Draft:Dutch Quarter, Colchester

The Dutch Quarter, named after the Dutch speaking settlers in the 1500s who came from Belgium, Holland, and France, is located north of Colchester High Street and covers Maidenburgh Street, West Stockwell Street, East Stockwell Street, Stockwell Street, St Helen’s Lane, Northgate Street and Nunn’s Road.

The name was not coined until after the Second World War and was previously referred to as ‘The North’ in reference to North Bridge.

It was home to the Dutch Weavers, a group of Flemish Protestants who set up their production of bay in the Quarter. The homes were built at the end of the 16^th century and were painted red and green with white window frames in a typical Dutch style. Houses built in Colchester during the textiles trade often were built with ‘weaver’s windows’ which were large and horizontal to allow light in without the looms blocking it. More than 60 of the homes still exist.

History

Roman roads

The Dutch Quarter was built on some pre-existing Roman roads including Maidenburgh Street running along the course of a Roman road, and St Helen’s Lane forming part of the original Roman street leading from the Temple of Claudius to the theatre.

Flemish history

By the 14^th century when the first Flemish settlers were invited to settle by Edward III to assist in the production of Colchester russets, the Dutch Quarter area consisted of several shops including an ironmonger in East Stockwell Street. The Colchester court rolls of the 14th century also outline wells providing water supply.

The Flemish bay-maker settlers in Colchester began to build the houses by the end of the 16^th century. The location was chosen as it was close to the Colne River which was used in the textiles industry. It was in the Dutch Quarter where the Flemish bay makers set up their workshops and houses.

For more about the Flemish bay makers, see ‘Dutch Weavers’.

Jewish occupation

The Dutch Quarter saw Jewish settlement around the 1790s. There was a synagogue in a house off Stockwell Street which survived until 1795.

Important buildings

Peake's House

Grade II listed building located in the centre of the Medieval market where fullers, dyers and tanners worked.

East Hill House

Grade I listed building built by wealthy merchant tailor George Wegg.

Blue Coats School

Now known as the Old School House. Bluecoats prepared children for apprentices which bay makers took on.

Taylor House

Grade II listed building. The residence of Ann and Jane Taylor, known for writing 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'. Marked with a plaque on 11 and 12 West Stockwell Street.

Dutch Church

In 1563, the Dutch Refugee Church was built on the corner of Head Street and Church Street.

St Helen Lane and Chapel

It is said that Helena, the daughter of King Coel of Colchester and mother of Roman emperor Constantine the Great, became the patron saint of Colchester. Her chapel, the Chapel of St. Helen, is the oldest building in the Dutch Quarter. Her statue of St Helena holding a piece of the True Cross now stands proudly on the top of the present Town Hall of Colchester, on the south edge of the Dutch Quarter. When the Normans came to Colchester, they restored the chapel in 1076 and built Colchester Castle with the material from the ruins of Roman buildings close to Maidenburgh Street.

Bishop Blaise Inn

No. 35 West Stockwell Street was formerly the Bishop Blaize inn, where the town's wool combers met in the building named after their patron saint.

Stockwell well

Stockwell street excavations have revealed large concentrations of sheep bones near the well on Stockwell Street dating to 16th and 17th centuries, suggesting a probable source of wool for the local cloth trade.

Historic Street names

• Dutch Court
• Middle Mill
• Northgate Street, formally known as 'Dutch Lane'.
• Quakers Alley
• Quakers Court
• Sir Isaacs Walk
• St Helen's Lane

See also

Dutch Weavers

Colchester

Bay (cloth)

Russet (cloth)