a great number of images of large stature carved in wood, and was the work of one Fairchild; the arms about it are those of the chief towns and gentlemen in the county, viz. Norwich, Yarmouth, Duke of Norfolk, Earl of Yarmouth, Bacon of Garboldisham, Hobart, Cornwaleis impaling Bukton, Teye, Thurston, Castleton, and many others. Peck's arms are arg. on a chevron ingrailed gul. three croslets pattee of the field; his wife's are arg. a fess between two crescents in chief, a lion rampant in base gul. which coat I think is born by the name of Jetheston. Here was lately a very large round bed, big enough to hold fifteen or twenty couple, in imitation (I suppose) of the remarkable great bed at Ware. The house was in all things accommodated, at first, for large business; but the road not supporting it, it is in much decay at present, though there is a good bowling-green and a pretty large garden, with land sufficient for passengers horses. The business of these two inns is much supported by the annual cock-matches that are here fought.
Concerning the capital manor, I find that Ralph de Felgeres had it a long time, and at his death left it to his posterity; for in 1206,
Richard de Fengeres had it, from whom it came to
Sir Aymer de Berrill, of whom it was held anno 1270, by
Henry de Scelton, by the rent of 2s. 2d. per annum; this was a separate manor then, and the demeans 15 acres.
There was also another part in Osmundeston, which this Henry de Shelton united this year to the manor aforesaid, which part was held by Hugh de Corbun, of Roger Bigot; and afterwards by this Henry in 1270, when the Escheat tells us, that he held here, of the Earl of Arundell's fee, 100 acres of land, and 6 acres and an half of wood, a mill, and several rents of assize, by the service of half a knight's fee; at his death
Robert de Shelton, his son, inherited, who held this manor, with those of Shelton, and Bedingham, in 1286, when he had liberty of free-warren in all his manors allowed in Eire.
Robert de Tateshale held in capite 3 fees in Shelton, Bedingham, and Osmundeston, all which were held of him by this Robert de Shelton, and Isabel his wife, who in 1305 settled the advowson and manor on themselves for life, and their sons, Thomas and Henry, remainder to the right heirs of Robert, which Robert died seized, and then held this manor by the fourth part of a fee of Robert de Tatteshalle; from which time I find the following persons of this name to be lords and patrons:
- 1313, Thomas and Henry de Scheltone, brothers and sons of Robert.
- 1361, Ralph de Schelton, Knt.
- 1371, Ralph de Schelton, jun. Knt.
- 1420, William Shelton, Esq.
- 1483, Ralph Shelton, Esq.
- 1488, 21 Dec. John Shelton, Knt.
