A HISTORY OF NORFOLK him by his vigorous reforms had given way to universal affection and esteem when he died in 1849. He had a worthy successor in Bishop Hinds, who was dean of Carlisle when he was raised to the bishopric in 1849, He was a man of great learning and ability, but had to resign on account of ill-health in 1857, when he was succeeded by Bishop Pelham, who had long been connected with Norfolk, having been previously rector of Burgh Apton from 1837 to 1852. He also resigned in 1893, his long tenure of the see having witnessed a remarkable revival of Christian life and discipline ; and though he himself was a strong evangelical, it was at this time that the high church movement led to the formation of various associations in Norfolk, of which the 'Laymen's Ritual Institute' for Norwich is an example; he was indefatigable in parochial organization; instituted a diocesan conference in 1879, and formed a scheme for the augmentation of small benefices at the expense of episcopal emoluments. The immense outlay upon the repair and restoration of churches and cathedral during the last half century has continued under Bishop Sheep- shanks, who was appointed in 1893, ^"^ ^^ perhaps the most tangible proof that can be offered of the vitality and vigour of ecclesiastical life in the county. APPENDIX NO. I ON THE BISHOP'S LORDSHIP OF NORTH ELMHAM The traditions of many centuries have declared with one voice, that when the early chroniclers told how the East Anglian see was divided into two bishoprics (a.d. 673), one of which was fixed at Dunwich and the other at Elmham, they meant that the Elmham named was North Elmham in Norfolk, and on this point no doubt was entertained till quite recent times. In the fourth volume of the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology (1869), however, Mr. Harrod, an antiquary of much learning and great acumen, took upon himself to propound a startling theory to the effect that the tradition was erroneous, and that when Bede and they who followed him spoke of Elmham they meant to indicate South Elmham in South Suffolk. As has been already pointed out, the antecedent improbability of the two East Anglian bishoprics being set down in the seventh century within fifteen miles of one another, at the southern extremity of the diocese, and so leaving the whole of Norfolk without any resident diocesan, is so great that it is quite enough to make the modern theory at least doubtful. But its baselessness can be exposed by an appeal to documentary evidence which hitherto has not been brought into court. When, about the year 133S, William Ayermin bishop of Norwich was in failing health — Anthony Bek, then dean of Lincoln — in view of the vacancy which actually occurred in 1336, appears to have set his mind upon succeeding to the bishopric. Accordingly he instituted inquiries regarding the revenues of the see and particularly with regard to the liberties and customs of the manor of North Elmham. A formal report was drawn up by some official of the diocese and was sent to Dr. Bek at Lincoln, apparently before he set out for Avignon, where we find him in March, 1336. He was successful in his suit and Pope Benedict XII conferred upon him the bishopric of Norwich and consecrated him at Avignon in the following year. The report referred to is now to be seen in the muniment room of the dean and chapter at Lincoln, and there the writer discovered and transcribed it in 1884. This document sets forth in so many words that the bishops of Norwich had always claimed the manor of North Elmham, tanquam caput baronie appertaining to the church of Norwich, and held in capite of the king. The franchises, privileges, and customs of the lordship are set out with considerable minuteness, and a long succession of cases and precedents is drawn up illus- trative of the rights and immunities exercised and established in the courts of the lordship going back to the time of Herfast, the last bishop of Elmham. 308
