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Great Blow

17th-century explosions17th-century riotsExplosions in EnglandHistory of NorwichReligious riots in England
Riots and civil disorder in EnglandSecond English Civil WarUse British English from March 2025

The Great Blow was a pro-royalist riot and resultant explosion that took place on 24 April 1648 in Norwich during the Second English Civil War. 98 barrels of gunpowder were detonated in Committee House, causing the largest explosion recorded in 17th century England. The riot can be attributed to many complex causes including excise tax, strict policies upon churches, and impressment. The inciting incident, however, was an 18 April 1648 petition which accused Norwich Mayor John Utting of helping royalists into local power and requested that he should be taken in custody to the House of Commons in London. A counter-petition from Utting encouraged a royalist riot which spread from the city's market and Chapel Field to the houses of the mayor's supporters and the gunpowder stores in Committee House, eventually leading to the accidental explosion due to an unknown direct cause. Contemporary estimates of deaths varied between 80 to 200. 40 buildings were destroyed, amounting to £20,000 of damage, and the windows of two nearby churches were shattered by the blast. 8 men were executed for their apparent roles in the riot of the 108 who stood trial; 26 of the others were fined £30, 7 were imprisoned and 2 were whipped. The explosion and its context were named a 'mutiny', 'blow' or 'crack' by its contemporaries.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Great Blow (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors).

Great Blow
Bethel Street, Norwich Heigham Grove

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N 52.62798 ° E 1.28955 °
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Bethel Street 45a
NR2 1NS Norwich, Heigham Grove
England, United Kingdom
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