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History

The history and traditions of Lowestoft and its society, including the stories of some of today’s companies and businesses. Explore stories, information and local links about Lowestoft’s history, including an INDEX of over 100 articles by David Butcher

Visit our new project Our Fallen. Try the Historic High Street Stroll where you can click on a building and find out some key facts about its history. And if it's a business, what it can do for you. Try the Timeline to look at some key dates in our history. Just scroll or swipe down the page, or click on the 'related topic' below, or use the highlighted menus above.

And check out stories with a connection to the area's history, from Heritage Action Zone to walks along The Scores. Want to add information? Or suggest a link? Just email us with the details using the [Got a comment] block on any story

A view across Normanston Park - a substantial surviving piece of the medieval South-west Common Field (sometimes found referred to as the West South Field).   

It is unarguable that maritime influences were the major factor in shaping Lowestoft during the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods. Yet,…
CREDIT: BluePen/Ventura — created for community history and freely available for reuse.   

Mid-late 6th century? - Founding of Lowestoft as Hluda’s toft, meaning “the homestead of Hluda” - with Hluda itself translatable as…

A number of rules and fees payable (applying to both residents and outsiders) surviving from the Late Medieval and Early Modern periods is to be…

   Waller’s Raid CREDIT: AJ Turner
Tue, 01/13/1942 - 00:00 Lowestoft’s worst raid of world war II 80 years ago today on 23 January 1942, while convoys of lorries were still trucking…

Jan 1603 Many readers will know know something of London’s so-called “Great Plague”, which began in May 1665 and stretched into January 1666, and in…

Tape-recordings made 1976-83The recordings were made with local people, with the intention of producing a sound archive to record an important part…