Hundred of South Greenhoe: Holm-Hale

HOLM-HALE.

In ancient writings Holm and Hale appear not only to be two distinct lordships, but two distinct villages, and occur by the names of South-Holm juxta Hale, and Hale, or Hill-Hale; and on the union of these lordships, &c. under one and the same lord, obtained the name of Holm-Hale.

Holm Manor,

(So called from its low, and moist situation, and land enclosed with water,) at the survey was held by the Lord Bainard, who had half a carucate of land, the fourth part of a mill, which a freeman held in the Confessor's time. (fn. 1)

By the inquisitions taken in the 24th of King Henry III. it appears that Giles de Hulmo was lord, who was son of Sir Robert de Hulmo, Lord of Filby, and of this manor, held by half a knight's fee of the Lord Fitz-Walter; and in the 3d of King Edward I. Sir Robert de Hulmo, son of Giles, was lord, and one of the commissioners or justices of Trail-Baston, when Roger de Beckerton, the Earl of Gloucester's bailiff, came into this lordship of Sir Robert's, and seized cows, which he drove to Clare in Suffolk, which the jury presented as a grievance, it being out of the Earl's fee. (fn. 2) In the 15th of the said King, Giles de Ulmo produced before the justices itincrant, the charter of King Henry III. granted to his father, Sir Robert, for a weekly market here on Monday, and free-warren in his demesne lands here; and the jury present the said Giles, as holding a whole knight's fee at full age, and not being a knight. (fn. 3) Besides this tenure, the said family held also half a carucate of land, 4 bordsmen, pannage for 20 hogs, two parts of a mill, two acres of meadow valued at 20s. which Godric held, (fn. 4) and at the survey was in the King's hands, and after that came to the Earl of Richmond, as I take it, and this was held of Giles de Hulmo in the 24th of Henry III. by Oliva de Aula.

In the 20th of Edward III. Stephen de Titeshale and Richard de Burwood, were lords of the Fitz-Walter fee, held by Giles de Hulmo, and John Dodington, &c. held of Stephen, &c. what Oliva de Aula held; but about the end of this King's reign, both these tenures came into the family of Illey, lords of Hale.

Hale Manor.

In the 24th of Henry III. the heirs of Edmund de Illey were found to hold in Hale, one knight's fee of the Lord Fitz-Walter, and that lord of the King.

In the 15th year of Edward I. Edmund de Illey had the assize of bread and beer, view of frankpledge, weyf, &c. here; (fn. 5) and in the 6th of Edward II. a fine was levied between Edmund de Illey, son of Thomas, and Alice his wife, and John de Plumstead, of this manor, settled on Edmund and Alice, Joan, widow of Thomas, holding then the third part in dower. In the 15th of the said King, he had a grant of free-warren in all his lands here and in Stanefield in Suffolk; and in the 20th of Edward III. he appears to hold the same, being then a knight. In the year 1349, Sir Edmund died, and in the said year, Alan de Illey; and in the year 1374, Sir Richard de Illey, son, and grandson, most likely, of Sir Edmund, presented as lords, to the church of Hale; but in the 13th of Richard II. a fine was levied between Sir Robert de Illey, Knt. lord, and Catharine his wife, and Sir Miles Stapleton, Sir Roger Boys, Richard, master of the college of Norton Soupecors, by which it was conveyed to Sir Roger Boys, who married Sibilla, daughter and heir of Sir Robert; and in the 4th of Hen. IV. Sir Roger was found to hold Holm-Hale of the Earl of Rutland, as parcel of the barony of Baynard; (fn. 6) this Sir Roger was buried in the choir of Ingham priory in Norfolk, according to his will, dated 22d February, 1421, (fn. 7) and Catharine, the widow of Sir Robert de Illey, was buried in the chancel of Plumstede, according to her will, dated December 1st, 1417. The Lady Sibilla, relict of Sir Roger, by deed dated the 20th of February, in the 2d of Henry VI. leased the manor of Hill-Hale to John Byrd of Hale, with the lands called Harefeld, except the rents, services, free-warren, profits of coneys, court leet, court baron, advowson of the church, wards, reliefs, marriages, and eschaets, for 4 years from Michaelmas before the date, for 10l 13s. 4d. per annum. The said John, to indemnify Sibill against the King for all fifteenths, subsidies, &c. and against all others, for lord's rents, suits and services, to keep the enclosures in repair, taking underwood to do it, and to burn in his furnace and to brew with, &c. and Sibill to have half the strays. The said lady, by indenture dated the 31st of March, in the 30th of Henry VI. articled to sell to Laurence Booth, clerk, master of Pembroke-Hall in Cambridge, and his assigns, if the title was approved, the manors of Hill-Hale, Holm-Hale, (fn. 8) Whites or Groos, with all the lands, tenements, rents, pastures, meadows, woods, groves, &c. suits, services, courts, leets, and all manner of franchises, liberties, and advowsons of two churches in the said town, for 200l. and 500 marks, at several payments specified in the deed; the master and fellows of that house being for ever to pray specially, and to celebrate an obit yearly, for Sibill, and five persons she should name, with a mass by note; and likewise to distribute 10 marks yearly on the day thereof to the master and fellows for the prayers and obit before mentioned. But this never took effect; for on the death of this lady, it descended to Catherine, daughter of Robert Boys, son of Sir Roger, and the Lady Sibill, which Robert died in or about 1450, his will being proved on the 6th of November in the said year; (fn. 9) and by the marriage of the said Catherine to Sir Edmund Jenny, of Knateshall in Suffolk, (fn. 10) he became lord and died so, in the 15th of Henry VIII. leaving Francis his grandson, aged 13 years, his heir; son of William, eldest son to Sir Edmund, the said Sir Edmund, by his will dated in 1522, bequeathing all the lordships here abovementioned, to his grandson. (fn. 11) From the Jennys it came to the Bedingfelds; and in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Anthony Bedingfeld, Esq. 3d son of Sir Henry Bedingfeld of Oxburgh, was lord, which Anthony married Elizabeth, one of the daughters and coheirs of Ralph Danyel of Swaffham, Gent. and Anthony Bedingfeld of Testerton in Norfolk, Esq. (fn. 12) descended from the aforesaid Anthony, died lord in 1707, whose son, Francis Bedingfeld, sold it to Henry Ibbot of Swaffham, attorney; and his son, Benjamin Ibbot, Gent. is the present lord.

The aforesaid Danyel held also a capital messuage here, called

Berrer's, or Bures-Hall,

Which hall was purchased of the Beding felds by the Eyres. In 1739, John Eyre, Esq. died, and it is at present enjoyed by Dr. Eyre, but no manor or lordship belongs to it, it being annexed to the other.

Elwyn's Groose's, and White Manor, (fn. 13)

In the 24th of Henry III. Petronilla le Groos was found to hold here the fourth part of a fee of the Lord Fitz-Walter, which John le Groos held in the 30th of Edward III. John White held this in the 3d of Henry IV. and soon after, it seems to be annexed to the foregoing lordships.

The fines are at the lord's will, and the eldest son is heir.

In this parish was also a hamlet called Erneford, which stood by the bridge that retains the name at this day, near which stands a farmhouse; this bridge is over a small stream that arises at East Bradenham, and runs hence to the Pickenhams, and probably was anciently known by the name of Erne. In a deed, I find that Richard son of Richard le Glover de Ernford juxta Hale, confirmed to Godfrey de Ernford, chaplain, a messuage in this hamlet, dated at North Pickenham 13th of Edward II.

The temporalities of Westacre priory in Holm and Hale were taxed in 1428, at 2l. 16s. 6d.; of Sporle priory at 6d.; and of the canons of Thetford at 11s. The Prioress of Blakebergh had lands here, and Jesus college in Oxford owns an enclosure called Crakeshields.

As here were formerly two capital lordships of Holm and Hale, so these lordships had for some time two churches to which they presented. Of the church of Holm. In the beginning of Edward I. Sir Robert de Hulmo was patron, the rector then had a manse, with 30 acres, the was rectory was estimated at 10 marks, Peter-pence 4d. ob. Before this there was both a rector and vicar belonging to this church; on the 29th of July, 1243, William de Ralegh Bishop of Norwich consolidated the vicarage of Holm, then void by the death of John de Happesbure, chaplain, it appearing that Thomas de Blundevile, Bishop, his predecessor, had collated the said John to the said vicarage, and also had collated Thomas de Norwich to it. (fn. 14) Thomas de Tregoz, rector of the church of Holm, being present, and appealing in behalf of himself, and his patrons, John Lord Strange, and earnestly desiring the said vicarage to be consolidated to his rectory, and this was to take effect on the death of the said Thomas de Norwich.

HOLM CHURCH.

1340, Robert de Beeston was instituted to South-Holm. Richard Burwode, patron, Robert de Burwode, rector.

1352, John de Tifteshall, on the resignation of Burwode. Stephen de Tifteshall. And soon after it was consolidated to the church of Hale.

HALE CHURCH.

In the beginning of King Edward the First's reign, there appear to have been three portions in this church, two held by Adam Talebot, and one by Alan Colyn; there was a manse and 30 acres of land belonging to it; it was estimated at 10 marks, and paid Peter-pence 4d. ob.

1317, Adam Talebot. Peter Talerot of Fincham, by the consent of Sir Edmund Illey.

1320, Thomas Doraunt, John de Plumstede, rector afterwards of Clenchwarton.

1334, Ralph de Welle. Sir Edmund Illey.

1349, William de Illey. Sir Edmund de Illey.

1349, EdmundCole. Alan de Illey. Cole died in 1383.

1374, John Wrygthe. Sir Richard Illey, and Edmund Cole rector of a mediety of Hale.

1388, Robert Ferrers. Robert Illey.

1399, Jon Atte Fen. Sir Roger Boys, this turn.

1405, Thomas Soper. William Soper of Myldenhale.

1408, John South. Sir Roger Boys. He was custos of the chantry of All-Saints in the church of Harington in Lincoln diocese, and exchanged with Soper.

John Cokesson occurs rector in 1421, as appears from the will of Sir Roger Boys, and was one of his executors; his own will bears date on Easter-day, 1431, in which year he died, and was buried in the chancel of Hale, on the south side; he bequeathed 40s. to the new tower then building, and legacies to Trinity and St. Andrew's GILDS.

1431, John Grome. Sibilla, relict of Sir Roger Boys. In his will, proved 3d November, 1438, he styles himself rector of St. Andrew of Hill-Hale, and gives 6s. 8d. to the high altar of the old church of Holm. (fn. 15)

1434, John South was rector.

1438, John Cokston. By Sibilla, &c. By his will proved 27 May, 1442, he ordered to be buried before the image of St. Andrew in the chancel.

Richard Pye occurs rector of Holm Hale in 1439, as appears from the will of Robert Boys, Esq.; and on the 4th October,

1442, Richard Pye to Hill Hale, as I take it.

1442, John Osmund. By Sibilla, &c.

1450, Robert Faux. Ditto.

1453, Robert Mayster, to Hale St. Andrew, called the new church, on the resignation of Osmund. Edmund Blake, Esq.

1454, Edmund Blake. Edmund Blake, Esq.

1470, William Palmer, collated by lapse; by his will, dated 11 January, 1473, he gives a legacy to St. Mary's light, &c. About this time the three portions abovementioned were consolidated, for after this I meet with only one rector.

1513, Brian Lucas; his will was proved 7th April, 1543.

1543, John Clenchwarton. John Jenny, Esq. Ob.

1557, Christopher Hotsone, ob. Arthur Jenny, Esq.

1559, John Watson, ob. by lapse.

1560, John Parkinson, (fn. 16) ob. the Queen.

1566, John Leeder, A. M. Arthur Jenny, Esq. res.

1579, Francis Abbot. Ditto.

1582, Robert Boninge. The Queen, by lapse.

1595, Marmaduke Cholmlye. Eustace Bedingfeld, Esq. son and heir of Anthony; he was also rector of Wolverton Norfolk.

1599, Henry Bury, res. The Queen. In his answer to King James's Queries in 1603, he says there were 189 communicants here; he was vicar of Sporle.

1612, Leonard Burton, S. T. B. James Jordan, this turn.

1621, Edward Barker, A. M. and licensed preacher; by James Jordan, on a grant from Ann, widow of Anthony Bedingfeld, Esq.

1639, Dudley Hopper, ob. The University of Cambridge. (fn. 17)

1661. Robert Wright, ob. Thomas Bedingfeld of Testerton. Esq.

1675, Timothy Caryan. Thomas Bedingfeld, Esq.

1711, John Rolfe, A. M. on Caryan's death. By Jeremy Benton: united to Necton.

On the 13 June, in the 4th of William and Mary, Anthony Bedingfeld of Testerton, Esq. sold the advowson to Edmund Booth, clerk; and his daughters, Penelope and Sarah, to Jeremiah Benton, 25 August 1709, and he to John Rolfe, clerk, 30th December 1713; and Rolfe to Benjamin Young, attorney at Swaffham in August, 1720, who gave it to his youngest son, Mr. William Young of Caius college in Cambridge, who in 1749, at the death of Rolf, presented his cousin,

The Rev. Mr. Thomas Patrick Young of Caius college, who is now rector, and holds it united to Necton.

This rectory is valued in the King's Books by the name of HolmeHale, alias Hale Brian, at 12l. 16s. 5d. ob. and its sworn value being 49l. per annum, it is discharged from first-fruits: synodals 1s. 10d. procurations 11s. To this rectory belongs a manor, of which the rector is lord. It stands thus in the Revision in 1630; Holme-Hale, alias North-Hale, with the church of South-Holme, consolidated.

The church of Holm-Hale is dedicated to St. Andrew, and was begun to be built in the reign of King Richard III. and was some years in building, as appears from several old wills; the tower was building in 1431, and in 1435, when John Wyscard bequeathed to the building of it 40s. and to the high altar of the new church 3s. 4d. and to that of the old church of Holm-Hale 6s. 8d. which was then standing. (fn. 18) It is a lofty pile of flint and boulder; the body or nave is in length about 18 yards, and in breadth, including the north isle, about 10 yards. The roof is of oak, supported by the effigies of priests, &c. but they are beat off, covered, together with the isle, with lead. The tower stands at the west end, and is built of the aforesaid materials, being very large and strong, with quoins and embattlements of free-stone, in which hang 6 large musical bells. The chancel is tiled; there is a north porch leaded. The parsonage joins to the east part of the churchyard.

On a gravestone in the nave, (fn. 19)

Here lyeth the Body of Robert Hammond Gent. who left this life April 16, 1682.

On a gravestone against the reading-desk, with a brass plate,
Vous que cette Tombe voies, pour les ames Edmond Illeye Chevalier, et Alice sa femme et les Enfans priez

The shields of brass are reaved; it is in memory of Sir Edmund Illey, and Alice his lady.

In a window in the nave are the remains of the arms of

Blake, ermine, on a pile indented sable, bezanty, two lions gambs erect and erased gules, in an orle of escallops of the second, over all a bendlet vert.

In the north isle is a stone for Mr. Edward Rust, who died July 8, 1748, Æt. 67, whose family hath been in this parish for many ages.

In the east window of the north isle is the arms of

Illey, ermine, two chevronels sable.

On the woodwork of the uppermost stall of this isle is the shield of

Jenny and Buckle quarterly.

Jenney, erm. a bend gul. cottised or, Buckle, sab. a chevron between three buckles lozengy, their tongues upward, or, impaling quarterly, Boys, arg. two coronels, and a canton gules, over all on a bend sab. an annulet or, and Illey as above.

The chancel is separated from the nave by an old screen; it is in length about 26 feet, and in breadth about 15; near the east end on the pavement lies a marble stone with the arms of Eyre, arg. on a chevron sable, three quaterfoils or.

Hic jacet Henricus Eyre Armiger è clarâ Stirpe in Agro Derbiensi oriundus, Juris olim peritissimus, et Insigne Virtutis Exemplar. Sola manet Virtus post funera, dum vivis, hanc ama; Vale, obiit Die Octavo Octob. A^o Dni. 1719, Ætat. 52.

Near to this, is another with the arms of Eyre impaling Bedingfeld.

Here lieth the Body of Mary Eyre Widow, and Relict of Thomas Eyre, of Bury's-Hall Esq; Deceased, one of the Daughters of Sir Henry Bedingfeld late of Beck-Hall Knt. and Bart. she was very Exemplary and eminent for her Piety, Charity and other Virtues, and exchanged this Life for a better the 28 Day of September 1710, Ætat. 67.

On a black marble,

Hic jacet Johannes Eyre Armiger, Herì omnium Deliciæ, hodiè, Luctus et desiderium, Juris Asylum, et priscæ Fidei vivum exemplar, ad cujus privatum Tribunal, dissidentes procul dissiti, Ipsique Sæpè incogniti, certatim provocarunt, cujus Fores, Viduis, Orphanis, Egenis, Calamitosis omnibus patuere semper, Qui non sibi, sed alijs omnibus natus videbatur, Qui pacem cum omnibus semper habuit, Pacem inter omnes conciliavit: super defuncti Tumulum, dicant nunc omnes.

Requiescat in pace.

obijt Anno 1739. Martij 12. Ætatis 62.

Also one with the arms of Bedingfeld impaling two swords in saltier, their points down between four flowers de-lis.

Here lieth the Body of Anthony Bedingfeld, Gent. Son of Thomas Bedingfeld, late of Testerton, Gent. who dyed September 9, 1707, Aged 60 Years.

Adjoining another, with the same impaled coat,

Here lieth the Body of Margaret Bedingfeld Relict of Anthony Bedingfeld late of Testerton Esq; who dyed December 19, 1722, Aged 78. Requiescat in Pace.

1503, February 7, Edmund Miller, alias Mason of Holm-Hale, Gent. being about to go to perform a pilgrimage, he had vowed to Rome, made his will, and made William Palmer, rector here, his executor; but if he went, he returned safe; for he was interred in 1505.