St Ann's Fort was erected in 1625 and the following year, a number of "great guns" were installed from the Tower of London. Having no defensive cover, it was said that if attacked from the river, they would be of little use. The men who manned the guns, lived in a house called "The Fort Barracks" in North Street. It was that property that became the NORFOLK ARMS.
In June 1869 it was said that St. Ann's Fort had been levelled within the past few weeks and notwithstanding a strict search made during the levelling, the only coins found were undated trade tokens, apparently from Hanseatic cities.

On Monday 21st February 1859, baker Richard Medlock, of North street, was charged with a violent assault on Elizabeth Hanwell, wife of Henry Hanwell, of the Norfolk Arms, North street. In the mistaken belief that his wife had been drinking in the inn, Medlock had entered in a state of great excitement and struck Mrs. Hanwell several blows to the face and broke two windows. He was fined £1 with 2s 6d damages for the windows and £1 0s 6d costs.

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The Licence Registers give Henry Hanwell as licensee in the period 1872 - 1880, Charles Backham is not mentioned.

Charles Backham is given here in the 1871 census and is recorded as a beer retailer in North Street in 1877 - but this latter entry is suspected to relate to the PILOT HOY also in North End Ward.

Referred for Compensation 08.03.1920

Licence extinct 25.01.1921