The Erpingham Gate

Erpingham Gate is a wonderful historic entrance to Norwich Cathedral. The gift of Sir Thomas Erpingham who had the gate built to thank God for his safe return from the battle of Agincourt in 1415, where he successfully commanded the English longbowmen

A very interesting historical gate to Norwich Cathedral Close. The gate is worth a visit but you might as well look at the Cathedral too!

The Erpingham Gate built in 1420 is named after Sir Thomas Erpingham, who led the longbow archers to victory at the Battle of Agincourt and financed the gate's construction. (Why the English can't just stop trying to invade France is beyond me. Just go there on holiday and chill out over a nice Chardonnay is my advice.) Like many great nobles, Erpingham appears to have been a rather Machiavellian character who delighted in quietly manipulating events from the wings. Although he fought against the French under the Edward the Black Prince, Erpingham stood against against Edward's son, Richard II, and played a role in his capture. And he also appears to have benefited from the subsequent fall from grace of Bishop Henry Le Dispenser of Norwich. Like many medieval aristocrats, Erpingham sought to placate his uneasy conscience and appease his God by investing some of his fortune in cathedral architecture. (Nowadays, celebrities atone for their sins by taking on charity gigs. But reputation management is as old as the hills.) Upon his death in 1428, Sir Thomas was laid to rest in his beloved cathedral alongside both his wives. A local legend claims that Erpingham accidentally killed a monk who had attempted to seduce the second Lady Erpingham. The knight arranged an assignation then rocked up disguised in his wife's clothing and felled the louche cleric with a single blow. These things happen. Cherchez le femme. Erpingham's motto simply translates as 'remember' and was emblazoned across the petals of a forget-me-not on his crest. Like the knight himself, the motto is pleasingly ambivalent and perhaps hints at an ironic yet sentimental personality. As for Erpingham Gate, it allows one to first enter then exit the grounds of Norwich Cathedral. It still appears to still function perfectly efficiently and no doubt will do so down the embattled centuries to come.

Beautiful view

Part of a good guided tour,well worth the visit