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The church is dedicated to all the Saints, and when Norwich Domesday was made, Sir Rob. Fitz-John was patron; the rector had a house and 10 acres of glebe, it was valued at nine marks, paid 6s. 8d. procurations, 3s. synodals, 2s. 6d. Peter-pence, and 3d. carvage. The terrier hath a house and about eight acres of glebe. The church of Ashwell is down, and immemorially annexed to Thorp. There is weekly service here. The village hath about 20 families, and it paid to each tenth 26s. clear. The etymology of its name is, the Thorp by the Well or Fountain at the Asshes. Here was a gild of the Holy Trinity, and in 1504, the tenor bell was made by the contribution of Sarah Sawer and others.
Rectors
William le Devees, rector.
- 1298, Philip de Thorp, brother to Sir John de Thorp, patron: he is buried under a stone with a cross only on it, on the north side of the altar.
- 1317, John de Pagrave. Sir John de Thorp and Alice his wife.
- 1334, John Fish, changed Fressing field mediety for this, with Pagrave. Beatrix, widow of Sir Robert de Thorp, Knt. He had Ashwell chapel. 1335, he rechanged with Pagrave. Ditto.
- 1337, Alex. Attemere of Massingham-Parva. Beatrix, &c.
- 1349, Jeffry Kemp of Massingham-Parva. Ditto. He had the chapel.
- 1387, John Snetel of Wimondham. Sir Edmund de Thorp, senior, Knt. He was buried in the church porch in 1420, and was succeeded by
- Thomas Truyt, who was presented by Sir Edm. Berry, Knt. Charles Alleyn, clerk, and John Lancastre, Esq. patrons of this turn.
- 1432, on Truyt's resignation, Sir John Clifton, Knt. gave it to Richard Talpe, and in
- 1434, to Master Tho. Dalingho, and on his resignation in
- 1444, to Tho. Robyns, who resigned in
- 1456, to George Barker, who had it of the gift of John Bourchier, Knt. Lord Berners, guardian to Elizabeth daughter and heir of Frederick Tilney, at whose death in
- 1480, Master Tho. Ashfield was presented by Sir Tho. Howard, Knt. and Lady Elizabeth his wife, and resigned in
- 1488, to Tho. Greene, and Thomas Earl of Surrey, guardian of the West and Middle Marches of England towards Scotland, and Justice of all the King's forests beyond the Trent, and Lady Elizabeth his wife, presented him; and on his resignation in 1498, they gave it to Richard Eaton. In
- 1511, Will. Smith was instituted, and at his death in
- 1533, Sir Stephen Thompson succeeded, by the gift of Sir Edmund Knevet, and Joan, daughter and heir of Bourchier Lord Berners. He died in 1544, and Joan Knyvet, widow, relict of Edmund Knyvet, Esq. presented
- Robert Barrey, who died in 1553, and she gave it to Hugh Shelmerdon, on whose death in 1555, she presented
