Mousehold Heath, Norwich
John Crome, c. 1818-20
Deriving its name from the Old English term 'moche-holt', or 'thick wood', Mousehold Heath was for centuries used as common land for pasture and gathering firewood, building materials and manure. In 1549 it had been the headquarters of Robert Kett's 'Norfolk rebellion' against enclosure. While it had finally been enclosed in 1799, its land partitioned and placed in private ownership, Crome preferred to show it in its traditional, 'natural' state. Today, Mousehold Heath is a protected nature reserve which is once again open to the public.
