town is not so much as once called by this name in Domesday Book, but that of Haber-tan, or the Holy Stone, from some remarkable stone cross erected there; but it soon after became to be called by the name of Bunwell, which was a hamlet belonging to it; Bunwell signifies Fons Rivuli, or the Rivulet's Head, and accordingly the situation of the place answers it, for that part of the town which is distinguished, by this name, from the other manors, hath the fountain or head of a small rivulet arising in it, which passing southwards, is called Bunwell-Beck, running at the entrance into Tacolneston common, and thence by Stanhowe bridge, to Aslacton and Forncet. This town comprehends several villas, berewicks, or lesser hamlets, mentioned in the style of the court baron, and which now are the several manors, viz. Bunwell Haddeston. Bosevil's, Perishall, and Banyard's; all which are in the bounds of this parish, and besides these, the style of the court runs, Carleton, Tibenham, cum Membris; all which lie in the parishes of Tibenham and Carleton, which see
The church is dedicated to St. Michael the archangel, and had 30 acres of glebe belonging to it at the Conquest, when there were three manors, to each of which, a part of the advowson belonged, but Roger Fitz-Peter Fitz-Osbert bought a part of Walkeline de Bosevile; so that he had one moiety, and Sir Robert Banyard the other.
When Norwich Domesday was made, Rob. Fitz-Osborn was patron, and the rector had a house and 40 acres of glebe; it was first valued at 20 marks, after at 30 without the portion; and the portion of the prior of Lewes was first laid at six, after at ten marks, and consisted of two third parts of the great tithes, of all the demeans of Bosevile's manor, which were given to the monks of Castleacre, (a cell to Lewes in Sussex, by Walkeline de Bosevile, and Lady Agatha de Bosevile, and Pandulf Bishop of Norwich confirmed the agreement, made by the judges assigned by the Pope for this purpose, on a suit between the monks of Acre, and Alan de Beccles, rector here, that the rector and his successours, should for ever receive all the tithes of all the demeans and tenants of Bosevile's manor, paying to Castleacre convent 30d. every Easter, and 30d. every Michaelmas; which is paid at this day by the rector, to the Duke of Norfolk, in right of the dissolved monastery of Castleacre, which was granted to his family at the Dissolution. The portion of Sees monastery was first taxed at 10s. after, at 18s. 4d. then by composition between the monastery and rector, reduced to 6s. 8d. pension, which is also paid by the rector at this time, to the aforesaid Duke. The procurations were 6s. 8d. synodals 2s. 2d. Peter-pence 10d. carvage 6d. and the town paid clear to each tenth 5l. 6s. 8d. It stands thus in the King's Books,
17l. Bunwell, alias Bullwell Rect. 1l. 14s. yearly tenths.
