History of Norfolk/Volume 2/Grimeshou

by Francis Blomefield

The Hundred of Grimeshou

Grimeshoo, or Grimeshoe, is bounded on the east with the hundreds of Shropham and Weyland, on the north, with the hundred of South Greenhoo, from which it is divided by the river Wissey, but at Cranwich it crosses the river, and takes in the townships of Colveston and Ickburgh, on the west with the hundred of Claclose, and on the south with the Little Ouse, which divides it from Suffolk.

It most probably derives its name from Grime, and hoo, a hilly champain country. This Grime was (as I take it) some considerable leader or general, probably of the Danes in this quarter; and if he was not the præsitus comitatus, or vicecomes, that is the shire-greeve or sheriff, he was undoubtedly the centuriæ præpositus, that is, the hundred-greeve, and as such gave the name to it, which it retains at this day.

About the centre of this hundred, two miles east of Weeting, in the road from Brandon to Norwich, is a very curious Danish incampment, in a semicircular form, consisting of about twelve acres, on the side of a hill or rising ground of marl or chalk. In this space are great numbers of large deep pits, joined in a regular manner, one near to another, in form of a quincunx, the largest seeming to be in the centre, where probably the general's or commander's tent was. These pits are dug so deep, and are so numerous, that they are capable not only of receiving a very great army, but also of covering and concealing them in such a manner, that travellers passing by cannot discern them; at the east end of this entrenchment (called by the neighbourhood, the Holes,) is a large tumulus, pointing towards Thetford, (about five or six miles distant,) which perhaps might also have served as a watch-tower, or a place of signal; and here the hundred court used to be called. This remarkable place retains also the name of GrimesGraves, as well as that of the Holes, taking its name from the aforesaid Grime, and from the Islandick, or old Danish word, grafa, fodere, to dig. That this part of the country (being open, and a champain) was a great seat of war between the Saxons and the Danes, appears from the many tumuli throughout this hundred, there being scarce any township without more or less of them. These tumuli were erected by the northern nations for the sepulture of their most considerable men and leaders, who fell in battle, and served not only as monuments of honour to the deceased, but as tokens of victory and terrour, and were trophies of conquest, to shew how far they had led their armies, and conquered.

In these have been often found the bones of men, pieces of old armour, &c.; and in Somersetshire, under one was found a vault arched, wherein lay a man in rich armour, and two phials of some kind of liquor, by his head, as it were pro viatico.

This hundred, with that of Weyland, &c. were anciently the demeans of the Kings of England, but King John gave them to Roger de Thony. In the 34th of Henry III. it was valued at six marks, and in the 52d of that King, Will. de St. Omer held it, paying 20s. per annum.

It appears by the presentment of the jury, in the third of King Edward I. when there was an inquisition taken, that Petronilla de Thony held it in dower, with the hundred of Weyland, &c. and William de St. Omer held it by courtesy, having married Petronilla, widow of Roger de Thony. The commissioners for this hundred, on the King's behalf, were, Sir Robert de Caston, Sir Robert de Hulme, Sir Robert de Saham, Knts. who on the oaths of twelve men for the hundred, and five men out of each town, were to enquire of all privileges that the lords of the manors held, what usurpations were made on the King's privileges, during his absence, and the tenures of their manors.

In the 9th of the said King, there was another inquisition taken by the aforesaid knights inquisitors, and the hundred was then held by William de St. Omer, who paid 50s. blank farm at the castle of Norwich for it.

In the 27th of Edward I. it was held by Robert de Tony, and in the third of Edward II. he died seized of it, leaving it to Alice, wife of Thomas de Leybourn, his sister and heir, who being afterwards married to Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick, it came into that family; and in the 34th of Edward III. Guy de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick died seized of this hundred, and that of Weyland, as parcel of the manor of Saham; and it appears by a pleading in Michaelmas term, 5th Richard II. that Philippa, widow of the said Guy, was lady hereof; she held it also 8th of Richard II.; but in the 21st of the said King, it was granted to John Earl of Salisbury, and his heirs males, by the King, being parcel of the possessions of Thomas Earl of Warwick, &c.

In the second of Henry IV. it came into the Warwick family again, and Thomas Earl of Warwick held it; in 24th of King Henry VI. Henry Duke of Warwick died seized, leaving it to Ann, his daughter and heir, then but three years old, who died soon after, so that it descended to Ann, sister to Henry, wife to Richard Nevill Earl of Salisbury, who was declared Earl of Warwick, and was that great earl intitled Richard Make-King.

In 21st Edward IV. it was granted to John Earl of Salisbury, as parcel of the possessions of Thomas Earl of Warwick; but in the third of Henry VII. we find it conveyed to that King, by Ann Countess of Warwick; and it remained in the Crown till the 36th Henry VIII. when that King granted it to Sir Richard Southwell of Wood-Rising in Norfolk; and from the Southwells it came to the Cranes; and, about 1662, was parcel of the possessions of William Crane, Esq. of Wood-Rising.

It is now [1738] in the hands of Mr. Wright, late of Brandon in Suffolk, son of the Rev. Mr. Wright, vicar of Stepney.

The tenths of the towns in this hundred were 90l. 15s. 6d. q. deductions 14l. 13s. 5d. 0b. Rem. 76l. 2s. ob. q.

The whole hundred is in the deanery of Cranwich, and under the Archdeacon of Norfolk.

CROXTON

This village stands at the south-east corner of the hundred: in the time of the Conqueror, when Domesday Book was made, it was called Crokestun, and was then in the King's hands, and kept for him by William de Noiers; Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury was lord in Edward the Confessor's time, when there were five carucates of land, and three in demean, it was then valued at 10l. per annum, at the survey at 40s. but paid 100s.; the whole was one leuca and a half in length, and one in breadth, and paid 20d. towards the 20s. gelt of the hundred.

Soon after this, the Conqueror gave the town to William the great Earl Warren, his son-in-law, who at the Conquest had the greatest part of the hundred given him.

Sibton Manor

Part of this town was held under the said Earl, by Thomas, and Simon Sorrel, which Thomas, about the reign of Henry III. gave lands here to the abbey of Sibeton in Suffolk, which were afterwards, by deed without date, confirmed by Simon his brother; and from hence this manor took its name; and amongst the inquisitions taken in that King's reign, the Abbot of Sibeton was found to hold here the 20th part of a knight's fee: in the third of Edward I. the Abbot is said to hold the moiety of this town of the Earl Warren, and the Earl to hold it in capite.

Besides the family of Sorrel, several other persons gave lands here to the aforesaid abbey. In 5th of Richard II. John de Beche of Syvelsho in Bedfordshire granted to Robert Ashfield, Thomas de Wroxham, parson of Alby, John de Norwich, &c. the rent of two marks per annum, and five shillings, or a thousand herrings (on Ash-Wednesday) to be paid by the Abbot of Sibeton, for lands held of him in Croxton; and William, nephew of Guy de Tornello, rector of Fornset, gave them lands here; and amongst the evidences of the Duke of Norfolk, are several small deeds of land given to this abbey by several persons, insomuch that the temporalities of that religious house, in this town, were taxed in 1428 at 10l. 4s. 6d. per annum, and were afterwards (at the Duke's request) assigned to the monks of Thetford, and at the Dissolution of abbies were given by King Henry VIII to the Duke of Norfolk; and in the ninth year of King James I. the Bailiff of Thomas Earl of Arundell and Surrey accounted thus for the profits of this manor; rent of assize and free tenants 16d. of customary tenants 35l. 7d. ob. and for land in the vicar's tenure 16d. This manor is now [1738] held by the Duke of Norfolk, and there was, a few years past, a park well stocked with deer; the house, which stands in it, was formerly known by the name of North-Wic, because it stands on the north winding of the river, in respect to Thetford, and is now called Croxton Park.

Bromhill Manor

Another part of this town was held of the aforesaid Earl Warren, by the ancient family of De Plaiz, and was given by Sir Hugh de Plaiz, about the beginning of the reign of Henry III. to the priory of Bromhill in Norfolk, on his founding that religious house; and from the inquisitions taken in the said reign, the Prior of Bromhill appears to hold this manor or moiety of the town, of the heirs of the Plaizes. In the third of Henry IV. the Prior held it of Sir John Howard, (the heiress of the De Plaiz being married into that family,) and he of the Dutchy of Lancaster, then in the King's hands.

In 1428, the Priory was taxed at 7l. 5s. 11d. for its temporalities in this town, and at 22 marks for its spiritualities, the rectory being appropriated to it.

This priory being suppressed before the general Dissolution, by a bull of Pope Clement VII. in the 20th Henry VIII. the manor was granted to Cardinal Wolsey, and on the Cardinal's fall, the King by exchange gave it to Christ's College in Cambridge, June 2, in the 23d year of his reign, in which college it still remains.

Besides these manors, Walter Clere and Bertram Cryoll are found to have held lands here in the reign of King Henry III. and in 4th Edward II. William Reymond of Thetford sold for 25 marks to John de Acre and Isabell his wife, arable lands in this town, which came afterwards to William Cat of Thetford, who by deed dated on Sunday before the Feast of St. Andrew, 13th of Henry IV. grants to Roger Stoppusley, Edmund Blankpayn, &c. and their heirs, all his arable lands here, late John de Acres, and all his other lands arable in this town; and on July 3d, in 13th of the aforesaid King, license was granted to Roger Stoppusley, to convey to the prior and monks of Thetford 53 acres of land, with the appurtenances in Croxton and Thetford, and also to Edmund Blankpayn, to convey 30 acres of land lying in a field called Faucon Field, with the appurtenances in this village; and in 1428, these religious were taxed for their temporalities in this town at 2l. 1s. 8d.

The hospital also of St. Mary Magdalen in Thetford had an interest in this town, a fine being levied in the 35th Henry III. between Stephen, custos of the said hospital, querent, Richard de Surrie and Sara his wife, impedient, of one messuage, and 43 acres and an half of land, with a fold course granted to the custos and his successours, and there was a chapel or religious house said to belong to them, called Domus Dei, near the church of Croxton, but I rather think it belonged to Domus Dei at Thetford, and after to the canons.

On the dissolution of these houses, the lands aforementioned came to Sir Richard Fulmerston, and were settled by him on feoffees, for charitable uses, viz. the founding and endowing a school and hospital at Thetford, and are accordingly applied at this day.

The tenths of this town were 3l. 18s. 6d.

Croxton stands on the side of a hill, and there are some trees growing on its summit, which are seen many miles in this open and champain country, and are by way of distinction called Croxton HighTrees. In the fields of this town is a large mere, called Foul-Mere, consisting of many acres of water.

The Church is dedicated to All-Saints; it is built of flint stone and boulder, and consists of a nave or body, to which is annexed a south isle, with good roofs of oak, covered with lead, and is in length about 38 feet, and in breadth, including the said isle, about 28 feet. On the pavement of the nave lies a grave-stone, in memory of Thomas Long, who died Aug. 26, A°. Dom. 1682. Another in memory of Mary White, daughter of Thomas Wight, who died Dec. 7, 1705, aged 23 years. And one in memory of Gregory Faux, who died March 18, A° Dom. 1697, aged 57. At the west end of the nave stands a very large font, with a capacious bason, supported by five pilasters of stone; the larger our fonts are, the greater is their antiquity, being made thus on account of immersion, which was in practice in the Saxon times, as is plain from the history of King Etheldred, II. son to King Edgar, who in his holy tincture (like Constantine Copronymus) defiled the font with natural excrements, and made Dunstan, the canonized saint, and then Archbishop of Canterbury, to exclaim or swear, Per Deum et Matrem ejus ignavus homo erit. William Wyrcester, in his Metra de Regibus Angliæ, has this distich on this subject:

Sacra statim natus Etheldredus violavit, Nam baptizatus, baptisterium violavit.

And at this very day the fonts in country churches are generally capacious enough to admit of immersion, if requested by the parent of the child. A very worthy author treating on private baptism, observes, that water once blessed in so sacred a purpose, should neither be put to common use, or thrown away irreverently into the kennel or sink, and I wonder our church (as the said author proceeds) has made no provision how the water used in the font at church should be disposed of; in the Greek church, particular care is taken that it never be thrown into the street like common water, but poured into a hollow place under the altar, called [Oalassidoin] vel [Choneion], where it is soaked into the earth, or finds a passage. The said reverend author, upon enquiry, will find that the fonts in most, if not in all, our country churches, have an hole and stopple at the bottom, as the holy-water pots also anciently had, which lets the water out into a pipe or channel, reaching from the mouth of the hole to the ground, where a cavity is made, on purpose to receive it, that it may soak into the earth, as is above observed in the Greek [Choneion], so that the practice of the ancients is a plain and a just example for us to imitate.

At the east end of the south isle is an ascent, where, in time of popery, there was an altar, as in most churches of that age.

At the west end of the nave stands a tower of flint, &c. the lower part of it is round, and a Danish work, the upper part is now octangular, and has a cap or cover of wood; in this tower hang three bells, one of them is dedicated to Thomas Becket Archbishop of Canterbury, and thus inscribed:

Williami: Ungot Tapelli: et Petri Ungot et Anabule Parentum Suor.

The nave is divided from the chancel by an old oaken screen, on which is inscribed,

This chancel is in length about 24 feet, and in breadth about 15, and is covered with thatch; there is an ascent of two steps to the communion table, where, on the pavement, lie three marble gravestones, one in memory of Elizabeth Snelling, wife of George Snelling, of Lee in Kent, Esq. and mother of Mary Snelling, who married William Smith of Croxton, Gent. she died Sep. 26, 1678, aged 72. Another thus inscribed: Jan. 12, 1691, Tho. Smyth, Gent. departed this life, aged 45, he married Margaret, the eldest daughter of Will. Cropley of Shilland, in Norfolk, Esq. who died about three years before her husband, and were both survived by two children, William and Elizabeth. The third is in memory of Will. Smyth, Gent. who died Dec. 25, 1682, aged 47.

Against the north wall is a compartment of marble and stone, ornamented with a cherub gilt, and foliages, and on the summit a shield, Fletcher, arg. a chevron between three mullets sab. impaling Wood, per pale arg. and sab. a chevron between three martlets counterchanged, and on the body of it,

Here lyeth buried the Body of Thomas Fletcher, Esq; One of the Readers of Lincolnnes Inne, who married Frances The eldest Daughter of Robert Wood, Esq. late of Tharston, And had Issue by her nyne Sonnes, William, Thomas, Bartholomew, Robert, John, Charles, Thomas, Henery, and Anthony, & seven Daughters, Anne, Elizabeth, Jane, Elizabeth, Frances, Dorothy, & Alice. He departed this Life, the fourth of February, in the Year of our Lord God 1656. Here lyeth also the Body of the Said Frances Fletcher, who died 10th of May 1684.

In the east window is the shield of the Earl Warren.

Rectors

• 1316, 12 Sept. Simon Peche. Joan, relict of Sir Giles Plaiz.
• 1337, 21 Nov. Roger Lugæardyne. Sir Gilbert Talbot, guardian to Richard, son of Richard Playz.
• 1349, 16 July, Robert de Caldewell. Sir Richard Playz, Knt.
• 1349, 1 Feb. William de Lyvermere. The Prior and Convent of Bromhill.
• 1361, 16 Oct. Simon Goss. Ditto.
• 1377, 31 March, Thomas Gardiner. Ditto.

Vicars

In 1401, this rectory was appropriated to the priory of Bromhill, being the gift of Sir Richard de Playz, and a vicarage endowed, and taxed at 7 marks, which was presented to by the priory.

Before the appropriation the rector had a house and 50 acres of land, though now there is only half an acre of glebe, where the vicarage-house once stood. It paid 12d. Peter-pence, and 2s. synodals.

• 1403, 8 April, Peter Cok.
• 1414, 9 Feb. Walter Rothyng.
• 1433, 3 Sep. Philip Merton, canon regular of Bromhill, vicar, buried in the chancel.
• 1453, 24 May, Robert Curteys, canon, on the death of Merton.
• 1462, 28 July, Osbert Bucton, canon, on the death of Curteys.
• 1484, 9 Sept. Mathew Knyveton. The Bishop of Norwich.
• 1489, 7 Oct. Thomas Bryan. The Bishop.
• 1493, 19 July, Jeffrey Tony, canon of Bromhill, Thomas Axh., Prior, &c. Tony's will is dated 21st Nov. 1535, and proved 10th May, 1536, wherein he desires to be buried in the churchyard. He was the last presented by the Prior.
• 1536, 21 July, William Wardeman, on the death of Tony, by Christ-College, Cambridge, who are the present [1738] patrons.
• 1546, Edward Leys, A. M.
• 1554, 30 July, William Hytchen.
• 1548, 18 July, Edmund Deyer, on the death of Hytchen. He was reinstated, being deposed by Queen Mary, probably as a married priest.
• 1558, 5 Jan. John Abadam. The Bishop, by lapse.
• Francis Slack.
• 1597, 27 Jan. William Jenkinson, A. B. on the resignation of Slack.
• 1632, 15 March, William Jenkinson. A. M. on the resignation of Jenkinson, senior.
• 1675, 22 Oct. John Chinery, A. M.; he held it with Bretenham.
• 1711, 5 March, The Rev. Mr. James Halman, A. B. now [1738] vicar, on Chinery's death.

The vicarage is valued at 6l. 13s. 4d.; tenths 13s. 4d. and is discharged of both, being in clear value but 23l. per annum, and in 1603 had 70 communicants.

SANTON

This is now a depopulated village, and has only a manor or farmhouse; it lies westward of Croxton, near the Ouse-Parva, that divides this county from that of Suffolk; in ancient writings it is wrote Santon, and Stanton, and so may take its name either from its sandy situation, or from the number of flinty stones that are in the sands, At the Survey, it was the lordship of William Earl Warren, and there were three carucates, valued at 10s. per annum.

In the reign of King Henry III. Peter de Barew held this lordship of the Earl Warren, and in the 34th of that King, a fine was levied between Peter Crispin, querent, and the aforesaid Peter, impedient, of two carucates of land here, and four shillings rent in Tefford, granted to Crispin for 40s. sterling; this was probably on some marriage settlement, for in the third of Edward I. Peter de Barew, and Hugh de Dunton, were found to hold this town of the aforesaid Earl, and he in capite, as parcel of his barony.

In the 9th of King Edward II. Nicholas, son of Thomas de Stanton, was returned as lord of this place, but the toll of the ferry here belonged to the lord of Thetford, as was found on the death of Ralph de Cobham, lord of Thetford. The aforesaid Nicholas, and Catherine his wife, conveyed the manor to Roger de Bodney, and Nicholas his wife, and by a fine levied in the 15th of Edward III. it was settled on Roger and Nicholaa aforesaid, in tail, remainder to Richard, son of Richard Holdich.

And on St. Mathew's day, in the 8th of Richard II. John de Bodney, by his deed then dated at Santon, gives to John Elvered, rector of Oxburg, Richard de Risele, Richard Coslyn, clerk, John Crane of Foulden, clerk, Thomas Veylde, clerk, and John Baxter of Dudelynton, his manor in Santon, with the rents, services, &c. and all his lands and tenements in Wilton, Hockwold, and Dudlyngton, the above-named persons held it as trustees till it could be settled on the Prior and Convent of St. Mary of Thetford; and in the 7th of King Henry VII. Nov. 19, John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, being one of the trustees, obtained license of mortmain, on the Prior and Convent's payment of 25l. to the King, and Sir John Howard, lord of the fee, confirmed the same on the 17th Dec. in the aforesaid year. On the dissolution of the priory of Thetford, it was given with the site of that house, to Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk, and being forfeited on the attainder of the said Duke, King Edward VI. by his letters patents, dated 6th May, in the 5th year of his reign, gave it to John Cheke, Esq. (his schoolmaster,) to be held of him in capite, paying 28s. 4d. per annum, but it came again to the Crown, by a fine passed in the third and fourth of Philip and Mary, between the said King and Queen, and Sir John Cheek. And in the following year, it was enjoyed by Thomas Duke of Norfolk, and was alienated by the Earl of Arundel and Surrey, to Thomas Bancroft, Gent. on the 21st of June, in the 21st of King James I.; and by an inquisition taken at Thetford, 28th July, in the 12th of King Charles I. on the death of Thomas Bancroft, it was found to be held by him of the King in capite, by the fortieth part of a knight's fee; the said Thomas left by Margaret his wife, three daughters; Helen, married to Rob. Sadler, Gent. Elizabeth, married to John Scroggs, and Margaret, afterwards the wife of Nicholas Cuntiff of Chiselhurst in Kent. Robert Sadler, by Helen, had a daughter of the same name, who was married to Thomas Saunders of Beachwood in Hertfordshire, who purchasing the other shares, left it to his daughter and heir, the wife of Sir Edward Seabright, Bart. From this last family it came to —Copinger, Esq. and from him to — Petiward, Esq. the present [1738] lord.

The tenths of this town were 2l. 10s. 4d.

The Prior and Convent of Castle-Acre had a portion of tithes here, valued at 4s. 5d. per annum.

The present fabrick is very small, rebuilt out of the ruins of the old one (which was dedicated to All-Saints) about a century past, of flint, and some brick, being in length about 30 feet, and in breadth about 15; the roof is camerated, plastered, and covered with tiles; at the south-west corner is a little place raised above the roof, in which hangs one bell.

The revision tells us, this chapel was ruined, but was rebuilt by Tho. Bancroft, Gent. the sole parishioner there, and was consecrated by Samuel Bishop of Norwich, in his progress towards the archbishoprick of York, Jan. 6, 1628.

Near the east end, on the pavement, lies a marble stone with these arms, Bancroft, or, on a bend between six cross croslets ar. three garbs of the first, impaling two chevronels, one charged with an ermine spot, and thus inscribed,

Thomas Bancrofte Armiger, Ex præcipuis in Archivis, ejus qui Præfecto Ærarij Regij a Memoria est, Librarijs. Cujus Impensis unicis atque ultroneis, Ecelesia hæc funditus antiquitus demolita, propriisque Ruderibus sopita longum sepultaque, tandem rediviva resurrexit, Cui Margareta Conjux præcharissima, (præter plerosque Liberos jam diù in Cineres redactos,) tres peperit Filias, nimirum, Helenam, Roberto Sadlier in Agro Hertfordiensi apud Sopwell, Divi Albani Pago vicinum, Armigero, Connubio junctam, Elizabetham, Johanni Scroggs de Patmerhall in eôdem Comitatu, Armigero, nuptam. Nubilemque Margaretam Virginem, summum sui eximias Dotes Desiderium relinquens. Dierum Satur et Canitie bona, indubiâ suscitandi, novissima Tuba, Spe, hìc placide in Domino obdormit. Mortalitate exutus, Parasceve 15 Aprilis, 1636.

Rectors

• 1311, 26 Sept. Robert, son of Hugo de Rokelins, to Sancton. Adam de Hakebeche.
• 1315, 25 Oct. John de Norwode, to Santone. Sir Hervy de Santone.
• William de Culpho, resigned.
• 1329, 14 Nov. Henry Blast de Tudenham. Sir William Visdelew.
• 1338, 29 Jan. John de Aldeburgh.
• 1341, 22 Sep. Roger de Fakenham.
• 1349, 2 June, Henry Purchas.
• 1368, 17 June, William de Rusheworth.
• 1374, 26 Feb. John, son of Richard Hey.
• 1376, 15 Jan. Hubert Atte Cherche de Lackford.
• 1385, 12 Oct. John Bolt, on the resignation of Atte Cherche. He was rector of Flempton, and exchanges with Atte Cherche. He was buried in the chancel of St. Catharine's church at Flempton; his will was proved March 12, 1385.
• 1385, 26 Jan. Robert Fullere.
• 1388, 11 Sept. Stephen Manwodene, on the resignation of Fullere. He was vicar of Lakynghithe, and exchanged with Fuller.

The above nine were presented by Sir John de Shardelowe, Knt.

• 1405, 10 Sep. Richard Fitz-Hugh. Sir George Felbrigg.
• 1409, 8 May, William Butt, on the resignation of Fitz Hugh. He was rector of Ampton, and exchanged with Fitz-Hugh. Ditto.
• 1409, 7 Aug. Richard Christmesse. Ditto.
• 1411, 23 Aug. John Cook, on the resignation of Christmesse. He was vicar of Sappeston, and exchanged with Christmess. Ditto.
• 1413, 16 Dec. William Northwolde de Hockwolde. Ditto.
• 1418, 13 Dec. Robert Gleyne, on the resignation of Northwolde. The Lady Ela de Schardelow.
• 1431, 25 Aug. William Brigham. Sir John Shardelow, Knt.
• 1436, 7 Nov. John Walter, on the resignation of Brigham. The Lady Ela de Schardelow.
• 1442, Robert Clark. Thomas Heigham, Esq.
• 1445, William Fraunceys. Ditto. Changed with Chipenham.
• 1453, 18 May, John Cony. Thomas Heigham.
• 1454, 3 May, John Andrew. Simon Fincham, feoffee to Robert Ashfield, the true patron.
• Robert Rollecrosse.
• 1460, 27 Oct. Edmund Beene, on the death of Rollecrosse. Cecily Ashfield, relict of Robert Ashfield, Esq.
• 1465, 18 March, Richard Roger. Thomas Heigham, Esq.
• 1482, 12 March, Richard Bimoke. Thomas Heigham, son and heir to Thomas Heigham, late of Gaysle, deceased.
• William Dunche.
• 1491, 21 May, Richard Skeppere, on the death of Dunche. Tho. Heigham, sen. Gent. who in 1494, granted the advowson to the Mayor and Commonalty of Thetford, who are the present patrons. See p. 136.
• 1509, 12 Apr. Thomas Gunwhat, rector of St. Etheldred's in Thetford, on the death of Skepper.
• 1524, 5 Nov. Thomas Hedge of Thetford, late vicar of Didlington. The Mayor, &c.
• John Pory. Ditto.
• 1539, 2 Aug. Bartholomew Baxter, on the death of Pory. Ditto.
• 1587, 30 May, John Thaxter, presented by Evance Richards, mayor of Thetford. After this, the said Thaxter occurs again as instituted Dec. 9, 1587, on the death of the last rector, presented by John Buxton, mayor of Thetford.
• 1601, 11 Jan. John Tilney, on the death of Thaxter.
• 1620, 1 Nov. William Jenkinson, A. B. The church of Santon, which for many years had lain in ruins, was rebuilt at the charge of Thomas Bancroft, Gent. and consecrated on the 6th Jan. 1628.
• 1635, 8 March, Richard Kendal, A. M. on the death of the last rector. He was turned out by the Earl of Manchester, 10th Aug. 1644, for observing the orders of the church, refusing to contribute to the Rebellion, swearing, haunting inns, being distempered with liquor, keeping malignant company, and for saying in a sermon, six or seven years before, that the puritans were hypocrites. He was also plundered for the Parliament taxes, and if I mistake not (says Walker, ) had some temporal estate also put under sequestration, ejected from this, and [Sandy] Downham stipend.
• 1669, 10 March, John Burrell, A. M. on the death of Kendall. He held this with Kilverston in Norfolk, and was afterwards rector of Cressingham-Magna.
• 1692, 21 Jan. John Tyrrell.
• 1713, 5 June, John Price, A. M. on the death of Tyrrell.
• 1717, The Rev. Mr. Thomas Eversdon, the present [1738] rector.

The seven last were presented by the Mayor.

This rectory is valued in the King's Books at 1l. 15s. 10d.; tenths 3s. 7d.; of which it is now discharged, the clear yearly value being sworn at 35l. Synodals 1s. 9d.; Peter-pence. 10d. There was a rectoryhouse, but no land, in Edward the Third's time.

In the 5th year of King John, Peter de Clay had a suit with Thomas de Ingaldesthorp, about the right of presentation to this church; and in the said year, a fine was levied between Peter de Clay, and Adam de Hakebech, of the advowson, wherein Adam had the right conveyed to him. And in the 17th of Edward II. a fine was levied between Robert son of Adam de Hakebech, querent, Henricus de Staunton vel Santon, one of the itinerant justices, defendant, of messuages in Santon, and the advowson of the church, granted to Hervey for life, remainder to Robert. In the 11th of Henry VI. Sir John Shardelow, Knt. son of Robert, son of Sir John, died without issue, seized of this advowson, and Thomas Brews of Salle, Esq. son of Robert Brews, son of — Brews, and Joan his wife, sister of Robert de Shardelow, was found his cousin and heir.

In 1265, Simon Bishop of Norwich confirmed to the monks of Castle-Acre, two parts of the tithes of the demeans of Sir Adam de Hakebech.

WETING

Lies west of Santon, in the south part of the hundred, where it is divided from Suffolk by the Little Ouse; part of it was given to the monastery of Ely, in the time of King Edgar, by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester. But at the the general Survey by the Conqueror, this part was then the lordship of William Earl Warren, and contained five carucates, which nine freemen held in the Confessor's time, (of the church of Ely,) two of which carucates, and the third part of the rest, Waseline and Osward held, the whole being valued at 50s. per annum.

Another part belonged to the Conqueror's own manor of Methwold, then in the custody of William de Noiers, which, in the Confessor's time, belonged to Stigand Archbishop of Conterbury, viz two carucates, &c. The whole is there said to be one league and half in breadth, and paid 14d. gelt, and is wrote Wetinge, that is, [..], a watery meadow, as lying in a bottom, and having a large tract of low ground adjoining to the Ouse, often surcharged with water.

Soon after the Survey, that part also which was held by the King came into the hands of the Earl Warren, and the whole town was held of those lords by the ancient and noble family of De-Plaiz, of which family was

Hugh Plaiz, who lived in the reign of King Stephen, and Sir Ralph de Plaiz, between whom and the burgesses of Thetford there was a suit about common pasture in Croxton.

In the beginning of the reign of Henry III. Hugh de Plaiz was lord; he married first Philippa, daughter and coheir of Richard de Monte-Fixo, (or Montfichet, a powerful baron, and afterwards Beatrix de Say, widow of Hugh de Nevill; and in the 24th year of the aforesaid King, there was an action of divorce depending between this Hugh and Beatrix, when the King ordered her 20l. per annum out of the lands of Hugh de Nevill in Sussex. The said Hugh after this married a third wife, for in the 40th of the aforesaid King, Alice, widow of Sir Hugh de Plaiz, released her right she had in dower, in the third part of this manor, and those of Feltwell, Tofts, Brisley, &c. in Norfolk, to

Rich. de Plaiz, son (as I take it) of Sir Hugh, by Philipps, his first wife, which Richard died in 53d Henry III. seized of this manor.

In the third year of King Edward I. the heirs of Richard de Plaiz were found to hold this town of the Earl Warren, and the Earl in capite, and to have the assize of bread and beer in the same; and in his 15th year,

Giles de Plaiz was under age, and the Queen's ward: and being knighted, was in the 22d of the said King summoned as a baron to attend the King on the first of Sept. at Portsmouth, in order to sail into Gascoyne, to recover his inheritance; and the said Sir Gyles died in 31st Edward I.

Richard, son of Sir Giles, proved his age in the 10th Edward II. and had livery of his lands, and in the 1st of King Edward III. was found to hold two parts of this manor, the other part being in the Prior of Bromhill, with a fishery here.

And in 25th of Edward III. Richard his son was lord; he gave to the abbey of St. Mary at Stratford, all his tenements in East and West-Ham, in Essex, and died beyond sea, in the 34th of the said King, leaving Mary his widow, the daughter of Sir Walter de Norwich, and

John, his son, of the age of 18 years. In the 40th Edward III. the said John was a knight. In the 5th Richard II. he lent the King 20l. towards his wars, and in the 9th of that King, attended John Duke of Lancaster in his expedition into Spain, and died in the 13th year of the same King. The said Sir John was the last heir male of this family, leaving only one daughter,

Margaret, married to Sir John Howard, ancestor to the Duke of Norfolk; his will is dated on Thursday before the Feast of St. John Baptist, 1385, at Ocle-Magna in Essex, and was proved on the 16th of July, 1389. "He bequeaths his body to be buried in the priory of Bromhill, to which house he gives his whole suit of vestments, a cup and thurible of silver, two vials, an incense boat, and an osculatory of silver gilt; to the prior and convent of Walsingham, his red vestment, and x. marks of silver; to the prior and convent of Bromholm, his black vestment and x. marks of silver; to the abbess and convent of Marham, to the prioress and convent of Wykes, to the prioress and convent of Heningham, to the prioress and convent of Thetford, and to the prior and convent of Ingham, 25l. viz. to each house, 100s. sterling; to the repair of every church in his patronage, 40s.; to the church of St. Mary at Feltwell, that of Toftrys, Chelesworth, and Stanstead-Montfychet, 4l. viz. to each 20s. and to Sir William, parson of the church of Knapton, 20l. of silver; to Sir John Lincoln, clerk, Simon Barret, Sir John, vicar of Wyndesore, Sir William, parson of the church of St. Mary of Weting, Sir John Hoo, his chaplain, and John Saustin, 30l. of silver, viz. to each 100s.; to all the houses of Fryers Mendicants in the county of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, and Cambridgeshire, to every house 5 marks; to Joan his wife all his wardrobe, and all his silver vessels, with all his other utensils and ornaments, belonging to his house, not before bequeathed, with all other his goods and chattells in his manors of Knapton, Toftrys, and Chelesworth; to Sir William Beauchamp, and Sir John Marmion, Knts. to each a silver cup with a cover, to be made new, weighing 10lb. in gross; to Sir Stephen Hales, John de Burgh, Richard de Sutton, Knts. and Edmund Gurnay, to each of them a new cup to be made of silver, with a cover, each of the weight of 10 marks in gross: to his son John Houward, (Howard) all his armour and furniture of war; to the prisons of Newgate and Ludgate in London, Norwich, Colchester, Hertford, and Cambridge, 6l. viz. 20s. to each, to be distributed among the prisoners there; and the residue of his goods and chattells (after his debts are paid and legacies are discharged,) to be applied as his executors shall see most expedient, for some priest to pray for his soul, the souls of his father and mother, and all the faithful deceased; and he makes Joan his wife, Sir John de Burgh, Sir Richard de Sutton Knts. Henry, parson of Foulmer, William, parson of the church of Knapton, John Hoo, his chaplain, John Wyghton, and Robert Hamund, is executors."

Sir John Howard, by Margaret, daughter and heir of Sir John de Plaiz, had a son, John Howard, Esq. who dying in 1410, left Elizabeth, his daughter and heir, married to John Vere Earl of Oxford, whose grandson, John Earl of Oxford, dying without issue, this manor fell to his three sisters and coheirs; Elizabeth, married to Sir Anthony Wingfield of Letheringham in Suffolk; Dorothy, to John Nevill Lord Latimer; and Ursula, to Sir Edward Knightley, which Ursula dying without issue, one part of the town was vested in the Lord Latimer, and the other in the Wingfields; and in 1558,

Sir Robert Wingfield, son and heir of Sir Anthony, had livery of his moiety, which was divided into many parcels by him and his heirs: about the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, the Wingfields sold the remaining part of their moiety to

Thomas Wright, Esq. and this was held by his descendants, the Wrights of Kilverston, till about 1730, when it was sold to Mr. Henry Cocksedge of Thetford.

The Lords Latimer held not their moiety so long; in 1572, Thomas Dobbs, Gent. enjoyed it; soon after, it was conveyed to George Fowler, Esq. of Bromehill, who was lord 26th Elizabeth and died in 1613, (as appears from the Register,) lord and patron of both Wetings, and his grandson, George Fowler, conveyed the right of patronage of both the churches in this town to

The Master and Fellows of Caius college in Cambridge; and for certain considerations, tied this manor, with the annual payment of 100l. to the said college. After the Fowlers, it was held by the Tyrrells, and from them it passed to the Lord Allyngton.

Bromehill Priory

Stood about a mile south-east of the town, in the parish of Weting, on the north side of, and very near to, the present farm-house called Bromhill-House, which arose out of the ruins of the said priory; where are many foundations of walls, &c. to be seen, as is the site of the conventual church, which was a long narrow building. Here several stone coffins have been dug up within a few years. As the laity was superstitiously fond of being buried (in that age) in conventual churches, so no doubt, many considerable persons were here interred, besides the Plaizes, the founders and patrons of it. It was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Thomas the Martyr, Archbishop of Canterbury, for canons regular of the order of St. Augustine, and founded (as I take it) by Sir Hugh de Plaiz, in or about the reign of King John, for in the 7th of King Henry III. a fair was granted to the Prior, &c. to be held on the 7th of July, the translation day of Thomas Becket; and in the following year, the Prior is said to have a mercate here, of both which he was disseized by the Duke of Lancaster, who afterwards granted them to the Corporation of Thetford, who now [1738] are lords of the fair.

The common seal, as affixed to a deed, dated in the priory of Bromhill, on Thursday the Feast of the Translation of St. Thomas the Martyr, in the year 1331, 5th Edward III. is now [1738] in the hands of Mr. Thomas Martin of Palgrave, and is oblong, of green wax, representing (as it seems) the mitre of a bishop, over it a crescent, and under it a star.

The priors

24 Hen. III. Geffry occurs.

52 Hen. III. Henry, prior.

2 Edw. II. William.

• 1311, 14 Dec. Ralph de Threxton, canon.
• 1342, 4 May, John de Welle, canon of St. Mary of Bromhill, on the resignation of Threxton.
• 1344, 8 Aug. Thomas de Saham, canon, on the death of Welle. Peter de Burnham.
• 1394, 27 Apr. William Eastmore, canon, on the death of Burnham.
• 1412, 17 Oct. Robert Stow, canon, on the death of Eastmore. John de Walsokne.
• 1429, 9 Nov. Richard Wynchestre, canon, on the resignation of Walsokne.
• 1446, 2 Dec. John Rammessey, canon, on the death of Wynchestre.

At this time the convent (as it appears) had license from John Earl of Oxford, then patron, to proceed to an election, and Ramsay had a letter, from the Earl to the Bishop of Norwich, to admit him. In this Prior's time there seem to be but three canons in this house; for Philip Martyn, Vicar of Croxton, by his will dated 16th Nov. 1459, leaves to the Prior 3s. 4d. and to the three canons of that house, viz. to each 20d.

• 1466, 13 Dec. Robert Foster, canon of (Novi Loci) Newark, or Newsted, in Surrey, on the resignation of Ramsay, collated by the Bishop.
• 1479, William Kyrtelyng, on the death of Foster.
• 1491, William Lovell, canon of Bromhill, on the resignation of Kyrtelyng.
• 1491, Thomas Axill, alias Exale, on the resignation of Lovell.
• 1514, Tho. Martin.
• 1520, Rob. Codde.
• William Barlow, alias Finch, occurs in 1525, and was the last Prior; he was first a canon regular of St. Osith in Essex, Prior of Tiptre and Lees in Essex, Haverford-West in Pembrokeshire, and of Bisham in Berkshire, rector of Cressingham-Magna in Norfolk, and afterwards Bishop of St. Asaph, St. David's, Bath and Wells, and Chichester.

Benefactors

The Founder endowed this house with a moiety of the manor of Weting, and in the Sd Edward I. the Prior was returned as lord of the same, and with the moiety of the town of Croxton; Sir Richard de Playz, in or about the year 1349, gave them the rectory of Croxton, which was appropriated in 1401.

In the 24th Henry III. a fine was levied between Geffrey Prior, petent, and Warine Fitz-Gerald, of a rent of mixtling and barley, which the Prior was used to have, of Henry, son of Gerald, father of Warine.

In the 29th Henry III. Hugh, son of Hugh de Playz, gave them lands and liberties in Wetynge and Croxton, and 19th April, 1270, Richard de Longden gave 6 marks, and a fen at Eastmore in BartonBendish. Tho. de Ickworth, son of Sir Richard de Ickworth, gave, by deed sans date, to this priory, 21 acres of land in Ickworth, Suffolk, and it appears from a Register of Bury abbey, that the Prior held one messuage, 58 acres and an half of land there, 50 in pure alms, and 6 acres of the heirs of William de Neketon, at 6d. per annum, and two acres and an half of Ralph, son of Ralph, at 3d. per annum. In the reign of Edw. III. the Prior was taxed at 36s. 8d. for his lands here, and 6s. for lands at Wangford in Suffolk.

14th Edward I. Cecilia, wife of John de Rungton-Holme gave them lands in Barton-Bendish.

17th Edward I. William, son of John de Rungton-Holme, gave them a lordship and lands in Rungton. Beatrix, daughter of Ralph, gave them lands, &c. in Methwold.

21st Edward I. John, son of Simon Fulcher, gave lands in Methwold, and in that year, John de Brampton, and Alice his wife, gave 60 acres of land in Methwold; and in 2d Edward II. they gave them more land in the said town.

45th Edward III. William Smith of Weting, and William Attemore, gave to the Prior one messuage, and 46 acres of land, two of meadow, and a fishery at Bernham, and lands, &c. in Threkeston, by the King's license.

48th Edward III. the Prior had license to receive and hold in mortmain an annual rent of 20l. out of the manor of Weting, given them by Sir John de Plaiz; the said Knight also gave them the manor of East-Hall in Feltwell.

King Richard II. in the 9th year of his reign, gave them the church of Abingdon in Northamptonshire, and in the 15th year of that King, they had license to hold the aforesaid manor of Feltwell in mortmain.

In 1428, this house was taxed for temporalities in BukenhamParva, at 6d. and the whole tax of their spiritualities and temporalities in the said year was 38l. 1s. 6d. tenths, 3l. 16s. 1d. ob.

This priory fell before the general Dissolution, by a bull of Pope Clement VII. dated May 14, 1528, and on the 16th of Sept. following it was accordingly suppressed by Dr. Stevens, Dr. Lee, Master Tho. Cromwell and Mr. Tho. Rush, the King's Serjeant, and John de Vert Earl of Oxford, then patron, released the said priory the same year to Cardinal Woolsey, to whom the King had granted it, on Dec. 30, with the manors of Bromhill, Croxton, Otringhith, Rungton-Holme, Eastmore, Methwold, East-Hall in Feltwell, a mill in Weting, and 20l. rent issuing out of the manor of Weting, the rectory and advowson of Croxton, together with all the messuages, lands and tenements belonging to the said priory, lying in Bromehill, Brandon, Croxton, Methwold, Rungton-Holme, Eastmore, Hockwold, Witton Lownham, Fordham, Bokenham, Tottington, Grimston, Waynsforth, Feltwell, Weting, Oteringhith, Moundford, Fouldon, Dudlington, Colveston, Barton-Bendish, and Rungton in Norfolk, and in Burnham by Thetford, Ickworth, and Mitdenhall in Suffolk. But soon after, on the Cardinal's præmunire, the said grant was re-assumed, and on his attainder, all the aforesaid premises were granted, Jan. 2d, 23d Henry VIII. to the Master and Fellows of Christ's college in Cambridge, by way of exchange for the manor of Royden in Essex and Hertfordshire.

A modern author calls this a monastery of Benedictines, and asserts that King Henry VIII. sold the site and lands to Sir Thomas Woodhouse of Waxham, but with what justice may be seen above; of a like mistake is the author of the Antiquitates Britannicæ guilty, who observes, that the King suppressed this house on account of the crimes and demerits of the Prior and Canons, proved on them before the Bishops of Rochester, Salisbury, and Norwich, and declared them, in 1524, forfeited to the Exchequer, with all their revenues and farms, and that the Master and Fellows of St. John's college in Cambridge obtained of the King and the Pope the said priory and its revenne: and under the same charge lies Fuller, in saying the exchange between the college and the King was in the reign of King Edward VI.

In the reigns of Queen Elizabeth and King James I. the Fowlers, who had a considerable estate in Weting, held this by lease from Christ's college, a family of good account, as will appear from the following pedigree.

Afterwards, this farm was held by the Pecks, Shadwells, and Tooks, and Tho. Shadwell, Esq. poet laureat, is said to be born here; it is at present [1738] held by Gregory Coppinger, Gent. by lease of the aforesaid college.

Mr. Stephens, in his Additions to the Monasticon Anglicanum, observes that there is no mention made there of this priory, and Mr. Willis gives us only the name of the last prior.

Weting All-Saints

This church stands at the north-east part of the town; it has a nave, and a north isle, covered with lead, and a chancel that is thatched, all built of flint stones, boulder, &c. At the west end of the nave stands an old wooden shod, or bellfry, in which hang four bells; the second is thus inscribed,

This Bell was given by Francis Hobman, Rector of Wetinge.

The fourth, Omnium Sanctorum.

The nave is about 41 feet in length, and 33 in breadth, including the north isle; the roof of the nave is of oak, and the principals are supported by figures of religious persons, now sadly defaced. At the west end of the nave, on the pavement, are two bells, removed hither on the fall of the church of St. Mary of Weting.

The chancel is parted from the nave by a wooden screen; on the pannels have been the figures of saints, &c. painted: it is in length about 29 feet, and 17 in breadth. On the pavement at the west end lies a grave-stone with this inscription,

Here lyeth the Body of Francis Hobman, Waiting for the promis'd Resurrection, He was Rector of both the Churches of Weting, He dy'd Anno Dni: 1669, aged 74.

His Motto—Meditatio Christi, Meditatio Christiani.

Near the centre of the pavement lies a marble stone, with Wright's arms impaling arg. two pallets az. on each three flowers-de-lis of the first, on a chief of the second, a lion passant of the first, and thus inscribed,

Here lyeth the Body of Anna-Maria Wright, late Wife of Deputy John Wright of London Woolen-Draper, and Daughter of Nathaniel Smith of Barnwell, in the County of Northampton, Esq. who departed this life, the 19 of May 1714, in the sixty second Year of her Age. Here also lieth the Body of Mr. John Wright, Citizen and Merchant-Taylor of London, who died the 14 of September 1728, aged 83 Years.

On the said pavement lies also, an old grave-stone, with a cross flory, in a circle on the summit of a staff, in memory, most likely, of some rector; and near the south wall, at the east end of the chancel, is another old grave-stone, with a cross pattee cut on the head of a staff, probaby in memory (it being the insignia) of a knight Templar.

Crosses were very anciently fixed or carved on monuments or gravestones; amongst the laws of Keneth King of Scotland, who flourished about 840, we meet with this, "Esteem every sepulchre or gravestone sacred, and adorn it with the sign of the cross, which take care you do not so much as tread on," but the fathers, for that very reason, forbid it to be placed on any grave-stone.

On the summit of the east window of the chancel is this shield,

Azure, three ducal crowns or, St. Edmund and the East-Angles; and below it Plaiz's arms.

This window is ornamented in many places with leopards heads.

In the middle window of the chancel, on the south side, is Howard's shield. Weaver tells us, that in the south window of the church of Wetinge St. Mary was the portraiture of Sir John Howard, who married Margaret, the heir of Plaiz, in a supplicant posture, on his surtout the arms of Howard, by him also the said arms, and those of Plaiz. I am inclined to believe that the figure was in this window. There was also anciently in the east window of the chancel the shield of Howard.

When the book called Norwich Domesday was wrote, Robert de Allynetone is there said to be patron of this church, as guardian to the heir of Plaiz, and the rector had then 50 acres of land.

There was a gild in the church called the Gild of St. John.

Rectors

• 1313, 30 July, Symon Peche.
• 1315, 30 Oct. Nicholas le Blount.
• Reyner de la Moore was rector 17th Edward II. as appears from a fine then levied of lands in Ereswell in Suffolk.
• 1329, 7 Dec. John de Waunford.
• 1330, 1 Nov. John Burghhard, on the resignation of Waunford, on an exchange for the vicarage of Saham.
• 1333, 22 March, Thomas de Methelwold, he was LL D. in 1344, collated to the archdeaconry of Sudbury, 8th Decem. 1349.

The above were presented by the lady Joan de Plaiz, relict of Sir Giles.

• 1358, 22 June, John Reynold. Sir Richard le Plaiz.
• 1361, 18 Aug. Will. Smethe. Sir John de Sutton, Knt. and Sir John Perpount, rector of Ocley-Magna. He resigned for the rectory of Wetinge St. Mary.
• 1361, 4 Sep. Henry Walter. Ditto.
• 1365, Robert Barker. Sir John Plais, patron.
• 1393, 7 Oct. John Howlet. Sir John Howard.
• 1413, 2 Oct. John Smyth de Reydon. Ditto.
• 1426, 13 March, John Sket, on the resignation of Smyth, who was presented to Fornham-All-Saints in Suffolk. Ditto.
• John Gibbs. Ditto.
• 1435, 14 Jan. Will. Ostelyn, on the death of John Gibbs. Ditto. About this rector's time, in the year 1448, there was a gild in this church, called the gild of St. Mary.
• 1438, John Carle. John de Ver Earl of Oxford.
• 1439, Rich. Pew; he died rector. Ditto.
• John Burton. John Earl of Oxford.
• 1450, 29 Apr. Jeffry Cook, on the resignation of Burton. Ditto.
• 1458, 27 Oct. Jeffry Byshop, by his will, proved 20th Dec. 1463, desired to be buried in the choir of his own church. Ditto.
• 1464, 24 Apr. John Wright, on the death of Byshop. Elizabeth Countess of Oxford.
• 1493, 27 Nov. Henry Haldore, on the death of Wright. John Veer Earl of Oxford.
• 1503, 10 Feb. Tho. Exsalle, prior of Bromhill, united to Wetinge St. Mary. Ditto.
• 1503, 24 March, John Rouse, on the death of the last rector. Ditto.
• 1518, 31 Aug. William Wadylowe, on the death of Rous. The Countess of Oxford.
• 1528, 4 June, Laurence Blakhaye, on the death of Wadelowe. Elizabeth Countess of Oxford.
• Robert Gunthorpe.
• 1539, 29 Oct. Robert Tree, on the death of Gunthorp. Sir Anthony Wingfield, Knt.
• 1541, 5 March, William Walden, on the resignation of Tree. Sir Anthony Wingfield, Knight of the Garter.
• John Holibread, S. T. P. alias John Stokes. He was installed prebendary of the fifth stall in the church of Norwich, and resigned in 1565. Magister Joh. Holibrede, Sacre Theol. Professor, presbyter, non conjugatus, doctus, non residet, non hospitalis, - - - prædicat, licentiatus, tria.
• 1571, 27 June, Henry Leader, A. M. on the death of the last rector. Sir Robert Wingfield, Knt. Afterwards he occurs as instituted 6th Dec. in the said year, presented by John Nevill Lord Latimer, lord of the moiety of the manor.
• 1588, 28 Dec. Henry Bury, on the death of Leader. Thomas Wright, on the grant of a presentation from Sir Robert Wyngfield, Knt. and Anthony Wyngfield, Esq. to Henry Warner, Esq. Bury was vicar of Sporle and rector of Hale.
• 1600, 25 June, Anthony Rouse. Agnes Wright and Thomas Wright, by grant of the presentation from Sir Robert Wyngfield, Knt. &c. He was buried 13th June 1631. In his answer to King James's queries in 1603, he says there were 104 communicants here.
• 1631, 16 June, George Adams, A. M. on the death of Rous. Thomas Matthew, clerk, for this turn; this Adams was master of a grammar school at Kentish-Town, near London, in 1636.
• 1637, 8 Nov. Francis Hobman, S.T.B. on the resignation of Adams. The master, fellows, &c. of Gonvile and Caius college in Cambridge. Probably the same person who was presented to Greenford-Parva, R. in Middlesex, in 1631.
• 1669, 14 Dec. William Adamson, A.M. on the death of Hobman. Ditto.
• 1682, 26 Jan. Bartholomew Wortley, A.M. on Adamson's resignation. Ditto.
• 1683, 24 March, William Peters, A. M. on Wortley's resignation. Ditto. He was buried here 16 Sep. 1708, and left an estate at Cherry Hinton in Cambridgeshire, to Caius college, for exhibitions to poor scholars.
• 1709, 14 Apr. The Rev. Roger Hawys, A. M. the present [1738] rector, on the death of Peter's; he holds it united to St. Mary's. Ditto.

This church is a rectory valued in the King's Books at 10l. 8s. 1d. ob. The first fruits are 9l. 7s. 11d 1q. Tenths 1l. 9d. 3q.

Weting St. Mary

This church stood in the south part of the town, and is now in ruins, by the fall of the tower on it, about 40 years past; it was the neatest, the most regular, and modern church of the two, built of flint, chalk, &c. and consisted of a nave, about 35 feet in length, and (including the south isle,) about 31 in breadth, having on that side three neat arches, supported by pillars, formed of four pilasters united together. At the west end of the nave stood an handsome square tower of flint, with quoins, &c. of freestone, as appears from what is still remaining: the nave is divided from the chancel by a neat and lofty arch of stone work, still standing; the length of the chancel was about 33 feet, and the breadth about 18: the greatest part of the walls, both of the church and chancel is still standing, but the roof is totally decayed and gone. On the area of the chancel, now overgrown with nettles, &c. lies a marble grave-stone with these arms,

Tooke, party per chevron or and az. three griffins heads erased counterchanged, impaling,

Smith, party per chevron nebulee or and sab. three panthers heads erased counterchanged; and this,

H. S. S. Magdalena, Jacobi Tooke de Bromhill, Gener. Conjux Piissima, Jan. 29, An. Dom. 1678, Æ at. suæ 32, necnon Johannes Jacobi filius, Infans, Aug. 27, An. Dom. 1677.

At the east end of this chancel, on brick-work, lies a stone with these arms,

Coppinger, bendy of six or and gul. on a fess az. three plates, in a bordure arg. impaling,

Kirkham, on a bend, three cinquefoils.

Gregory Coppinger of Bromehill-House, who dy'd the 10 Febr. 1724, aged 65 Years. Elizabeth his wife, bury'd the 19 of July 1702, aged 40 Years.

The churchyard here is kept enclosed, and is still used by the parishioners for a place of burial.

Mary-Ann, Daughter of Mr. Geo. Dale of Norwich, aged 18, died July 1680.

There were anciently in this church these arms:

France. England alone. East-Angles. Ely abbey.

Clare. Fitz-Walter. Marshall.

— Arg. a bend az.

Howard, Vere, and Bardolf.

Carleton, or a lion rampant gul.

Mohun, or a cross ingrailed sab.

This church (or rather a portion of tithes in this parish) was given, as we read, to the priory of Huntingdon in 1147, and 6s. per annum in Feltwell, by Hugh Plaiz, for that religious house was taxed for its portion in St. Mary Wetyng in 1428, at 8 marks, and the rector paid it to the said priory. When Norwich Domesday Book was wrote, the Lady Alice de Plaiz was patroness of this church, and the rector had a house and 40 acres of land.

Rectors

• 1309, 12 July, Edmund Howard. King Edward II. guardian of the minor, of Sir Giles de Playz.
• 1340, 21 July, Thomas Deanmound, on the resignation of Howard. Sir Gilb. Talbot, guardian to the heir of Sir Richard Playz.
• 1349, 14 July, Thomas Mabylione. Sir Richard Playz.
• 1361, 4 Sept. William Smethe. Sir John de Sutton, Knt. and Sir Robert Perpount, rector of Ocley-Magna.
• 1372, 27 March, William Moill, on the resignation of Smethe. Sir John Playz.
• 1393, 23 Dec. John Howelet. Sir John Howard.
• 1400, 9 April, John Sparke. Ditto. He was rector of Wrattyng-Parva, and exchanged with Howelet.
• 1408, 20 Dec. William Elys. Ditto.
• 1418, 16 Nov. Thomas Grimelyn. Ditto.
• 1438, Ambrose Payn. John Earl of Oxford.
• 1453, 9 August, Thomas Bevir.
• John Donyngton.
• 1468, 25 Febr. Thomas Spylmens, on the death of Donyngton. Elizabeth Countess of Oxford.
• 1488, 10 April, William Cook, on the death of the last rector. John Earl of Oxford.
• 1493, 28 Febr. Stephen Glover, on the resignation of Cook. Ditto.
• 1494, 20 July, Henry Pavy, on the death of Glover. Ditto.
• 1498, 28 Apr. Thomas Craven, on the resignation of Pavy. Ditto.
• 1503, 14 Dec. Thomas Exsalle, on the death of Craven, Ditto. He was also prior of Bromhill, and held this rectory united to WetingAll-Saints.
• 1504, 30 March, William Craven, on the death of the last rector. Ditto.
• 1515, 22 Jan. Tho. Atkynson, on the resignation of Craven. Elizabeth, Countess of Oxford.
• 1524, 19 Jan. Rob. Gunthorp, S. T. B. on the death of Atkynson. Ditto.
• 1539, 2 Dec. Henry Copinford, on the death of Gunthorp. Sir Ant. Wingfield, Knt.
• 1541, 22 July, John Walden, on the resignation of Copinford. Ditto.
• 1554, 20 July, John Moore, bachelor in the decrees, on the deprivation of Walton. Ursula Knightly of Offechurch in Warwickshire, widow.
• 1556, 21 Dec. John Stokes, alias Holibread, S. T. P. on the death of Moore. Eliz. Wingfield of Dodham in Essex, widow. See p. 170.
• 1571, 27 June, Henry Leader, A. M. on the death of the last rector; he had All-Saints. Sir Robert Wingfield. He was buried Dec. 1, 1588, in his own church; he occurs also instituted Dec. 5, 1571, on the presentation of John Dowby, Gent. on a grant for that turn from the Lord Latimer, lord of a moiety of the town.
• 1588, John Lambert, S. T. B. on the death of Leader. In 1603, in his answer to King James's queries, he says there were 82 communicants in this parish. He was after rector of Duxford St. John in Cambridgeshire.
• 1621, 9 March, Thomas Matthew, A. M. Rowland Fowler, Esq.
• 1651, 17 Sept. Francis Hobman, S. T. B. The Master, Fellows, &c. of Gonvile and Caius college in Cambridge, who are the present patrons. It hath been ever since held by union with Weting AllSaints, for which see p. 169.

This church is valued in the King's Books at 8l. 1s. 8d.; first-fruits were 7l. 5s. 6d. and tenths 16s. 2d.; but by the last Act of Queen Anne it is discharged from these, being sworn at 45l. per annum clear value.

There are 140 acres of glebe; 100 in one piece, most sheep's pasture.

John Miller, by will dated on Sunday before the Feast of St. Michael, 1473, desires to be buried in the isle of St. Mary's church, gives to St. Mary's gyld xx.s. to St. Bapt. gyld vi.s. viii.d. for a new rood-loft 40s. &c.

2 Aug. 1584, buried Brigid, wife of George Fowler of Bromehill, Esq. 25 Aug. 1585, James, son of George Fowler of Bromehill. 2 April, 1613, George Fowler, Esq. of Bromehill, lord and patron of both Weetings, aged 69. 25 May, 1614, John, son of Rowland and Ann Fowler of Bromehill, Gent. 29 Nov. 1619, Astley, son of Rowland and Ann Fowler, Esq. 5 June, 1627, Rowland, son of Rowland Fowler, Esq. of Bromehill. 24 Jan. 1629, Brian Fowler, Gent. 13 June, 1631, Anthony Rous, rector, born July 6, 1551. 21 Oct. 1637, Rowland Fowler, Esq. 21 Nov. 1650, Mrs. Ann Fowler. 23 Nov. 1669, Francis Hobman, rector.

The tenths of this town were 5l. 10s. The Prior of Huntington had a messuage here, taxed in 1428 at 16d.

In a close adjoining to the east end of the churchyard of Weting All-Saints are to be seen great and venerable ruins of a large square castle, built of flint stone, &c. and has been moated round; at one corner is a rising hill, where probably stood the keep; this castle was the seat of the family of De-Plaiz.

About two miles eastward of the town, and in this parish, are those entrenchments or holes called Grime's-Graves, of which we have treated in the account of the hundred; and between the town and that place are several tumuli.

On the west side of the town, from the edge of the fen, arises a bank or ditch, which runs some miles, and parts Weting from Wilton and Feltwell, called the Foss; and in the fields of Weting, north of the town, is a green-way, called Walsingham-Way, used (as it is said) by pilgrims in their way to the Lady of Walsingham, a madona of such high repute, that the Galaxia, or Milky-Way, was called by people of those parts the Walsingham-Way, as pointing to that angle; here was formerly a stone cross, now broke into two pieces, commonly called, the Stump Crosses.

KEBURN

Under the land of the Earl Warren, and in this hundred, a town of this name occurs in the book of Domesday; one Roger, in the Confessor's time, had half a carucate of land here, held by two freemen, valued at 3s. In the bounds of Bromehill, on a green near to the Ouse-Parva, where formerly Bromehill fair was kept, many foundation-stones have been dug up, and, some years past, a large key, like an old church key; and some grounds here (as I have been informed) are called by the name of Keburn, at this day. This has induced me to fix the site of this place here, otherwise now lost and unknown.

WILTON

West of Weting, and on the north side of the Ouse-Parva, stands this village, which derives its name from its site, a town of water or springs; as it always had the same lords with Hocwold, from the Confessor's time to this present, I shall treat of the temporal state of it in that place, it being now called Hockwold-Wilton, though in old writings, more properly, Wilton-Hockwold, this being the head town of the two. Domesday, fol. 49, tells us that the King had 3 bordars in Wella (which I take to be Hocuuella) belonging to his manor of Methelwold.

The Church of Wilton is dedicated to St. James; it has only a nave or body, with a chancel, built of flint and boulder, and covered with reed; the nave is in length about 57 feet, and in breadth about 30. At the upper end, near the reading-desk, lies a marble stone with a brass plate thus inscribed,
Orate pro anima Johannis Buckton, qui obiit v^o die Febr. A^o Dni: M^o ccccc^o ri. et pro anima Johanne Hroris eius quorum Aanimabus propicietur Deus.

At the west end of the nave stands a strong four-square tower of flint, &c. with quoins and embattlements of freestone, in which hang five bells, and on that is an octangular spire of freestone.

The chancel is about 38 feet in length, and 22 in breadth; against the south wall is a compartment of stone, and on the summit,

Colborne, arg. a chevron between three bugle-horns sab. garnished or, impaling

Tyrrell; and under it the following epitaph,

Here lyeth the Body of Mary, the Wife of EDW. COLBORNE, sometime of Bramford in the County of Suff: Gent. Eldest Daughter of Robert Tyrrell of Wilton in the County of Norff: Esq. and with her three Sons, which she bore to the said EDWARD, viz. Edward, Robert, and Richard. She departed this Life the 30^th of Nov. 1683, in the Year of her Age 44.

Hoc in Memoriam Charissimæ, Conjugis posuit prædictus Edvardus Colborne.

On the north side is a curious worked arch in the wall, and below, in old grave-stone without any arms or inscription; probably this night be for the sepulchre of our Lord, of which see in Northwold.

There is an ascent of three stone steps to the communion-table, and behind the table is an old wainscot partition, which runs the breadth of the chancel; on a pannel of this wainscot are two priests Kneeling at an altar, with their books open before them; on another pannel, the figure of St. John the Evangelist, with the cup, and a dragon issuing out of it, and on a label, In principio erat Herbum,, under him the portraiture of a man kneeling, and this label, Ora pro obis beate Jacobe; on a third pannel, the figure of St. John Baptist, with a lamb, &c. and a label, Ecce Agnus Dei;; under him the porraiture of a woman bidding her beads, and this label, Omnes Sancti lpostoli orate. pro nobis. On the pannels by St. John the Evangelist, are shields of the arms of the Lord Scales, Lord Poinings, Lord Arundel, Earl Warren, and St. George.

There are two head-stones in the churchyard, the first hath a shield sab. a fess between three bells, and a hand holding a club for a crest,

1. In memory of THO. BELL, who was born in the House of Allbe, in Middleborough parish in Scotland. He died Febr. 14, 1714, aged 60.

2. In Memory of the Wife of THO. BELL, her Maiden Name ELIZ. PAIN, died a Right of Burgess of Dumfres in Scotland, Nov. 22, 1725.

At 20 Years of Age I little thought, That hither to this Place I should been brought, Therefore as in the Lord I put my Trust, I hope I shall be blest amongst the Just.

The Prior of Lewes was taxed for his spiritualities, or portion here, in 1428, at 50s.

The Prior of Flitcham for his temporalities 6s. 8d.

The Prior of Bernwell for his marsh 3s.

When Norwich Domesday Book was composed, this was a rectory; the rector had a house, and 40 acres of glebe land, and the Prior and convent of Lewes in Sussex had the patronage given them, by one of the Earls Warren, who founded the priory.

Rectors

• 1299, 15 Oct. Thomas de la Lee. The Prior of Lewes.
• 1338, 16 March, Henry de Cockham. John Earl Warren, the advowsons of all the benefices belonging to the priory of Lewes being given to that Earl by the King, who assumed at this time the priory aliens on his wars with France, into his own hands, and Lewes was one of them.
• 1340, 5 Apr. Roger de Honynton, on the resignation of Cockham. John Earl Warren.

After this, the patronage of the rectory, with the glebes, pensions, &c. were bought by the Master and Fellows of Gonvile hall in Cambridge, of Hugh de Chintriaco, prior, &c. of Lewes, and Sir Edmund Hengrave, with the license of Richard Earl of Arundel lord of the fee; and the rectory was about the year 1350 appropriated by Wm. Bateman Bishop of Norwich, to that college. At this present time [1738] it belongs to the said College, and is said to consist of one acre and two roods of hempland, and two common parts, containing 50 acres, besides 120 acres of arable land, with the tithe corn, &c.

Vicars

• 1386, 22 Aug. William Sondesham, presented by the Master and Fellows of Gonvile Hall, as were all the following vicars.
• 1393, 27 Feb. John Bomond.
• 1402, 6 Dec. Robert Doraunt.
• Walter Drew.
• 1446, 7 Dec. William Gawnton, on the resignation of Drew.
• John Shipmeadow.
• 1452, 10 March, John Wilson, on the resignation of Shipmeadow.
• 1461, 30 Dec. William Bylt, on the resignation of Wilson.
• 1478, 23 Apr. Thomas Jay. Lapse.
• 1487, 12 Sep. Thomas Hulet.
• 1491, 3 Oct. Henry Smyth, on the resignation of Hulet.
• 1503, 28 March, Simon Cowper, on the death of Smyth.
• 1508, 28 July, Edmund Kypar, on Cowper's death.
• Thomas Dynne.
• 1528, 11 June, Robert Raynold, on Dynne's deprivation.
• William Farlam.
• 1530, 27 March, Henry Barker, on Farlam's resignation.
• Thomas Ireland.
• 1547, 14 March, Robert Longe, on Ireland's resignation.
• 1557, 29 Nov. Richard Sharpe, on the death of Long.
• 1579, 15 July, Robert Fermour, on the death of the last vicar. In his answer to King James's queries in 1603, he says there were 160 communicants.
• 1613, 19 Jan. Anthony Doughtie, A. M. rector also of Cranwich.
• 1645, 23 Apr. Thomas Randolph, A. M. on the resignation of Doughtie.
• 1665, 14 Feb. William Long, A. M. on the cession of Randolph.
• 1680, 4 July, Charles Long, A. M. on the death of Long.
• 1681, 26 May, Laurence Topcliffe, LL. B. on the cession of Long.
• 1720, 13 Sep. the Rev. Mr. Thomas Macro, A. M. the present [1738] rector, on the death of Topcliffe. He was afterwards lecturer of Bury, and is now minister of Great Yarmouth, and D. D. and holds it united to Hockwold. The Master, &c. of Caius College.

This vicarage is valued in the King's Books, at 6l. 7s. 6d. and was discharged of first fruits, as appears from the answer of the clergy in 1603; the tenths were 12s. 9d. and of these it was discharged by Queen Anne, being in clear value 41l. per annum.

HOCKWOLD

Stands at the south-west point of this hundred, north of the OuseParva, near the great level of the fens, it belonged, together with Wilton, (to which it now joins, and of which it was then a part,) to

Alveva, a Saxon lady, in the reign of the Confessor; at the survey, William Earl Warren was lord: in the Confessor's time, they were valued at 6l. per annum, at the survey at 10l. and were both one leuca long, and half a one broad, and paid together 17d. of the 20s. gelt. It occurs in the survey by the name of Hocunelia, Hoc, or Hoke, signifies a dirty low situation, a vale, sometimes an angle, nook, or corner, and Wella, a place or spring of water, the other name Hockwold, relates to its site, in respect of Northwold and Methwold.

Fulk de Beaufo was lord of this town, and Wilton, in the reign of King John, which he held of the Earl Warren; this Fulk having no heirs male, these townships were divided amongst his four daughters;

Emma, who gave her share to her sister Agatha.

Agatha, married to Sir Robert Aguillon.

Joan, to Thomas de Ingaldesthorp. And

Margery, to Robert Scales.

Agatha, by Sir Rob. Aguillon, had also four daughters and coheirs,

Agatha, who married Sir Adam de Cockfield.

Isabell, married to Luke de Ponyngs, son of Thomas de Ponyngs.

Margery, to Sir Giles Argenton, and after to Jordan de Sackcille.

And Joan, to Ralph Fitz-Bernard, Knt.

Which still occasioned a further division of the township, as will appear from the ensuing history.

Poining's Manor

Sir Robert Aguillon held a lordship in these towns in the 20th Henry III. when an aid was granted to that King; in 3d Edward I. Sir Luke de Ponyngs who married Isabell, daughter and coheir of Sir Robert Aguillon, was found to have a lordship here, and claimed the assize of bread and beer. In 17th Edward II. Michael de Ponyngs, and his tenants were found to hold several fees in Hockwold, Wilton, Shipdam, Belhawe, Letton, Foulsham, &c. And 1st Edward III. Michael de Ponyngs settled on Thomas, his son, the advowson of Hockwold and Wilton, which Margaret, widow of Michael, held for life. This was that Michael Lord Poynings, who by deed dated before Calais, 20th July, 1347, granted his crest of a dragon's head between two wings ermine, to Sir Stephen de Valoynes, Knt; about the same time, the same lord had a grant from King Edward III. of 200 marks a year, for the better support of the honour of a banneret, which he received of the King.

In 4th Richard II. Richard, second son of Michael Lord Poynings, was lord; he was one of those noblemen who accompanied John Duke of Lancaster into Spain, in the 9th of the said King, and had a protection on that account.

The jury in 25th Henry VI. on the death of Robert Lord Poynings, find him to have held this manor of Hockwold cum Wilton, and the advowson of the church of Hockwold, two messuages, 200 acres of land, 10 of meadow, and 100s. rent, of the manor of Castle-Acre.; and in 1464, Elizabeth Lady Poynings presented to the rectory, as lady of this manor.

After this, it was held by Sir Edward Poinings Lord-Warden of the Cinque-Ports, son of Robert Poinings, second son of Robert Lord Poinings, who presented to the church of Hockwold in 1497, and died on the 20th of Oct. in 13th Henry VIII. and Henry Earl of Northumberland was then found his cousin and next heir, his grandfather having married Eleanor, daughter and heir of Richard Poinings, eldest son of Robert Lord Poinings, which Richard died in 1430, before his father and the aforesaid earl had livery of it, in 14th Henry VIII. But in 21st Henry VIII. a fine was levied between Robert Ratcliff Viscount Fitz-Walter, Thomas Duke of Norfolk, George Lord Hastings, Sir Richard Walden, Knt. &c. querents, and Henry Earl of Northumberland, defendant, of this manor, an act of parliament being before this passed, that all the lands of the Earl of Northumberland, for want of heirs of the body of the said Earl, should come to the King.

Afterwards it was conveyed, by Robert Earl of Sussex, to Thomas Tindale, Esq. son of Sir John Tindale, and William Tindale, Esq. son and heir of Sir Thomas, and John Tindale, his brother, sold it to Sir William Paston.

Clement Paston, Esq. on the 20th of Jan. in 26th of Elizabeth, had this manor of Poinings, with those of Scale's, Mundeford's, and Stewkey's, in Hockwold and Wilton; and by an inquisition taken 3d Sep. 1613, after the death of Sir William Paston, it was found that he had settled the aforesaid manors, several marshes in Feltwell, &c. by deed dated 30th Sept. in 44th Elizabeth, on Bridget Heveningham, wife of Sir John Heveningham, his grandaughter, after his own decease, and her issue in tail male. William Heveningham, Esq. son of Sir John, was lord in 1631, and presented that year to the church of Hockwold; this William was one of King Charles the First's regicides, and being attainted in 1660, this, with the manors abovementioned, came to the Crown; and on 28th Sept. 1661, were granted to Bryan Viscount Cullen, Sir Ralph Banks, Sir Thomas Fanshaw, Knight of the Bath, Edward Pitts, and Charles Cornwallis, Esq. and by them were sold to Sir John Crofts, Bart. of Westow in Suffolk, and after his death, and that of his lady, were conveyed by her executor, Edward Proger, Esq. Groom of the King's Bedchamber, to Sir Cyril Wyche, on the payment of 12000l.; Sir Cyril was Secretary of State in Ireland, in the reign of King William, and was the son of Sir Peter Wyche of London, and Isabell his wife, daughter of Sir Rob. Bolls of Lincolnshire, which Sir Peter was Ambassador in Turkey, Comptroller of the King's household, and one of his privy-council, and fourth son of Richard Wyche of London, merchant, who died 20th Nov. 1621, and was buried at St. Dunstan's in the East, London, by Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Richard Salstonstall, Lord-Mayor of London. Sir Cyril dying on the 28th Dec. 1707, left this lordship, &c. to his son, Jermyn Wyche, Esq. and it is now [1738] enjoyed by his son,

Cyril Wyche, Esq. who has a good agreeable seat, with gardens, &c. near the church of Hockwold, built (as I take it) by William Heveningham, Esq. but much improved by the present owner.

Scales's Manor

Robert de Scales, by the marriage of Margery, one of the daughters and coheirs of Fulk de Beaufo, had a part and lordship in this town; and in the reign of King Henry III. held three-quarters of a fee in Hockwold and Wilton.

In 3d King Edward I. Alice Lady Scales recovered damages of Richard Maule, for the taking two swans and seven cygnets out of her fishery here; and in the reign of King Henry VI. Robert Lord Scales was found to hold three-quarters of a fee here, of the Earl of Arundel; and in 13th of the said King, John Hened, parson of Wridlyngton, and William Bateman, granted to John Cley, clerk, Nicholas de Massingham, &c. this manor, which they had of the feoffment of Robert Lord Scales.

After this, it was held by Anthony Woodvile Lord Scales, and Elizabeth his wife, daughter and coheir of the Lord Scales; and on the death of the said Elizabeth, sans issue, it descended to Will. Tindale, who was knighted at the creation of Arthur Prince of Wales, and declared heir of the kingdom of Bohemia, in right of Margaret, his great-grandmother, daughter to the Duke of Theise, and niece to the King of Bohemia, the wife of Sir Simon Felbrigge, whose daughter and heiress, Alana, was married to Sir William Tindale of Dean in Northamptonshire, and Redenhale in Norfolk, &c. grandfather of the aforesaid Sir William Tindale of Hockwold, who kept his first court here, with Mary his wife, in 6th Edward IV. This Sir William died on 22d Feb. 12th Henry VII. and John was found his son and heir, who was created Knight of the Bath, at the coronation of Queen Ann Boleyn, and married Amphelicia, daughter of Sir Humphry Conynsby, one of the Justices of the Common-Pleas, and was succeeded by his son, Sir Thomas Tindale, who, on 14th Dec. 26th Henry VIII. settled this lordship for the payment of 42l. per annum, by way of jointure, on Dame Winifred, his second wife; and William Tindale, Esq. son and heir of Sir Thomas, with his brother John, sold it. (as has been observed above, in the manor of Poinings, to Sir William Paston,) and so it came as above to Cyril Wiche, Esq. the present [1738] lord.

Mundeford's Manor

In 56th Henry III. Adam de Mundeford, son and heir of Osbert, settled by deed on Mary his mother, lands here and in Wilton and Mundeford.

And from an inquisition taken in the reign of King Edward I. it appears that John de Mundeford held in Hockwold and Wilton threequarters of a fee of the Earl Warren, which, as I take it, was given him by Thomas de Ingaldesthorp, who married Joan, one of the daughters and coheirs of Fulk de Beaufo, the aforesaid John having married Sibill, daughter of the said Thomas. In 9th Edward II. Osbert de Mundeford was returned to be lord; and in 17th and 29th Edward III. Osbert de Mundeford was found to hold the same of the Earl Warren. His will, by the name of Osbert Mundeford, senior, is dated 26th August 1371, and was proved 24th April following: he bequeaths his body to be buried in the church of Hockwold, gives to the high altar there 10s. to Margaret, daughter of Adam de Mundeford of Saxham, 100s. &c. and names Alice his wife, executrix.

Osbert, his son, kept his first court on Wednesday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity, 46th Edward III.; and by his will, dated August 1396, he orders his body to be buried before the altar of St. Nicholas, in Hockwold church, gives several small sums of money to the churches of Wilton, Fellwell St. Mary, and Mundeford, and to several religious persons, and appoints Elizabeth, his wife, executrix, who, in 3d Henry IV. was found to hold three-quarters of a fee here of the Earl of Arundel, and the Earl of the King.

Osbert, his son and heir, succeeded, and by his will, dated at Hockwold, 4th October, 1456, and proved 20th December following, he bequeaths his body to be buried in the church of Hockwold St. Peter's before the chancel door, gives to the churches of Hockwold, Wilton, Mundeford, East-Lexham, Norton by Fakenham in Norfolk, and Barrow in Suffolk, 6s. 8d. apiece, and vii. marks to be distributed amongst the poor of Hockwold, Wilton, Mundeford, Feltwell, Methwold, Northwold, Cranewyz, and Weting, for a feast at his burial; to the gild or fraternity of Hockwold St. Peter, 6s. 8d.; to that of St. Mary of Weting, 6s. 8d.; and the said sum to St. Margaret's of Norton; to Margaret his wife, a chamber in his house at Hockwold, for her and her maid, and 12 marks yearly; also meat, drink, wood, and candle, out of the issues of his manors in the said towns, and the moiety of his household goods for life, remainder to Osbert, his son, and Elizabeth, his daughter; to Elizabeth, daughter of Osbert, his son, 20 sheep, to Esselina, wife of Adam his brother, 20 sheep, to Adam his brother 48l. per annum out of his manor of Barrow in Suffolk.

This last Osbert was also succeeded by a son of his own name, and dying without issue male, left only a daughter and heiress, who being married to Sir Will. Tindale, Knight of the Bath (who died 12th Henry VII.) brought this lordship into the family; from which it passed as is above shewn, to the present [1738] lord, Cyrill Wyche, Esq.

The Mundefords were of an ancient and noble extraction, descended (as it is said) from Hugh de Montfort, one of the commanders of the Army of Duke William (afterwards King of England) against Henry King of France in 1054. Their pedigree, since their settling in this town, is as follow,

Carle's Manor

By the inquisitions taken in the reign of King Henry III. John Carle and John de Hockwold were found to hold one quarter of a fee of Adam de Cockfield and Andrew de Sackville, which came to them by Agatha and Margery, two of the daughters and coheirs of Aguillon. In 9th Edward II. John de Hockwold was returned as lord; and in the 15th of the said King, a fine was levied between the said John de Hockwold and Joan his wife, querents, William de Suthery, parson of Hargrave, and John Luton, deforciants, of messuages and lands in this town, &c. But in the 20th Edward III. Roger Pottys, and Richard Horn, held here and in Wilton one quarter of a fee, which was John Carle's and John de Hockwold's; and 3d Henry IV. the aforesaid Roger and Richard, together with William Soper and Edmund Langtoft, held the same: after this, 34th Henry VIII. Edmund Prat had it, and died lord, and John was his son and heir; and in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Edward Prat was lord; and in 1650, Osbert Prat; after this, it was sold to the Master and Fellows of Caius college in Cambridge, and is now [1738] held by Cyrill Wyche, Esq. by lease from that society.

Cockfield's, alias Ellingham's, or Allen's Manor

By the inquisitions taken in the reign of Henry III. Adam de Cockfield, and Andrew de Sackville, were found to hold three quarters of a fee in Hockwold and Wilton of the Earl Warren, and the Earl of the King. In 9th Edward II. John de Cockfield, by deed dated on Wednesday before the Feast of St. Barnaby, in the 10th Edward II. grants to William Bateman, citizen of Norwich, and Bartholomew his son, and their heirs, this manor in Wilton and Hockwold, with the advowson of the church of Hockwold. His seal is a cross gobony, on the right side of his helmet is a wivern, and on the left, a round buckle; but in the 29th Henry III. Roger Poteys was lord, and sealed, as appears by his deed, with a fess between three rowels. In the 3d Richard II. John Wright of Hockwold, and Sibill, his wife, daughter of Agnes Poteys, and Joan, daughter of Catherine Poteys, sister of the said Agnes, granted to Osbert Mundeford, this manor, which John de Elyngham, and Emma his wife, held for her life, on the death of John Poteys their cousin; and in 1453, John Aleyn died lord, and left it to his son William, and in the 10th Elizabeth it was held by Thomas Watts. In the 21st James I. Francis Baxter of StanfordRivers in Essex was lord, who in 1631 conveyed it to Thomas Heyward, Gent. for 2400l. and Heyward, in the same year, conveyed part of it to Richard Tyrrell, Gent. and part to William Rolph, and it is now possessed by Cyrill Wyche, Esq.

Stewkey's Manor

Thomas de Ingaldesthorp, by deed dated 20th August 8th Edward II. gave to John de Mundeford, and Sibill his wife, his manor of Stewkey's in Wilton and Hockwold, being the fourth part of the said townships, with the advowson of the church of Hockwold.

John de Ingaldesthorp of Ikeburgh, released in 21st Richard II. to Elizabeth, wife of Osbert de Mundeford, 10 marks yearly rent in the manor of Stewkey's; this was held in the same family, till Mary, daughter and heir of Osbert Mundeford, brought it to Sir William Tindale, from whom it passed (as I have already observed) to Paston, Heveningham, &c. and is now [1738] enjoyed by Cyrill Wiche, Esq.

The tenths of this town, and Wilton, were 7l. 12s. 6d.

The temporalities of the Abbess of Elstowe were valued at 15s.

The Prioress and nuns of Thetford had a moor here and a fishery, which, on the Dissolution, came to John Eyr, Esq. who sold it, 38th Henry VIII. to Thomas Tindale, Esq. and so it it became annexed to the lordship of this town.

There is a little peddling fair kept here on St. James's day, which is the remains of the wake, or dedication-day of Wilton church, is dedicated to that Apostle, as is before observed, but it is commonly called Hockwold-Fair.

The Church of Hockwold is dedicated to St. Peter, and has a south isle annexed to the nave or body, which is in length about 47 feet, and in breadth, with the nave, about 36 feet, built of flint and boulder; on the pavement lie several marble grave-stones, in memory of the Mundefords, but the brass plates are all reaved. At the west end stands a four-square tower of flint, &c. adorned with quoins of freestone, in which hang three bells.

In a north window of the nave are two shields, Az. three horse-locks arg.

Fincham, barry of six arg. and sab. over all a bend ermine.

The chancel is of the same materials with the church, but covered with reed, and is in length about 37 feet, and in breadth about 23; at the upper end of the south wall, are three neat arches of stone, worked in the wall, making three seats or stalls for bishop, priest, and deacon; and at the head of these seats is another arch for holy-water; on the summit of these arches are several shields, now daubed over with whiting. Against the east wall of the chancel is a large marble compartment, with the busts of a man and a woman, in alabaster, and ornamented with several instruments of musick, with two angels, one on each side of the monument, and two pillars of the Corinthian order. On the top is this shield,

Wyche, az. a pile erm. quartering arg. on a chevron gul. three trefoils slipped of the first. One of the angels bears in his hand a musick-book, the other 3 shield, viz.

Hungerford, sab. two bars arg. in chief three plates, quartering

Hungerford, party per pale indented gul. and vert, a chevron or.

Crest, a dexter arm couped, holding a trefoil. And this inscription,
Maria Hungerford, Johannis Hungerford, Armig: Ex eadem secum Atiquâ stirpe oriundi, Vidua, omnibus Virtutibus ornata, Munificentia in Pauperes Ornatissima, Piam efflavit Animam, 21 Die August: 1719.

Jermyn Wyche Armiger, Cyrilli Wyche Militis Filius Qui Uxorem duxit Mariam Hungerford, unicam Mariæ et Johan: filiam, Virtutum et Rei ex æquo Hæredem, de qua, tres Qui supersunt, suscepit Liberos, Vir Sciens, Prudensq; legum vindex acerrimus, Obijt 7° Janu: 1719. Hoc Marmor Pietatis et Amoris ergo posuit Maria Wyche, filia et uxor.

Against the end of the north wall is a little compartment, thus inscribed, Near this Place lye interr'd, the Body of William Smyth, Rector of this Parish of Hockwold, who departed this Life the 28 of Decem. 1665, aged 64 Years.

And of Martha his Wife, who likewise dy'd in the Month of March 1668, in the 52 Year of her Age.

When Christ who is our Life shall appear, than shall we also appear with him in Glory.

And this shield, Smith, az. two bars wavy erm. in chief three bezants, impaling Gul. two bendlets verry arg. and az. on a canton or, a buck trippant sab. Ford, as I take it. Crest, an ostrich's head arg. holding in his beak an horshoe or.

Against the north wall of the chancel are these funeral achievements,

Heveningham, quarterly or and gul. in a bordure ingrailed sab. nine escallops arg. impaling az. on a chevron between three lions heads erased arg. as many cross croslets sab.

Wyche, impaling

Norris, quarterly arg. and gul. in the second and third a fret or, over all a fess az.

On the area of the chancel lies a black marble stone, in memory of Collonel Arthur Heveningham, Esq. 2d brother of William Heveningham, of Heveningham in Suffolk, Esq; who dy'd 20 Feb: 1657.

Also a gray marble with the effigies of a woman in brass, and by her side, on a brass plate, nine children are portrayed, and on a plate below, part of the epitaph is remaining, viz.

Duisquis eris qui transieris sta perlege, plora, Sum quod eris fueramq; qund es, pro me precor, ora. Obitus Amfelicie Hendall Cenuad Decims Octano die Mensis Januar: An: Dni: Millesimao cccccrrrii^o

Adjoining to this is a grave-stone, in memory of Will: Lyng, Senior Fellow of Cajus College, Cambridge, and Rector of this Parish, who died Jan. 13, 1679, Ætat. suæ 54. And these arms.

Lyng, arg. a chevron ingrailed gul. between three whales heads erased, sab.

On a north window of the chancel,
Drate pro Animabus Johnannis Bun An: Dni: M.ccccccb.

Rectors

Bernard, rector, sans date.

Adam Talebot, temp. Henry VIII.

In 28th Edw. I. the King recovered the presentation, against Edmund de Cockfield, the heir of Andrew de Sackvile being under age, and in ward to the King.

• 1329, 15 Oct. John de Waringhith. The Lady Margery de Poinings.

In 7th Edw. III. the King recovered against Margaret, widow of Michael de Ponyngs, by quare impedit, in the right of Robert de Scales, under age, and in ward to the King, son of Robert and Isabella his wife, son of Robert, son of Robert, and Margery his wife, daughter and coheir of Fulk de Beaufo, who was lord of this town and Wilton, entirely.

11th Edw. III. John de Slakham was rector, as appears from a fine then levied.

20th Edw. III. John Poteys was rector.

• 1349, 21 Dec. Adam de Wykende. Sir Mich. de Poynings.
• John Baxster occurs 25th Edw. III.
• 1381, 8 Sept. John Ergum. Sir Rich. Poynings.
• 1382, 26 Oct. Henry de Kelstern. Ditto. He was rector of Yeshamstede, in the diocese of Salisbury, and exchanged with Ergum; one Ralph Ergum was Bishop of Salisbury about this time.
• 1385, 3 March, John de Bungey. Ditto. He was rector of WestGreenstede, in the diocese of Chichester, and exchanged with Kelstern.
• 1421, 16 Nov. William Tumbrell. Walter Medford, clerk, John Martyn, Richard Wakehurst, Thomas Fykeys, John Bodney, Richard Shirfeld, and John Blast, feoffees for the Lord Robert de Ponyngs, in his manor of Hockwold.
• 1427, 14 Feb. Simon Farewell. John Martyn, one of the King's judges, Richard Wakehurst, &c. He was rector of Uvesden or Ousden, in the diocese of Norwich, and exchanged with Tumbrell.
• 1428, 8 July, Will. Tumbrell, again, presented as before. By his will, proved 30th Jan. 1431, he desires to be buried in his own chancel.
• 1432, 28 Feb. John Bennys. Lapse.
• Bryan Fishwyk occurs rector in 38th Henry VI.
• 1464, 20 July, John Hall. Elizabeth Lady Ponyngs. He was chantry priest of St. Mary, in the church of Over St. Mary, in Cambridgeshire, and exchanged with Fishwyk.
• 1477, 6 Nov. John Coke, A. M. Lapse.
• 1495, 8 Aug. John Person. Lapse.
• 1497, 7 Apr. Will. Ryghtwys, A. M. on the resignation of Person. Sir Edw. Ponyngs, Knt. He was also vicar of Fouldon.
• 1502, 9 May, Nic. Urswick, on the death of Ryghtwys. Ditto.
• 1506, John Treman, on the death of Urswick. He was also rector of Caston by Tomson, and resigned it for Hockwold. Sir Edward Ponyngs.
• 1513, 18 March, Rich. Sperchford, on the death of Treman. Ditto.
• 1529, 11 Nov. Tho. Bacon, A. M. on the resignation of Sperchford. He was rector afterwards of Barrow in Suffolk. Robert Viscount Fitz-Walter.
• 1539, 6 July, John Reynoldson, on the resignation of Bacon.
• 1540, 22 Jan. Peter Williamson, on the death of Reynolds.
• 1547, 15 July, Gregory Bishop, on the death of Williamson. Tho. Tyndale, Esq. He was also rector of Clenchwarton in Norfolk. Gregory Bishop, A. M. presbyter, non conjugatus, satis doclus, residet, hospitalis, non prædicat, nec licentiatus, duo.
• 1580, Robert Towne, resigned to Styles.
• Christopher Styles.
• 1599, 8 Oct. Tho. Randall, A. M. on the death of Styles. Sir William Paston. In his answer to the King's queries in 1603, he says there were 173 communicants in this parish.
• 1631, 16 Nov. Will. Smith, A.M. on the death of Randal. William Heveningham, Esq.
• 1665, 14 Feb. Will. Lyng, A. M. on the death of Smith. The Master and Fellows of Caius College, Cambridge.
• 1680, 4 July, Charles Long, A. M. on the death of Lyng. Ditto.
• 1681, 26 May, Lawrence Topcliff, LL. B. on the cession of Long.
• 1720, 13 Sep. the Rev. Mr. Tho. Macro, A. M. the present [1738] rector, on the death of Topcliffe; he was afterwards D. D. preacher at Bury, and now curate of Great Yarmouth. He holds it united to Wilton.

This rectory is valued at 9l. 13s. 11d. ob. in the King's Books, and pays first fruits, 8l. 14s. 4d. 3q.; tenths 19s. 4d. 3q.

Norwich Domesday tells us, Sir Luke de Poinings had two turns, Sir Adam de Cockfield the third, and Sir Reginald de Argentein the fourth; that there was a house and 40 acres of land, that there was 8d. Peter-pence paid, 18d. synodals, 16s. 8d. procurations, and all the turns or portions were really united. 46s. 8d. pension to Caius College for the old pension to Lewes. 1349, Sir Rob. Scales, Knt. and Osbert de Mundeford, released their right in the patronage.

FELTWELL

This town lies north of Hockwold and Wilton, and was given by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester, in the reign of King Edgar, to the monastery of Ely; in Domesday it is wrote Fatwella, and Feltwella, and may derive its name from [feot] and wella, that is, a pure water, or spring, or rather from the Saxon word [fleot], which signifies an estuary, canal, or bay, all which agree well with the site of this village, on the side of those great waters which came up to it, before the draining of the fens.

In the time of Leofwine, fifth Abbot of Ely, when the tenures and services of several townships belonging to that monastery were fixed, this was obliged to furnish the abbey with provisions for two weeks in every year; the Abbot had 45 socmen, who, as often as he commanded, were obliged to plough his land, to weed, cut, and bind his corn, and carry it to the barn, and bring provisions to the monastery; and as often as the Abbot wanted their horses, to send them to him; and whenever they forfeited, the Abbot had the forfeitures; but on the Conquest, the Earl Warren encroached on many of these privileges, and deprived the monastery of a considerable part of the town.

What the church of Ely held at the general survey is thus accounted for: four carucates in demean, 30 acres of meadow, &c; the village is said to be one league and half in length, and one in breadth, and paid 30d. ob. gelt, and was valued at 12l. per annum.

Bishop of Ely's Manor

This part was held by all the succeeding Abbots, till the reign of King Henry I. at which time the monastery of Ely being turned into a bishop's see; this manor, with many others, was vested in the Bishop, and accordingly in 35th Henry III. the Bishop of Ely had a charter for free-warren in all his lands here, and was found to hold the manor of the King in capite.

In 1277, 6th Edw. I. there was an extent of this manor, in which it is said, upon the oaths of Nicholas Townshead, (ad capud ville,) Nicholas Ingelond, &c. tenants then upon the jury, that the Bishop (Hugh de Balsham) had a gallows, pillory, view of frankpledge, connusance of bushels, &c. and liberty to hold all pleas which the sheriff might, with writ or without. The demeans are thus distinguished: in Suthfeld 40 acres and an half, in Portegatefeld 121 acres, in Estfeld 140 acres, in Mikeleberedfeld 217 acres, in Loverkehilfeld 173 acres and an half, the whole being to be ploughed with three ploughs; to every plough there was three stone-horses and two oxen, and two horses to harrow the land. In Hickegate, &c. 60 acres of mowing meadows, in the several pastures in Hickegate 40 acres, capable of mowing, in Frithelmes 30 acres. Item, there belongs to the same manor a certain common pasture, which begins at Lingberewong, and so on by Ellengate, to the bounds between Feltwell and Methwold, in length one league and more, and in breadth a good furlong, where the villages of Methwold, Wilton, and Hockwold have a right to common, and the other lords of this town, as the bishop and the lords of this town have a right to common in the common pastures of Methwold, Hockwold, and Wilton, horn, underhorn; but no one ought or can dig, cut heath, &c. but the Bishop, and his tenants only. There was a marsh called Suthfen, common to all the lords, &c. in the town of Feltwell, for feeding, digging, &c. but the towns of Wilton and Hockwold could only intercommon within certain bounds, horn, underhorn. There was also another marsh belonging to this manor, called Northfen, in which the whole town might feed, dig, &c.; but the town of Methwold could only feed, unless between Slevesholm and Totesholm; though the jurors say, that the bailiffs of John Earl Warren, and the Countess his mother, hindered them from digging between Redlake and Wysenhe, for seven years last past. The free fishery of the Bishop, called Baldebeck, is bounded, which John Colston of Brandon then held, for 40s. per annum, at the lord's will; as is the fishery of Bruneslode, which Jeff. le Paumer, and Richard, son of Hamon, then held, at 8l. per annum, also that of Feltwell-Fen, which Rich. de Coldham and Richard Grut farmed, at 22l. per annum. There was also a watermill belonging to this lordship, called Brigge-Meln, which the whole village farmed at 32s. per annum, and a windmill. The stock was 20 cows and a free bull, 60 hogs and a free boar, 1000 sheep, besides those of the customary tenants, &c. which ought to be in the lord's fold; and the Bishop had all weifs found on his fee, or in the highways within the town. Humphry, son of Walter, and his parceners, held 360 acres free, the rest of the freeholders and copyholders, &c. with their rents, services, &c. are particularly specified. The tenants paid tallage, childwite, and a fine on the marriage of their sons and daughters, and could not sell an horse-foal, or an ox, of their own breed, without the lord's license, and the lord had the best beast for an heriot, and if there was no beast, then 32d. was paid in lieu of it, and the heir paid relief. The quitrents were 23s. 5d. per annum, 46 hens, and 9 capons, 210 eggs; and the whole sum of the days works 4348, by the small hundred, and every man's day's work, out of harvest, is valued at an halfpenny, and in harvest at a penny.

In 34th Henry VI. in an account of the lands of Will. Grey Bishop of Ely, this manor was valued at 36l. 3s. 3d. per annum, but in the reign of King Philip and Queen Mary, the yearly revenue was but 29l. 10s. 9d. ob. Thus it continued in the see of Ely, till by an Act of Parliament in the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, it was settled, by way of exchange, on the Crown, and was held by lease at the yearly rent of 30l. 1s. till the 7th James I. who on the 29th Nov. in the said year, granted to Robert Wace, Esq. this manor, with the appurtenances, and all perquisites of court thereunto belonging, since which time it has passed through several hands, and was possessed by Charles Wren, son of Mathew Bishop of Ely, whose daughter and heiress brought it to

— Munson, Esq. and it is now [1738] owned by

Robert Clough, Esq. of Feltwell, who has the leet of half the town, as belonging formerly to this manor, when in the hands of the Bishops of Ely.

The leet of the other part of the town belongs to the hundred.

South Hall Manor

At the general survey, we find that the Earl Warren had a manor in this town, which Alveva, a Saxon lady, held in the Confessor's time, of St. Adeldred's monastery of Ely, viz. two carucates in de. mean, and three held by 40 socmen, valued at 70s. per annum, and Simon held one carucate, valued at 20s. per annum, there was a church belonging to it, which Godric claimed as belonging to the fee of Ralph.

The Kokefelds were very early infeoffed in this lordship, by the Earl Warren, for in the 5th of King John, the Bishop of Ely and Adam de Kokefeld, owed to that King two palfreys, to have a mercate here, on such a day in the week which should not be to the prejudice of the neighbouring markets; this, as I take it, was held in the reign of Henry III. by Laurence de Hamelden, and Joan his wife, of the family of the Cokefelds. In 3d of Edward I. Adam de Cokefeld was found to hold the fourth part of this town of the Earl Warren, who had a gallows, assize of bread and beer, &c. And in the 15th of the said King, the jury say, that Robert de Cokefeld, son of Adam, claimed to hold a market here, once a week, on Monday, and a fair yearly on the vigil, the day of, and the day after, the Feast of St. Nicholas.

This Robert died 25th Edward I. seized of this manor, without issue, and Joan his sister was found his heir; this Joan was probably the wife of William de Bello Campo, or Beauchamp, who, in 7th of King Edward II. gave half a mark for license to agree with William de Wengrave, for the manors of Feltwell, with Multon, and Waldingfield in Suffolk, all held by Robert de Cokefeld; and accordingly, in the same year, a fine was levied of this manor, and they were all settled on William Beauchamp, and Joan his wife, and the heirs of William, on the body of Joan, remainder to the right heirs of Joan.

In 25th Edward III. this manor, and that of Multon in Suffolk, &c. were settled by Sir John de Chyvereston, on himself for life, remainder to Hugh de Chyvereston, and his heirs, being held by Sir William Beauchamp for life, of the castle of Acre, by one Knight's fee; the aforesaid Hugh was second son of Sir John, and marrying Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Roger de Rouhaut, assumed that sirname. After this, we find it in the hands of Elizabeth Lutterell, who had a grant of free-warren here, and in Moulton, &c. about 47th Edward III. this Elizabeth was the relict of Sir Andrew Lutterell, and daughter of Hugh Courtney Earl of Devonshire, and of Margaret his wife, daughter of Humphrey de Bohun Earl of Hereford; she purchased this manor of Sir John de Chevereston, and in 6th Henry VI. Sir Hugh Lutterell died seized of the manor of Southall in Feltwell, and of Dunstar-Castle in Somersetshire, Moulton, Waldingfield, &c. in Suffolk, and John was found his son and heir, and Katherine, his wife was relict of Sir John Stretch.

After this it came into the family of the Woodhouses, and was in that family in the 6th year of Queen Elizabeth, and continued so till about the year 1730, when it was sold to Mr. Brewster of Brandon in Suffolk.

Dunton's Manor

Out of that part of the town which the Earl Warren held, besides the manor of South Hall, several other little lordships had their rise, amongst these was the lordship of Dunton, so called from a family of that name; Hugh, son of Alan of Dunton, purchased lands here of John Godging, and Sarah his wife, in 52d Henry III. and 11th Edward I. other lands of Hugh son of Martin Clive of Methwold, and Alice his wife; and in the 12th of that King, a fine was levied between the aforesaid Hugh, Ralph de Dunton, and Joan his wife, of lands and messuages here. In 18th Edward III. Sir William de Doniton was lord. After this it came to the Mundefords, and in 22d Richard II. a fine was levied between John de Mundeford of North Elmham, Eliza de Mundeford, John Brandon, &c. querents, and John Alyen and Agnes his wife, defendants, of the fourth part of the manor; about the 20th of Queen Flizabeth, Francis Mundeford had livery of this manor, and those of Wendling-Abbots, and Spinvills in this town; and on the 17th Dec. 1600, Edm. Mundeford, Esq. covenants with Sir Thomas Knevet to levy a fine of the aforesaid manors, 6 messuages, 633 acres of land, 100 of meadow, 180 of pasture, 200 of furze and heath, 100s. rent, and the liberty of 3 folds, with the appurtenances, here and in Hockwold, &c. in order for a jointure, which was afterwards levied. And on the death of Sir Edm. Mundeford, son of the aforesaid Edmund, in 1643, this and the aforesaid manors of WendlyngAbbots and Spinvills, came to Simon Smith of Winston in Norfolk, Gent. who married Elizabeth, sister, by the whole blood, to the said Sir Edmund, who died sans issue; from Smith it came to the Fleetwoods, and was possessed by Smith Fleetwood, Esq. son of Charles Fleetwood, Esq. and Frances, his wife, probably the daughter of Simon Smith, which Smith Fleetwood was baptized at Feltwell on the 29th of July, 1647, and by Mary, daughter of Sir John Hartop, Bart. had Smith Fleetwood, Esq. his eldest son, and Charles Fleetwood, and by one of them it was sold to Robert Jacomb, Esq.

Spinvill's Manor

So called from a family of that name, was part of the Earl Warren's fee; William de Spyneville held half a fee of that Earl, when an aid was granted to King Henry III. on the marriage of his sister to the Emperor. Afterwards it came to the Mundefords about the end of Edward III. and passed as has been observed in the manor of Dunton.

Wendling-Abbot's Manor

Was also part of the Earl Warren's fee, and held by Baldwin de Maners, in the reign of King Henry III.; after this it came to the abbey of Wendling in Norfolk, and by the inquisitions made in 90th Edward III. it appears that the Abbot of Wendling, the Lord William de la Zouche, and John de Tydd, held half a fee here of the Earl Warren, late Baldwin de Manners's. In this abbey it continued till the Dissolution, when it came to the Mundefords, and has passed as has been observed in the manor of Dunton.

In 1428, the temporalities of this abbey in this town were valued at 5l. 13s. 7d. ob. per annum.

East Hall, alias Bromhill Manor

Was also a little lordship belonging to the Earl Warren's fee, and held of that Earl soon after the Conquest, by the ancient family of De Plays of Weeting, by the service of half a knight's fee; and Alice de Plays, widow of Sir Hugh de Plays, released in 40th Henry III. the right that she had in the third part of this manor, to Richard de Plays, in 18 Edward II. we find that there then belonged to this manor, 8 messuages, 300 acres of land, 8 acres of meadow, 60s. rent, with a fishery in Feltwell water, held of the castle of Acre. In 6th Richard II. Sir John Plays made several deeds of feoffment of this manor, to William Beauchamp, &c. in order to settle it on the priory of Bromhill; and in 25th of that King, there was license of mortmain granted. In that house it remained till the Dissolution, and was then given by King Henry VIII. to Cardinal Woolsey, and on his attainder reverting to the Crown, it was granted to Christ's college in Cambridge, by way of exchange, and in that college it still continues, and is leased out by the society.

Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury, who was lord of Methwold, at the Conquest had 60 acres of land belonging to that manor, which extended into this town; this, after the Conquest, was seized by the King, and at the survey was kept for him by Will. de Noiers, but soon after, the Conqueror gave it to the Earl Warren, and so it became part of his fee.

Tydd's Manor

So called from a family of that name, was also a part of the Earl Warren's fee, being held, 20th Edward III. by John de Tydd, and soon after it came to the Mundefords, and passed as has been already observed in the manor of Dunton.

The Mundefords of Feltwell were a younger branch of the family of Hockwold.

Besides the manors above-mentioned, Fotheringhay college in Northamptonshire had considerable lands here, part of which King Edward VI. by letters patents dated 8th June, in his seventh year, granted license to Sir Richard Lee to alienate a moiety of Redmore, being a moiety of 164 acres lying in Feltwell, Helgay, and Southrey, in Norfolk, and Lakenheath in Suffolk, with the rights of fishery in those towns, and the moiety of all that lode called Barlode, and the moiety of 25 acres of marsh called Norlands, to Nich. Bacon, Esq.; and in 38th of Queen Elizabeth, Sir Robert Wingfield died seized of this moiety.

The other part was also held by Sir Richard Lee, and conveyed by him, in the first of Queen Mary to Sir Ambrose Jermyn of Rushbrook in Suffolk; and on 1st Dec. 25th Elizabeth, Sir Robert Jermyn had license to alienate it to Henry Warner, Esq.; and on an inquisition taken 16th Oct. 21st Charles I. Henry Warner, Esq. was found to die possessed (as it is said) of the manor of Redmore, the whole, as I take it, being then in him, and Henry was his son and heir, aged 8 years.

The monks also of Castle-Acre had lands in this village: In 1265, Simon Bishop of Norwich confirmed to Castle-Acre priory, two parts of the tithes of the demeans of Will. de Spyncile. Adam de Cochefeld, by deed without date, about the reign of Henry III. gave to the Prior, &c. of Castle-Acre, for the health of his own soul, and that of Lucy his wife, and Aveline his mother, one toft in Feltwell, and all the land of Habbe, and a meadow thereto belonging, and also 23 acres of land of his demean. Witnesses, Rand. Marascall, Haymo Clerk of Feldewelde, &c. And Alice de Kokefeld, for the health of her soul, that of the Earl Warren, and of her lord, Adam de Kokefeld, William de Crichetot, her brother, and Alan, her son, gave to the Prior, &c. of Castle-Acre, the yearly rent of 7s. out of lands which Roger, son of Aluric, held, together with the said Roger, and this with the consent of Adam her son, whom she appoints her heir, to inherit the said village after her death. Witnesses, Will. Fitz-Gilbert, Will. FitzPhilip, Ralph de Acra, Roger de Monte-Canisio, &c.

In 7th Richard I. a fine was levied between Adam, son of Archard, and the monks of Acre, of 40 acres of land, conveyed to them; and this Priory was taxed in 1428, for their temporalities here, at 29s. 8d.

Here is a little fair kept yearly on the 20th of November.

The tenths of this town were 10l. 13s. 1d. ob.

St. Nicholas's Church

Stands at the west end of the town, and is a small pile of flint and pebbles, in length about 36 feet, and in breadth, together with the north and south isles, about 48, and covered with lead.

On the south wall of the nave are letters wrought in stone, in memory of John Do, and Thomas Den, benefactors to that work.

The chancel is in length about 27 feet, and about 17 in breadth, and is covered with thatch; the communion-table is railed in, and has an ascent of two steps.

Against the end of the nave is a little tower, round at bottom, and octangular at top, in which hang five small bells. This church was repaired, and in a good measure re-edified, in 1494: on 6th May in that year, an indulgence was granted for that purpose, which, with the bells in the tower, was lately destroyed by a sudden fire.

We learn from the Norwich Domesday Book, that the rector then had a house and 40 acres of land, and that the patronage of the church was in the see of Ely.

Rectors

Mr. Richard de Lynde occurs rector about 1290. 1298, Bartholomew de Flixton, rector.

• 1312, 15 May, Mr. John de Diggs. Collated by the Bishop of Ely, who is still patron.
• 1331, John Diggs, rector, was non-resident, being chaplain to the Bishop of Carlisle.
• 1337, 13 Sept. Adam de Lynham.
• 1342, 9 May, John de Worth.
• 1342, 19 June, John de Keynsham, on the resignation of Worth. He was rector of Obeleigh, in the diocese of Bath and Wells, and ex changed with Worth.
• William Thingrell, rector in 1353, changed with Henry Motelot for Troia in Llandaff diocese.
• 1384 and 1399, Thomas Blakelake occurs rector.
• Thomas Morton. He died rector.
• 1416, 21 Sept. Tho. Reynold, on Morton's death.
• 1420, 15 June, Rob. Crowe, on Reynold's resignation.
• 1449, 11 Aug. John Newhouse, on Crowe's death.
• 1452, 13 Feb. Thomas Farneham, on Newhouse's resignation.
• 1465, 15 Nov. John Davy, on Farneham's death.
• 1487, 10 Apr. Joh. Wyot. He was master of Morton college.
• 1525, 22 Nov. Robert Okynge, LL. B. on Wyot's death.
• 1554, 23 June, William Jerves. The Queen.
• 1561, John Crane, S.T.B.
• Thomas Heithe.
• 1585, 15 Apr. Thomas Thorne, on Heithe's resignation. The Queen. In his answer to King James's queries, he observes, that there were in 1603, 114 communicants in this parish. He was rector of Hemingston, and Cleydon in Suffolk.
• Richard Davenport. He was ejected before 1650, by the Long Parliament, but lived to be restored.
• 1664, 25 Oct. Nathaniel Coga, A. M. on the resignation of Davenport. He was fellow and master of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge, and was buried in the college chapel. The Bishop of Ely.
• 1694, 14 Apr. Nathaniel Naylor, on Coga's death. Ditto.
• 1701, 5 Aug. Thomas Rawlins, A. M. on the cession of Naylor. He had been vicar of Chatteris in Cambridgeshire. Ditto.
• 1732, 23 Sept. The Rev. Mr. James Virtue, A.M. on Rawlins's death. Ditto. He had been rector of West-Halton in Lincolnshire, and of Catfield in Norfolk, and holds this with Glemsford in Suffolk.

This rectory is valued at 19l. in the King's Books.

Here is a house and 12 acres of glebe.

St. Mary's Church

Is a regular pile of flint, boulder, &c. consisting of a nave, a north and south isle, with a chancel covered with lead; the roof of the nave is of oak, on the principals of it are the effigies of several religious; the roof is supported by pillars formed of four pilasters of stone joined together, making ten handsome arches, five on each side, with as many windows over them. At the west end of the nave stands a large and lofty square tower of freestone, embattled with four pinnacles: under the battlements are the arms of

Mundeford, arg. three flowers-de-lis, gul. and those of

Fincham, barry of six, arg. and sab. a bend over all crm. founders of that building.

On the pavement, as you ascend the nave, lies a marble grave-stone, and on it a brass plate, thus inscribed,
Orate pra Animabus Osberti Mundeford filii Ade Mundeford et Elisabeth Consortis sue, qui qudem Osbertus obut prima Die Menis Januarn An^o Dm. M. cccclrric.

And on a shield of brass, the arms of Mundeford as above.

On another,

Oratez pro Animabus Ade Mundeford Armigeri et Esselime Arscis eius, qui quidem Adam obiit Serto Die Mensis Martii An^o Dni: M.cccc.lriii. Duorum Animabus propitietur Deus Amen.

On the head of a seat near this, the arms of Mundeford, with a mollet for difference.

On a third,
Orate pro Animabus Francisci Hethe de Mildenhale Armigrri et Bracie Aroris qui quidem Franciscus obiit iiii die Aann: A^o Dur: M.cccclrr.

And on a shield, Hethe, arg. three pellets in a triangle, on the 1st, three cross croslets of the first impaling, Teye, arg a fess between two martlets in chief, and a chevron in base az.

At the end of this isle, on the right hand, against the chancel wall, is a little marble compartment, with the effigies of a man in armour, and on the summit, quarterly Mundeford, and gul. a cross ingrailed or, and this epitaph.

Hic jacet FRANCISCUS MOUNDEFORD Armiger, filius primogenitus OSBERTI MOUNDEFORD, Armig: ex BRIGETTA Uxore sua, qui FRANCISCUS obijt sine exitu 1° Januarij An° Dni: 1590.

Near this is the stone stair-case that leads to the old rood-loft, and on the cross pavement lies an old gray marble stone, with the portraiture of a woman in brass, bidding her beads, and on a plate this,
Orate pro Anima Margarete Mundeford, quondam Eonsortis Francisci Mundeford, Armig: que obiit rrbi^o die Mensis Maii A^o Dni: Mcccccrr. Cuins Anime propitietur Dens Amen.

At the end of the said nave, on the left hand, against the chancel wall, is a neat marble compartment, ornamented with three small arches, and in them the effigies of Osbert Mundeford, Esq. in armour, his helmet before him, and his two wives, all on their knees. On the summit, quarterly Mundeford, and gul. a cross ingrailed or, and this motto, soyes loyal et foyal.

Over the effigies of his first wife is the aforesaid quartered shield, impaling quarterly,

1. Townsend, az. a chevron erm. between three escalops arg.

2. Haywell, gul. a chevron or between three flowers-de-lis arg.

3. Brewse, arg. a lion rampant in crusilé of cross croslets gul

4. Ufford, sab. a cross ingrailed or.

Over the effigies of his second wife,
Mundeford, as before, impaling quarterly,

1. Spelman, sab. platée between two flaunches arg.

2. Narburgh, gul a chief erm.

3. Froyk, az. a chevron between three leopards heads or.

4. Sturgeon, az. three sturgeons naiant in pale or, over all, fretty of eight pieces gul.

And on the body of the monument,

Hic jacet OSBERTUS MOUNDEFORD Armiger, qui primô duxit Margaretam, filiam Johannis, Filij et Hæredis Domini Rogeri Townesende Militis, postea Brigettam unam filiarum Domini Johan: Spilman de Narburgh Militis, et ex primâ Uxore Exitum habuit unicam filiam, ex secunda, filios novem, et filias quinque, Qui Osbertus obijt 28° die Mensis Julij An° Dni: 1580, Ætat: suæ 73.

In the windows of the nave, on the north side, are these shields, Quarterly or and gul. in the 1st quarter a tree vert.

Southwell, arg. three cinquefoils gul.

On the south side,

De-Grey of Merton, az. a fess between two chevrons or.

Manning, quarterly or and gul. a cross flory between five trefoils slipped or, and Tey as before.

On the pavement of the chancel lies a black marble stone, in memory of JOHN WACE, Gent. who died 3 Feb. 1672, with this shield, barry of six, arg. and gul. Near this lies another, in memory of CATHERINE WACE, who died 17 April 1679. There is an ascent of three steps to the communion-table, and against the south wall, three curious stone arches and seats, for the bishop, priest, and deacon, and at the head of them an arch for the holy water; and in the north wall is a cupboard, once a repository for relicks.

When the Earl Warren, at the Conquest, took possession of that lordship which Alveva held, the patronage of this church, which Godric laid claim to, came to him, and was given by him to the abbey of Lewes in Sussex; and we find from Norwich Domesday-Book, that in the reign of King Edward I. it was in the patronage of that abbey, that the rector had a house and 40 acres of land.

Rectors

• 1303, 21 Nov. Nicholas de Coulteshale. The Bishop of Norwich, the Prior of Lewes being then excommunicated.
• 1338, 7 Feb. Robert de Stanhowe. John Earl Warren, the patronage of all the benefices belonging to the abbey of Lewes, being granted to him by the King, who on account of his wars with France seized the priory aliens (of which this was one) into his own hands.

30th and 46th Edward III. Thomas de Lexham.

• 1391, 21 Nov. John de Debenham. The Prior and Convent of Lewes.
• 1417, 4 March, Thomas Alkok. Ditto. By his will, proved 3d Oct. 1438, he desires to be buried in the chancel, and a stone laid over him.
• 1430, 4 Jan. Mr. John Crowcher, S. T. B. Dean of Chichester, on Alkok's death. Ditto. The feast of the dedication of this church, which was used to be kept annually on 14th April, was enjoined by the Bishop of Norwich 24th Sept. 1433, to be kept for the future annually on 24th Sept.
• John Young.
• John Bernard.
• 1462, 26 May, Thomas Topyn, on Bernard's death. The Prior and Convent of Lewes.
• 1491, 21 Jan. Thomas Adams, A. M. on Topyn's death. Ditto.
• 1503, 13 Jan. Andrew Swynne, A. M. on Adams's death. Ditto.
• 1512, 19 Oct. Alexander Trodes, S. T. B. Ditto. He was prebendary in the collegiate church or chapel in the Fields at Norwich.
• 1527, 19 Aug. Richard Taylor, LL.B. on Trodes's death. Ditto. He was vicar of Hunstanton in Norfolk, and resigned for this.
• 1543, 30 Oct. John Holland, on the death of the last rector, chaplain to the Duke of Norfolk. Thomas Duke of Norfolk.
• 1553, 30 Feb. Philip Parrock, on Holland's death. The Duke of Norfolk.
• 1555, 8 Nov. Henry Grene. Lapse.
• 1599, 8 Nov. Tho. Randal. In 1603, it was certified to the King, on his queries, that this church was served by a curate, Ambrose Fisk, the benefice heretofore presentative, was long since leased by the incumbent, Lord Bishop and Patron, and is so holden and served by the said curate, and that there were 120 communicants in this parish.
• 1609, 25 Nov. Robert Warren, A. M. The King, it being forfeited on the attainder of the Duke of Norfolk, in Queen Elizabeth's reign.
• 1619, 18 June Thomas Randal, A. M. The King; united to Hockwold.
• 1631, William Smith, rector also of Hockwold.
• 1666, 3 April, John Randolph, S. T. B. The King.
• 1684, 18 Feb. Robert Simpson, A. M. on Randolph's death. Ditto.
• 1728, 13 Sep. The Rev. Mr. Edw. Bearne. Ditto.

Mr. Adam de Walton, precentor of Litchfield, was rector here.

This rectory is valued in the King's books at 14l. 17s. 3d. ob.; tenths 1l. 9s. 8d. 3q. There is a pension paid yearly by the rector, of 5l. 10s. to the Duke of Norfolk, of which 5l. per annum was paid as a pension to the Prior of Lewes, for his portion of tithes here, and was so charged in 1428, the other pension of 10s. was paid to the Prior of Castle-Acre, for his portion, both which, on the Dissolution, were given to the Duke of Norfolk.

Sir Edmund Mundeford gave and settled by deed of feoffment, 10th Sept. 1642, on Sir Thomas Woodhouse, Bart. Sir Ralph Hare, Bart. Sir Robert de Grey, Knt. Philip Meadhouse, Esq. William Heveningham, Esq. Framlingham Gawdy, Esq. Thomas Derham, Esq. Arthur Heveningham, William Gawdy, George Fowler, Gent. William Smith, of Hockwold, clerk, and William Peck, of Bromhill, Gent. and their heirs and assigns, two several parts of marsh or fenground in Feltwell; in the South-Fen, one containing 600 acres, called Ten-Feet-Ground, and the other containeth 240 acres, called the Wannage; on this trust and confidence, that from, and after his decease, when the said two several parts of marsh or fen-ground shall be by means of draining, &c. made worth the sum of threescore pounds per annum, then 20l. of the yearly issues and profits thereof shall be disposed yearly, in buying of frize or some other clothing to be distributed unto, and amongst the poorer sort of people inhabiting in Feltwell, which have heretofore been born, or shall be born in Feltwell; and the residue of the yearly profits, viz. 40l. shall be disposed yearly for and towards the maintenance of a free school in the said town, for the teaching of the children of the inhabitants in grammar, and other learning freely. And if the said lands should become worth more than 60l. per annum, the surplusage shall be retained and kept by the feoffees, till the same shall amount to so much as the said feoffees or their successours may purchase therewith some convenient ground in Feltwell, with a convenient house thereupon, or else to build one for an alms-house, for the placing and dwelling of poor aged and impotent people therein, inhabiting in Feltwell aforesaid, and then the surplusage above 60l. per annum shall be yearly bestowed amongst the poor people of the said alms-house.

Burials in this Church.

• 1382, Sir Thomas Lexham, Knt.
• 1441, John Carle, buried in the chapel of St. Catherine in the church.
• Elizabeth Morewode, relict of John Morewode, and sister of Francis Mundeford, was buried here in 1542, in the chapel of St. Cateryn; she enjoins her executors to provide a stock of neat cattle, that there may be a yearly obit kept for her.

30 July 1580, Osbert Mundeford, Esq. 2 Jan. 1590, Francis Mundeford, Esq.

20 Sept. 1605, Sir Thomas Knevet, Knt. 6 May, 1617, Sir Edmund Mundeford, Knt.

29 June 1621, Henry, son of Sir Hen. Clere, Bart. 11 May, 1643, Sir Edm. Mundeford.

26 April, 1650, Lady Abigal Mundeford. 1728, Robert Simpson rector.

Marriages.

23 Nov. 1569, George Fowler, Esq. of Bromhill, and Bridget Mundeford.

24 Sept. 1582, John Foster, Gent. and Ursula Mundeford.

31 Dec. 1582, Thomas Might, Gent. and Elizabeth Mundeford.

6 July 1638, William Valendyne, and Temperance Mundeford.

16 Dec. 1660, William Becket of London, Esq. and Alice Hodgekinson.

16 Oct. 1666, Smith Fleetwood, Esq. and Mary Hartop.

8 Nov. 1666, Sir John Hartop, Bart. and Elizabeth Fleetwood:

The registers in churches were first appointed to be kept in 1538, just upon the dissolution of monasteries, and since that time, have proved some of our best helps towards the preserving of history; their use (as a learned Bishop observes) might be of a further extent, if care was taken to register the most remarkable occurrences relating to the publick concerns of the several parishes, such as recoveries of benefactions, properties in seats or isles, rights of advowson, &c. But it will be our everlasting reproach, if (instead of thus improving the good designs of our ancestors, for the continuance of their names and memories) we omit even that part of our duty which is now enjoined by an ecclesiastical as well as civil authority, and record matters in church books, after such a manner as will only serve to render them monuments of our negligence; for since inquisitions post mortem are now taken away by the statute of 12th Car. II. the entries in these books are now become the chief evidences to prove pedigrees and descents, on which titles to estates do often depend; therefore it behoves all rectors, vicars, &c. to be careful in this case, and not to commit such books into the hands much more to the trust and keeping of illiterate persons on any account whatever.

METHWOLD

Lies north of Feltwell, and on the west side of the hundred; the principal part of it was given to the monastery of Ely by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester, in the time of King Edgar, and when the tenures and services of several lordships belonging to that monastery were settled in the time of Leoffwine, the fifth abbot, this was obliged to furnish the house with provisions for two weeks in every year.

In the time of the Confessor, Stigand Archbishop of Canterbury was lord, but was deprived of it at the Conquest. At the general survey it was in the Conqueror's hands, and kept for him by William de Noiers. When Stigand was in possession, there were 20 carucates of land, 30 acres of meadow, and 6 carucates in demean, at the survey but five, two mills, and the moiety of another, and seven fisheries in demean, in the Confessor's time valued at 20l. at the survey at 30l. per annum. It was two leagues long, and half a one in breadth, and paid 2s. ob. gelt. Another part or lordship was at the Survey held by William Earl Warren, and had three carucates which four freemen held in the Confessor's time, valued then at 20s. at the survey at 45s. per annum. Simon and Jeffry held of the said Earl, two carucates valued at 40s. per annum, and Stigand had the soc.

The town take its name (as most do) from its site, Methelwalde, that is, the wold between Northwold and Hockwold, the Midlewolde; and thus it was wrote in the time of King Henry II. when Simon de Midlewolde was amerced 10 marks, for pleading in court-christian about lay-fees, just after the dispute between King Henry II. and Becket Archbishop of Canterbury.

Soon after the survey, the Conqueror gave that lordship which Stigand held, to the Earl Warren, and thus he became lord of the whole town; and by the inquisitions taken in the reign of King Henry III. the Earl Warren was found to hold it of the King in capite, as parcel of his barony; and the jury, amongst the pleas of the Crown, 15th Edward I. say, that the Earl claimed in his manor here a gallows, view of frankpledge, and free-warren. But in the 12th year of King Edward II. John Earl Warren and Surrey having no issue, settled this manor after his own decease, with those of Gymingham, Beeston, and Thetford, the hundred of Brothercross and Gallor, and thirty-nine knights fees in divers towns, with the King's license, on Thomas Earl of Lancaster. And on an inquisition taken the 21st Edward III. after the death of the Earl Warren, the jury find this manor to be held of the said Earl in free soccage, by the service of one bearded arrow; that there was a messuage and a pigeon-house valued yearly at 3l.; 600 acres of arable land, price per acre, per annum, 2d.; 6 acres of meadow, valued at 6s.; one windmill, valued at 90s; the Segges marsh was valued at 10l. and Redmere marsh at 10l; rents of assize in Methelwold, Northwold, Woodrysing, Helgeye, and Wells, belonging to this manor, 7l. per annum, and with the days works, customs, and services of the tenants, 7l. per annum more; the pleas and perquisites of courts, with the leet in Methwold, Wells, and Helgey, were worth 6l. per annum more.

After this, in the 28th of the said King, Henry Duke of Lancaster was found to hold it of the King in free soccage, by the service of a rose; and on the death of the said Duke, it was assigned, 35th Edward III. to Maud, his daughter and coheir, married to William Duke of Heinault, and on her decease sans issue, it came to Blanch, her sister and coheir, the wife of John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster. John of Gaunt, by the lady Blanch, had Henry, his son and heir, Duke of Lancaster, and afterwards King of England by the name of Henry IV. and so it was vested in the Crown, and the succeeding Kings, as Dukes of Lancaster, enjoy it, and the Lord Berkley of Stratton holds it by lease from the Crown.

Bromhill Manor

Besides the capital manor of Methwold, there was one held by the Prior, and given, most likely, to that house by one of the Places, (which family held lands here of the Earl Warren,) and probably by Sir Hugh de Playz, on his founding the aforesaid priory. In the reign of Edward I. John de Methwold aliened lands to that priory, and about the same time, John, son of Simon Fulcher, and Beatrix, daughter of Ralph, was also a benefactor to them in this place, so that in 1428 the temporalities of that house were valued at 3l. 3s. per annum. On the dissolution of the aforesaid priory, it was granted, together with that priory, to Cardinal Woolsey, and came, (as has been observed in Bromhill,) after his attainder, to Christ's college, in which house it still continues, and is leased out by that society.

From the will of William Bachcroft, Esq. of Bexwell, who died in 1518, we find the manors of Tudenham's, Gunton's, and Hilly's, in this town, of which he died possessed; Gunton's was held of the King, as parcel of the manor of Methwold, and the dutchy of Lancaster, in soccage, and paying 5s. rent per annum; and Hellys was held as the other, paying 3s. 4d. per annum, and Richard Bachcroft, Esq. died seized of them in 3d Edward VI. They are now wholly lost or neglected, and that of Gunton's is said to be in the hands of Rob. Clough, Esq. of Feltwell.

Othringhithe

In this hundred of Grimeshou we find a town in the general survey, wrote Otrinkechia, and Otringheia, then the land of the Earl Warren. Three freemen held here in the Confessor's time one carucate of land at 5s. and one Gaulter held then of the Earl a mediety of the town, valued at 20s. It was four furlongs long, and three broad, and paid 4d. gelt.

This name is now lost, but was the same place that we now call Methwolde-Hithe, a little hamlet about a mile west of the town, and now in the parish of Methwolde: the family of De Playz had a considerable estate here, and in the reign of King Henry II. there was a church, concerning the patronage of which there was a great controversy between Sir Ralph de Playz, Henry Prior, and the Convent of Acre, which was adjusted by William Turbus Bishop of Norwich, when it was allowed to be the right of the said Ralph, and his heirs for ever, to present to the same, and the person presented was to pay to the church of St. Mary de Acre, 12d. on the payment of which the convent had no further claim or demand. This estate and church were given, as was observed in the manor of Bromhill in this town, (it being part of the said manor,) to the convent of Bromhill; and in 1428, the temporalities of that house in Otringhithe were valued at 9l. 10s. 3d.; and on the dissolution of that priory, when it was granted by the King to Cardinal Woolsey, it is styled the manor of Oteringhithe, with the rectory; on the attainder of the said Cardinal, it came to Christ's college in Cambridge, and being united to the manor of Bromhill, is leased out with it by that society. The church hath been in ruins many ages, in which the prior and convent of CastleAcre had an interest, for William, the second Earl Warren, is said to have given, in the reign of Henry I. the church here to that priory, which Ebrard, or Everard, Bishop of Norwich, confirmed; but yet, as I observe, it was found to be in the family of De Plaiz. In 1203, Philip de Mortimer, Prior, and the convent of Acre, grant by deed to Geffry, son of Alan de Ingaldesthorp, and his heirs, all their land at Otringeithe, with the appurtenances, paying yearly 17s. for all services; and in 1428, the said priory was charged for temporalities here, at the same sum.

There was formerly a considerable market at Methwold, kept on Tuesday, but now almost disused; and there is a fair yearly on St. George's day. Its warren is large, and famous to a proverb for rabbits; a late author observes, that in the reign of King Cnute, Leoffwine Abbot of Ely agreed to find the Duke of Lancaster's family with them two months in every year, but at that time there was no Duke thus entitled, nor for many ages after. Great suits have been commenced on account of the damage of the rabbits; and in 1606, there was a cause depending in chancery, and another in the dutchy court of Lancaster, between Sir William Paston, Sir Philip Woodhouse, Sir John Heveningham, Sir Edmund Mundeford, &c. lords of the adjoining towns, and the warrener.

The tenths of this town were 9l. 6s. 9d.

The Church of Methwold is dedicated to St. George, and was built, as I take it, in the reign of Edward II. from the pile itself, and from the arms of the Earl Warren in the chancel window, before it came into the Lancaster family. It is a regular building, with a nave, north and south isles, and a chancel of flint, pebble stones, &c. covered with lead; the nave is in length, from the screen to the arch of the tower, 54 feet, and in breadth, including the isles, about 46 feet, the roof of the nave is supported by fluted pillars of stone, forming four lofty arches on each side, and over them as many windows, and on the heads of the principal wood-work of the roof, are figures of the religious. At the east end of the nave lie several marble grave-stones, deprived of their brass plates; at the south end of the screen is a stone staircase, the way to the rood-loft; over this part of the church, on the gabel of the chancel, is an arch of stone and brick, where the saint's bell formerly hung: this bell, as a worthy author has observed, was not so called from the saint's name that was inscribed on it, nor from that saint to which the church was dedicated, but because it was always rung out when the priest came to that part of the service, Sancte, sancte, sancte, Domine, Deus, sabaoth, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of sabaoth, or hosts, purposely that they who could not come to church might understand what a solemn office the congregation were at that instant engaged in, and so even in their absence be once at least moved to lift up their hearts to him that made them; for this reason the sancte's bell was generally hung where it might be heard furthest: sometimes in a lantern at the top of the steeple, or in a turret at one corner of it, if a tower; sometimes thrust out of the uppermost window, if a spire; and sometimes in an arch or gallows, on the outside of the roof between the church and chancel: this last sort were so placed, that the rope might come down into the church, and so being nearer the altar, the bell might be more readily rung out when the priest came to the sacred words. To this we may add another more prevailing reason, it being ordained in the church of Rome, that on the consecration and elevation of the host, notice should be given in every church, by the sound of a bell, that the faithful not present might be put in mind of this great mystery.

There is now such an arch with a bell in it, between the church and chancel of Diss in Norfolk, with the rope hanging down, as you enter the chancel.

The chancel is separated from the church by a wooden screen, but the pannels of it seem to have been transposed; on them are these inscriptions:

On the left side as you enter the chancel,
Orate pro Animabus Rici: Stalmorthy, et Thome filii eiusuem qui fieri fec et Animab: Thome Crofte et Robarti Reter Keteryngton.

On the right,
Orate pro Anima Robarti Reteryngton Junioris, et Marger: Hr: eius Orate pro bono Statu Jubenum.
Obiit cclrbii.

The chancel is about 30 feet in length, and 19 in breadth, and has an ascent of three steps to the communion table. On the area before the steps lies a large marble grave-stone, about 10 feet in length, and four in breadth, on this has been the portraiture or effigies of the person here interred, in complete armour, with a canopy of brass work over his head, and four shields, one at each corner, also two rims or plates of brass running about the whole marble; the effigies (with all the brasses) was about 50 years since (as it is said) reaved by a sacrilegious wretch, then clerk of the parish, and sold to a tinker, of whom some part of the brasses were recovered, but not before he had broke them into small pieces; some of these fragments are still preserved in the church chest, but they are only insignificant pieces of his armour, part of the head of the lion that was couchant at his feet; most of them are rim pieces that ornamented the stone, and have quater-foils on them. The tradition here is, that this is in memory of one of the Earls Warren, lords of the town, from whom they had their privileges; but I cannot come into that opinion: the burial of that noble family is well known, and allowed by all antiquaries to have been in the abbey of Lewes in Sussex, John, the last heir male of that noble family, died the 21st Edward III. being then 61 years of age, and was buried under a raised tomb, near the high altar in the abbey of Lewes, leaving Alice his sister, wife to Edmund Earl of Arundel, his next heir in blood. It is, no doubt, in memory of some considerable person, but from the shape, figure, armour, dress, and other insignia, as may in some measure be gathered from the incisions in the stone, it appears to be in memory of some esquire or knight, rather than of a lord or earl. In a loose paper of the late worthy antiquary, Mr. Le Neve, Norroy, the handwriting of Guybon Goddard, (as he says,) we have this:

Methwold, in the chancel a man in compleat arms, a surcoat of Warren or Clyfton, (quære) for the place where the bend might be, and the direct place for the bend is broken out, 4 places for escutcheons, 3 defaced, one left, a fess between two chevrons, and a file with three labels; and in an old MSS. quoted by Mr. Le Neve, are these words:

Clifton. Methwold. Adam de Clifton, on the grave-stone

Sir Adam de Clifton was lord of Cranwich and Hilburgh, &c. in 20th Edward III. and held several fees of the Earl Warren; this knight lived the greatest part of that King's reign, and died on 28th Jan. 1367, and in the next year, 1368, in July, the King presented to the free-chapel of St. Margaret at Hilburgh, as guardian to the heir of Sir Adam de Clifton.

The only difference and way of knowing the arms of Warren, from those of Clifton, (when engraven and not painted,) is by the bend in the arms of Clifton; but this, we are told, was broken out, most likely on purpose to induce persons to believe it to be the arms of Warren. The other arms then remaining, viz. a fess between two chevrons, and a file with three labels, I take to be the arms of Baynard, and this shield here placed is a further proof that this is in memory of Sir Adam Clifton.

In the church of Ashwell-Thorp in Norfolk is a very curious monument for one of the Thorps, who died in the reign of Richard II.; on the body of this monument are to be seen, at this [1738] day, the arms of Clifton, and the arms also of Baynard, with those of Thorp, &c. by which it appears that the Cliftons and the Baynards were certainly by marriage related.

On the pavement about the communion table lie several marble grave-stones.

On one near the south wall,

Here lyeth the Body of MARGERY, the Wife of THO. SWIFT of Methwold, who departed this life the 27th Day of Feb. 1696, aged 55 years.

On another adjoining,

Here lyeth the Body of RICHARD SWIFT, eldest Son of EDW. SWIFT, Esq. and ELIZ. his wife, who departed this Life the 8^th Day of March, 1507, aged 21. Here likewise lieth the Body of EDW. SWIFT, Younger Son of EDW. SWIFT and ELIZ. his Wife, who departed this Life the 12^th Day of January 1707, aged 20 Years.

Here lyeth the Body of STEPHEN SWIFT, Son of the said EDW. SWIFT and ELIZ. his Wife, who departed this Life the 4^th Day of Decemb^r. 1709, aged 23 Years.

On a fourth,

Here lyeth the Body of STEPHEN SWIFT, of Methwold, &c. Gent. who departed this Life on the 17^th of April 1686, aged 61. Here lyeth the Body of HANNAH SWIFT, Wife of the said STEPHEN SWIFT, who departed this Life the 9^th of Nov: 1714. Aged 87.

And one thus inscribed,

Here lyeth the Body of Sir HUGH CARTWRIGHT of Nottingham, K^nt. aged 74, and dyed An: Dom: 1668.

Near to this, another,

Here lyeth the Body of EDW. SWIFT, Esq; who departed this Life the 24^th of Febr. 1720, An: Ætat: suæ 61.

At the west end of the nave is a good four-square tower, embattled, and coped with freestone, and ornamented with a pinnacle at each corner; herein is a clock and a dial plate against the belfry, fronting the nave of the church; the tower is built of flint-stone, &c. with quoins of freestone, wherein hang five large musical bells; on this square tower is raised another octangular one, and out of this rises a neat octangular spire, or pyramid of crocket work, on the summit of which is a vane; this octangular tower and spire is of brick, but cased with freestone.

William, the first Earl Warren, in the time of the Conqueror, gave this church, amongst others, to the Priory of Castle-Acre, which he had founded, and by deed sans date, the Prior of St. Pancrase, (that is Lewes,) with the consent of the whole Chapter, gave to the Prior and Monks of Castle-Acre the tithe of this church, for the yearly rent of 40s. This I take to be the pension paid by Castle-Acre to Lewes, as being then a cell to that house. Witnesses, Roger, subprior, Rainbird, the sacrist, and William, the deacon.

Tho. Britton, rector of St. George de Melewda, (as it is sometimes also wrote,) exchanged lands with Hamline Plantaginet Earl Warren; this must be between the year 1163 and 1202, for then the said Earl died; by this it plainly appears that the church was not at that time appropriated.

William Earl Warren, in epistle to Pandulf Bishop of Norwich, in or about 1203, earnestly entreats him, that he would appropriate to the said priory this church, and to move him to it, he lets him know that his ancestors had assigned this church to the aforesaid monastery, to find firing for strangers, and all the poor that should come to the monastery, of which there is great want in those parts; and indeed it seems not to be fully confirmed to them till the year 1249, when Walter de Suffield Bishop of Norwich, did it in this form: "Omnibus, &c. Walterus Dei gratia Norwic. Epus. &c. nover. nos cartas Johis. Primi (that is John of Oxford, Bishop) Johis. 2^di. (that is John Grey, Bishop) et Tho. (that is Thomas de Blundeville Bishop of Norwich) inspexisse, ex quarum tenore perpendimus, ecclesiam de Melewde priori et monachis de Castle-Acre, esse collatam, &c. et confirmatione Capituli nostri Norwic. munitam, nos igitur, &c. duximus confirmandam. Test. Magistris Robert. et Will. de Colchester, et de Suffolc. archdiaconis, Tho. rectore eccle. de Humersfeud, Will. de Witewell, Rob. rectore eccl. de Prilleston, Will. de Ludham, &c. Dat. apud Marham, vi. kal. Jan, 1249."

That it was appropriated before the year 1299 is certain, for in that year Ralph Walpole Bishop of Norwich settled the right and privileges of the rectory, and of the vicarage, and then the vicar had his present house assigned him: "Universis, &c. Radulphus, Norwic. Episcus, &c. Nover. quod cum prior et conv. de Castle-Acre qui ecclesiam de Methelwolde in proprios usus obtinent super portionibus retinendis, et aliis assignandis perpetuis vicarijs in eadem ecclesia de Methelwolde, &c. perpetuo servituris se nostre ordinationi submiserint, &c. Ordinamus quod prædicti prior et conv. capitale mess. quod antiquitus fuit rect. ejusd. eccl. totam terram dominicam ad dictam eccl. spectantem, omnes decimas garbar. et bladi cujuscunque generis in tota parochia prædicta retineant et habeant in perpetuum. Totum vero residuum excepta portione quam ijdem prior, &c. nomine prior. et conv. Lewens. in eadem parochia percipiunt, assignamus ad sustentationem vicariorum in perpetuum, una cum mess. predictorum prior. et conv. quod est ex opposito eccl. predicte. Omnia vero onera ordinaria sustinebunt vicarij, præter refectionem et reparationem cancelli, cujus onus incumbet pri. et conv. de Castle-Acre memoratis; et extraordinaria utraque pars supportabit et agnoscet pro rata sue portionis. Dat. apud Eccles. 2 nonas Augusti An. Dni. 1299."

In 1428, the spiritualities of the Prior, &c. of Castle-Acre in this church, were valued at 34 marks, and the spiritualities of the Prior of Lewes 40s. being the portion or pension abovementioned, due from Castle-Acre priory.

Vicars

• 1148, Alfric the priest was rector.
• 1178, Thomas Briton was the last rector, at whose death it was appropriated, by William Turbus Bishop of Norwich.
• 1301, 29 Sep. Richard de Theford.
• 1305, 10 Sep. Thomas de L'Apre.
• 1331, 1 July, Reginald de Warwyk.
• 1349, 21 Sep. Robert Coa, de Flete in Holland.
• 1392, 19 Oct. John Walpol.
• 1400, 15 Sep. John Roche.
• 1401, 29 Oct. William Stonhalle; he was rector of East-Bilney, and exchanged with Roche.
• 1403, 26 Sep. John Bacun.
• 1424, 24 Aug. John Puyghton, on Bacun's resignation.
• 1447, 3 Dec. Edmund Stokeman.
• 1450, 9 Oct. Adam Bulman, on Stokeman's resignation.
• 1450, 9 March, John Richer, alias Barbour.
• 1469, 8 Oct. Ambrose Ede, on Barbour's resignation; he was afterwards rector of Oxburgh.
• Robert Naton.
• 1485, 20 May, Henry Spycer, A. M. on Naton's resignation.

All the above were presented by the Prior and Convent of Castle-Acre.

• 1533, 6 Nov. Simon Anderson, on Spycer's death. At the dissolution of the priory of Castle-Acre, a fine was levied between the King, and Thomas Prior of Castle-Acre, of this rectory, and the advowson of the vicarage; and soon after, on 22d Dec. in the said year, the King granted them to Thomas Duke of Norfolk, together with the pension belonging to the abbey of Lewes.
• Thomas Smith, (rector also of Southrey, as I take it.)
• 1573, 2 Sep. Christopher Constable, on Smith's resignation. William Dyxe and William Cantrell, Esq. trustees to the Duke, in 1603, he observes that there were 252 communicants here, and that the Lords Thomas and William Howard were patrons, and held the parsonage impropriate.
• Robert Sterling.
• 1604, 25 Feb. Robert Brundishe, A. M. on Sterling's death. John Young and John Armiger vel Aungier, of Methwold. Thomas Earl of Arundel had license 1st Sep. in 11th King James I. to alienate this rectory, and the advowson of the vicarage, to Sir Henry Hobart.
• 1644, 1 Nov. John Cooper, A. M. on Brundishe's death. William Bucworth, Esq.
• 1673, 24 Dec. Anth. Franke, A. B. on Cooper's death. The Lady Zouch (relict of James Hobart, Esq.) and Thomas Lord Richardson.
• 1690, 9 April, Thomas Jukes, alias Jenks, on Franke's death, rector also of Ickburgh. John Prude, alias Hubart, of Kingstone-uponThames, Gent.
• 1696, 13 Oct. John Newson, on Juke's resignation, rector also of Cranwich. John Prude.
• 1713, 21 May, John Prattant, A. B. on Newson's death. Roger North, Esq. of Rougham in Norfolk, impropriator.
• 1722, 9 Aug. the Rev. Mr. Robert Rushbrook, the present [1738] vicar, on Prattant's death. Roger North, Esq. of Rougham.

This vicarage is valued in the King's Books at 9l. 1s. 3d. and being in clear value 24l. per annum. It is discharged of tenths, &c.

There are only 7 roods of glebe. Norwich Domesday says, "Procuratio, constitutio ab antiquo, in victualibus, prout placet domino archidiacono."

Slevesholm Priory, commonly called Slusham

Was in the parish of Methwold, in the marsh or fens, about a mile and half west of the church of the said town; it was a cell to the priory of Castle-Acre, founded by William Earl Warren and Surrey, and dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. Giles; who by deed gave [in the reign of King Stephen] a certain island in the moor or fen of Melewode, called Slevesholm, in pure and perpetual alms to God and All-Saints, to Paul the monk, and the monks serving God there, and after the decease of Paul, to him who shall succeed him there as prior, who was to be a monk of, and to be elected out of, the priory of Castle-Acre, and was to be presented to, and admitted by, the Earl Warren and his heirs, &c. on his doing fealty to him; and one of his successours wrote to Pandulf Bishop of Norwich to take this cell into his protection. John Earl Warren confirmed the aforesaid charter or deed of his ancestor, in the 3d Edward II. And in the year 1428, the temporalities of it were valued at 35s. 7d. ob. per annum.

On the Dissolution it was granted to the Mundefords of Feltwell, and Francis, son of Osbert Mundeford, Esq. had livery of it in the 23d of Elizabeth In 1600, Edmund Mundeford held it. After this we find it possessed by Captain Smith of Croxton, who conveyed it to Edward-Saunders Seabright; and Sir Thomas Seabright, Bart. died possessed of it in 1736.

Paul, prior of this cell.

Thomas, prior.

Thomas, in the 3d of Henry V.

Stephen, in the 7th of Henry V.

Brother John, a monk of Castle-Acre, presided over their hermitage at Slusham, in the time of Walter Bishop of Norwich.

NORTHWOLD

Adjoins to Methwold, and lies on the south side of the river Wissey; it is called Wold from its situation in an open champaign country, and North, in respect of Methwold and Hockwold. It was given by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester, in the reign of King Edgar, to the monastery of Ely, being royal demeans; and that prelate is said to have given to the King Hertinge in exchange; it was at that time estimated at 12 hides. At the general survey, we find that the powerful Earl Warren had deprived the monastery of part of this town, and that there were then two lordships here, one belonging to the church of Ely, another to the Earl Warren.

Bishop of Ely's Manor

That lordship which St. Adeldrede (that is the church of Ely, so called from St. Audrey, the foundress) held at the time of the survey, is thus accounted for, 6 carucates of land, 16 acres of meadow, valued in the Confessor's time at 8l. then at 9l.; the town was one leuca long, and half a one broad, and paid 30d. ob. gelt. In the time of Leoffwine the fifth Abbot of Ely, when the tenures and services belonging to the monastery were settled, this was injoined to furnish the house with provisions for two weeks in every year. This part, or manor, was held by the Abbots and Convent of Ely, till the reign of King Henry I. when the church being changed into a bishop's see, it was settled on the Bishop, and accordingly in the 24th of Henry III. Hugh Bishop of Ely was lord, when a fine was levied between him and Robert de Insula, of two carucates of land here, released to the Bishop and his successours, with all his rights in all lands, fees, and services belonging to the Bishop's demeans here, and in the isle of Ely, for which the Bishop gave to Robert 400 marks. In 3d Edward I. the Bishop was found to hold this lordship, being a moiety of the town, in capite, as parcel of his barony; and in the seventh year of the said King, there was an extent of it, when the jurors say that the Bishop had liberty of holding all pleas which the sheriff might, with writ or without, a gallows, tumbrel, view of frankpledge, assize of bushels, flaggons, and other measures, and the advowson of the church; but the Prior of Castle-Acre had two parts of the tithes of the Earl Warren's fee, called New-Land, which Sir Thomas de Pavely and Roger de Wylsham, and their parceners, held in demean.

The manor lands were, 488 acres of arable, by the great hundred, and the perch of 16 feet, at 4d. per acre; the meadow 20 acres, at 6d. per acre, but if any field lay fallow, then the feed of it was common. The heath called Scorteling was common to all the manors of the town, for feeding only, the marsh called South-Fen consisted of 1000 acres, in which the whole soke of the town might feed, dig, &c. but the soke of Methwold could only feed there, as this township did in the common of Methwold, with their beasts, horn, underhorn. The jury find William Earl Warren to have appropriated 40 acres of this South-Fen, called Thornham, by his power, and Walter de Bedingham, a freeman of this town, had brought a writ of novell dissezin against the Earl, before Sir Gilbert de Segrave, &c. at Cambridge, but the judgment on this verdict was not yet given, being respited by a day of love with the assent of the judges, at the instance of the Earl. There was another marsh, called North-Fen, wherein the whole town might dig, feed, common, &c. and a common pasture between the town and Cranwise, in which the township might feed only. The several fisheries of Edred's were held by Sir Osbert de Helgey; Yxeheth and Ruwere, by John de la How; Fulheth-Mere, Beche, Littlewere, Hithwere, and Tappys, wherein none but the Bishop was to fish. The stock was 15 cows, and a free bull; 20 hogs, and a free boar; 500 sheep, by the great hundred, besides those of the customary tenants, which were to be in the lord's fold. Henry, son of William de Insula, held 140 acres, paying only 10s. per annum, and had a fold; John de la How held 140 acres at the same rent, and had a fold; the rest of the freeholders and copyholders, with their rents, services, &c. are particularly specified, and are, for the most part, the same with those mentioned in the Bishop's manor of Feltwell.

In an account of Edm. Pierpoint, Receiver General of the revenues of the see of Ely, about the reign of Queen Mary, the reserved rent of this manor amounted to 22l. 10s. 11d. ob.; it continued in the see till Queen Elizabeth, in the beginning of her reign, had it settled by Act of Parliament on the Crown, by way of exchange; and it was held of the Crown by the payment of 22l. per annum, since which time it has gone through several hands, viz. Pierce, Croft, &c. and was sold by Sir Philip Skippon, and Ann his wife, Sir Robert Hatton, and Cecily his wife, to Thomas Holder, Esq. in 35th Charles II. who, by Bridget, daughter of Richard Graves of Mickleton in Gloucestershire, Esq. bencher and reader of Lincoln's-Inn, had one daughter and heir, Elizabeth, married to Henry Partridge, Esq. late of BukeuhamHouse, lord of this manor, whose son,
Henry Partridge, Esq. by his second wife, daughter of Mr. Wright of London, is the present lord.

The above-mentioned fee-farm rent of 22l. per annum out of this manor, payable to the Crown, was granted to Sir John Mordaunt, and on his foundation of his hospital on Blackheath, he settled it on that house.

Dageney's Manor

At the general survey, we find the Earl Warren possessed of a manor or moiety of this town, which, in the Confessor's time, was held by the church of Ely, and is thus accounted for, five carucates of land, held by 34 socmen of St. Adelrede, in the reign of King Edward, then valued at 60s. now at 5l. per annum.

This part the aforesaid Earl bestowed on his dependants, to be held of him by knight's service, amongst which was the family of De Pavili, or Pavilleys, who were ancient lords of this manor; and in the reign of King Henry I. Ralph de Pavili gave the tithes of all his land in this town to the abbey of Castle-Acre, founded by the Earl Warren. In the first year of King John, Ralph de Beauchamp had a grant of the custody of the heir of Reginald de Pavely, with all the land be held in fee, the day he began his journey to Jerusalem, in which journey he died; and on the 19th of July, in 27th Henry III. the King granted to Roger de Pavilly the land which Reginald his brother held in this town, and the sheriff had orders to deliver it; and in the 34th of the said King, the aforesaid Roger had a grant of the lands of Thomas de Pavilly, his brother, in this town, valued at x.l. per annum.

After this, in the 3d Edward I. Roger Dakeney, or De-Akeney, was found to hold a fourth part of this town of the Earl Warren, being infeoffed (as it is said by that Earl) some time before the inquisition then taken; from this Roger Dakeney the manor assumed its name, and was, as I have observed, the same part and lordship that was held before by the Pavillys; and on 1st Edward II. a fine was levied between Robert de Akeney, and Agnes his wife, of 37 messuages, 546 acres of land, and 40s. rent in this town, granted to Thomas, &c. for their lives, who occurs lord in the 9th year of the said King; this was (as I take it) that Sir Thomas Dakeney who served King Edward I. in his wars against the Scots, and is on the roll among other Norfolk knights, that lived in that King's reign, and bore arg. a cross between four lioncels gul. which arms are still to be seen in one of the chancel windows of Northwold church. In the 19th of the said King, a fine was levied between John de Hotham Bishop of Ely, and Roger, son of Robert Dakeney, of this manor, 21 messuages, &c. and 4l. rent, which Agnes, widow of Thomas Dakeney, held for life, conveyed to the Bishop for 200 marks, who gave it to the Prior and Convent of Ely, and by them it was exchanged with Thomas de Chepham, for the manor of Overhall and Neitherhall at Littlebury in Essex; but in the 14th of King Edward III. Rich. de Walpole and Martin de Mendham, chaplains, held it by half a knight's fee of Sir John de Norwich, as belonging to the manor of Sculthorp in Norfolk; and by deed dated at Sculthorp, on Monday next after the feast of St. Hillary, in the said year, they granted to Sir John and his heirs the yearly rent of 21bs. of pepper, out of this manor. Witnesses, Sir Constant. de Mortimer, Sir William de Kerdeston, Sir Adam de Clifton, Sir Roger de Norwich, John de Thorpland, Symon de Reynham, Richard de Holdyke, John de Brightwalton, &c.; and in the 20th of the said King, one quarter of a knight's fee here was held of the said Sir John, who held it (as it is said) of the King, by John de Wesenham; but in the 5th year of Richard II. William Earl of Suffolk, son of Margaret, sister and heir of Sir Thomas de Norwich, was found to be the capital lord. In the third year of the following King, Tho. Montchensy and Katherine his wife, held the same of Sir Robert Knolls, (the famous warriour,) and he of the King as Duke of Lancaster, having purchased this and the manor of Havill's in this town, most probably of John de Wesenham, who was lord of both; from Montchensy it passed with that of Hovill's to the Talboths, and were settled on Tho. Talboth, and Joan his wife, in tail, by fine in 19th Henry VI. by William Spoon and Thomas Clerk, their trustees; this Thomas Talbothe died lord, 14th Sept. 1474, and lies buried with his wife in the church of Northwold. The next account I meet with of this manor, is in 13th Henry VII. when a fine was levied between James Hobart, &c. querents, and John Michell, senior, and John Michell, junior, &c. deforciants, of the manors of Hovell's and Dageney's in Northwold; and Walter Hobart, Esq. son and heir of Sir James Hobart, on the 24th Aug. in the 9th Henry VIII. settled them on Robert Ratcliff Lord Fitz-Walter, and others, to the use of himself and Ann his wife, (sister of the said lord,) and their heirs male; but in 31st Henry VIII. Walter Hobart, then a knight, with his wife, conveyed them by fine to John Ball.

After this they were possessed by Mr. Adamson, who, in 1704, sold them to Tho. Holder, Esq. whose widow is the present [1738] lady of the aforesaid manors.

Havell's, or Hovil's manor

Another part of the Earl Warren's fee or moiety of this town was given by that Earl to the Plaizes, of whom we have spoken at large in Weeting; and in 12th Henry III. Hugh de Plaiz granted to Ralph de Dunton the fourth part of a knight's fee here, to be held of him; and in 13th Edward I. a fine was passed between John le Botiler, querent, Tho. Woolmer, and Alice his wife, impedients, of 12 messuages, 194 acres of land, and several other parcels of land, and 4l. rent, sold to John; and in the 31st of the said King, he was found to hold half a fee of Sir Giles de Playz. But in 9th Edward II. William de Haville (from whom this lordship had its name) was lord; and in 24th Edward III. a fine was levied between John de Wesenham, the aforesaid William and Margaret his wife, of this manor, conveyed to John, who, in the 35th of the said King, was found to die seized of the same. After this, it was held by Tho. Monchensy, and passed from him to Talbothe, &c. as is observed in the manor of Dageney's, to which it was then united, and Mrs. Holder is the present [1738] lady.

The site of this manor is now to be seen in a pasture-close at the south-east end of the town.

In the town of Northwold is a fair kept yearly on St. Andrew's day, to which saint the church is dedicated.

Hugh de Norwold Bishop of Ely, in the reign of King Henry III. and John de Norwold Abbot of Bury, in 1280, who wrote the annals of this kingdom, and the dispute between Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln, and Pope Innocent IV. were natives of this place.

The Prior of West-Acre was taxed in 1421, for his temporalities here, at 12d.

The Prior and Convent of Shouldham, for their temporalities in land, and a fishery, at 13s. 4d.

The Prior of Castle-Acre, for his temporalities, 30s.

The tenths of the town were 12l. 13s. 4d.

The Church is dedicated to St. Andrew, and has its nave, north and south isles, with a chancel, all built with flint stones, boulder, &c. covered with lead; at the west end of the nave is a very large and lofty four-square tower, of the aforesaid materials, with quoins and embattlements of freestone, and eight pinnacles of stone, carved; in this tower hang five bells, and here is a clock, with a dial on the south side, fronting the street; this neat and strong tower was built in the reign of King Edward IV. as appears from the will of John Miller of Weeting, dated in 1473, wherein he bequeaths 20s. towards the building of it.

The church is about 65 feet in length, and about 55 feet in breadth, including the isles; near the font lies a marble gravestone, and thereon the portraiture of a man in brass, but that of his wife is reaved, and on a plate of brass this,

Orate pro Anima Johannis Perse, qui obiit rii^o die Mensis Nobemb. A^o Dni. M.cccccb. et pro Anima Katharine Hroris eius quorum Animabus propitietur Deus, Amen.

This gentleman gave by will, in 1501, a messuage with 61 acres of land, to this town, for charitable uses, which they enjoy at this day.

About the middle of the nave, on a grave-stone, is the portraiture of a woman, that of the man being reaved, and on a plate,
Orate pro Animabus Roberti Dament et Alice Hroris sue, qui quiaem Robertus obit secundo die Mensis Aprilis A^o Dni. Millimo ccccc^o Hicesimo ouinto, quorum Animabus propitietur Deus, Amen.

On a small plate of brass, on one side of this stone, are the portraitures of three daughters, that with the sons, on the other, is reaved, and instead thereof, a fragment of some old epitaph, thus inscribed,
Margaret. habe mercy. is now fixed thereon.

At the upper end of this nave, in the cross isle, lies a marble gravestone, once ornamented with a cup of brass, and having a plate thus inscribed,
Praye for the Somle of Syr John Damson, the whych decesyd the xxviii. Dan of February in the Yere of our Lord Mcccccxxxi, on whose Somle Jesu habe Mercy.

Some few years past, just as you enter the chancel, there lay a gray marble, with a plate thus inscribed,
Orate pro Animabus Thome Talbothe qui obiit xiiii^o Die Septemb. An^o; Dni. M.cccclccib. et Johanne Hrotis eius, Ouorum Animabus propitietur Deus, Amen.

This grave-stone, in memory of the ancient lord of Dageneys and Haviles, is now removed and lost; and in its place lies one with this inscription,

Here lyeth the Body of RICHARD CARTER, Gent. who dy'd 10 July, 1723, aged 75 years.

At the west end of this nave is a large gallery for the singers, and on the head of two old seats under it, a shield with a sword and a mace in saltier, in allusion to St. Andrew; here are also several leathern buckets and a fire engine, dated 1717, the gift of Henry Partridge, Esq. of Buckenham-House.

The roof of this nave is of oak, painted and gilt with gold, and ornamented with the letter A. and a crown over it, in honour of St. Andrew, and with many spread eagles sab.

St. George's arms.

Fordham, sab. a chevron between three crosses fleuree or. The arms of Fordham Bishop of Ely, in the reign of King Richard II.; in his time it is probable this present church was built; and above these arms (at some distance) a mitre may be observed.

Ely See, gul. three ducal crowns or.

St. Edmund, or the East-Angles, az. three ducal crowns or.

Hugh de Norwold Bishop of Ely bore also the two last arms, gul. a saltier raguly arg. in allusion, as I take it, to the saint of the church, and one more, which is now obscure.

Over the arch of the lowest window, on the south side, in stonework, is this inscription,
Pran for the Somle of John Stalyng.

At the east end of the south isle is an ascent of two steps, and here are remaining two pedestals for statues; on a desk here are the three volumes of The Martyrs, by John Fox, the gift of Henry Partridge, Esq.

About the middle of the isle, in the wall near the foundation, in a large stone coffin, lies immured the founder of this part or isle, probably John Stalyng aforesaid; and near this is a mural monument of stone, in memory of Ann, daughter and heiress of John Hopkin of Ely, Gent, and wife of Tho. Gordon, Gent. who died 23d Feb. 1732, aged 22.

On the east window of the north isle was the history of the Salutation painted,

Abe Maria Bratia plena, being now to be seen in a lable.

The chancel is divided from the nave by a wooden screen, on which were painted several saints: this pile appears from the workmanship to be more antique than the nave.

On the head of an oaken stall in the chancel is this shield carved, az. a saltier gul. between a mullet in chief, pierced or, and three doves (as they seem) arg. the greatest part of the same arms is now remaining in the hall of the rectory-house, and was some years past to be seen in the parlour windows, and near to it was painted the effigies of some rector, sitting alone, (as great as Epicurus himself) at a table well furnished with meat and drink, and this motto, Baudere et Epufari opportet.

On the head of an opposite stall are the arms of St. George.

On the pavement, near the north wall, lies a marble stone, having

Holder's arms, sab. a chevron between three anchors arg. impaling Greaves, gul. a spread eagle or, crowned arg.

Here lyeth the Body of THO. HOLDER, who died the 24th of February, 1713, aged 74.

In the middle of the pavement is a marble grave-stone, and on it a plate of brass, on which,

Scot, per pale, indented arg. and sab. a saltier counterchanged impaling on a bend, three leopards faces,

Carmen THOMÆ SCOTI filij quondam Rectoris hujus Ecelesiæ, et a Sacris Domesticis Regi JACOBO, sub eodem marmore, una cum Matre Sepulti ab eodem dum in vivis esset compositum, sepulchro suo inscribendum, ob^t. 12^o die Novemb. An. Incarnationis Christi 1616, Æt. suæ 68.

Quem vivens Matri Lapidem feci esse Sepulchrum, Me quoque defunctum contegit iste Lapis.

Ut Quæ, me vivum concepit Corpore viva, In sua me rursus viscera concipiat.

Englished thus, by Tho. Scot, his eldest son:

This Stone which living, on my Mother, I Caus'd to be laid, now dead, on me doth lie. So she that quick, conceiv'd me in her Womb, Receives me dead, and now becomes my tomb.

The communion table is railed in, and has an ascent to it of three steps; on the pavement here is a marble stone with this epitaph,

M. S. DEBORÆ NOVELL cujus Exuviæ subter Marmor hoc deponuntur, Uxoris Johan: Novell, S. T. P. Ille ex Agro Surriensi ortus, bonis Literis Cantabrigiæ enutritus, D. D. Wrenij [Episcopi Eliensis] a Sacris, Ecclesiæ hujus quondam Rector, sub Tyrannide Cromwellij Pseudo-Protectoris plura graviaque sustulit, tandem vero cum aurâ Benigniori frui licitum esset, vitâ orbatus est, Maij enim die primo, Anno Æræ Christianæ 1661, fatis cessit, et hic juxta positus est. Illa Annos 19 viro defuncto superstes fuit, Liberos peperit 11, Quorum pars major Morti succubuerunt, et circumcirca inhumantur. Conjugi fuit fida, proximis amica, vidua vere casta, familiæ decus, Matronis exemplar, sed heu! Extremum clausit diem An. salutis humanæ, 1679.

Adjoining to this lies a stone in memory of William Novell, son to Dr. Novell, who died 18 July, 1654.

Against the east end of the north wall of the chancel is a large and lofty pile of clunch or chalk-stone; the upper part is of curious wrought spire-work, with arched canopies, adorned with many niches, and in them little pedestals for images; on the body or lower part are the effigies of three men in armour, and three trees, a tree between each man, all in a declining falling posture; this is, as I conceive, what was before the Reformation called The Sepulchre of our Lord; the posture of the men alluding to what the Scripture observes of the guard or keepers of the Sepulchre: And for fear of him the keepers did shake and became as dead men, and the earth did quake and the rocks rent, &c. These sepulchres were erected always (as I take it) on the north side of the chancel, near to the altar; thus Thomas Fienes Lord Dacres, by his will bearing date 1st Sep. 1531, bequeathed his body to be buried in the parish church of Herst Monceaux in Essex, on the north side of the high-altar, appointing that a tomb should be made for placing there the sepulchre of our Lord; and Sir Henry Colet wills to be buried at Stepney, at the sepulchre, before Seynt Dunstan; and his monument is to be seen at this day on the north side of the chancel of the said church. Great wax-lights were generally burning here, John Wethamstede Abbot of St. Alban's, appointed 12 waxlights to burn about the sepulchre of our Lord, and gave money for them for ever; and great pomp and pageantry was used here on high festivals, on the day of the resurrection, or Easter day; the crucifix and the pix were taken out of this place, where they were deposited in a solemn manner on Good-Friday, by the priest, on the saying Surrexit, non est hic.

Against the south wall is a painted board ornamented with an urn, and two Cupids above, below, with a book and two deaths heads, on each side are foliages, festoons, &c. thus inscribed,
On this South-Side of the Chancel, lies the Body of ROBERT BURHILL, D. D. Rector of this Church, and Residentiary of Hereford, who by his learned Works, writ in Latin against the Champions of the Romish Church, did great Service to the Protestant Cause in general, as well as to the Church of England in particular. He was most intimate with the famous Sir WALTER RALEIGH, and assisted him in the Critical Part of his History of the World. Was also a good Antiquary and Poet, as well as a great Divine, which appears from several MSS. of his, now in Oxford; in this Place he took Sanctuary at the breaking out of the Troubles in Oct. 1641, to revive the Memory of so worthy and learned a Man, SAMUEL KNIGHT, D. D. Prebendary of Ely, erected this Table An. Dni. 1727.

In the lowest window of the chancel, on the south side, is

Woodhouse's arms, sab. a chevron or, guité de sang, between three cinquefoils erm.

And in the upper window, on the north side,

Dakeney, arg. a cross between four lions rampant gul. Besides these, there were formerly,

France and England quarterly.

Knowls sideth a fess dancy between three leopards heads sab.

Talbot, arg. a cross between four lions rampant gul.

Churche, az. a lion rampant sinister arg.

Gul. three keys or. The arms of the priory, and of the deanery of Ely.

Ralph de Pavely, who held part of this town of William Earl Warren, gave, in the reign of King Henry I. the tithes of his land here to the priory of Castle-Acre; tithe being in that age in the gift of any lord or owner, so that it was assigned or given to any church or religious house; and Walcheline, son of Lambert de Rosei, who held also lands here of the aforesaid Earl, gave also the tithes of his land to the aforesaid priory. In 1265, Simon Bishop of Norwich, confirmed to Castle-Acre, in Haughton, Rockland, and Northwold, two parts of the tithes of the demeans of Baldwin de Rosci, Hugh son of Richard, Will. de Houghton, Robert de Katestun, Roger de Paveli, and Gilbert de Walsham. And in the year 1277, when an inquisition was taken, the patronage of the church was found to be in the Bishop of Ely, but the Prior of Castle-Acre held two parts of the tithes of the lands which were of the fee of the Earl Warren. To avoid therefore disputes and troubles on this account, there was an ancient composition between the Priors, &c. of Castle-Acre, and the Rectors of the church, who, on the payment of 30s. per annum to the aforesaid priors, had the right and portion of tithes above-mentioned; and accordingly we find that in 1428, as I have observed before, the Prior of Castle-Acre was taxed at 30s. for the same. On the dissolution of that priory, it came to the Crown, and from thence to the Duke of Norfolk, and since that, has passed as a lay-fee through several hands, and the Rev. Mr. Pile of Lyn is the present [1738] owner.

Rectors

Mr. Walter de Stow occurs rector about 1290; the rector then had a house and a carucate of land, was valued at 41 marks, and paid 3s. Peter-pence.

• 1314, 17 Feb. Mr. Ralph de Pyltone. Presented by the Bishop of Ely; he was buried in the chancel; part of his grave-stone is still [1738] to be seen, and this inscription, Anima Radulphi De P.
• John Glatton; by his will, dated on Sunday after the Feast of St. Andrew, 1397, desires to be buried near the marble stone of Mr. Ralph de Pilton, and gives a silver cup to the altar of St. Etheldred in this church.
• 1336, Bernard de Sautre, priest.
• 1397, 31 Decem. John Sandon.
• 1398, 1 August, Robert de Wetheringsette, on the resignation of Sandon.
• 1412, 25 March, Stephen Noble, on the resignation of Wetheringsette; he had been rector of Watlington, and was also rector of Cranwich in Norfolk.
• 1421, 17 Sept. John Drew; he was rector of Tharfield in Hertfordshire, and exchanged with Noble; by his will he desires to be buried in the church of St. Lawrence of Harpley in Norfolk, (of which church he was also rector,) between two pillars near the pulpit.
• 1435, 17 April, Tho. Belton, on the death of Drew; he wills to be buried in the chancel of Northwold, and gives a silver cup to the altar of St. John Baptist in that church.
• 1442, Thomas Lane.
• 1465, 13 Jan. John Downham, on the resignation of Lane.
• 1494, 20 April, Richard Hooke, on the resignation of Downham, who had a pension assigned him out of this rectory, of 20l. per annum for four years, to be paid by Hooke.

Master Rich. Aldey; he was also master of Thompson college in Norfolk.

• 1519, 26 May, Miles Ragon, on the death of Aldey. At his institution he swore to find a chaplain to celebrate in the church, according to the chantry's foundation, unless dispensed with by the Bishop.
• Robert Cliff; he was rector of Outwell, LL.D. and warden of Manchester college.
• 1538, 20 July, John Clark, on the death of Cliff.
• Leonard Hutchenson.
• 1554, 10 Dec. Tho. Barnard, A. M. on the death of Hutchenson.
• 1556, 16 Dec. Henry Thorneton, on the resignation of Barnard.
• Thomas Thackhom; he occurs in 1561.
• 1563, 11 Dec. Tho. Scot, senior, A. M.
• 1576, 15 May, Tho. Scot, junior, A. M. on the resignation of Tho. Scot, senior; he was also rector of Oxburgh.
• 1616, 6 Dec. Daniel Wigmore, S. T. B. on the death of the last rector; he was rector of Snailwell, archdeacon of Ely, and died in 1644, having resigned this church.
• 1622, 1 May, Robert Burhill, S. T. B. in 1612; he was rector of Snailwell.
• 1641, John Novell, S. T. B. on the death of Burhill; he was fellow of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge, had been rector of Topcroft in Norfolk, and vicar of Walton cum Felixstow in Suffolk.
• 1661, 15 June, Thomas Wrenn, M. D. and S. T. B.; he was son to Matthew Wrenn Bishop of Ely, educated in Cambridge, and created doctor of physick at Oxford, 2d Aug. 1653, by the Chancellor's letters, rector of Littlebury in 1660, and of Willingham in Cambridgeshire, on his resignation of this church.
• 1662, William Holder, S. T. P. fellow of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge, rector of Blechyndon in Oxfordshire, and afterwards of Tharfield in Hertfordshire, canon of Ely and St. Paul's, sub-deacon of the King's chapel, and sub-almoner; he is buried in a vault under St. Paul's, London.

All the above were presented by the Bishop of Ely.

• 1687, 7 June, Francis Roper, S. T. B. on the cession of Holder; he was fellow of St. John's college in Cambridge, and resigned this rectory soon after the accession of King William III.
• 1691, 9 May, Thomas Armstrong, rector also of Beccles in Suffolk. The King.
• 1714, 19 Octob. The Rev. John Clark, A. M. the present rector, afterwards prebendary of Canterbury, D. D. and dean of Salisbury.

The King, the see being void; the Bishop of Ely is now [1738] patron.

This is a rectory valued in the King's books at 29l. 15s. 9d. ob. and pays first fruits 26l. 16s. 3q.; tenths 59s. 5d. 3q.

• 1612, 30s. to Castle-Acre pension; 10l. per annum serving the cure; 15s. 4d. to the poor.

In 1277, Andrew de Ripa held a watermill here, with the suit belonging to the same, and 48 acres of land, with a toft and its appurtenances, late Osbert de Ripa's; also 24 acres and 3 tofts, with a messuage, late Walter's, father of the said Andrew, paying 30s. yearly for all services, which were assigned towards the maintenance of a chaplain in the church of Northwold for ever, by the charter or deed of Hugh Bishop of Ely, and this chaplain was found by the rector, and called the chantry chaplain.

In this church there were the gilds of the Holy-Trinity and of St. John Baptist, as appears from the will of Sparhewe, widow, in 1489, who desires to be buried by her husband in the porch of the church of St. Andrew, and leaves legacies to those gilds.

Robert Harwood, by his will, dated 18th May, 1517, desires to be buried before the altar of our Lady in the church, gives 12 milch kyne to Trinity-Gyld, six of them to be let for 5s. by the yere, of which, 5s. 5d. to be paid evermore yerely upon Good-Fryday, to five poor persons of the town of Northwold, and 3s. 11d. of the same 5s. to be paid and distributed for a solemn dirige, to be kept for him and his friends evermore yerely upon Trinity-Monday, and 8d. given to the ringers the same day, and the other 6 kyne to be let at the price aforesaid, to the profit of the same gyld.

Richard Powle, vicar of Fouldon in 1479, gave about 40 acres of land, &c. in this town, to the township to repair the church, &c. which they at this day [1738] enjoy. In 1503, Robert Blake, parish priest of Oxboro, gave all his lands in Northwold, to repair that church for ever.

WITTINGTON HAMLET

About three miles west of the town, and near Stoke-Ferry, is the hamlet of Wittington, belonging to this township. In 15th James I. Char. Croft, Esq. was found to have died possessed of a free tenement and lands here, called Hulliars, held of the manor of Northwold in free soccage, and the rent of 9s. 11d. per annum.

CRANWICH

Lies east of Northwold, on the south side of the river Wissey, and derives its name from the Saxon word (angulus) a turn, nook, or corner, and pic, a bay, port, or landing-place; or from , and the river Wissey, being wrote in Domesday, Cranewisse.

In the reign of Edward the Confessor, there were two lordships, one was held by a freeman of Harold, (afterwards King,) who had two carucates in demean, and 4 acres of meadow, &c. the right of half a mill and half a fishery, and was valued at 60s. per annum.

The other moiety or lordship was held by a freeman of St. Audrey, who had two carucates in demean, 4 acres of meadow, &c. the right of half a mill and half a fishery, and was valued at 60s. per annum.

The whole contained seven furlongs in length, and four in breadth, and paid 9d. 0b. gelt, when the hundred was assessed at 20s. It belonged to the castle of Lewes.

On the Conquest, these lordships were given to the Earl Warren by the Conqueror, and so being united, became one manor.

In the reign of King Henry I. Peter de Cranwich was lord, and held it of the Earl Warren; this Peter gave to the convent of CastleAcre, founded by the Earl Warren, part of a wood, 2s. per annum in tithes, two solidates and a half of land, and a thousand eels, per annum.

Soon after this, the

Caillys or Cayleys were lords; John de Cally occurs lord in the 4th of King John, and his father (as appears from a trial then) was lord before him. In the reign of Henry III. Adam de Cayly held here one knight's fee of the Earl Warren; and in the 12th of that King, purchased of William de Butery 40s. rent issuing out of a mill, lands, &c. here, for 16 marks of silver.

In 3d Edward I. Sir Osbert de Cayly was lord, and claimed the assize of bread and beer here; and in 9th Edward II. Tho. de Cailly was lord: on the death of this Thomas, about 17th Edward II. the lordship descended to Adam, son of Sir Roger de Clifton, by Margaret, sister and heir to Sir Thomas, then a minor; which Adam, then a knight, was lord in 9th Edward III.; Sir Adam dying in 1367, the manor descended to Sir John Clifton, son of Constantine, son of Sir Adam, who was lord in 50th Edward III. and was summoned to Parliament as a baron, from the aforesaid year to the 12th of Richard II. and died at Rhodes on St. Laurence's day, in the said year, leaving Constantine, his son and heir, aged 16, who was also summoned to Parliament in 1393 and 1394, on whose death it came to his son, Sir John Clifton, who, by his will, dated 6th August, and proved 8th September, 1447, desired to be buried in the priory of Wymondham, and gave this manor, with those of Hilburgh, and West-Bradenham, to remain in the hands of his executors, Joan his wife, John Haydon, John Barrington, and Thomas Wete, for twelve years, then to return to his right heirs; by Joan his wife, daughter of Sir Edmund de Thorp, he had one daughter, Margaret, married to Sir Andrew Ogard, Knt. who dying without issue before her father, the lordship came to the Knevets; Elizabeth, sister of Sir John Clifton, being married to Sir John Knevet, grandson to Sir John Knevet, Lord Chancellor of England; and in 7th Henry VIII. Sir William Knevet of Bukenham castle was found to die seized of it, being held of the Earl of Arundel; and in 28th Henry VIII. Sir Edm. Knevet sold the manor and advowson, 4 messuages, 4 tofts, 500 acres of land, 30 of meadow, 20 of pasture, 500 acres of furze and heath, 100 of moor or fen, 100 of marsh, 3 of alders, and 7l. rent, and the right of faldage here &c. to

John Boldero, and Stephen Heyward; and on an inquisition taken the 24th July, in 26th Elizabeth, John Boldero, Gent. was found to have died the 29th May last, seized of a moiety of the manor, &c. and Edmund was his son and heir, aged 30 years, and John Heyward was found, in the said year, to die seized of the other moiety. The aforesaid Edmund was also found on the 3d August, in the first King James I. to have died 24th Dec. 45th Elizabeth, seized of a moiety, and John was his son, aged 21 years; soon after this, John Boldero sold his part or moiety to

William Heyward, son of Stephen, who was lord of the whole town, and patron in 1603; and in the reign of King Charles I. it came again to the family of Knyvet, on the marriage of Emma, daughter and heir of William Heyward, Gent. with — Knevet, Esq. of Ashwellthorp; and in 1665, Sir John Knevet presented to this rectory as lord and patron; and in 1720, Col. P. Knevet sold it to Henry Partridge, Esq. of Bukenham-House, whose son, Henry Partridge, Esq. is the present [1738] lord.

The tenths of this town, were 2l. 10s. 8d.

The leet is in the lord of the hundred.

The Church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, and is a rude old single building of flint, boulder, &c. covered with tile, in length about 35 feet, and 15 in breadth; to this nave is a chancel annexed, about 30 feet long, and 15 broad, with an ascent of two steps to the communion table, and is covered with thatch; here lie several marble grave-stones.

One is thus inscribed,
Here lyeth JANE the Daughter of THOMAS STEWARD, of Barton-Mills Esq. and the Wife of WILLIAM HAYWARD, buried the 23 of November 1633.

Another thus,
Here lyeth WILLIAM HEYWARD Gent. Patron of this church, buried the 10 Day of Dec. 1630.

On a third, this only legible,

- - - - Vir Pius. - - - in memory (as it is said) of Mr. Doughty, rector.

At the west end of the nave stands a narrow but lofty round tower of flint, &c. embattled and coped with freestone, wherein hangs one bell. This tower is of great and venerable antiquity, built (as I conceive) in the reign of the Danish kings, and probably by Harold King of England, of whom a freeman, as I have observed, held a moiety of this town in the time of the Confessor.

In this church were formerly the arms of Clifton painted in glass.

Rectors

• 1310, 7 July, Thomas de Hulm had this church given him in commendam.
• 1317, 10 June, Walter Kyng. Sir William Bernak, and William, son of John Beney of Thetford, patrons hac vice.
• 1321, 24 Jan. John de Wasteney. Sir William de Wasteney, and Joan his wife.
• 1349, 15 July, Robert Wygh. Sir Adam de Clifton.
• 1349, 28 Oct. William Hulle. Ditto.
• William de Redingham. Ditto.
• 1350, 5 Sep. Robert Byshop, on Redingham's resignation, vicar also of West-Bradenham. Ditto.
• Robert Osborn occurs rector 41st Edward III. Ditto - - - - - Smith.
• 1376, 22 Jan. Edmund Ive, on Smith's resignation. Richard Holdich, John Reed, John Holkham, John Morley, and Tho. de Fletcham. Ive was vicar of Chipenham in Cambridgeshire, and exchanged with Smith.
• 1386, 17 Sep. John Ansty, on Ive's resignation. Sir John Clifton. Ansty was rector of Canfield-Parva, in Essex, and exchanged with Ive.
• 1388, 8 Jan. Jeffery Pegge. Elizabeth, relict of Sir John Clifton.
• 1390, 30 Aug. John Boulder. Ditto.
• 1415, 14 Sep. Stephen Noble. John Drew, Thomas Brampton, Rich. Creyk, and Roger Rawlyns, patrons, by virtue of a deed of feoffment from Constantine Clifton, deceased. Noble was also rector of Northwold.
• 1417, 1 June, Walter Wasteney. John Drew, &c. By his will proved the 5th May, 1434, he requires to be buried in this church, and leaves money to the gild of St. Mary.
• 1434, 29, Apr. William Stalworth. Sir John Clifton.
• Richard Love occurs in 36th Henry VI.
• 1468, 27 Apr. Robert Aleyn, on Love's resignation. John Toppys of Norwich, by the gift and grant of John Knevet, Esq. Aleyn in his will, dated 22 Dec. 1493, desires to be buried in this church, and gives to St. Mary's gild a quarter of malt.
• 1493, 16 Jan. Thomas Cook, A. M. Richard Roos, Esq. and Joan his wife. He was also rector of Hilburgh.
• 1533, 4 Dec. Henry Callibut, on Cook's death. Edmund Knevet, Esq. buried in his own church, 15th April, 1560.
• 1560, 28 Nov. John Balkey. Stephen Hayward and John Baldero.
• 1564, 11 Apr. Edward Balkey, on John's resignation. Ditto.
• 1579, 13 Jan. Tho. Garthside. Ditto.
• 1583, 21 Jan. Robert Dey, on Garthside's resignation. John Boldero of Fornham St. Martin, Suffolk, and Margaret, relict of Stephen Hayward, late of Bury St. Edmund. In his reply to King James's queries, in 1603, he observes there were 65 communicants, and that William Hayward of Bury was patron. He was buried here 13th Aug. 1620.
• 1620, Andrew Doughtie, A. M. on Dey's death; vicar also of Wilton; buried here 3d Jan. 1665.
• 1665, 24 Jan. Robert Gallard. Sir John Knevet. Buried here 15th Aug. 1667.
• 1667, 25 Nov. John Talbot, A. B. Ditto.
• 1689, 31 Jan. John Newson, on the death of the last rector. Ditto. He was also vicar of Methwold, and was buried 18th Feb. 1712.
• 1713, 3 Aug. the Rev. Mr. John Ellis, A. M. who is rector also of Ickburgh-cum-Langford. Edmund Wace, clerk.

This rectory is valued in the King's Books at 8l. 9s. 7d. and being in clear value but 40l. per annum is discharged of tenths and first fruits.

This town gives name to the deanery of Cranwich, which takes in all the churches within the hundreds of Grimesho and South-Greenhoe. In ancient days, each deanery had its peculiar dean, of which it may not be improper to make a few remarks in this place.

Rural Deans

Are very ancient, and no precise time has been determined when the office first began; it is probable it was in the Saxon time; and a learned author has observed, that these deans in the church, answered the place of the [..] of the hundred, the head of the ten friborgs, or the tithing-man, and that in imitation of this secular method, the spiritual governours, the bishops, divided each diocese into deaneries or tithings, each of which had in its district ten parishes, or churches, and over every such district they appointed a dean, who should in spiritual matters, as the [..] in civil, reconcile differences, receive complaints, and enquire into grievances, &c.: the first mention of them is in the year 877, and in one of the laws of Edward the Confessor, it was provided, that of the 8l. penalty for breach of the King's peace, the King should have an 100s. the Earl 50s. and the Bishop's dean in whose deanery it was, the other 10s. which, according to the opinion of Sir Henry Spelman, &c. is meant of the rural deans. If these deans were over such a number of churches in a city, they were called decani urbani, if in the country, decani rurales; and as hundreds and tithings kept their name, when they bare no longer a strict relation to the number of villages or people, so likewise the rural deaneries continued, when they lost their first allusion to 10 parishes or churches, and the district of them was enlarged at the pleasure of the Bishop; though some deaneries do still retain the primitive allotment of ten churches, especially in Wales, where the most ancient usages continue.

These rural deans had their capitula or chapters, made up of the instituted clergy, or their curates, as proxies for them, and the dean was president, or prolocutor, these were held at first every three weeks, afterwards once a month, but their principal chapters were assembled once a quarter; all rectors and vicars, or their capellans, were bound to attend those chapters, and to bring information of all irregularities committed in their respective parishes. The place of holding these chapters was at first in any church within the deanery, where the minister of the place was to entertain the dean, and his immediate officers; but in a council at London, held by Bishop Stratford, in 1342, it was ordained, that such chapters should not be held in any obscure village, where it was difficult to get provision, but in the larger and more eminent parishes, where the company could be best accommodated, and all the officials and servants of the dean were to have their charges defrayed by their master, without burthen to the clergy. In these chapters the dean published the decrees of provincial and episcopal synods, all ecclesiastical laws and canons, and enforced the execution of them; they had also the probate of wills, &c. the cognizance of all matrimonial causes, matters of divorce, and incontinency: thus we find that when King Henry II. was at York, a burgess of Scarburgh complained to him of a rural dean that had taken from him 12d. and enjoined his wife pennance as an adultress, without proof, contrary to the King's law. They had also a great share in the trials for the right of advowson; and their more especial duty was to inspect and censure the manners of the clergy, and to pronounce sentence of excommunication; they were also commissioned to receive the taxes of the clergy, subsidies, first fruits, tenths, &c.; and the general taxation of benefices in England, called the Norwich Taxation, (made by Walter Suffeld Bishop of Norwich, the Pope's deputy,) was taken in every deanery by the rural deans, and two or three rectors or vicars, members of the chapter of that deanery. That these branches of their office and jurisdiction were of considerable profit, must be granted, else we shall be at a loss to account for the exchanges that we frequently meet with between rectors and dignitaries of the church, and these rural deans.

At the beginning they are said to be elected by the clergy of their own district, and when confirmed by the Bishop, were not to be ejected without the joint consent of their own presbyters; and in latter times, they were temporary, and removed, as Dr. Kennet asserts, by the Bishop's sole power; but it is plain from the institutions of the deans of Cranwich here annexed, that they were collated by the Bishop, and that it was no temporary office, or durante Episcopi beneplacito, they being styled decani perpetui, and also from their solemn resignations and exchanges for this office, for other preferments in the church.

Each rural dean had his seal belonging to his office; and we are told that the seal of the Dean of Burchester in Oxfordshire was an oblong oval, (as most religious seals were,) the impress, a pelican standing on a pedestal, wounding her breast with her bill, and feeding her young with her own blood; and I have now by me the probate of the will of Thomas Westhowe of Boketon, at Downham in Norfolk, dated 16th Dec. 1413, proved by Hugh Birdham Dean of Fincham, to which is affixed an oblong seal of red wax, the impress a bird, probably a finch, on a tree, and a star in chief, and this legend, Sigillum Decanatus de Fyncham, expressing both his own, and his deanery's name, in that device.

The rural deans were plain honest men, not much skilled in the subtilties of the civil or canon law, but were not the less capable of their office and jurisdiction, as depending on known customs, and the rules of equity; but by degrees, when the method of ecclesiastical justice was turned into arts and mysteries, then began the canonists to pretend themselves the only fit ministers in all courts of Christianity, and insinuated themselves into the favour and counsels of the Bishops, and so obtained the new titles of archdeacons, officials, and chancellours, and then easily run down these deans. Thus, by the art and interest of the canonists, &c. the jurisdiction of this office declined so much, that little but the name and shadow of it was in being, even in the age before the Reformation. It has been wished that our reformers would have restored this good and useful office to all its ancient rights and laudable practices, and those great persons who were commissioned to revive the ecclesiastical laws of this realm, agreed in their good opinion of it, prescribed a proper method, but it fell for want of confirmation by the legislative power; yet though it was not formally ratified, all those parts of it have no less the force of a law, (viz. all such ecclesiastical canons, constitutions, &c.) as are not repugnant to the laws, statutes, &c. of the realm, of which inoffensive nature was this jurisdiction of rural deans. And in a provincial synod held at London, 3d Apr. 1571, it was ordained that the archdeacon, when he had finished his visitation, should signify to the Bishop what clergymen he found in every deanery, so well endowed with learning and judgment as to be worthy to instruct the people in sermons, and to rule and preside over others; out of these the Bishop may choose such as he will have to be rural deans. The little remains of this dignity and jurisdiction depend now on the custom of places, and the pleasure of diocesans; in some parts of this kingdom, the rural deans have nothing left but the burthen of entertaining the rectors and vicars of the deanery at a solemn feast.

Deans of Cranwich

• 1315, 27 Oct. Mr. Ralph de Belegrave, collated to this deanery by the Bishop, with all its rights and privileges.
• 1321, 5 Nov. Mr. John de Walegrave, collated, &c.
• 1326, 1 May, Robert de Burneby, on the resignation of Walegrave.
• 1342, 27 Mar. John de Breydeston, &c. on the resignation of Burneby.
• 1342, 20 Dec. Simon de Cley, changed with Breydeston, for Thorp by Norwich.
• 1345, 14 Oct. Laurence Manors.
• 1348, Stephen de Cressingham, clerk.
• 1349, Robert de Hardreshill.
• 1359, 18 Nov. Walter Lathom.
• 1386, 23 Dec. William Baas.
• 1388, 11 Apr. William de Feriby, &c. he was dean of Hecham and exchanged with Baas.
• 1388, 19 Aug. Hugh de Bridham, he was rector of Snyterly, with the chapel of Glanford, and exchanged with Feriby.
• 1391, 2 Oct. William Clerk.
• 1391, 5 Oct. Roger de Belton. He was dean of Brisley, and exchanged with Clerk.
• 1392, 29 Nov. John Attelbrigg.
• 1393, 9 Nov. John Boseworthe.
• 1421, 15 July, Simon Thurton.
• 1491, 10 June, Humphry Ballard, collated to this deanery and that of Breccles, which was now consolidated to it.
• 1495, 11 Dec. Thomas Shrybbe.
• 1498, 10 Jan. Henry Goldwell.
• 1509, 20 July, Thomas Vele, on the death of Goldwell; he was rector of St. Michael-at-the-Pleas, in Norwich.

Totum habet vii. quar. in long. et iiii. in lat. et redd. ix. den. et i. ob. de Gelto, de xx.s. Hoc est de Castellat. dé Lauues.

COULSTON, alias COLVESTON

Lies on the opposite shore to Cranwich, on the north side of the river Wissey, the hundred of Grimeshoe crossing here that river, and taking in this town and that of Ickburgh. In Domesday it is wrote Covestuna, and derives its name from the Saxon word Love, a small creak, and tun or ton, a town or village.

At the survey it was the lordship of William Earl Warren, but in the Confessor's time, was held by a freeman of Harold's, afterwards King of England, who had one carucate of land in demean, 12 acres of meadow, and a fishery, and was valued at 8s. per annum; it was five furlongs long, and four broad, and paid 5d. ob. when the hundred paid 20s. gelt.

Soon after the Conquest, this village was held of the Earl Warren, the capital lord, by a family that assumed their name from it, a practice frequent in that age, and Jordan de Colveston, lord, by his deed sans date, (about the reign of King Henry I. as I take it,) gave to the monks of Castle-Acre, the rent of 3s. per annum, out of his mill called Wor-Milne, in this place; the witnesses were, Jeffrey his heir, Robert his brother, Gilbert de Rising, Richard the priest of Mundeford, William his nephew, &c. After this, about the reign of King John,

Richard de Gelham held it of the aforesaid Earl, by the service of half a knight's fee; but in the reign of King Henry III.

Sir John de Loden, son of John de Loden, was lord, and gave by deed to the monks of Castle-Acre, 3s. per annum out of his manor, instead of the 3s. given them out of the mill above-mentioned; witnesses were, Sir Osbert de Caily, Sir Gilbert de Fransham, Sir Reginald de Dunham, Sir Alexander Arsyk, Sir Frederick de Capervill, Master Edmund de Massingham, Alan de Wessenham, John de Hoo, &c.

In 3d Edward I. Robert de Loden, or Lodne, was lord, and had the assize of bread and beer here; and the men of this town and Ickburgh are said to be obliged to go to the leet of the hundred of Weyland, and to pay 12d. there; but in 9th Edward II.

Lettice Atte-Hooe was returned lady of the manor; and in the following year, John Earl Warren aliened, with the King's license, this lordship to

Sir Ralph de Cobham and his heirs, to be held of them in capite; and in 20th Edward III. this Ralph Lord Cobham was found to die seized of it; and

John was his son and heir, aged 20, by Mary his wife, daughter of William Lord Roos, and widow of Thomas de Brotherton Earl of Norfolk; and in the next year proved his age, and had livery. In 33d Edward III. being then a knight, he served that King in the wars of France, and had in his retinue Sir John de Northwold, Sir John Crispin, John Devenish, John Atte-chirche, &c.; and in the 37th of the said King, the 3d of June, he grants to King Edward III. and his heirs, (after his own decease,) this manor, with many others in several counties, and delivered a ring of gold to the King, in name of seisin, and was found to die seized of it in 1st Richard II.

On the death of Sir John Cobham, the lordship came to John de Herling of East-Herling in Norfolk, to whom and his heirs King Edward III. gave the reversion, on the 8th of November, in his 38th year, after the death of the aforesaid Sir John Cobham; but in the 3d of Henry IV.

Richard Holdich, Esq. was found to hold it in capite; and in 5th Henry VII.

Thomas Holdich held it of the King, of his manor of Methwold, by knight's service; and

Robert was his cousin and heir, and lord in 1536. In the sixth year of Queen Elizabeth,

Miles Holdich, son of Richard, had livery of it; and in the 12th of the said Queen's reign,

John Holdich, Esq. was lord; and in 1592,

Henry Holdich, Esq. presented to this church. After this, it came by the marriage of Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Henry Holdich, Esq. to

Sir John Sidley of St. Cleers in Kent, Knt. and Bart. who sold it in the year 1650 to

Robert Wilson of Merton in Surrey, Esq. who left it to his second son,

Edward Wilson, Esq. who built a neat manor-house here, now [1738] enjoyed by his eldest son,

Robert Wilson, Esq. of Didlington.

There is nothing now remaining of this old village, but the aforesaid manor-house, and a farm-house adjoining.

The leet is in the lord of the hundred. The tenths were 2l. 1s. 4d.

The Prior of Bromhill was taxed for his temporalities here in 1428, 4s. 6d.

The Church has been in ruins time immemorial; it stood a little west of the present farm-house, and was dedicated to the Virgin Mary; It formerly belonged to St. Bartholomew of Ichburgh, as the mother and baptismal church, concerning the advowson of which there had been a dispute between Jeffry, son of Jordan of Colveston, and the monks of St. Pancrace of Lewes, to whom he released, before Bishop William of Norwich, Jordan Prior of Acre, Ralph de Albini, and Roger de Waxtenesham, the Bishop's notary. In it there were the arms of England, the Earl Warren, and the Earl of Clare. John de Lodnes, lord of the town, by a fine levied in the 20th Henry III. granted the patronage of it to the Prior and Convent of Lewes in Sussex; but it appears from the Institution Books, that that convent did not present till the year 1375.

Rectors

• 1329, 24 March, William de Surlingham.
• 1347, 23 Jan. William de Sutton. King Edward III. on account of the minority of the son and heir of Sir John de Brews, Knt.
• 1348, 31 Dec. John Vesey. King Edward III.
• 1349, 9 Aug. John Craton. King Edward III. &c. About this time, the Prior, &c. of Lewes recovered the presentation against Sir John de Brews.
• 1351, 17 March, Thomas de Asheborne, on the resignation of Craton. Lapse.
• 1375, 26 Sep. Roger Couper. The Prior, &c.
• 1381, 3 March, Thomas Veill. Ditto.
• 1390, 28 Apr. Thomas Brakkelle. Ditto.
• 1408, 27 Aug. Roger Wace. Ditto.
• 1428, 1 March, John Russell, on the resignation of Wace. Ditto.
• 1439, William Ogyll.
• 1464, 24 Apr. David Thoryn. Lapse.
• Thomas Mildenhale.
• 1478, 6 Oct. John Prymier, on the resignation of Mildenhale. Richard Holdich, Esq.
• 1494, 11 Oct. Thomas Rakke, on the resignation of Prymier. Richard and Robert Southwell, Esqrs. trustees for the estate of Richard Holdych of Didlington.
• James Bothe.
• 1536, 4 March, Robert Halmon, on the death of Bothe. Robert Holdych, Esq. He was also rector of Boughton, and deprived in 1553, being a married priest.
• 1554, Feb. James Skamler, on the deprivation of Halmon. Lapse.
• 1556, 28 July, Robert Spirgyn, on the deprivation of the last rector. Richard Holditch, Esq.

— Chapman.

• 1578, 17 Feb. Edmund Turner, on the resignation of Chapman. Vicar also of Didlington. Lapse.
• 1592, 12 Oct. Thomas Hopes, alias Hooper, A. M. on the resignation of Turner. Henry Holdiche, Esq. He was vicar also of Didlington, and afterwards rector of North-Rungton in Norfolk.
• 1616, 19 March, Anthony Wilkinson, on the resignation of the last rector. Benjamin Cooper, Gent. He was vicar also of Didlington.
• 1622, 19 Sep. Benjamin Barwick, A. M. Tho. Edgely and Tho. Carvett. He was vicar also of Didlington.
• Andrew Needham.
• 1676, 17 Oct. Wormley Martin, on the resignation of Needham.

Borage Martin, Esq. This church was at this time consolidated to that of Didlington.

• 1685, 30 July, John Ellis, A. M. The King.
• 1720, 11 Sep. The Rev. Mr. John Brundish, A. M. on the death of Ellis. He is the present [1738] vicar of Didlington. Robert Wilson, Esq.

This is a rectory consolidated with the vicarage of Didlington, and the real value of both being but 40l. per annum, no tenths or first fruits are paid.

This rectory was valued at 4l. 2d. ob.

Prior of Lewes patron, a house and 24 acres, valued at 4 marks and an half, procurations 3s. 4d. synodals 1s. Peter-pence 6d.; consolidated to Didlington in 1616. (Domesd.)

Henry Constable, by his will dated 20 Dec. 1489, gives 12 acres and an half of land in Didlington, to the rector of Colveston, on condition that he prays for his soul, and to St. Mary's gild here, 6 acres and 3 roods of land in Didlington.

Tho. Hogg, by his will in 1492, gives two ewes to the gild of St. John Baptist here.

ICKBURGH

This village lies east of Colveston, on the north side of the river Wissey, the London road to Swaffham, Walsingham, &c. running through it; Dr. Gale, in his Commentary on Antoninus, makes this a Roman station, (the Iciani,) and of the same opinion was the learned Mr. Talbot; though a modern author places the Iciani at Colchester, and even the Villa Faustini at Maldon in Essex; but most authors dissent from him. It is certain that the distance betwixt this town and that of Bury, (generally agreed to be the Villa Faustini,) as observed by Antoninus, exactly answers, take which rout you please, cither through Brandon or Thetford, and that the road here leading to Swaffham, &c. is broad, straight, and level, and has an air of antiquity and grandeur, appears to every traveller; and in the plantations at Linford, within less than a mile of Ickburgh, and at the building of the New-Hall there, several Roman urns have been lately dug up, and on the road towards Bury was a large milliare, lately to be seen, which might be the primus ab urbe lapis, the distance answering. Sir Henry Spelman observes, that the Iceni, by which name this part of the Heptarchy was distinguished in the time of the Saxons, and on which the Roman Iciani is founded, is a British term, derived from the river Ise or Ichen; and indeed this is a conjecture highly probable, most of the rivers in Norfolk still retaining (though varying a little) the same name. The great river which flows between this county and Cambridgeshire, and empties itself into the sea about Lyn, is called the Ouse-Magna. That river which divides the south-west part of this county, from Suffolk, has the name of the Ouse-Parva; and that river which is in a good measure the boundary of the hundred of Grimeshoe, from those of Clackclose and South-Greenhoe, is called the Wissey, which comes very near to the British word ise above-mentioned; and on the north side of this Ise, or Wissey, stands the town of Icheburc, as it is wrote in Domesday, that is, a town or burgh on the Ise, or Icheburna, (as it is also wrote,) that is the bourn, brook, or river Ise.

At the time of the survey, in the reign of William the Conqueror, Walter Giffard held the greatest part of this town, one carucate and an half, and 8 acres of land, and 3 acres of meadow, which 4 free men held in the time of the Confessor, valued then at 20s. at the survey at 30s. per annum. This part was half a leuca in length, and half a one in breadth, and paid 8d. of the 20s. gelt.

He also held here and in Linford four carucates and 35 acres of land, and 60 acres of meadow, which 14 freemen held in the time of the Confessor, valued then at 20s. at the survey at 10s. per annum. These freemen were under the protection of the ancestor of Ralph de Waer, and were afterwards delivered to Bodin de Ver, who took part with the King; but afterwards Ralph attached them to his own fee, and when he forfeited, he was their lord, and Hervey de Ver held them of him, as the hundred says. The whole of Leneforda was half a leuca in length, and four furlongs in breadth, and paid 4d. of the 20s. gelt.

Walter Giffard was the son of Osborn de Bolebec and Aveline his wife, he was made Earl of Bucks on the Conquest, and had many lordships given him; after the death of this Earl and his son, this lordship descended to Rich. Fitz-Gilbert Earl of Brion, &c. in Normandy, who married Rohesia, daughter of this Walter Giffard, and had by her

Gilbert Fitz-Richard, the first Earl of Clare, lord of this town, and the greatest part of it was held of these lords by the ancient family of

Langetot, from which family Stow-Langtot in Suffolk derives its name; and in the 1st year of King John, it appears from a fine then levied, that

Gilbert de Langetot bought of William de Bellomont, and Muriel his wife, the service of two knights fees, &c. in Ickeburc, Brinton, Witchingham, Schotesham, Saxlingham, &c.; and in the 24th of Henry III.

Godfrey de Langetot held the manor of William de Englefield; after this, in the said reign,

Rob. Longtot was found to hold a manor here of the Earl of Gloucester, by half a knight's fee, and the Earl of the King.

In the 3d of Edward I. John Langetoth was lord, and had the assize of bread and beer; and in the 34th of that King,

Nich. de Langetot and Margery his wife had two messuages, and 312 acres of land here, and in Bukenham-Parva, settled by fine on them and their heirs; and the said Nicholas and Margery settled by fine in the 8th of Edward II. lands here, in tail, on John de Goldingham, and Maud his wife, and the heirs of Maud, but this lordship was not in them; for in 1304,

Rob. Langetot presented to the church; and in the 8th of Edward II. a fine was levied, whereby the manor and advowson was settled on the said Robert and Amicia his wife, for life, remainder to Stephen, son of Robert, in tail; and in 1333, the said

Stephen, as lord, presented to the church, and enjoyed the same in the 31st of Edward III. and held it of the Earl of Gloucester, by half a knight's fee.

But in the 2d of Rich. II. Nicholas, son of Stephen de Langetot of Mundeford, released by deed to

John Churchman and Emma his wife, all his right in the manor and advowson; and in 1385, they presented to the church: this

John was citizen and sheriff of London about this time; and in the 1st of Henry IV. he conveyed it to

James Billingford, clerk of the Crown, who was found to hold it of the honour of Clare; soon after this, in 1416, in the reign of Henry VI. John Bungey, clerk, Thomas Fekys of Colveston, and Simon Coupere, presented to the church, by right of the manor of Ikeburgh. In 1448,

Richard Geggh, Esq. as lord, presented to the church, and soon after this, Hugh Fenn presented in 1454, 1461, and 1472; but in 1478,

Geo. Nevyll Lord Abergavenny, and Margaret his wife, held it, and presented; and in the 19th of Henry VII. a fine was levied between the said lord and Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester, to whom it was then conveyed. In 1518,

Sir Edw. Benstede was lord, and presented; and in the 18th of Henry VIII.

Will. Purdee of Herting ford-Bury in Hertfordshire, and the lady Jocosa his wife, late wife of Sir Edward Benstede, conveyed the manor by fine to

John Crofts of West-Stow in Suffolk, according to the will of Sir Edward. After this it came to the family of the Bedingfields of Oxburgh, and

Henry Bedingfield, Esq. was lord, and presented in 1541; and in the 32d of Elizabeth,

Thomas Bedingfield, Esq. was found to die seized of it, held of the honour of Clare. About the end of the reign of King Charles I. it was sold by Sir Henry Bedingfield to the Garrards of Lang ford; and in 1680

Sir Thomas Garrard, Bart. presented to the church; and his son,

Sir Nicholas, dying in 1727, sans issue, the manor is at present [1738] held by

Sir Francis Bickley, Bart. who married Alathea, eldest daughter of Jacob Garrard, Esq. eldest son of Sir Thomas Garrard, Bart. who died before his father; by which Alathea there is no issue, and by

Charles Downing, Esq. third son of Sir George Downing of Cambridgeshire, who married Sarah, the second daughter, and by her has a son and heir.

Chevere's Manor

Part of this town, a moiety only of that land which (as is observed above) was held here and in Linford by 14 freemen, was held in the reign of King Henry III. by Sir Hamon Chevere, Knt. who, in the 14th of that King, conveyed it by fine then levied, to

Drogo de Barentine, and Jane his wife; and in the said year, he had a grant of a weekly market, and a fair yearly, with free-warren in all his demean lands here; this was held by

William Barentun, son (as I conceive) of the said Drogo, who founded the chapel and hospital of lepers in this town, and gave considerable lands, and part of his lordship to it. The remaining part was afterwards held by

John de Cressingham, who, by will dated 22d February 1372, bequeaths to Thomas his son, his manor of Ickburgh, land in Fouldon, and his manor of Linford, and makes Emma his wife, and William de Bodney, his nephew, executors; and to his three daughters, Margaret, - - - and Joan, he gives 40l. each. And in 4th King Rich. II. the King confirmed to

Joan de Cressingham, daughter of John de Cressingham, deceased, cousin and heir to Drogo Barentyn, the market and fair held here on the 10th Aug. with free-warren; but in the 10th of the said King,

John Veyle and Thomas Veyle of Bodney, nephews and heirs of John Cressingham, released to John Churchman, and Emma his wife, their right in this manor; and in that year, Richard Holditch did the same; and in the 12th of the said King, Richard Mey of Ikeburgh released to the aforesaid John, all his right in the manor, &c. so that

Churchman, being possessed of the whole, joined it to his other manor, and conveyed it thus united, to James Billingford, as has been already observed; and since that time it hath continued united, and had the same lords.

Besides the manors above-mentioned, Ralph de Tony held 30 acres of land here, at the survey, which was valued with his manor of Neketun, which extended into this town, and this part was held in the time of the Confessor, by a socman of Herold; but this, as I take it, was soon after annexed to the other manors, as I meet with so further account of it.

The monks of Castle-Acre had also lands, &c. in this town. Henry, son of John de Stanford, gave them 2 acres and an half of land, abutting on a croft of Godfrey de Langetot's; witnesses, Eudo Arsic, Ralph L'Strange, &c. This was in the beginning of King Henry III.

Hugh Prior, and convent of Lewes, granted them a tenement, which was William's, son of Hugh, in this town, to be held at the yearly rent of 11d. and William, son of Hugh, releases his right therein, about the aforesaid time.

Sir Hamon Chevere, Knt. acknowledges to have received of Robert de Alenzun Prior of Castle-Acre, &c. the said tenement, paying the yearly rent of 12s. 1d. for that, and 112 acres of land, as appears further from a fine levied between this Hamon and John the Prior, in 40th Henry III. and in 1428, the convent of Castle-Acre's temporalities here were charged at 12s. 1d. This was (I take it) that part which Roger, son of Renard, held at the survey, viz. 40 acres, and half a carucate, with 2 acres of meadow, valued at 16d. which a freeman held in the Confessor's time, which afterwards came to th Earl Warren, and so to the abbey of Castle-Acre.

The tenths of this town, were 2l. 8s. 8d.

The leet is in the lord of the hundred.

The Church is an old single building of flint and pebbles, covered with reed; it was first dedicated to St. Bartholomew, and after rededicated to St. Peter; John de Langetot was patron. It is in length about 44 feet, and in breadth about 18; at the west end is a square tower of the aforesaid materials, with quoins and battlements of freestone, in which hang three bells.

On the cornish of the screen that divides the church from the chancel, over which stood the old rood-loft, are several shields painted, but through length of time mostly defaced and obscure, viz.

Langetot, arg. an annulet (as it seems) gul.

Filiot, gul. a bend arg.

Lord Tey, arg. a chevron gul.

Earl of Arundel, quarterly gul. a lion rampant or, in the 1st and 4th quarter.

Earl Warren, chequy or and az. in 2d and 3d quarter.

Mortimer Earl of March, barry of six, or and az. over all an escutcheon erm. on a chief of the first, three pallets between two base escuers of the second.

Bohun Earl of Essex, az. a bend cotized between six lioncels rampant or.

Plantaginet, quarterly France and England with a label.

Prince of Wales, three ostrich feathers arg. Edward the Black Prince used sometimes one feather, sometimes three, in his arms, in token (as it is said) of his speedy execution in all his services, as the posts in the Roman state wore feathers to signify their flying post haste; but the truth is, that prince won these arms at the battle of Cressy, from John King of Bohemia, whom he there slew, and adjoined this old English motto, Ic Dien, (I serve,) according to the Apostle, The heir, while he is a child differeth nothing from the servant.

These eight shields are on the left hand of the screen as you enter the chancel:

Gul. the triangular emblem of the Trinity, with the legend.

Gul. an heart between a dexter and sinister hand, and a dexter and sinister foot couped, and in form of a saltier arg.; this is termed the Shield of the Five Wounds. We see this shield in many old churches, joined, as here, to that of the Holy Trinity, and that of the Holy Cross.

Gul. a cross arg. born by the Knights Hospitalers.

These three last are over the door that leads into the chancel:

On the right hand are the arms of France and England quarterly:

Brotherton Earl of Norfolk.

Beauchamp Earl of Warwick.

Vere Earl of Oxford.

Tey.

Lord Scales and Stapleton.

Also gul. a bend arg. And arg. an annulet gul.

Besides these shields, here were formerly in this church, these arms:

Sab. three barrulets and an escallop between two pallets in chief arg.

Churchman, or, two chevrons gul.

Billingford, sab. two watch-bills armed, in saltier, arg.

Clifton; and, quarterly gul. a castle arg. in the 1st and 4th quarter, and az. florette arg. in the 2d and 3d.

The chancel is in length about 26 feet, and in breadth about 18; in the east window is the figure of St. Catharine, and in a window on the north side, that of the Virgin. On the pavement lie several marble grave-stones, some ridged, and with crosses floral cut on them, in memory of some ancient rectors; there is an ascent of two steps to the communion table.

• 1304, 10 Oct. Stephen de Langetot. Robert de Langetot.
• 1326, 8 Dec. John de Collum. Lapse.
• 1333, 17 Feb. Simon de Carleton, on the resignation of Collum. Step. Langetot.
• 1349, 6 Jul. Rich. Costeyn. Ditto. By his will, dated on St. Mathew's day, 1385, he desires to be buried in the churchyard of Ickburg.
• 1385, 12 Oct. Edmund Grove. John Churchman, and Emma his wife. By his will, proved 17th Aug. 1416, he desires to be buried in the chancel of this church.
• 1416, 9 Aug. Rich. Good. John Bungey, clerk, Tho. Feyks de Colveston, and Simon Coupere, patrons in right of the manor.
• 1448, 27 Nov. John Pepyr. Rich. Geggh, Esq.
• 1454, 1 July, Robert Meteham, on the resignation of Pepyr. Hugh Fenn, Gent.
• 1461, 5 Oct. John Cappe. Ditto.
• 1464, 10 Jan. Hugh Whytchede. Lapse.
• 1472, 12 Dec. Thomas Wylkok. Hugh Fenne.
• 1478, 8 Aug. John Cannock, on the resignation of Wylkok. Sir George Nevyle, and Margaret his wife.
• 1479, 14 May, John Debeney, canon, on the resignation of Cannock. George Nevill Lord Ab-Burgevenncy, &c. By his will, proved 26th Apr. 1518, he desires to be buried in the chancel.
• 1518, 27 June, John Thomas, on the death of Debeney. Sir Edw. Bensted, Knt. John Townesend.
• 1541, 7 May, Richard Townesend, on the resignation of John. Henry Bedingfield, Esq.
• 1564, 30 Jan. John Cottam, on the death of the last rector. Anthony Bedingfeld, patron for this turn.
• Roger Moreys.
• 1583, 7 Dec. John Townesend, on the resignation of Moreys. Francis Mounford, LL. B. for this turn. He was also rector of Bretenham.
• 1584, 18 June, William Baxter, on the resignation of Townesend. Ditto. In his answer to King James's queries he observes that there were 55 communicants. He was buried here 9th Oct. 1604.
• 1604, 28 Oct. John Sherwin, A. M. on the death of the last rector. Rob. Shene, Gent. of Eye in Suffolk, for this turn. He was afterwards rector of Oxburgh.
• 1605, 4 Oct. Ralph Sherman, A. M. on the cession of Sherwin, The King, on account of the minority of Henry Bedingfield, Esq. He was buried here 31st Sept. 1626.
• 1626, 18 Jan. Daniel Donne, A. M. The King. He was rector also of Caldecote.
• 1627, 1 May, Thomas Riseing, A. M. on the resignation of Donne. Sir Henry Bedingfield. Walker calls him Thomas Bissing, and says he was ejected in the time of the Rebellion, and makes a quære if he did not loose a temporal estate of 50l. per annum. He was buried here 4th Nov. 1654.
• Richard Harvey, buried here 7th Aug. 1657.
• Thomas Offwood.
• 1671, 26 June, Andrew Needham, A. M. on the cession of the last rector. The King. He was vicar also of Didlington.
• 1676, Matthew Blewet, A. M. Sir Thomas Garrard, Bart. He was rector also of Langford, to which rectory this was consolidated about this time.
• 1693, 20 May, Thomas Jukes, on the resignation of Blewet. Sir Nich. Garrard, Bart. He was vicar also of Methwold.
• 1696, 21 Dec. the Rev. Mr. John Ellis, the present [1738] rector, on the resignation of Jukes. Ditto. He is rector also of Cranwich.

This rectory is valued in the King's Books, at 5l. 6s. 10d. ob.; synodals 11d.; Peter-pence, 10d.; there was a house and 30 acres; it was valued at 4 marks and an half, but was not taxed. (Domesd.)

It is consolidated to Langford; the clear yearly value of both being 43l. 6s. 8d. it is discharged from tenths and first fruits.

The Hermitage, or House of Lepers

Stood in the south part of the town, a little distance from, and on the north side of, the river Wissey. In old writings it is frequently called the House of Lepers, at the New-Bridge in Ickburgh, that bridge which is nearest to the said hermitage being, in respect to the other, (which is over the Wissey,) a new one, and erected most likely by the founder of this house, for the safety of travellers on great floods, yet (as it is probable) on a certain toll or duty, payable to the house; a chain going cross the said bridge at this day, and the key belonging to it being kept at the said place. It is most likely that the said bridge was also formerly maintained by the hermit or custos of this house.

That the run or watercourse, over which the said bridge is erected, was to be cleared by him, appears from an old roll that I have seen, when at a leet, kept in the beginning of the reign of Henry VII. John Canon, chaplain of St. Lawrence in Ykburgh, was fined 12d. for not drawing and scowring the watercourse on the south side of the chapel.

It was founded by William Barentun, in the reign of Edward I. who gave and granted to Henry Scharping of Hyldeberworth, and his heirs, for the health of his own soul, and the souls of his parents, in pure and perpetual alms, certain lands here, with meadows, pastures, heath, warrens, services, homages, wards, reliefs, escheats, fairs, markets, &c. to have and to hold of him, for the maintenance of one chaplain, to celebrate in the chapel of St. Mary of Newbrigge, and to find a lamp for St. Mary there. Witnesses, Sir Osbert de Kailli, Sir Gerard de Insula, Sir William Belet, &c. In 17th Edward II. John, son of William Scharpyng, cousin and heir to the aforesaid Henry, confirmed the grant which Henry had, of the feoffment of William Barentun; and it appears there was then an hospital of lepers here. And that there was an hermit, master, or chaplain, and brethren, in the reign of King Henry IV. appears from a bull of Pope Gregory XII. granted to this house; the preamble of which runs thus:

"Gregorius Epis. Servus Servor. Dei, dilectis filiis magistre et fratribus domus leprosor. de Novo Ponte de Ykeburgh, Norw. dioc. salutem et apostolicam benedictionem."

By this bull, dated 17th id. March, in the 3d year of his pontificate, they and all their lands were freed from the payment of tithes, and all secular services.

This hospital was dedicated to St. Mary and St. Lawrence; the chapel is built of flint and boulder, about 30 feet in length, and 20 in breadth, and is now converted into a farm-house, having an additional building at the west end.

It was endowed by William Barentun, the founder, with seven score and five acres and half a rood of land, six roods of meadow, a folkcourse, and 3s. rent per annum, with the rights and privileges of a fair, held here on St. Lawrence's day, viz. Aug. 10, Hen. Scharpyng, the founder's trustee, had the patronage of it, and after him, John, son of Will. Sharpyng, cousin and heir to the said Henry, who conveyed his right therein to John, son of Sir Richard de la Rokele; this John de la Rokele was a considerable benefactor, and gave to this house, in the reign of Edward III. 59 acres and 2 roods of land, 12d. 1q. rent, and the liberty of a fold-course here: from Rokele the patronage came to Edm. Ingaldesthorp, and Alice his wife, sister (as I take it) of John de la Rokele, and Will. Ingaldesthorp, son of Edmund and Alice, cousin and heir of John, conveyed it, 20th October, in the 27th of Henry VI. to

Sir Thomas Tuddenham, Knt. of Oxburgh; and Margery widow of the said William, confirmed the grant; from Sir Thomas it came, by the marriage of Margaret, his sister and heir, to

Edm. Bedingfield, Esq. and on Thursday before the nativity of St. John Baptist, in the 21st of Edward IV. Edm. Bedingfield, Esq. afterwards Knight of the Bath, and grandson to the aforesaid Edmund, presented Will. Dane to be hermit and chaplain here, who was to pray for the said Edmund, and all the patrons of the house: and in this family it continued till the Dissolution.

On the 10th of Aug. the second of Edward VI. Osbert Mounford of Feltwell, and Tho. Gawdy of Shottesham in Norfolk, for 900l. had the grant of all this chantry or chapel, called Newbridge, with the appurtenances; it was valued at 67s. 11d. Afterwards it was held by

Sir Henry Bedingfield, who conveyed it, in the 1st of Queen Mary, to

Robert Bate of Hoxne in Suffolk; and Gabriel Bate, his son, conveyed it to Rob. Astley, he to John Wormley, in the 24th of Elizabeth; and in 1606, Wormley Martin and John Martin conveyed it to George Eades; and by Frances, daughter and heir of Edmund Eades, it came to Henry North, Esq. who sold it to Samuel Vincent, Esq. in 1682; from Vincent it came to

Rob. Partridge, Esq. of Buckenham-House, and so to Henry Partridge, Esq. his brother, whose son Henry lately conveyed it to Mr. Henry Cocksedge of Thetford, the present [1738] owner.

Richard was hermit or chaplain here in 1446. The lady Joan Bardolph, by will bequeaths to him 13s. 4d.

John Bath, hermit, temp. Edw. IV.

William Dane succeeded Bath, 21st Edw. IV.

John Canon, in the beginning of Henry VII.

• 1528, Sir John Lyster, hermit, buried in Munford church-porch; he left 16 acres of land, and the west-close to this chapel.

It is to be observed that hermitages were erected for the most part near great bridges, and high-roads, as appears from this, and those at Brandon, Downham, Stow-Bardolph, in Norfolk, and Erith in the isle of Ely, &c. but how such sites and stations can answer the pretended design or intention, will be difficult to be accounted for. They were also sometimes erected in churchyards, in towns of considerable note, as may be seen from the petition of the Mayor of Sudbury in Suffolk, to the Bishop of Norwich, which being not foreign to our present purpose, I shall here adjoin.

"To youre Ryght Reverent Lordshepe and Faderhod in God. We John Hunt, Meyr of the Tonn of Sudbery, Henry Roberds, John Tournour, &c. Parisshyens to the Cherche of Saynt Gregory of the same Tonn, in humble wyze comand us, as it befalleth us to your worshepfull Estates to do. And forasmoche as we been informed that on Richard Appelby, of Sudbery, conversaunt with John Levynton, of the same Tonn, Heremyte, wheche Richard, is a Man as to oure Consicience knowen, a trewe Membre of Holy-Cherche, and a gode gostly Levere, &c. hath besought unto your Lordshepe to be admitted into the Ordre of an Hermyte, and ye by youre gracious and special Councell, would not admitt him lesse yanne he wer sekyr to be inhabited in a Solitary Place, wher Virtues myght increase and Vice to be exiled, We consederyng youre sayd paternell Ordynaunce, and hys holy Desyr, sadly set as we truste to God it shall, and in hym better and better be founde, have graunted hym be the Asent of all the sayd Parysh and Cherch-Reves, to be inhabited with ye sayd John Levynton, in his Solytary Place and Hermytage, whych yat is made at the Cost of the Parysh, in the Cherch-Yard of Seynt Gregory Cherch, to dwellyn togedyr as yey leven or whiche of them longest leveth, wherefore our Ryght Revernt Lord and Fader in God, we entewrly beseke youre gracious benyngnyte to admitte hym into that Ordre, there to abyde your Bedeman, the Lords of the Tonn and the Paryshiens, as we doe truste to God he will be persevarint, wheche God graunte him grace to. Moreover, Rygt Reverent Lord and Fader in God, forasmoche as we will yat yis oure Leter and Graunt to be not annulled, but be us confirmed, we have in Wytness put to oure Seales, goven and graunted at Sudbery, the xxviii Day of Janyver, in the Yere of Lord m.c.c.c.c.xxxiii."

A late author gives a melancholy account of the modern hermits, who (he says) follow no other rule than that which is dictated to them by libertinism, and may be compared to the Sarabaites, &c. who (as Jerom says) professed indeed a religious life in outward appearance, but really lived together in a sad manner after their own humour.

MUNDFORD

On the south side of the Wissey, and on the opposite shore to Ickburgh, stands this village, through which the London road leads, where there is a brick and stone bridge over the river, a little distant from the town, for the safety of travellers. In the time of the Saxons, the river was no doubt fordable at this place, and the ford being defended and secured by some fence or fort, it being the very inlet into the Iciani, might derive its name from [Mund], which signifies in the Saxon tongue a rampart or place of defence. The other ford above it being called Linford, from its miry and watery passage.

This village was given to the monastery of Ely, in the reign of King Edgar, by Ethelwold Bishop of Winchester; at the survey it is thus accounted for, St. Etheldred or Audry always held 3 carucates of land here, 16 acres of meadow, the right of half a mill, and was valued at 40l. per annum. There were seven socmen that belonged to this manor, with all their customary dues, which William Earl Warren is now possessed of; it is one league long, and half a one broad, and pays 11d. gelt.

West Hall

The manor or part of the town belonging to the church of Ely was afterwards called West Hall, and was held in the reign of King Henry II. by Gerold, the King's Chamberlain; and in the 11th of King John, a fine was levied between William de Alneto, petent, and Henry, son of Gerold, tenent, of half a knight's fee in this town, and half a one in Cerney, in Gloucestershire, which William granted to Henry, he granting William 60s. rent in this town, which the said Henry held of his elder brother, Warine, and be of the Bishop of Ely; and in 24th Henry III. a fine was levied between Jeffery Prior of Bromhill, petent, and Warine aforesaid, whom Robert de Insula, and Alice his wife, daughter of Henry Fitz-Gerold, called to warrant of a rent of mixtling and barley, which the Prior was wont to receive of Henry Fitz-Gerold, out of lands in this town.

In 44th Henry III. Robert de Insula, and Alice his wife, conveyed by fine to Gerard de Insula, second son (as I take it) of Robert and Alice, a messuage and two carucates of land here, with the advowson of the church of Mundford; and in the 46th of the said King, a fine was levied between the said Gerard, and Alice de Insula or L'Isle, of this manor, whereby she releases to Gerard and his heirs, in tail, all liberties, &c. therein, paying a rose only yearly, instead of 10l. per annum, which he was obliged to pay to Robert, her late husband.

This family of Lisle held of the descendants of Warine Fitz-Gerold, of whom Henry Fitz-Gerold, as has been observed, held it in the reign of King John, whose daughter and heir, Alice, married to Sir Robert Lisle; and in the 51st year of King Henry III. Margaret de Riparijs Countess of Devonshire, daughter and heir of the aforesaid Warine, brought an action of dower against Isabell de Fortibus Countess of Albemarle, for half a knight's fee in this town; but the right of these families will plainly appear from this pedigree.

In 3d Edward I. Sir Gerard de Insula, or Lisle, was found to hold the moiety of this town of the Bishop of Ely, as part of his barony, and he of the King, and had the assize of beer and bread; and in the 12th of the said King, Rob. de Insula acquitted Gerard of the scutage which the Bishop of Ely demanded, for half a knight's fee here, and the service of one rose, which Gerard held of Robert, and of the scutage and relief due on the death of Alice de Insula, whose heir the said Robert was: this Gerard was summoned in the 10th of the aforesaid King, amongst the barons to attend the King in his Welsh expedition, and in the 15th year he was summoned, to consult with Edmund Earl of Cornwal, then custos of England, on the King's absence at Gloucester, and to be prepared with horse and arms, for the expedition into Wales.

But in the year 1300, Sir Warine was lord, and presented to the church; and in 9th Edward II. was returned to be lord; and being concerned with the Earl of Lancaster in the Barons wars against the King, was hanged at York, in the 14th year of the said King, leaving Gerard, his son and heir, then aged 23; this Warine is said to have held it of Sir Rob. de Lisle, by the service of a sparhawk, and there were then 2 watermills in the said town; and in the 20th of Edward III. Sir Gerard de Lisle held half a fee of Sir John de Lisle, and he of the Earl of Albemarle, and the Earl of the Bishop of Ely; but in the year 1361, Sir Warine de Lisle, son (as I conceive) of Gerard, was lord, and presented to the church, and died lord without issue, in 50th Edward III.

In the 5th of King Richard II. Sir Robert Lisle granted the manor to Sir John Plais, Knt. of Weting, in exchange for the manor of Fretewell in Oxfordshire; this Sir John being the last heir male of the family, left it to William Beauchamp, and others, his feoffees, to be alienated to his priory of Bromhill; and in 1396, Sir Robert Knolls, and John Drew, rector of Harpley, presented to the church, as feoffees of the manor, in the same year; in 1401, Richard Payne, John Bodney, Richard Gegg, Robert Gallion, John Brossyard, and Richard de Hockham, sold the manor (not being able, most likely, to obtain a license of mortmain) to

Richard Seyve, who held it by half a fee in 3d Henry IV. and died seized of it, with 4 messuages, 300 acres of land and pasture, 10 acres of meadow, and 10s. rent; this Richard had by Margaret his wife, John his son, who being lord, presented to the church in 1453 and in 1477. In 1518,
William Seyve was lord and patron, who died 8th April, the 20th Henry VIII. and left Christopher his son and heir, aged 10 years; but in 1556,

Roger Woodhouse, Esq. seems by the Institution Books to be lord and patron; and soon after, Richard Killingworth, who presented in 1561; in 1574, John Killingworth, and in 1577, Richard Killingworth. In 1634, Feb. 26, Gyles Killingwood, Esq. died seized of it, and left by Elizabeth his wife, James, his son and heir, aged 15 years.

Soon after this, it was purchased by
Sir Gyles Allington, Knt. and settled on James his son, by Dorothy, his second wife, daughter of Michael Dalton; and he dying young by a fall from his horse, it came to
William Lord Allington, son of Giles; and on the death of the last Lord Hildebrand, Lord Allington, it descended to

The present [1738] Duke of Somerset.

East Hall

William Earl Warren, who had many lordships of the monastery of Ely, by exchange at the Conquest, had 7 socmen in this town, belonging to St. Audry, with all their customary dues, who held one carucate and an half, valued at 10s. per annum.

He had also half a carucate of land, and two acres of meadow, which was held by a freeman of Herold's, valued at 10s. per annum.

These parts made up this manor of East Hall, of which

Osbert de Mundeford was lord in 34th of Henry III. and it was held of John de Cockfield and his parceners, who held it of the Earl Warren, and the Earl of the King; it is probable it descended to the Cockfield's by the marriage of the daughters and heirs of Fulk de Beaufo, of whom see in Wilton and Hockwold.

This lordship was then held by the fourth part of a knight's fee; and in the 3d of Kng Edward I.

Adam de Mundeford was lord, and had the assize of bread and beer of his tenants; and in 1396, Osbert de Mundeford died seized of the same, as appears by his will; and by the daughter and heir of Osbert de Mundeford, who died in 1456, it came to

Sir William Tyndale, Knt. but did not continue long in that family; for in the 32d of Henry VIII.

Robert Canon was possessed of it; and in the 26th of Queen Elizabeth, Robert Canon, cousin of Robert, had livery of it. About the year 1630, it was purchased by

Sir Giles Allington, and from him it descended (as is before observed) to

The present Duke of Somerset.

Bigot's Manor

Besides the manors above-mentioned, Roger Bigot had at the survey 60 acres of land, and two of meadow, held by a freeman in the time of the Confessor, valued at 2s. per annum. This was afterwards held by Gerold, the King's Chamberlain, and then by Henry his son, &c. (as is observed in West Hall,) and so descended to the Lisles; and in 1st Edward I. Isabell de Fortibus Countess of Albemarle acknowledged that she ought to acquit Alice de Insula of the service which Roger Bigot Earl of Norfolk demanded, for half a knight's fee here. And in the 12th of the said King, Robert de Insula acknowledged that he acquitted Gerard de Insula of the service which Roger Earl of Norfolk demanded of him, for suit of court to his manor of Fornsete, and of homage, relief, and scutage, which the Bishop of Ely demanded for his manor of West Hall, held by Robert of the Bishop, and also of the scutage which Isabell de Fortibus demanded, for one knight's fee and an half, for the manor of Kingston-Gerold in Berkshire, and of the scutage and relief due on the death of Alice de Insula, whose heir the said Robert was. This was always held by the lords of West Hall, of the Earls and Dukes of Norfolk; and in the 6th of Henry VI. Richard Seyve held it of the Dutchy of Lancaster, lately belonging to Thomas Mowbray Duke of Norfolk; and in 11th Henry VI. it was found to be held of John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, of his manor of Forncet, and being thus united to the other manors, it is held by

The Duke of Somerset.

The tenths of this town were 3l. 1s. 10d.

The leet is in the lord of the hundred.

The Church is dedicated to St. Leonard; it is a single pile of flint, &c.; the body is in length about 60, and in breadth about 26 feet, and is covered with tiles; at the west-end stands a four-square tower, of the aforesaid materials, embattled, with copings and quoins of freestone; herein hang three bells, the second is thus inscribed:

Quesumus Andrea Famulorum, suscipe Uota.

A wooden screen divides the body from the chancel, on which is the King's arms carved in stone, and painted; the chancel is about 30 feet in length, and 17 in breadth, covered with reed; on the area lies a grave-stone, in memory of Thomas, son of Thomas Walton, and Agnes his wife, who died 1st Feb. 1704, aged two years, and of Thomas, another son, who died 12th March, 1710, aged 5 years. The communion table is railed in, and has an ascent of three steps.

At present there are no shields remaining, but formerly there were:

Gul. on a chevron arg. three roses of the first, which is the shield of Sir Robert Knowls, the great warriour in the reign of Edward III. and Richard II.; impaling

Sab. a bend ragule arg. between six bezants. Crest, a ram's head arg. armed dexter or, sinister az.

Knowls, as before, with a rose or for distinction, on the sinister side of the shield, for John Knowls, rector of Harpley in Norfolk.

Tindal, and arg. a fess ingrailed between three Catharine-wheels sab. quartering

Mundford, arg. three flowers-de-lis gul. Crest, a bull's head erased arg. armed or.

Rectors

• 1300, 18 June, John de Burtone. Sir Warine de L'Isle, Knt.
• 1310, 30 March, William de Middleton. Ditto.
• 1349, 3 July, Symon de Wetherych. Sir Gerard de Lisle.
• 1352, 18 Aug. John de Ashton, on the death of Wetherych. Ditto.
• 1361, 18 Sept. Richard Mile. Sir Warine de Lisle.
• 1361, 14 Dec. Hugh de Arderne. Sir Warine de Lisle.
• 1362, 10 May, William Waryndeford, on the resignation of Arderne. Ditto.
• 1376, 12 May, Henry de Rotheby. Sir Warine de Lisle Lord Teys.
• 1377, 4 Aug. Solomon de Haywoode. Lapse.
• 1396, 8 April, Edmund Berry. Sir Rob. Knollys, and John Drew, rector of Harpley.
• 1396, 2 Octob. Roger Gallion. Rich. Payene, John Bodeney, Rich. Gegge, Rob. Gallion, John Brossyard, and Rich de Hokham.
• Roger Exedene.
• 1401, 12 May, Thomas Hokham, on the death of Exedene. Rich. Payene, &c.
• 1412, 3 March, William Atte-Mylle. Joh. Schragger of Methwold, and Margaret his wife, late wife of Roger Seyve, who bought the manor and advowson.
• 1420, 1 John Wyrmegey, on the resignation of Atte-Mylle. William Debenham, and Richard Hockham of Hockham. He had been rector of Fincham St. Michael, and exchanged with AtteMylle.
• 1420, 16 Jan. John Reys. William Debenham of Ipswich, &c. Bartholomew Colet.
• 1453, 11 Nov. John Bemptbow, on the resignation of Colet. John Seyve.
• 1455, 5 June, William Ewett, on the resignation of Bemptbow. Ditto.
• 1461, 5 Aug. George Eleys, on the resignation of Ewett. Ditto.
• 1477, 28 Febr. William Wyghtlowe, on the death of Eleys. Ditto.
• 1502, 14 Jan. John Goose, on the death of Wyghtlowe. Tho. Holdich, Gent.
• 1518, 5 Feb. Thomas Falke, LL.B. on the death of Goose. William Seyve.
• 1556, 11 Sep. Nicholas Saunders, on the death of Falke. Arthur Kendrike, on a grant of the turn from Roger Woodhouse, Esq.
• 1556, 11 Dec. Baldwin Derham, on the death of Saunders, he was also rector of Downham in Norfolk.
• 1561, 26 July, John Locky, on the resignation of Derham. John Killingworth, Gent.
• 1474, 14 July, John Norton, on the death of Locky. Ditto.
• 1577, 16 Aug. John Oxburrowe, on the resignation of Norton. Richard Killingworth, Gent. In his answer to King James's queries in 1603, he observes that there were 86 communicants in this parish.
• 1608, 21 July, James Tayler, A. M. Giles Killingworth, Gent.
• John Watson
• 1683, 7 Oct. John Lambe, A. M. on the resignation of Watson. Giles Killingworth.
• 1662, 4 Aug. Sam. Terrand, A. M. on the death of Lambe. William Lord Allington.
• 1690, 9 May, John Ellis, on the death of the last rector. Hildebrand Lord Allington. Vicar also of Didlington.
• 1720, 14 Dec. the Rev. Mr. Hen. Harrison, on the death of Ellis. Hildebrand Lord Allington. Rector also of West-Tofts.

The church is a rectory valued in the King's Books, at 7l. 17s. 6d. and being 40l. per annum in clear value, is discharged of first fruits, &c.

STURSTON

Lies in the north-east angle of this hundred, and may derive its name from the rivulet that runs on the north side of it, formerly (it is not unlikely) called the Stour, though at present its name is not known: Stour or Stert is a name frequently to be met with, most of the counties in England having rivers, brooks, &c. thus denominated.

At the survey it was the lordship of Ralph Bainard, a powerful baron, who came into England with the Conqueror, and Luvellus (probably ancestor of the family of Lovell in Norfolk) held of him 6 carucates of land, which Torp held in the time of the Confessor, and 10 acres of meadow, valued at 60s. also 2 carucates, &c. of land which 16 freemen held valued at 20s. The whole was a league long, and half a one broad, and paid 20d. Gelt.

The lordship held by Ralf Lord Bainard was afterwards forfeited by his descendant, William Lord Bainard, on account of his rebellion in the reign of Henry I. and it was given by that King to Robert, grandson of Gilbert Earl of Clare, whose posterity assumed the name of Fitz-Walter Lord Bainard; and in the reign of King Henry III. William Clere was found to hold here half a knight's fee of Robert Fitz-Walter, and William Clere held the same in 3d of Edward I. and the assize of bread and beer. Edmund Clere was found to die seized of the same fee, 2d Edward III. held of the honour of Castle Bainard in London, by the rent of 40d. per annum castle-guard money, and John was his son and heir; and in the 22d of that King, it was conveyed by fine, from John Clere, to Sir John Herling, and was held in 3d Henry IV. by Sir Simon Felbrigge, Knt. of the Earl of Rutland, in the right of his wife, widow of the Lord Fitz-Walter; but by the last will of Robert Dey, Gent. of Sturston, dated 14th April, 1516, and proved the 9th of Sept. following, it appears that he died possessed of the manor of Sturston, and left only two daughters and coheirs, Jane and Elizabeth, between whom (as I take it) it was divided, for in 4th Edward VI. Henry Pereget and Elizabeth his wife, coheir, most likely of Robert Dey, conveyed by fine a moiety of this manor, with lands in Stanford, and Tottington, to Rob. Shaklok; and at that time it was held of Henry Ratcliff Earl of Sussex, Viscount Fitz-Walter.

And in the same year, the other moiety was by fine conveyed from Martin Freremnar to Thomas Tindale, and soon after to the aforesaid Rob. Shaklok; after this it came to the family of Jermyn of Rushbrook in Suffolk, and Edmund Jermyn, Esq. son and heir of Sir Thomas Jermyn, 15th Elizabeth, died sans issue, seized of it, and held it of Thomas Earl of Sussex, and Sir Ambrose was his brother and heir, who died lord in the 19th of the aforesaid Queen; and in 41st Elizabeth, Edmund Jermyn, Esq. 4th son of Sir Ambrose enjoyed it, and left it then to his son and heir, William, who died sans issue, 12th Dec. 3d James I. and so it came to his brother, John Jermyn, Esq. Soon after this, it was sold to Henry Bedingfield, Esq. 5th son of Sir Henry Bedingfield of Oxburgh, who died lord, and was buried here about 1629, in which family it continued till it was sold by John Bedingfield of Beeston, Esq. about the year 1730, to Mr. Bullock, cousin, and one of the heirs of Sir Tho. Colby, Bart. who on a division of the aforesaid Sir Thomas's estate, is said to have had about 30,000l. for his share or part.

Besides the manor above-mentioned, Roger Bygot at the survey held 60 acres of land, which Ralph, son of Hugh, held of him, and which belonged to a freeman in the time of the Confessor, valued then at 30d. now at 8d.; but this part was also (as far as I can find) soon after annexed to the lordship aforesaid, as was that part which belonged to Ralph de Tony.

The manor-house only now remains, the rest of the village being demolished.

The tenths of this town were 1l. 19s. 3d.

The Church is dedicated to the Holy-Cross, and stands a little south of the house; it is a small pile, built of flint, &c. about 26 feet in length, and 14 in breadth, covered with tiles; at the east end was formerly a chancel, as appears from the foundation-stones, and at the west end is a low square tower of flint, in a ruinous condition, and open from the top to the bottom.

On the pavement lies a grave-stone thus inscribed,

Here lyeth interr'd the Body of ANN, the Wife of JOHN BEDINGFIELD, Gent. formerly a Citizen of LONDON, now a Grocer in LYNN-REGIS, who departed this Life Dec. 14, 1677, aged 38 Years; of her Children, three Sons and two Daughters, ANN and MARTHA, were the Fore-runners of their Mother's Destiny to this Tomb.

Against the north wall is a plain stone monument with this inscription,

HENRICUS BEDINGFIELD quintus filius Domini HENRICI BEDINGFIELD Militis Aurati, defuncti, et MARIA Uxor HENRICI, filia Christiani Catholici, hic dormiunt in Domino, spe firma expectantes Carnis Resurrectionem et Vitam æternam per Jesum Christum Dominum Nostrum. An° Dom. 1629.

This church was well endowed, which occasioned its early appropriation to the priory of Dunmow in Essex, founded by the Lords Baynard, for in the beginning of the reign of Edward I. it was in that house, and the Prior and Convent had a mansion-house or rectory, endowed with a carucate of land; procurations then were 5s. synodals 2s. and in 1428, the Prior was taxed for his spiritualities here at 6 marks, and for his temporalities at 16s. 6d.

At the Dissolution it was granted to the Earl of Sussex, and held of him (as the lordship was) by the Jermyns, and so came to the Bedingfields, and from them to Mr. Bullock, the present [1738] impropriator.

The curate who officiates is allowed 6l. per annum only.

STANFORD

Takes takes its name from the stony ford over the river that runs through the town: at the survey, we find it in the hands of many of the Conqueror's followers, but the most considerable part was held by Roger, son of Renard, and was that part or lordship which Alstan, a Saxon, held, in the reign of the Confessor, and that was two carucates of land, 8 acres of meadow, one mill, and the moiety of another; the whole was valued at 60s. per annum. In the same village also, Roger held two carucates, and 36 acres of land, and four of meadow, valued at 20s. per annum, which he claimed by the gift of the King; the whole was one league long, and half a league in breadth, and paid 15d. gelt. when the hundred was taxed at 20s. And of these freemen, the King and the Earl of Norfolk had the soc.

Mortimer's Manor

The lordship held by Roger came soon after into the hands of the Earl Warren, who had large possessions in this hundred, and was held of him by the ancient family of Mortimer of Atleburgh; Sir Robert de Mortimer was lord in the reign of Henry II. and in 1218, Sir William de Mortimer held here and in Bukenham-Parva, half a knight's fee, of the Earl Warren, and the Earl of the King; his grandson, Sir William, had, 11th Edward I. the grant of a weekly market here on Tuesday, and a fair for three days, viz. on the eve, the day, and morrow of Whit-Sunday yearly. John de Thorp seems to have held it 9th Edward II. under the Mortimers, and was returned then as lord; and 20th Edward III. Sir Constantine de Mortimer was found to hold half a fee here of the Earl Warren, late held by John de Thorp.

On the division of the estate of the Mortimers, this township came to Cecily, daughter and coheir of Sir Thomas Mortimer, then the wife of Sir John Herling; and on her decease, it descended to her son, Sir John Herling, who left one daughter and heir, Ann, the wife of Sir William Chamberlain, Knight of the Garter, who enjoyed it. This Anne had to her second husband Sir Robert Wingfield, Comptroller of the Household to Edward IV. who died seized of it in right of his wife. In this family it remained till Sir Anthony Wingfield, Knight of the Garter in Edward the Sixth's time, conveyed it to Nicholas Bacon, Esq. (afterwards Lord Keeper) with other lands in West-Tofts, Bukenham-Parva, and Sturston. After this, it was enjoyed by Edw. Coke, Esq. who was lord here 40th Elizabeth, and then by John Barker, Esq. of the Ipswich family, and thence it came to the Pentneys.

Pentney, Esq. being the present [1738] lord.

Langetot's Manor

Besides this capital manor of the Mortimers, of the fee of Roger son of Renard, there was also another lordship belonging to the same fee, held of the Mortimers; for in Henry the Third's time, John Langetot was found to hold here, and in Bukenham-Parva, half a quarter of a fee of Sir Robert Mortimer, and he of the Earl Warren; and 34th Edward I. Nicholas de Langetot, and Margery his wife, held the same. But 20th Edward III. Sir John de Hederset, Jeffry de Hall, and their tenants, held here, and in Bukenham-Parva, half a quarter of a fee of Sir Robert de Mortimer, and he of the Earl Warren. By the inquisitions taken in 3d Henry IV. Richard Gegge, Edmund Hall, and their tenants, were found to hold the same; and by Margaret, daughter and heir of Gegge, it came by marriage to John Austeyn, Esq. who conveyed it, 21st Edward IV. to Sir Robert Wingfield, lord of the manor of Mortimers, with which it continues united at this time [1738.]

Mondford's Fee

Was the next considerable lordship in this town, and was at the survey enjoyed by Hugh de Montfort, and had one carucate of land in demean, and two acres of meadow, held by a freeman, valued at 20s. per annum, but the lord before Hugh had only his protection, and the King had the soc.

Stanford's Manor

This fee divided into two moieties, one of which was enjoyed by Nigell de Stanford, and William de Bukenham, in the reign of King Richard I.; and 52d Henry II. by Cecilia, daughter of Alexander de Stanford, in which year William Gernun released to her by fine 40 acres of land, 10d. rent, and the liberty of a fold-course on her lands here, and in Bodney. In 1300, Hubert Hacon was lord; and 9th and 17th Edward II. Margery, relict of Roger Cosyn of Elingham-Magna, held it of Thomas de Caily; but 20th Edward III. Sir John de Hederset, Edm. Hall, &c. held it by half a quarter of a fee of Adam de Clifton, and he of Richard de Belhouse, and Richard of the King; and 3d Edward IV. Richard Gegge, and Edmund Hall, of BukenhamParva, held it of John Rands, alias Reymes, Lord of Bodney, and he of the King; and by the marriage of Margaret, daughter and heir of Gegge, it came to John Austeyn, Esq. who conveyed it to Sir Robert Wingfield, and from that family it came to Sir Nicholas Bacon, and so to Sir Edward Coke; and about the reign of King Charles I. was sold to Thomas Garard, Esq. and his descendant, Sir Nicholas Garard, Bart. of Langford, died seized of it in 1727, and it is now [1738] held by his widow.

Ufford's or Campsey Manor

The other moiety of Monfort's fee was held in the beginning of the reign of Henry III. by Richard de Burfeld, by the 6th part of a fee, of the honour of Hagenet; and after this by Elen le Ward, Alexander Gizon, Rich. Hemmisbye, &c. who held here, and in BukenhamParva, a quarter of a fee of Adam Cayly, and he of Thomas Bellhouse, and Thomas of the King. In 20th Edward III. Sir Edmund de Ufford, James de Whitwell, and Alex. Doleman, were found to hold half a quarter of a fee of Adam de Clifton, and Adam of Rich. de Belhouse; but 3d Henry IV. it was in the monastery of Campsey in Suffolk, given to that house, most likely, by Rob. de Ufford Earl of Suffolk, for the Prioress was then found to hold half a quarter of a fee in this town, late Rob. de Ufford's, and others, held of John Reymes, as of his manor of Bodney. On the dissolution of the priory of Campsey, it came to the Crown, and was given by King Henry VIII. together with the manor of Tottington, in the 31st year of his reign, on 9th Dec. to Sir Rob. Southwell; and 16th May, 40th Elizabeth, was purchased by Sir Edw. Coke, of Sir Robert Southwell; and in the reign of King Charles I. was sold to Thomas Garard, Esq. and Sir Nicholas Garard, Bart. died seized of it in 1727, whose lady now [1738] enjoys it, it being joined to Stanford's manor, and so all Mondford's fee is reunited.

Roger Bigot had also at the survey 60 acres of land and two of meadow, held by a freeman in the time of the Confessor, and Stanard held it of Roger, and it was valued at 2s. 8d. per annum.

This was afterwards held by Walter Gyzun, 11th Edward II. and 20th Edward III. by William, son of Stephen Gezun; and in 3d Henry IV. by William Gesun. After this I meet with no account of it, it being united to some of the other lordships.

William Bishop of Thetford had lands belonging to his fee, viz. 60 acres of land, and two of meadow, which a freeman held of him, valued at 6s. 6d. per annum. This was land belonging to his lordship and town of Tofts, which extended into this place, of which we shall treat under Tofts.

Rainald, son of Ivo, had also at the survey 14 acres of land, which two freemen held in the Confessor, Wihenoc had them delivered to him, but Ralph now enjoys them; this was valued at 2s. 8d. per annum. The lands which Ralph, son of Ivo, held, came afterwards to the Earls of Gloucester and Clare, and this part was annexed very early to some of the other lordships, no account of it being found on any records that I have met with.

The tenths of this town were 5l. 10s. 6d.

The leet is in the lord of the hundred.

The road from Bury and Thetford to Swaffham and Walsingham lies through this village: a modern author asserts that travellers find here one good inn, but this may be found, by sad experience, to be a mistake.

The Church is dedicated to All-Saints, and is built of brick, &c.; it has been a regular and neat pile, consisting of a nave, north and south isles, and a chancel, but is now in a very sordid and ruinous condition, both church and chancel being for the most part unpaved, the timber of the roof greatly decayed, several good windows or lights worked up, and by no means kept as becomes a place dedicated to the service of God.

The nave is in length about 34 feet, and in breadth, including both the isles, about 50, and is covered with lead, as both the isles formerly were, of which they were stripped some years past by the churchwardens, &c. and at present the south isle is covered with tile, and the north with reed. These isles seem to have been additions to the body of the church, erected by some pious persons, as chapels or chantries. The chancel is in length about 30 feet, and in breadth about 20; both on the south and north side of it there have been chapels annexed, or other buildings, as appears from the ruinous heaps of stones which still remain.

At the west end of the nave stands a tower of flint, round as high as the roof of the nave, and from thence octangular, in which hang three bells, one of which is broke.

Here were anciently in this church, the arms of the Earls of Clare.

Beauchamp Earl of Warwick.

Mortimer of Atleburgh.

England, and of Fitz-John, who bore quaterly or and gul. a border vairy az. and arg.

Rectors

Henry III. Rob. de Grenewesvill. Robert de Mortimer.

Robert de Thorp occurs rector in the beginning of Edward I.

14th Edw. I. Roger de Hales, rector; this year Sir William de Mortimer sued the Prior of Shouldham for the presentation of this church, and having recovered it, granted it to Benedict Prior, and the Convent of Shouldham; and on the 21st April, 1301, it was appropriated, and the endowment of a vicarage was left to the Bishop of Norwich, and his successour, to take place on the death of the present rector Hales. But before this it appears that the Prior and Convent of Castle-Acre had two parts of the tithes of the demeans of Sir Rob. de Mortimer, confirmed to them by Simon Bishop of Norwich, and we find in 1428, the Prior charged for them at 15s.

Vicars

Were nominated by the Bishop of Norwich to the Prior of Shouldham, who presented them.

• 1301, 3 Octob. John de Reynham.
• 1342, William de Osberston.
• John de Brockford.
• 1352, 22 June, William Kerr, on the death of Brockford.
• 1372, 20 April, Adam de Aldeby.
• 1401, 24 May, Godfrey de Ilsyngton.
• 1409, 20 May, John Ivynge, on the resignation of Ilsyngton.
• 1416, 1 July, Peter Feld, on the resignation of Ivynge; he had the church of Sapeston, and exchanged with Ivynge.
• 1418, 29 July, Henry Boold, on the resignation of Feld; he was vicar of Yakesle in Suffolk, and exchanged with Feld.
• 1419, 16 Jan. John Balls, on the resignation of Boold; he was vicar of Beding field in Suffolk, and exchanged with Boold John Boor.
• 1446, 23 July, Rob. Lakyngheath, on the resignation of Boor. Rob. Gogeon.
• 1479, 21 Oct. John Parker, on the death of Gogeon.
• 1492, 4 May, John Baldewyn. Collated by the Bishop.
• 1497, 22 Nov. Jeffery Warner, on the resignation of Baldewyn.
• 1515, 8 Feb. William Lupton, on the resignation of Warner; the last presented by the Prior.
• 1563, 22 Sept. Rich. Wingfield, on the death of the last vicar. The Queen.
• 1587, 22 April, Roger Jeffrey, on the resignation of the last vicar.

The Queen. In his reply to King James's queries in 1603, he observes that there were 76 communicants.

• 1628, 26 June, John Shelton, on the death of Jeffrey. The King, in the vacancy of the see of Ely.
• 1634, 2 June, William Grave, A. M. on the cession of the last vicar. Henry Hutchenson of London this turn by grant of the Bishop of Ely.
• Thomas Lambert. Bishop of Ely.
• 1662, 17 Dec. William Mundford, A. M. on the death of Lambert. The Bishop of Ely.
• 1678, 9 May, William Constable, A. B. on the death of the last vicar. The King.
• 1690, 27 June, Thomas Roberts. The King, by lapse.
• 1702, 29 August, Samuel Rudland, on the cession of Roberts. The Bishop of Ely.
• 1718, 28 Octob. William Tanner, on the death of Rudland. The Bishop of Ely. He was vicar of Girston, and now rector of Reddenhall and Topcroft.
• 1723, 16 Nov. William Henman, A. M. on the resignation of Tanner. The King. He was rector of Cressingham-Magna.
• 1730, 16 March, The Rev. Mr. John Edgerly, A. B. collated by the Bishop of Norwich, by lapse, the Bishop of Ely is patron.

This vicarage is valued in the King's Books at 5l. 13s. 1d. ob. and is discharged, being returned of the clear yearly value of 18l. per annum.

WEST-TOFTS

Joins to the west side of Stanford; [Toft] signifies an house or cottage, and to express the poverty of any person, this proverb was used, that he had not [Toft] or [Croft], that is, house or land, the adjunct West is to distinguish it from other villages of the same name.

In Domesday it is wrote Stoffta, and was at that time the lordship of William Bishop of Tedford, and Bishop Ailmar held it in the Confessor's time, when there were six carucates of land, and eight acres of meadow, valued formerly at 40s. at the survey, at 60s. and was held of the Bishop by Richard and Elias. The whole town was a league long and half a league broad, and paid 17d. to the gelt.

Caston Hall manor

At the survey there were only two lordships, one held by Richard, the other by Elias, of the see then of Thetford, but soon after removed to Norwich; in the reign of Richard I. Adam de Breileston held a moitey, and after him the Katestuns or Castons, which family had a lordship here before 3d Henry III. when a fine was levied between Martin de Bodekesham, and Agatha his wife, Roger de Rude, and Margaret his wife, and Rob. de Katestun, of 6s. rent in Kateston, and 3s. rent in this town, given them by John de Kateston, father of Robert, who held a moiety of the town, by the service of a knight's fee, of the Bishop of Norwich. But soon after we find this moiety to be divided, 3d Edward I. between Sir Robert de Caston, and John de Caston, rector of this church, which Robert had the assize of bread and beer. In the year 1300, William de Caston was lord; and in 1313, Isabell, relict of Sir Rob. de Caston, enjoyed it; and 20th Edward III. Sir John de Caston, held half a knight's fee of the Bishop of Norwich, and the Bishop of the King. This Sir John had two daughters and coheirs; Elizabeth, married to Rob. Carbonel, and Alice to William Fastolf; and in 1393, Sir John Fastolf, and in 1400, William Fastolf presented as lord to this church; but soon after 3d Henry IV. Sir John Carbonel was lord, and held it at half a fee of the Bishop of Norwich; and in the same year settled the manor on himself and his wife Margery for life, remainder to Tho. Peck, clerk, and other feoffees, to be sold, and the money to be laid out in acts of piety, for the souls of himself, and his wife, and of Sir Rich. Carbonel and Margaret his wife; and in 3d Henry VI. the said Thomas Peck conveyed it to Sir Robert Brews, Knt. John Fitz-Ralf, Oliver Gross, William Paston, John Manning, Henry Pakenham, Robert Mortimer, and others; but this settlement did not take effect, for in 1433, John Berney of Reedham died seized of this manor of Caston-Hall, and John was his son and heir; and in the family of the Berneys it continued, till the reign of King Charles I. when it was conveyed to the Jermyns, lords of the other part of the town; and in 1682, Henry Jermyn Earl of St. Alban's was lord; soon after this, it was sold to Mr. Vincent of Little-Bukenham; from him it passed to Robert Partridge, Esq. and on his death descended to his brother, Henry Partridge, Esq. whose son,

Henry Partridge, Esq. is the present [1738] lord.

Toft's Manor

This lordship was held in the reign of King Richard I. by Adam de Breideston, and after by the family of the Castons; but in the reign of Edward I. it divided into two manors, one of which was held by Sir Robert de Caston, and this by John de Caston, 3d Edward I. who held a fourth part of the town; and in the 28th of the said King, a fine was levied between John de Toft, querent, and John de Caston, defendant, (rector of this church,) of 12 messuages, 300 acres of land, 15 of meadow, 20 of pasture, 60 of heath, and 18s. rent, settled on John de Tofts; and in 33d of the said reign, another fine was levied between Richard de Tofts, querent, and Roger de Tofts, defendant, by which the manor was conveyed to Richard; and by the inquisitions taken 20th Edward III. it appears that John de Tofts held half a fee of the Bishop of Norwich, and the Bishop of the King, but 3d Henry IV. Richard Gegge was found to hold it, and in this family it continued till, by the marriage of Margaret, one of the daughters and coheirs of Richard Gegge, Esq. it came to John Austeyn, Esq. about the reign of Edward IV.; and 10th Henry VII. a fine was levied between Thomas Jermy, Esq. and John Austeyn, and Margaret his wife; and a fine was levied of the same manor, between the said Tho. Jermy, and Hugh Coo, and Ann his wife, daughter, as I imagine, of Austeyn, by which it was conveyed to Thomas Jermyn, and being thus united to his other manor, it continued in that family till it was sold to Mr. Vincent, as is above observed.

Bigot's, or Dorward's Manor

This manor contained a moiety of the town, and was probably that part which was held by Elias, of the Bishop of Thetford at the survey, and after by Jeffrey de Melton, father of Peter Le-Constable, and by his son Reginald's dying without issue, it fell to his three sisters and coheirs, Alice married to Cockfield, Isabell to Birston, and Edith, first married to Sir Stephen de Asteley, and after to Holewell; but John de Cockfield, son of the eldest sister, Alice, seems to have, on a division of the estate, this manor assigned to him, and William Bigot, or Belet, was in the beginning of Henry III. found to hold a knight's fee here, of John de Cockfield, and he of the Bishop of Novwich. In 3d Edward I. Sir William Belet held it; and in the 6th of the said King, was found to hold the manor of Alfreton-Hall in Dunmow-Magna in Essex for life, of Ralph Bigot his brother, son of Ralph, son of Bartholomew; Sir William was valet to Henry III. and married Margaret, daughter and heir of Sir Walter de Marham of Marham, son of Mark de Marham, by Ermelina his wife, daughter of Hugh de Montfort. This Sir William, and Margaret his wife, conveyed lands there in trust to Ingelram Belet, 14th Edward I. which Ingelram was no doubt of the family, and was knighted in the 24th of the said King, at Westminster, with Edward of Caernarvon, the King's son, by bathing, having married Avice, daughter and heir of Robert Bardolph and of Avice his wife, daughter of John de Lound, and sister and heir of Anselm de Lound, lord of Elmswell, Wyrham, Crimplesham, &c. and Ralph, son and heir of Sir William, was found, 9th Edward II. to die seized of a capital messuage, lands, watermill, &c. held by the service (as it is said) of paying 10s. to the manor of Melton, and Walter, his son and heir, was 23 years old, and Sir Walter Bigot, Knt. his son, died lord of this manor, and that of Alfreton in Dunmow, 49th Edward III. and Walter, his son and heir, was then aged twelve years, and William Bigot, his son, 23d Hen. IV. released to John Doreward and Isabell his wife, (mother of the said William,) all his right in the manor.

This Isabell died 5th Henry VI. when her three daughters were found to be sisters and coheirs to their brother, William Bygot, who died without issue, viz. Catherine, wife of Robert Hunt, Margaret, of William Galyon, and Elizabeth, of Richard Fox; this Robert Hunt, and Catherine his wife, settled their part, 20th Henry VI. on themselves for life, remainder on Thomas Dayrell, and Isabell his wife, daughter of Robert Hunt and his wife, in tail; and 5th Henry VII. Thomas Dayrell was found to die seized of this manor, and Thomas was his son and heir, who died lord in the 21st of the said King, leaving his two sisters, Anastasia and Beatrix, his coheirs; and on the marriage of the said Anastasia to Thomas Jermyn, Esq. he became lord of this part: 16th July, 15th Elizabeth, by an inquisition taken at Norwich, Edm. Jermyn, Esq. who who died 1st February last, without issue, was found to be possessed of it, being eldest son of Sir Thomas Jermyn, and Sir Ambrose Jermyn was his brother and heir, who, on 9th August in 19th Elizabeth, was found to die seized of it on the 7th April before, and Robert was his son and heir, aged 30. In 14th Elizabeth, Edm. Jermyn, Esq. fourth son of Sir Ambrose, died possessed, and left it to his son and heir, William, who dying on 12th December in 3d King James, it came to his brother and heir, John; and in 1684, we find it in the same family, when Henry Jermyn Earl of St. Alban's presented to the church; but soon after this, it was sold to Mr. Vincent of Bukenham-Parva, and by him to Robert Partridge, Esq. on whose death it descended to Henry Partridge, Esq. his brother, whose son

Henry Partridge, Esq. is the present [1738] lord.

How the other two parts of the manor that came to Galyon and Fox, by the marriage of the coheirs of Bygot, descended, I cannot say; but in the reign of Henry VIII. one Oliver had some right or share in it, and paid 3s. per annum due for Norwich castle-guard; and on an inquisition taken at Norwich, 22d May, 1st Elizabeth, John Oliver of West-Tofts died 23d November 1557, seized of it, and William was his son and heir, aged 21; and in 1572, Edm. Wright, Esq. held it; soon after this it came to the Jermyns, and so united to the other parts.

15th Richard II. John Methwold and others aliened lands here, and in Langford and Shropham, to the chantry in the church of Thompston; and the next year, John Davy and others aliened lands in this town, Wyrham, Wirmegey, and Forham, to the Prior of Wirmegey.

The Prior of Thetford had lands here given him with the manor of Santon, by Thomas Bodney; and on 7th August 27th Elizabeth, the Queen, on the humble petition of Henry Lord Wentworth, grants to Theophilus Adams, and Thomas Butler of London, Gent. all the lands here belonging to the late priory of Thetford, which were 100 acres of land, meadow, and pasture; and 41st Eliz. they were possessed by Edmund Jermyn.

The Abbot of Conches was taxed in 1428, for his temporalities here, viz. a mill, &c. at 6s. and the Prior of Canterbury, for his spiritualties, at 4s. 6d.

The tenths of this town were 3l. 8s. 7d. 1q.

On Monday the 2d of January, 1720, an oaken coffin was found in a moist, springy place, in this town, by some workmen belonging to Mr. Partridge, who were making a ditch to drain the ground; near the place where it was found, is a piece of ground (a little east of the church) moated about, where formerly was the seat or hall of the Castons, and perhaps here might have been some neighbouring chapel; it lay SE and NW and was full of water; in it were the bones of the person interred, and a representation of a face, cut either in jet, or Lancashire coal, with an hole through the upper part of it, and also a blue cipher, which seemed to have been set in a ring, and several blue irregular beads, with a broken golden ferrule, which the workmen said slipt off a small piece of wood like a knitting-sheath; it was broken and bent outright by them; it probably belonged to some small crucifix: they are now [1738] in the hands of Mr. Thomas Martin.

The Church is dedicated to St. Mary, and is a very ancient building of flint stone, &c.; the nave is in length about 54 feet, and in breadth, together with the north isle, about 27 feet, and is covered with reed.

On the pavement, near the reading-desk, lies a marble grave-stone with the arms of

Partridge, gul. on a fess cotised between three partridges rising or, as many torteaux. Crest, a partridge rising or.

In the Vault under this Stone lyeth the Body of ROBERT PARTRIDGE Esq. of Buckenham-House, Eldest Son of Mr. HENRY PARTRIDGE of Lowbrook, in the Parish of Bray in Berkshire; he departed this Life 26 Decemb. 1710.

Proh Dolor! jam Virtus sola superstes.

In the wall on the south side is a place for the holy water, where formerly was an altar. The north isle is tiled, and not so antique as the nave, and has an ascent at the east end, where was another altar. At the west end of the nave stands a large square tower of flint, coped and embattled with quoins of freestone, in which hang four bells, the great bell is thus inscribed,
Uirgo Coronata, Duc Nos ad Began Beata.

This tower was begun about the end of Henry the Sixth's reign, or in the beginning of Edward the Fourth's; round the water-table is an account of the benefactors, cut in stone, in old characters, in this manner:

The chancel is of equal height with the nave, and has no arch to separate it, which shews the antiquity of the whole pile, being parted only by a screen; it is covered with thatch, and is in length about 33 feet, and 18 in breadth; here has been a vestry, as appears from the door (which led into it) on the north side.

Here lies a marble grave-stone, with this shield,

Barwick, arg. three bears heads erased sab. muzzled or. Crest, a bear's head erazed sab. muzzled or.

Hic jacet BENJAMINUS BARWICK istius per 46 Annos Ecclesiæ Rector (una cum JUDITHA. Uxore sua præmortuâ) Qui damnas Voti, hujus foret, ut et Consors Thori, idem persolvit, die Martij unde-vigesimo, Anno Salutis partæ 1669, posuit N. BARWICK. Nepos ejus Charissimus, præsensq; Ecclesiæ Rector, sequentis Dec. l^mo. ejusdem loci gratum præstolans contubernium.

Adjoining lies another marble grave-stone with the arms of Jermyn, sab. a crescent between two mullets in pale arg. Crest, a talbot passant, gorged with a coronet,

Here under lyeth the Bodies of JOHN JERMYN, late of West-Tafts Esq. and also of THOMAS JERMYN, Esq. his Brother, a Pentioner of the Bodyes of the late King JAMES, and allso of King CHARLES, both of Blessed Memorie.

Another marble stone is thus inscribed,

Here lyeth the Body of JOHN HENMAN, late Curate of this Parish, and Rector of Great-Cressingham, son of Mr. WILLIAM HENMAN of Charing in Kent, he departed this Life the 26 of March, 1730, in the 35 Year of his Age.

Pius filius, fidus Amicus, Vir eximiæ Eruditionis, Ecclesiæ Decus.

In the upper window of the chancel, on the south side, is Caston's shield.

And there were anciently the arms of Wright, Spring, Heigham, Francis, Berney, and Reedham.

Rectors

3d Edward I. John de Caston, rector.

• 1300, 3 Nov. Richard de Hemesby. William de Caston.
• 1313, 18 Sept. Reginald de Denham. Isabell, relict of Sir Rob. de Caston.
• 1349, 11 Aug. William de Letton. Sir John de Caston. He was also rector of Bukenham-Parva, and vicar of Upton.
• 1361, 23 Sep. John Kok, on the resignation of Letton. The Lady Catherine, relict of Sir John de Caston.
• 1393, 16 Feb. Adam Smith. Sir John Fastolff, Mr. Tho. Burgate, and Rob. de Marham.
• 1400, 4 March, William Usher. William Fastolff.
• 1408, 10 May, Thomas Peck. John Carbonell; on an exchange with Usher, for the mediety of Sydestrond.
• 1421, 31 May, Henry Flecke, on the resignation of Peck. Sir John Carbonell.
• 1433, 24 Jan. John Pryour, vel Powre, on the death of Flecke. John Berney, Esq. by virtue of the manor of Caston-Hall.
• 1451, 14 Jan. John Vyce, on the resignation of Powre. Osbert Mundeford, senior, attorney to Osb. Mundeford, junior, Esq. then in the King's service at Calais.
• 1486, 30 May, Rich. Palgrave, on the death of Vyce. Elizabeth Mundeford, of Hockwold.
• 1498, 11 Oct. John Kechyn, bachelor of the canon-law, on the death of Palgrave. John Berney, Esq.
• 1518, 8 Sep, John Galyon, on the death of Kitchen. Ditto.
• 1521, 3 July, Tho. Ward, on the death of Galyon. Ditto.
• 1546, 6 Aug. John Bowgeon, on the death of the last rector. John Harwarde, Gent. in right of his wife Margaret, widow of John Berney, Esq.

35th Eliz. Richard Brown; this rector said that there were (in 1603) 80 communicants in this parish.

• 1616, 8 January, Robert Brown, on the death of the last rector. Sir Tho. Berney.
• 1628, 24 October, Benjamin Berwick, A. M. James Berwick of Norwich, Gent. by virtue of a presentation of this turn from the King, on account of lapse and simony.
• 1670, 22 August, Nicholas Berwick, A. M. on the death of Benj. Berwick. Richard Godbold, Gent.
• 1682, 21 April, Benj. Berwick, A. B. on the resignation of Nich. Berwick. Henry Earl of St. Alban's.
• 1732, 13 October, the Rev. Mr. Henry Harrison, A. M. on the death of Berwick. Henry Partridge, Esq. of Magdalen College, Cambridge. He is rector also of Munford.

This rectory is valued in the King's Books at 8l. 6s. 1d. ob. and by the late Act of Queen Anne is discharged of first fruits and tenths, being valued at 49l. per annum real value.

Andrew Hook, or Hewke, willed, in 1484, to be buried in this church, before the image of the Holy-Trinity, and gave to the building of the steeple 30l. and John Olyver, by his will in 1482, gave to the steeple 4 marks; both their names are on the steeple as before.

LINFORD

Lies between Mundford and Bukenham-Parva, and may derive its name from the British word hlyn, (palus,) and so signifies a fenny or miry ford, or as some will have it, a spreading water, and in both these respects the passage over the river here to Ickburgh will very well answer, the ground near the water being boggy and a mere fen, two rivers uniting a little above the town. It may also derive its name from llwyn, which signifies, in the aforesaid language, a city or large town, and so may have respect to the Iciani of the Romans, which it seems to have also had some relation to, if not to have been part of it, having the same lords and owners at and before the Conquest; and as I have observed before, at the building of Mr. Nelthorp's house here, (in 1720,) two Roman urns were dug up; and in 1735, his gardener, digging in the plantation, about a furlong west of the house, fell on a pavement of flint-stones, under which he found a small Roman urn, in which were pieces of bones and ashes.

At the Conqueror's survey the town was held by two lords, Walter Giffard, and Roger Bigot, but the greatest part of it belonged to Walter, who was Earl of Bucks, as has been observed in Ickburgh, in which town, and here, he had 4 carucates and 35 acres of land, and 60 acres of meadow, which 14 freemen held in the time of the Confessor. Giffard's part came by marriage (as I have mentioned in Ickburgh) to the Earls of Clare, and was held of them, being divided into two moieties or lordships.

One moiety was held by a family that assumed their name from the town, for in the 4th John, Thomas, son of Jeffry de Lynford, was lord, who purchased lands in the town of Rich. de Rising; and 3d Edw. I. Stephen de Lynford had the assize of bread and beer here; but in the 34th of that King it was in the family of Cressingham, when Amisius, (or Amos,) son of Roger of Cressingham-Magna, and Agnes his wife, settled it by fine on John de Cressingham their son, and Maud his wife; and in 1372, John de Cressingham, (son of John,) by his will, dated 22d Feb. bequeathed it to Thomas his son, and made Emma his wife, and Will. de Bodney his nephew, executors.

After this, Sir John Clifton, Knt. of Bukenham-Castle, was lord, who, by his will dated in 1447, ordered John Brigges of Quidenham to have an annuity out of it, and that he should have the refusal, if he would buy it, which he accordingly did, and by his will dated in 1454, devised it to be sold to the Prior and Convent of St. Mary in Thetford, for eight-score marks; and by virtue of a license granted by King Henry VI. the said Prior and Convent purchased of John Duke of Norfolk, Sir Tho. Tuddenham, Knt. Tho. Weleys, and Will. Brigges, the manor and advowson, and 80 acres of land, with the appurtenances here, and of John Heydon, and John Swan, one messuage and 350 acres of land, with the liberty of three folds in Lynford, and so the Prior became lord of the whole town, and held it till the dissolution of his house, and then King Henry VIII. in his 32d year, granted the whole to Thomas Duke of Norfolk, who being attainted in the 38th of the said King, it reverted to the Crown, and King Edward VI. 20th Febr. in his third year, granted it to Richard Fulmerston, and it came by the marriage of his daughter to Sir Edw. Clere, who was lord here; and on July 1, 23d Eliz. the reversion of it was granted by that Queen, to Philip Earl of Arundel, a descendant of the aforesaid Duke of Norfolk, by whom it was sold to Francis Mundford, Esq. of Feltwell; and in 1603, was enjoyed by Sir Edw. Mundford, who then had his residence here, and his son Sir Edward dying in 1643, without issue, it was afterwards sold by his sisters and coheirs, to Mr. Turner, attorney at law, whose son, Sir Charles Turner, conveyed it, about 1717, to James Nelthorp, Esq. who built a very agreeable seat, with pleasant gardens, plantations, canals, &c. a little distance from the old hall, now the farm-house, and the only house in this place, besides the new hall.

From the inquisitions taken in the reign of Henry III. it appears that William Baldwyn held here a quarter of a fee of Jordan Foliot, and he of the Earl of Gloucester, and the Earl of the King, and this was the other moiety of Giffard's manor. In 8th Edward II. Rich. Foliot and his tenants held one fee and an half here, and in Elsing, Geyst, Twiford, &c. of the honour of Clare; but in 20th Edward III. John le Spicer and Stephen Baldwyn held the same of John Camois, and his parceners, and they of the Earl of Gloucester and Clare; in 3d Henry IV. Rich. Gegghe, and his parceners, held of John de Camoys, one quarter of a fee, and he of the Earl of Clare, formerly William Baldwin's. After this, in the reign of Henry VI. it was conveyed with the other moiety, to the Prior and Convent of Thetford.

Here was also at the survey a little lordship held by Roger Bigot, which Alstan, a Saxon, was lord of in the Confessor's time. One socman, with 60 acres of land, and three of meadow, valued at 20d. and Stanart held it of Bigot. This seems to be held in 9th Edward II. by Margaret Cosyn; and in 11th Edward II. a fine was levied between Walter Gyzun, and Catherine his wife, querents, and Walter, son of Henry de Constantinople, alias le Goldsmith, defendants, of 6 messuages, 250 acres of land, and 15d. rent here and in Bukenham-Parva, settled on Walter and Catherine, in tail; and 20th Edward III. Will. Longstaff, and William, son of Stephen Geson, was found to hold the eighth part of a fee, of John de Sneterton, citizen of Norwich, which, in 3d Henry IV. was held by Will. Shepherd and William, son of Stephen Geson, of Tho. Mowbray Duke of Norfolk. After this it was united in the reign of Henry VI. to the other manors, and with them conveyed to the priory of Thetford.

The tenths of this town were 2l. 2s.

The Abbot of Conchis in France was taxed for his temporalities here, in 1428, at 6s. and the Abbot of Bury, for his, at 1d.

The Church of Lynford has been demolished a long time; it stood in the south-west part of the court-yard, leading to the new hall, its site is enclosed, and planted with Scotch firs, where may be observed several of the foundation stones, and here several human bones were dug up.

Rectors

17 Edw. I. John de Benhale. Peter, son of Gilbert de BeechamWell.

• 1327, Peter de Berton.
• 1333, 31 May, Miles de Saxlingham. Elizabeth, relict of Robert Aspale.
• 1340, 12 March, Edmund de Waterden. Ditto.
• 1351, 9 Apr. William de Wytton. Ditto.
• 1351, 28 July, John Blissed. Ditto.

The patronage appears by this to be separated very early from the manor; in 44th Edward II. a fine was levied between Eliz. Aspale, and others, querents, and Gilbert de Aspale, deforciant, of the patronage, with three messuages, 300 acres of land, and several rents in Cressingham-Magna, Pickenham-North, Hilburghworth, &c. and the manor of Hogeston, in Middlesex; and in the 45th of that King, Tho. de Heygham, William Runham, &c. released to the Lady Eliz. Aspale, all their right in the advowson and lands aforesaid.

• 1394. John Smith.
• 1394, 16 May, Hen. Thurning, on the resignation of Smith. Thomas Holdich, of Didlyngton. He was rector of Lesyngham, and exchanged with Smith.
• 1395, 27 March, John Erl, on the resignation of Thurnyng. Ditto. He was vicar of Peryton, in the diocese of Lincoln, and exchanged with Thurnyng.
• 1402, 20 May, Hen. Fitz-John of Stanfeld, on the resignation of Erl. Tho. Holdich, Esq.
• 1418, 16 Oct. Hen. Flecke. He was also rector of West-Tofts. Ditto.
• 1421, 31 May, Tho. Peche, on the resignation of Flecke. Ditto.
• 1421, 17 June, Hen, Druing, on the resignation of Peche. Ditto.
• 1421, 4 Feb. William Palmer, on the resignation of Druing. Ditto.

He had the church of Abington in Cambridgeshire, and exchanged with Druing.

• 1426, 24 Oct. Edw. Clerk. Ditto.
• Thomas Shropham. Ditto.
• 1446, 18 Sept. Richard Sechitche, canon of West Derham; on the death of Shropham. He had license to leave his abbey in this form: Johannes permissione divina, abbas monasterij Beate Marie de West Derham, ordinis premonstratensis, Dioc. Norwic. dilecto nobis in Christo Richardo Sechitche confratri meo, in dicto monasterio nostro expresse professo, et in ordine sacerdotali constituto, salutem in auctore salutis. Tibi ut ad quodcunque beneficium ecclesiasticum, curatum vel non curatum, etiam si hospitale, vel alia libera capella fuerit, quod tibi conferri contigerit, licite valeas promoveri, et idem canonice obtinere, licentiam concedimus specialem, teque post possessionem adeptam pacificam, vel quasi dicti beneficij, sive hospitalis, vel alias cujuscunque, cum suis juribus et pertinentijs universis, a monasterio nostro dimissum, atque exoneratum esse decernimus per presentes. In cujus rei testimonium, &c.
• 1446, 10 Febr. Simon Wygenhale, canon of West Derham, on the resignation of Sechitche. Tho. Holdich Esq. of Wygenhale.

After this, in 1455, the manor and advowson being sold to the Prior and Convent of St. Mary of Thetford, they obtained, in 1467, of Walter Hart Bishop of Norwich, an appropriation of the church, and on this appropriation, a pension of 3s. 4d. was to be paid yearly to the see of Norwich, from the monastery, and the church was served by a stipendiary curate till the Dissolution, and then coming into lay hands, the lord of the manor, as impropriator, was obliged to find a curate to supply it, though in the year 1598, on the 3d of August, I find by the institution books, that Tho. Jackler, A. M. was instituted, on the presentation of Sir Edward Clere, on the death (as it is said) of the last rector; but this is the only institution I have met with since that of Wygenhale in 1446. At present, the church being down, I do not find that there is any curate, or any allowance made to any person, the impropriator, as rector, making it a sinecure.

BUKENHAM-PARVA, OR LITTLE-BUKENHAM

Is so called to distinguish it from the other towns of the same name in this county. At the survey we meet with two lordships here, one held by Hugh de Montfort, and the other by Roger, son of Renard.

Hugh de Montfort had one carucate of land and 4 acres of meadow, which a freeman held in the time of the Confessor, and there was one carucate in demean, and half a mill, it was valued at 8s. per annum; the whole was one league long, and half a league broad, and paid 8d. of the 20s. gelt; the soc was in the King, and the Earl of Norfolk.

This lordship was held of the Montforts soon after the Conquest, by a family that assumed their name from the town, and William, son of Sir Ralph de Bukenham had a charter for free-warren here, in Ellingham, and Illington, 38th Henry III. and before this, in the 4th of King John, a fine was levied between William de Bukenham tenant, and Petronilla de Mortimer, petent, of the advowson of the church of Bukenham-Parva, and the moiety of a mill; and in the 3d year of King Edward I. Simon de Nevyle was lord, and had the assize of bread and beer of his tenants, and was patron of the church; but in 1300, Hubert Hacon held it, and presented; after this, Margery, relict of Roger Cosyn of Elyngham-Magna, presented in 1313, as lady of the manor; and in 1323, John Polys of Wilton; but in 1337, Sir Simon de Hederset, Knt. was lord and patron, and 20th Edw. III. Sir John de Hederset, Edm. Le-Warde, and Edm. LeHall, held here and in Stanford half a quarter of a fee of Richard de Belhouse, as of his manor of Bodney, which Richard held it of the King. In the years 1349 and 1357, William de Hedersete was lord and patron, but soon after, it was in the hands of Rich. Gegge of Saham-Tony, who presented to the church in 1367; and in 3d Henry IV. Rich. Gegge and Edm. de Hall held here, and in Stanford, half a quarter of a fee of John Reymes, as of his manor of Bodney, and in this family of Gegge it continued till about the reign of Edward IV. when it came to John Austeyn, Esq. by the marriage of Margaret, one of the daughters and coheirs of Rich. Gegge, Esq. After this, in Easter term, 17th Henry VII. a fine was levied between Thomas Spring, and others, querents, and Margaret Austeyn widow, defendant, of this manor, with lands in Stanford and Linford; and in Michaelmas term, in the 23d of the said King, another fine was levied between Thomas Spring and others, querents, and Hugh Coo, and Ann his wife, defendants, which Ann was daughter of John Austeyn, and Margaret his wife; and 2d Edw. VI. Sir John Spring died lord, and William Spring, Esq. his son and heir, had livery of it in the 1st of Queen Mary; this William was afterwards a Knight and lord of Pakenham in Suffolk, and died on 10th Feb. 42 Eliz. seized of this manor, and those of Pakenham, Cockfield-Hall, Whatfield, &c. in Suffolk, leaving John Spring, Esq. his son and heir, aged 40, who lived not a year after his father, the inquisition on his death being dated Jan. 2, 44th Elizabeth, by which it appears that he died Nov. 4, in the 43d of the same Queen, and William his son and heir was then 12 years old.

In the reign of King James I. we find it in the family of Rich; and in 1614, Sir Robert Rich (afterwards Earl of Warwick) presented as lord; but in the reign of King Charles II. Mr. Appleton, who married the widow of Sir Robert Crane of Suffolk, Bart. enjoyed it; and Robert Fairford, Isaac Preston, and Mr. Cradock, conveyed it to Mr. Vincent, who built here the hall that is now [1738] standing, and is a neat pile of brick, on the summit whereof is a lofty lantern or turret, and on the top of this house he (being a very great humorist) erected a fish-pond, with a bason of lead to contain the water, and had pipes of lead which brought water by an engine from a canal in the gardens, into every room (as it is said) of the house: he also built an elegant stable, and other offices, and made a park. From this Mr. Vincent (who mortgaged it to Sir Tho. Meers) it came to Robert Partridge, Esq. who dying in 1710, it passed to Henry Partridge, Esq. his brother, and on his death, to his son Henry, who sold it about 1736 to the

Honourable Philip Howard, Esq. brother to the Duke of Norfolk, who now [1738] resides here, and is lord and patron.

The other lordship was held at the survey by Roger, son of Renard, who had a carucate of land, and 20 acres, valued at 11s. and the King and the Earl had the soc

This soon after came to the Earl Warren, and was held of him by the ancient family of Mortimer of Atleburgh; and in the reign of Henry III. John Langetot was found to hold half a quarter of a fee of Sir Rob. de Mortimer, and he of the Earl Warren, and the Earl of the King; and 34th Edward I. Nicholas de Langetot, and Margery his wife, had it; but 9th Edward II. Hen. de Walpole was lord, a fine being levied in the 7th of that King, between Henry de Walpole and Alice his wife, querents, and Nicholas Langetot and Margery his wife, deforciants, by virtue of which it was settled on Henry and Alice for life, remainder to Simon and Thomas, their sons, in tail. In the 20th Edward III. Sir John de Hederset and Jeffrey de Hall held it of Sir Constantine de Mortimer, he of the Earl Warren, and the Earl of the King; and in 3d Henry IV. it was in the hands of Richard Gegge, and so became united to the other manor, and hath continued so ever since, and for his lordship there is an yearly rent paid to the lordship of Hilburgh at this day.

There is nothing remaining of this old village, but the hall, and the miller's house.

The tenths were 1l. 1s. 4d.

The Prior of Wirmegey had lands here, taxed in 1428 at 6d.; and the Prior of Bromhill was taxed for his, at the same time, 6d.

The Church has been so long demolished, that the very site of it is not known; it is said to be about the upper end of the canal in the gardens, near the garden-house; it was dedicated to St. Andrew, and there was in it the image of our Lady, as appears from an old will that I have seen, wherein a legacy was given to repair her perke.

Rectors

• 1300, 9 Feb. William de Caston, Hubert Hacun.
• 1313, 28 March, Tho. de Elingham. Margery, relict of Roger Cosyn of Elingham.
• 1323, 17 Sep. John Poteys, of Wilton. Ditto.
• 1337, 16 July, Will. de Letton. Sir Simon de Hederset.
• 1348, 20 March, John Reynolds, on the resignation of Letton. He was vicar of Upton and exchanged with Letton. Sir John de Hederset.
• 1349, 15 July, Ralph Broun, of Stanford. Will. de Hederset.
• 1357, 18 Aug. Peter de Cretyng, on the resignation of Broun. He was rector of Colkirke, in Norfolk, and exchanged with Broun. Ditto.
• 1367, 18 Dec. William Coupere. Richard Gegge, of Saham, and John his brother.
• 1394, 11 Jan. Walter Body. Richard Gegge.
• 1404, 10 Nov. John Sewale. Ditto.
• 1408, 20 Sep. Rich. Trapet. Ditto.
• 1411, 17 Sep. William Wybord, on the resignation of Trapet. John Gegge.
• 1430, 3 Oct. John Osmond. Lapse.
• 1442, 26 Feb. John Thetford. Rich. Gegge.
• 1471, 13 Aug. William Ungot. John Austeyn, Esq.
• 1484, 21 Sep. Thomas Boteler, A. M. on the death of Ungot. Tho. Brampton, of Atleburgh.
• 1505, 9 Jan. Thomas Apulton, on the death of Boteler. Tho. Spring, of Lavenham in Suffolk. Apulton was also rector of Lavenham.
• 1514, 7 April, Robert Hansart.
• 1535, 6 Oct. Thomas Beal. John Spring of Hecham in Suffolk.
• 1542, 23 Sept. Will. Modyn, on the death of Beal. Ditto.
• 1568, 3 April, John Whitell, on the death of Modyn. Will. Spring, Esq.
• 1581, 25 June, Tho. Spark, A. M. The Queen.
• 1597, 21 Jan. John Newman or Newham, A. M. Ditto. In his answer to King James, in 1603, he observes that there were then about 10 communicants here, and that they go to church and receive the sacrament at Stanford, the church of Bukenham being long since utterly decayed.
• 1614, 15 July, John Pemberton. Sir Rob. Rich.
• 1638, 5 June, Nathaniel Waller. The King.
• 1708, 6 Aug. Robert Simpson. The Queen, by lapse. Rector also of Feltwell St. Mary.
• 1728, William Williams, on the death of Simpson. Hen. Partridge, Esq.

This rectory is a sinecure, valued in the King's Books at 3l. and being sworn of the clear yearly value of 15l. per annum, is discharged of first fruits and tenths; synodals are 20d. Bishop's procurations 18d.

And thus we have passed through Grimeshou Hundred, which, according to the signification of its name, is a hilly, champaign, open country, the land being sandy and barren, unless improved by the farmer's industry, or by the flocks of sheep which are kept in almost every town in the hundred for that purpose, there being no where better mutton than this barren land affords, the sheep being not liable to the disease called the rot, as they often are in the more fertile parts of this county; the soil, though it is a sand at top, not only affords excellent chalk for lime, but good earth for brick, and in some places blue clay, which laid upon the land, makes an excellent manure, and produces abundance of corn. The rabbits also, which are on the most barren part, are not only the more excellent for that reason, but renders that, which would otherwise be of no use to be of equal value with much better land, so that by this means, though the champaign, or fielding country (as it is commonly called) may appear to the traveller to be of little value, either to the owner or occupier, it is in reality far otherwise, being rendered by these improvements as valuable as a far better soil.

The towns in this Hundred are valued to the land tax as follow, [missing]