Norwich lies at the centre of a great agricultural area, and it was for many centuries an important centre for trade. The Saxon market was located in Tombland area of the City, and after the Norman Conquest of 1066, a new market was established in the area known as the 'Mancroft'. By the 1300s, the main market in Mancroft stretched from Guildhall Hill very nearly to St Stephen's Church, which can be seen on the right. Fish, meat, cloth, vegetables, shoes, livestock and many other items were each sold on their particular pitch or place.

By the end of the 1600's, the market was becoming so congested that a new site for livestock sales had to be found, but it was not until 1738 the livestock market was moved to the "Castell Dykes", which is the area below the castle mound. It's no longer there now.