Cow Tower, Norwich

Cow Tower is a rare example of a medieval artillery tower in Norwich, standing on the banks of the River Wensum. Constructed between 1398 and 1399 by the city's authorities, it was designed to bolster Norwich's defenses against potential threats from France and internal English rebels. Strategically located to guard the city's north-eastern approach, its elevated position allowed for the effective use of hand cannons and bombards against attackers on the higher ground opposite the river.

The circular tower, now a shell of its former self, originally spanned three stories, measuring 14.6 meters (48 feet) in height and 11.2 meters (37 feet) in diameter. Its robust walls, 1.8 meters (5 feet 11 inches) thick at the base, were constructed with a flint core and faced with brick, showcasing what archaeologist T. P. Smith considers "some of the finest medieval brickwork" in England. Gunports for lighter artillery were embedded in the walls, while the roof supported heavier bombards, with wide embrasures ensuring ample firing range.

Throughout the 15th century, the tower remained a key defensive structure and played a notable role during Kett's Rebellion in 1549, when it suffered artillery damage. Though repairs in the late 19th century inadvertently weakened its structure, significant conservation efforts in the mid-20th century stabilized the tower. Today, it is managed collaboratively by English Heritage and Norwich City Council.

While its floors and roof no longer remain, Cow Tower's architectural significance endures. It was one of the first English structures purpose-built for gunpowder artillery, standing alongside notable contemporaries like God's House Tower in Southampton and the West Gate in Canterbury. Its imposing presence by the River Wensum remains a testament to Norwich's medieval military ingenuity.