On the Hill

On my first visit, looking from the Market,
I imagined the body of Robert Kett
hanging from its walls,
a warning to the rebels
who stood up to wealthy landowners,
against unfair land enclosures.

I wandered up a mound dug by slaves,
to an edifice built over Saxon graves,
a symbol of Norman subjugation,
to counter revolt and rebellion.

Throughout history they rose again
and again against unfair reign,
the common people, repressed and poor
kept in place by violence and law,
imprisoned in the dungeons deep
or hanged from the walls of the keep.

Now the castle stands proud and high,
overlooks the city from a Norfolk sky,
a treasure trove of history and art,
a Snapdragon* now ruling at its heart,
to reflect the city’s wealth and civil power,
celebrate Saint George and each new mayor.

Kim M. Russell, 26th March 2024

I’m hosting this week’s Poetics at the dVerse Poets Pub with a prompt based on Philip Larkin’s poem ‘The Building’, a mysterious and ambiguous building, in which only a little is revealed bit by bit, and turns out to be a hospital.

I gave other examples of poems as inspiration to write about buildings: those in which we have lived; buildings in which we were happy or sad; favourite shops; buildings in which we went to school or worked; buildings that made an impression on us.

I just realised that I have written about this amazing building before: https://writinginnorthnorfolk.com/2019/08/21/castle-on-the-knoll/

* https://www.theshoebox.org.uk/the-dragon-of-norwich/

37 thoughts on “On the Hill”

    1. Thank you, Björn. It;s an amazing castle, with interesting objects and artwork. They’ve just opened it again after a major redevelopment project,

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  2. A castle is always interesting to me – filled with history and art. Would love to see the dungeons too. Am glad that it is now: a Snapdragon* now ruling at its heart,
    to reflect the city’s wealth and civil power. Thanks for hosting Kim.

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  4. What changes? Old buildings like this one witness little. I reminds me of ruined castles hanging off promontories at the southernmost tip of Ireland where my tribal ancestors once ruled — taken over by Normans, battered in to rubble by the English.

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    1. Sadly, so many people just see the castle walls and walk on by. The history of Norwich Castle is so interesting but also very dark. A couple of months ago, we went on the underground street walk and learned so much that we didn’t know. I’m delighted that the castle museum has opened again; I no matter how many times I visit, I always miss something.

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  8. Thank you, Kim, I am enjoying reading these places come live with history and memories. Nice rhyme also, hard to always have but it helps the poem to be poetic. I was a bit long, should have started with the school, but then it wouldn’t have been a ride.

    .. 

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  9. I got sidetracked reading up about Norwich Castle and forgot to leave a comment (I think). It’s an imposing place, embodies the rule of a powerful landowner, absolutely uncompromising. I can hear the ghosts wailing.

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  11. What a fascinating place, Kim! It looks so massive–and square–looming over the city. Of course, I’m fascinated by the history. 🙂

    I always enjoy the photos you post from Norfolk and Norwich.

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  12. It is towering castle, I can’t imagine slaves building the mound on which it sits. It must have been arduous and in horrendous conditions. It is certainly still holds an ominous power overlooking the city. Thank you sharing this history in your poem.

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