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Norwich Workhouse
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Norwich Workhouse
A view of the entrance to the Norwich Union workhouse, Norfolk. Date: circa 1920
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Media ID 23265156
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
Norfolk Norwich Poor Poverty Welfare Workhouse Workhouses
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This evocative photograph captures the entrance to the Norwich Union Workhouse in Norfolk, England, circa 1920. The imposing architecture of the workhouse serves as a stark reminder of the social welfare system in place during this period, designed to provide shelter and support for the destitute and the poor. The image reveals a long, narrow path leading to the workhouse gates, with a high wall on one side and a row of trees on the other. The gates are adorned with an ornate crest, bearing the emblem of the Norwich Union, a symbol of the institution's authority and control. The workhouse system, established during the Elizabethan era and continuing until the mid-20th century, was a key component of the English Poor Laws. It aimed to provide a deterrent to idleness and vagrancy, as well as to provide relief for the truly needy. Residents were required to work in exchange for their keep, often in laborious and demeaning tasks. Conditions within the workhouses were often harsh, with long hours, meager rations, and strict discipline. The workhouse was a last resort for those who had no other means of support, and the stigma attached to living in one could be devastating. This photograph offers a glimpse into a bygone era, a time when the social safety net was much less comprehensive than it is today. It serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those who were forced to rely on the workhouse for their survival, and the importance of ongoing efforts to address poverty and social inequality.
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