NHER 9451 (Monument record) - Kett's Oak

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Summary

A veteran oak tree, reputed locally to be the tree where Robert Kett addressed his rebels in 1549.

Protected Status/Designation

  • None recorded

Location

Map sheet TG10SW
Civil Parish HETHERSETT, SOUTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Map

Ordnance Survey antiquity.
Name comes from the fact that nine rebels were hung there, and not (as local people now say) that Kett held a review there. The original 'Kett's Oak of Reformation' was near St Leonards Priory on Gas Hill, Norwich. Legend states that its roots reach to Norwich in one direction and Wymondham on the other.
Visited by E. Rose (NAU) 4 June 1980.

Oak is alive but in poor condition. It has been split down the middle where it divides into two huge branches; one branch has been lopped off, the other is supported on a wooden truss. The crack has been filled with cement and roofed with tarred felt, and the tree bound with iron bands, long enough ago for the bark to grow over them. Iron railings around have plaques 'Ketts Oak 1549' and 'W. H. Back 1910'. New layby opened alongside.
Press cutting in file.
E. Rose (NAU)

  • --- Article in Serial: 1933. [unknown]. Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society. Vol XIII, pp 356-7. pp 356-357.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1988. Repairs to ancient oak. 25 June.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1994. Story of Kett's Oak is retold. 26 November.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 1995. Mighty oak on last legs. 14 January.
  • --- Newspaper Article: Eastern Daily Press. 2010. Ancient oaks under threat from disease. 4 May.
  • --- Publication: Grigor, J.. 1841. The Eastern Arboretum. p.324.
  • --- Record Card: Clarke, R. R. and NCM Staff. 1933-1973. Norwich Castle Museum Record Card - Miscellaneous. Hethersett.
  • --- Record Card: NAU Staff. 1974-1988. Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card.
  • --- Record Card: Ordnance Survey Staff. 1933-1979?. Ordnance Survey Record Cards. TG 10 SW 1 [2].
  • --- Secondary File: Secondary File.

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Related NHER Records (0)

Record last edited

Jun 1 2016 4:11PM

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