ward, Wardale, Ware, Warner, Warnes, Waters, Watts, Weasenham, Webster, Wenn, Whall, Whitehead, Whiting, Whitwell, Wickes, Wigg, Wilkin, Willett, Willey, Willins, Willis, Wilson, Wise, Wood, Woods, Wright, Young