5 famous historical figures who have links to Norfolk

From Disney princesses to politicians, here is a list of five people you may not know had connections to the county. 

1. Pocahontas

A plaque commemorating her memory can be found in Heacham (Image: Ian Burt)

Pocahontas was the daughter of a Native American leader and was born around 1596.

She is believed to have rescued the King's Lynn-born sea captain John Smith after he was captured in 1607.

Although the Disney animation shows a romantic relationship blossoming between the two, they did not end up together and she instead married another sailor from Norfolk, John Rolfe of Heacham.

The couple were a key part in the establishment of the Jamestown colony but returned to the UK in 1616. 

They had one child together, named Thomas Rolfe, and the family planned to one day return back across the Atlantic.

Pocahontas sadly fell ill and died before the journey.

A commemorative plaque bearing her name remains at Heacham church. 

2. Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein hid out in north Norfolk after fleeing Germany in 1932 (Image: PA)

Albert Einstein is arguably one of the most famous scientists in history - but few know about the time he spent hiding in north Norfolk.

He fled Berlin in 1932, just before Adolf Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany.

In 1933, he spent three weeks in hiding at a cabin on Roughton Heath, near Cromer, at the invitation of the Tory MP Oliver Locker-Lampson.

After his stay on the coast, Einstein fled to the US to seek asylum and remained there for the rest of his life.

3. Anne Boleyn

Anne Boleyn was born at Blickling (Image: Antony Kelly)

Anne Boleyn is best known as the second wife of King Henry VII, who he beheaded after accusing her of adultery, treason and incest. 

She is believed to have been born at a house which once stood on the Blickling estate, near Aylsham, in around 1501.

People have reported seeing her ghost roaming Blickling on May 19 - the anniversary of her death - almost every year since.

4. Howard Carter

Keepers Cottage in Swaffham where Howard Carter stayed (Image: Newsquest) Howard Carter was the archaeologist who discovered Tutankhamun's hidden tomb in Egypt.

He was born in Kensington, London, in 1874, but spent most of his childhood and adolescence in Swaffham.

While living in Norfolk, he would often visit family friends at Didlington Hall in Brandon.

Their vast collection of Egyptian antiques inspired him to further research Egyptology, setting him on the path of his career.

His great-niece, Susan Allen, is still local.

A gallery dedicated to his life can be found at the Swaffham Museum.

5. Robert Walpole

Robert Walpole commissioned the building of Houghton Hall (Image: Ian Burt)

Sir Robert Walpole is largely considered to be the first prime minister, although this title was not in use at the time.

Walpole was born in Houghton and after his father died in 1700, he inherited the estate and the title of MP for Castle Rising.

Walpole commissioned the building of the existing Houghton Hall in the 1720s and his descendent, the seventh Marquess of Cholmondeley, still lives there today.

He is buried at the Church of St Martin in Houghton.