King's Lynn
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King's Lynn is a medium-sized town in Norfolk, England on the River Great Ouse. It is part of the King's Lynn and West Norfolk district.
Originally named "Bishop's Lynn," the town was part of the manor of the Bishop of Norwich in the 12th century. When Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1538, it became royal property. The name "King's Lynn" reflects this change.
The Guildhall (1421) and the Town Hall (1895) are King's Lynn's most impressive buildings, built in flint-checkered design.
In the 14th century, the town ranked as the third port of England. It became very prosperous from the 17th century through the export of corn; the Customs House was built in 1683. It was — and is — a major centre for glass-making.
The Deputy Collector of Customs in 1757 was called George Vancouver. He navigated the American coast in 1790 and gave his name to Vancouver Island and the city of Vancouver — 5,000 miles away from King's Lynn.
King's Lynn railway station is the terminus of the Fen Line, and gives connections to Ely, Cambridge and London King's Cross.
| River Great Ouse | edit | |
| Administrative areas: Buckinghamshire | Bedfordshire | Cambridgeshire | Norfolk | Flows into: The Wash Towns (upstream to downstream): Buckingham | Stony Stratford | Newport Pagnell | Olney | Bedford | St Neots Major tributaries (upstream to downstream by confluence): Padbury Brook | River Lovat | Gadsey Brook | River Ivel | Begwary Brook Major bridges (upstream to downstream): Great Barford Bridge | Godmanchester Chinese Bridge | ||
| Longest UK rivers: 1. Severn 2. Thames 3. Trent 4. Aire 5. Great Ouse 6. Wye 7. Tay 8. Spey 9. Nene 10. Clyde 11. Tweed 12. Eden | ||
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