Launditch Hundred: Titleshale

TITLESHALE.

Several towns in England begin with tit, as Titherley in Hampshire; Titeherington in Gloucestershire; with Titbury, Tittlesley in Surry; Tittinanger in Hertfordshire, &c. all which are seated near some stream, or rivulet, called probably Tit.

The principal manor of this town belonged to a Norman, a freeman in the reign of the Confessor, and Ralph Turmit held it under the Lord Bainard at the grand survey; there were 4 carucates of land, 12 villains, 4 borderers, 6 servi, and 10 acres of meadow, also 2 carucates in demean, and 4 carucates amongst the tenants, when Norman was lord; paunage for 100 swine, a mill, 6 animals, or cows, &c. 100 sheep, 40 goats, 4 bees-skeps, and one socman, with 6 acres valued at 70s. and one church endowed with 6 acres valued at 5d. the whole being 9 furlongs long, and half a leuca broad, and paying 5d. gelt. (fn. 1)

William Lord Baynard, grandson to Ralph, being in a rebellion against King Henry I. forfeited this lordship, &c. which was granted to Robert, son of Richard Fitz Gilbert, ancestor of the lords Fitz Walter.

By a fine levied in the 8th year of King John, it appears that this lordship was in the family of De Capra, Chevere, or Cheffre. (fn. 2) Mariota, widow of Nicholas Capra, or Chevere, had then her dower assigned her in this town, and Godwick, by Hamon Capra, her son; Robert Capre was uncle to the said Hamon, as is set forth in the said fine; the said Hamo held also three quarters of a fee in Wydekeso, or Wyksho in Suffolk, of Walter Fitz Robert, and Michael Capre held it, or had some interest herein in the 10th of Richard I.

Of this family was Thomas, son of Silvester Capra, or Cheffre, who gave by deed sans date, to God, St. Mary, and the monks of Sibeton in Suffolk, a meadow in Sycamore, in Balecamp, of the fee of Jeffrey Capre, as William, son of Jeffrey Chevere, lord of Wygeshoe aforesaid, in the 6th of Richard I. when the prior of St. Leonard of Gaines in Essex, demanded a mill of him in Wykeshoe, which priory, or hospital of Gaines, or Ginges, was founded by Michael de Capra and Rose his wife, which family bore a goat salient, as appeas from their seal.

In the 3d of Henry III. Hamo Chevere held the fourth part of a fee of the barony of Bagnard, of Walter Fitz Robert, and Hamo Chevere was fined 60 marks in the 22d of that King for striking the King's servant. (fn. 3)

Hamo, son of Hamo Chevere, in a pleading in the 34th of the said King, acknowledge that Catharine, widow of Hamo, had a right of dower in the capital messuage of the manor of Tytishale.

William Chevere had the grant of a weekly mercate in this town on Wednesday, also of free warren in this town, Godwyk, Wellingham, Wyssingset and Greinston, on September 12. A^o. 51st of Henry III.

Soon after this, William de Sutton was lord, in right (as I conceive) of Isabell his first wife, daughter and heir of William de Chevere, who was living in the 13th of Edward I. and Benedict de Wade, and Robert de Sutton, as trustees, conveyed to the said William and Margery, his second wife, and the heirs of William, on the body of Margery, and for want of such issue, to the right heirs of William, in the 24th of the said King, 16 messuages, a mill, 6 carucates of land, 8 acres of meadow, 16 of pasture, 30 of wood, and one hundred shillings rent per ann. in this town, Godwick, Wyssenset, &c. also 2 messuages, 100 acres of land, 4 of meadow, 8 of pasture, 10 of wood, and 40s. rent in Great Fordham in Essex; she was daughter and heir of Sir Richard Battail of Wyvenho in Essex, and Catherine his wife, daughter and heir of Sir Andrew le Blund of Tendering in Suffolk.

Sir John Sutton was his son and heir, who married Margery, daughter and coheir of Sir John de Whelnetham in Suffolk, who first married Sir John de Brokesbourn; secondly, John de Cockfield, Esq. and thirdly Sir John Sutton, who in her right presented to the church of Rockland Tofts in Norfolk, in 1358, called Sir John Sutton of Wivenho in Essex, to which Sir John de Brokesburne had presented in 1341.

Sir John de Sutton died before the 8th of Richard II. when it appears that Margery his widow was living, and left Sir John Sutton his son and heir, who married Alice, relict of Sir Andrew de Bures, daughter and heir of Sir John de Royden of Overbury-Hall in Leyham, in Suffolk. Also (in an old writing that I have seen) he married a daughter of Sir Mich. Poynings on the death of Alice, who was living in the 49th year of Edward III. Sir John Sutton died in the 17th of Richard II and left a daughter and heir, Margery, who was married to John Walton, Esq. whose heiress general, Joan Wolton, was married to Sir John Howard, ancestors of the Dukes of Norfolk.

On the death of this Sir John, Sir Richard de Sutton was found to be his brother and hen, aged 60 A^o. 17 of Richard II. on Friday after the feast of the Virgin Mary, then last past, seized of a moiety of Old-Hall manor in Bergholt, and Melding manor.

Sir John de Sutton (son of William abovementioned) of Wyvenho, had the hundred of Angre in Essex granted to him in the 13th of Edward III. by Sir John de Riparijs, (Rivers,) son of Sir John; and in the 17th of that King, Sir John de Sutton and Margaret his wife had lands in Bradfield, Essex, granted to them and their heirs male, and entailed by Rob. son of Sir Jn. de Brokesburn; and in the said year Griffin de Sutton, parson of Tendering in Essex, confirmed to this Sir John and Richard de Sutton his son, and his heirs, the third part of the manor of Okeley Parva in Essex, which Alice, daughter of Sir John Fittol, held of him for life, remainder to John de Sutton, and his heirs; dated at Elmsted in the said county, on Monday next after the feast of the purification.

Margery, wife of Sir John de Sutton, sen. abovementioned, was buried in the church of Wivenho, with this epitaph,

Margery de Sutton, gist icy, Dieu de sa alme eiyt mercy, - - - - - - - - S alme priera XL Jours de pardon avera.

In the 36th of Edward III. Sir John de Sutton (son of Sir John de Sutton) and Alice his wife sell to Sir Richard Sutton, (his brother,) Sir William Baud, &c. Overbury-Hall manor and chapel in Reydon, in Suffolk, which descended to Alice after the death of Hawysia de Wykham, widow of Sir John de Reydon, mother of Alice.

In the 39th of the said King, William Wing feld, &c. released to John de Rokewood, and Alice, wife of Sir John de Sutton, all their right in the manor of Merks in Reydon, lately granted them by Sir John de Sutton, jun. and in the said year Simon Sudbury Bishop of London granted to all who would pray for the soul of Sir John de Whelnetham, Knt. deceased, and say the Lord's Prayer, and the angelick salutation, whose body was buried in the church of Whelnetham Magna in Suffolk, and for the souls of the Lady Alice, late his wife, of Sir John de Brokesbourn, Knt. John de Cockfeld, Esq. James de Sutton, and the Lady Maud de Sutton deceased, whose bodies lie in the chapel of the blessed Virgin, in the conventual church of Wykes Nunnery, in Essex, should have 40 days of pardon, dated at Claketon, 16th of the Kalends of September.

In the 43d of Edward III. Sir John Sutton, sen. and Sir John Sutton, jun. were both living, and in the 46th of the said King, Margery, widow of Sir John de Sutton, sen. daughter and coheir of Sir John de Whelnetham, and John de Bures, son and heir of Mary, formerly wife of Michael de Bures, and sister of Margery, made partition of the manor of Whelnetham Magna, and the advowson, with Amicia Sehalers, widow of Sir Thomas de Schalers, another sister and coheir, as I take it.

Sir Richard de Sutton married Alianore, and left an only daughter and heir, Joan, who married first Sir Robert de Bures, son and heir of Andrew de Bures, and on his death, remarried Richard de Waldgrave; by Sir Robert she left a daughter and heir, Alice, who married Sir Guy de Bryan, son and heir of Sir Guy de Bryan, (as it is said,) but rather of Sir Edmund de Bryan, &c.

In the church of Acton in Suffolk, of which the Bures were lords, lie buried Andrew de Bures aforesaid, who died April 12, 1360, and bore ermin on a chief indented sable, 2 lions rampant, argent; and Sir Robert de Bures his son, who died October 7, 1361.

Also a gravestone with the arms of Bryan, (impaling Bures,) or, three piles in point azure, with a label of three:

"Under this stone lyeth buried Alys de Bryan, daughter and heir of Robert de Bures, Kt. and wife to Sir Edmund de Bryan, the younger, knight."

In the said church were also the arms of Royden, checque, argent, and gules, a cross azure, and that of Poynings, barry of six, or and vert, a bend over all, gules, on grave-stones.

Sir William de Sutton bore, as appears from his seal, or, a chevron, gules, on a chief azure, three mullets pierced, of the first, which said arms was also born by Sir Hamon Sutton, whose daughter and heir Joan was married to Sir John Peyton of Isleham in Cambridgeshire.

I have been the more particular in the history of this family, as Sir Richard de Sutton abovementioned was the last heir male of the eldest branch of it, though it does not appear that he had any interest in this manor, which came to the Waltons by the marriage of Margery, daughter and heir of Sir John Sutton, (elder brother of Sir Richard,) to John Walton, Esq.

Joan, daughter and heir of Sir Richard Walton, (though as some records say, sister and heir, brought it by marriage to Sir John Howard, (alias John Howard, Esq.) son and heir of Sir John Howard, by Margaret his first wife, daughter and heir of Sir John Plaiz, who dying before his father in 1404, the said Joan remarried Sir Thomas Erpingham, and left at her death in 1424, Elizabeth, a daughter and heir, by Howard, who in 1428, was married to John Vere Earl of Oxford, and she being his widow, held it in the first of Edward IV. and on the death of John Vere Earl of Oxford in 1526, without issue, it came to his three sisters and coheirs; Elizabeth, married to Anthony Wingfeld; Dorothy, to John Nevill Lord Latimer, and Ursula to Sir Edward Knightly, which Ursula having no issue, this lordship was held by the Wingfelds and Lord Latimer.

Sir Robert Wingfeld had livery of a moiety of it in the 1st of Elizabeth, in which reign the other moiety was held by the Lord Latimer, who dying in 1577, his moiety came to his four daughters and coheirs; Catherine, married to Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland; Dorothy, to Thomas Cecil Earl of Exeter; Lucy, to Sir William Cornwaleis, and Elizabeth to Sir John Danvers.

In the 29th of Elizabeth, Edward Coke, Esq. was lord, and in his family it still remains, the Right Honourable the Earl of Leicester died lord in 1759.

In the 3d of Henry III. Ralph de Rothinge held also in this town, and Wellingham half a fee of the Lord Fitz Walter, of the barony of Baynard, and William de Rothing claimed a right in the weekly mercate on Wednesday, and in the fair which was on the vigil, the day, and day after St. Margaret, as appears from a pleading in the 14th of Edward I.

Earl Warren's Fee.

In King Edward's time 5 freemen held one carucate of land, which Wimer (lord of Gressenhale) held at the survey under the Earl Warren: there belonged to it 7 borderers with 6 acres of meadow, 3 carucates and an half of land, paunage for 40 swine, and a fishery valued at 40s. but at the survey at 30s. this was by an exchange of lands at Lewis in Sussex; and the soc was in the King's manor of Mileham.

The family of De Virley held this under Wimerus, probably; and Philip de Virley was found, in the 3d of Henry III. to hold half a fee of Richard Foliot, a descendant of Wimerus, and Foliot of the Earl Warren.

Robert de Verli was lord and patron of the church in the 12th of that King, and Rob. de Verley claimed the assise of his tenants in the 3d of Edward I. Sir Philip de Verley granted in the 31st of the said King, to Sir Richard de Ely, rector of Tittleshale, and William de Patesle this manor, with the wards, heriots, &c. and the advowson of the church; witnesses, John Fitz-Gilbert, John Lestrange, Peter Bozun, John de Illington, John de Bittering, Thomas de Sutton, Hamon de Caley, &c.

This was in trust, for in the following year they reconveyed it to Sir Philip and Julian his wife.

This Sir Philip writes himself in some of his deeds, de Totleshunt, a town in Essex, where he seems to have had his residence; and in a deed, dated ao. 6 Edward II. grants to Robert, son of John Prick, of Fresing field in Suffolk, the advowson of this church, with an half acre of land.

In the said year, Sir Philip and Julian his wife, settled this lordship (excepting the advowson and the half acre of land aforesaid, which I presume was the churchyard) on Ralph de Bagthorp and Isabel his wife, and the heirs of Isabel, in tail, who was one of his daughters and coheirs, as it seems.

By another deed afterwards, he revokes his prior deed of the advowson, and grants it to Symon Prick his grandson, which Symon in the 7th of Edward III. conveyed it to Robert, son of Henry Bole of Euston, and Bole to Sir John de Norwood, parson of Ikelingham, and William his nephew, Robert Prick releasing and levying a fine thereof, in the 8th of the said King, and William also releasing; Sir John conveyed it to Roger de Wortham, parson of Tittleshale, and Peter Leche, rector, of the 3d part of Wellingham, by deed, dated in the 16th of Edward III.

After this, Peter releasing to Roger, he conveyed it to Sir Roger de Caston, parson of Regnham, William de Witchingham, John de Berney, Adam de Sheringham, and Henry Berney, who, in the 34th of the said King, had the license of Thomas Bishop of Norwich, and Sir Hugh de Hastings, Knt. chief lord of the fee, in pursuance of the statute of mortmain, to grant it to the prior and convent of Walsingham, with the license also of the Duke of Lancaster.

It seems that John de Norwode aforesaid, had King Edward's license to settle it on the master and scholars of St. Michael's-house in Cambridge, which being cancelled, the King, in his 33d year, granted license to convey it to the prior, &c. which was accordingly done in his 40th year, Robert Kemp being the attorney of Sir Roger de Caston, William de Witchingham, John de Berney, &c. to deliver seisin, and Roger de Worthing, the prior's attorney, to take it.

The advowson was thus separated from the manor, which appears to be in the Bagthorps, in the 20th of Edward III.

Isabel de Bagthorp was found to hold it by half a fee of Sir Hugh de Hastings, and he of the Earl Warren.

Coxford Priory Manor.

In the 9th year of King John, Hamo, the capellane, or chaplain, granted by fine, to Herebert, prior of Rudham, (that is to Coxford priory, being in Rudham parish,) 48 acres in Titleshale.

William de Rothing gave lands to it in the 17th of Edward I.

In the 3d of Henry IV. the prior of Coxford held half a fee of Sir Edward Hastings, lord of Gressenhale, and he of the King, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster; and in 1428, their temporalities were valued in this town, at 3l. 6s. 10d. ob.

In the 7th of Henry VIII. the prior had 60 acres of pasture lying in Pike-Hall pasture, and New-Hall pasture, with common and shack thereto belonging, all demised to Henry Farmer, Gent. of East Barsham.

At the Dissolution it was granted to Tho. Duke of Norfolk, by the King, on May 9, ao. 29 Henry VIII.

On the 14th of July, in the 9th of Elizabeth, Thomas Duke of Norfolk, demised to Humph. Bedingfeld of Quidenham, Esq. for 1000 years this lordship, with messuages, lands, &c. in Mileham, Wyssingset, Wellingham, and Litcham, part of the possessions of this priory; Bedingfeld sold it to William Yelverton, senior, Esq. about the 30th of the said Queen.

On the 22d of September, ao. 17th of Elizabeth, concealed lands in this town, Wyssingset, East Barsham, Tattersete, and Barmere, with tenements held by Robert Bozoun, belonging to this priory, were granted to John Herbert and Andrew Palmer.

New-Hall.

Edmund le Blund, and Elizabeth his wife, granted by fine, in the 36th of Edward III. to Robert Potter of Stratton, and Claricia his wife, the 4th part of the manor of Newhall.

John Bocking, in right of Cecilia his wife, daughter and coheir of William de Nerburgh, died seized of it in the 17th of Edward IV.

In the 35th of Henry VIII. Richard Bocking was found to hold the manor of Newhalle in Titleshale, of Catherine Hastings, widow, of the honour of Gressenhale, and of the dutchy of Lancaster.

John Heydon, Esq. son and heir of George Heydon, Esq. and Catherine his wife, kept his first court on July 20, in the 5th of Edward VI. which Catherine was daughter and heir of Richard Bocking.

Caley's and Greynston's Manor.

Simon de Greinston and Hamon Thornkyn, held one fee in this town, of Richard de Spalding, in the 3d of Henry III. and Richard (as is said) of the Earl of Gloucester.

In the 35th of Henry III. Reiner de Counte had free warren and a mercate, at Greinston, by which it appears that there was then a town or hamlet also of that name.

Peter de Caley and Margaret his wife, conveyed by fine lands here, to Richard, son of Ralph de Weseham, in the 52d of that King; and in the following year, the said Peter, &c. grant Hamo le Moyne, and Margery his wife, in tail, 40 acres of land, 3 of wood, and 8s. rent.

In the 15th of Edward I. John de Greynston claimed free warren in this lordship. In the 21st of the said King, Nicholas de Trowes, and Joan his wife, conveyed by fine to Hamon de Redenhale, and Camilla his wife, the 3d part of 15 messuages, a mill, 6 acres of meadow, 24 of pasture, 30 of wood, and 6l. rent in Titleshale, Greynston, Godwick, Wyssingset, and Pattesley, settled on Camilla.

In the 35th of that King, Roger de Greynston settled by fine, on John de Greynston of Titleshale, lands here.

Robert de Greynston and Ralph Caley held, in 20th of Edward III. one fee of the heirs of Gregory de Spalding, and he of the Earl of Gloucester, and the Earl of the King, which Simon de Greynston and Hamon Thornkyn formerly held; and Ralph Boteler held it in the 3d of Henry IV.

William Wayte of Titleshale seems to have some interest herein, and confirmed in the 5th of Henry V. to William Sterling, of this town, Walter Sterling of Bradenham, and Thomas Sterling of Tudenham, land butting on Greynston-Hall; and about the same time, Robert de Greynston and Ralph Caly are said to hold one fee of the heirs of Gregory de Spalding, and he of the Earl of Gloucester.

In the 16th of Henry VI. Walter Dorward, citizen of London and mercer, with Joan his wife, John Aggys, of Norwich, notary, and Thomas Stathe, chaplain, grant by deed, dated January 15, 36th Henry VI. to William Bozoun of Wyssingset, Esq. Gregory Gybon, Esq. and Thomas Daniel of Walsoken, the manor of Greynston and Caley's, with 40 acres of land called Yarleshaaugh in Titleshale, which they had with Nicholas Derman, clerk, from John Botiler, Gent. of Norwich, and Alice his wife, by deed, dated May 6, in the 29th of that King.

By another deed of the same date, it appears that John Gerrard, citizen of Norwich and Margaret his wife, had an interest therein.

In the 14th of Edward IV. I find here a street, called Greynston street.

By the escheat rolls, in the 12th of Henry VII. William Wayte was found to die seized of the manor of Caley's, alias Greynston's; and in the following year, the manor of Greynston was found to be held by William Wayte, of the heirs of Jeffrey Spalding, by fealty, and the service of 2d. per ann.

William Wayte of Tilleshale, Gent. son and heir of William, released to Sir Henry Farmour, Knt. William Farmour his son, and William Yelverton, jun. Esq. all his right in 77 acres of land, late his father's, whereof 25 lay in New-hall pasture, and 43 in Eastfield in this town, by deed, dated February 21, ao. 25 Henry VIII.

Sir William Farmour, Knt. of East-Barsham, sold to Henry Wayte of Titleshale, Gent. and Robert Davy of Stanfield, yeoman, 100 acres of land in the fieldcourse or sheep pasture of Titleshale or Mileham, belonging to the Earl of Arundel's manor of Mileham, with the liberty of two fold-courses thereto belonging, in the 7th of Edward VI.

In the 30th of Elizabeth, Henry Wayte, Gent. was lord, and had a prœcipe to deliver to Thomas Scarlet, Gent. and Anthony Cocket, Gent. the manors of Greynston and Caleys, with messuages in this village, Mileham, Lytcham, Godwicke, Stanfield and Wissingset.

In the 37th of Elizabeth, Edward Coke, Esq. was lord of Greynston and Caleys, and so being united to the capital manor, was possessed by the Earl of Leicester at his death, in 1759.

Peak-Hall.

This was part of the Earl of Richmond's manor of Horningtoft, as I take it, and extended here.

Sir Robert, son of Sir Peter de Tye, Knt. was lord of this manor of Titleshale, and Lanwader in Weston, in Einford hundred, in the 49th of Edward III. and then enfeoffed Sir William de Kirdeston, Sir John de Mauteby, Sir Tho. de Bradwell, knights, herein, who granted to Sir Robert a lease of the same for 10 years, at 10 marks per ann. and died in or about the 6th of Richard II. in which year he made his will.

In the 3d of Henry IV. John Tye held half a fee here; but in the 6th of Henry VI. John Berney, John Lynford, and William Graner, by deed, dated April 10, enfeoffed Sir John Fastolf, Knt. Sir Henry Inglose, Knt. William Paston of Paston, John Fastolf of Yarmouth, Esq. and John Kyrtling, clerk, in the manor of Peak-hall, in Titleshale, Godwick, Wyssingset, Pattesley, Reynham, and Wellingham, formerly Sir Robert Tye's, Knt.

Sir John Fastolf, Knt. by his deed, dated April 20, in the same year granted an annuity of 20 marks per ann. for ever, to Berney, Lynford, and Graner, on condition that as long as the said Sir John and his heirs, after feoffment made by Richard Bozoun of Wyssingset, of his manor of Castre-Bozouns, in Castre, should enjoy the said manor of Castre, and not be ejected, it should cease, but if they shall be ejected out of the said manor, then the annuity to be levied.

In the 14th of Henry VI. the jury, on the death of John Beaufort Duke of Bedford, and lord of the honour, or Earl of Richmond, present that Richard Bozoun of Wyssingset, Esq. held in this town and Wyssingset, &c. a knight's fee of the said honour.

In the said year Richard Bozoun, and Richard Barret of Hecham, enfeoffed, June 18, Sir John Curson, Knt. John Champneys, parson of Welbourn, and John Rycheman, clerk, and their heirs, herein, which they had of the feoffment of Sir John Fastolf, Sir Henry Inglose, &c.

Richard Bozoun is said, by the escheat rolls, in the 35th of that King, to die seized of it; so that it is plain he had still some portion or interest in it.

In the 2d of Edward IV. April 24, Sir John Curson confirmed to Thomas Grey, Esq. of the body to that King, Walter Gorges, John Twyre, William Yelverton, Esq. Thomas Danyel of Walsoken, Thomas Gryce, Gregory Guybon, &c. this manor, with its villains, &c.

By an indenture, bearing date July 22, in the 26th of Henry VIII. between Sir William Paston on one part, and John Bozun, Esq. son and heir of John Bozun, Esq. late of Wyssingset, cousin and heir of Richard Bozun, of the other part, the said John sells to Sir William and his heirs, all his right in the manor of Peak Hall, and the manor of Bozun's in Castre.

The tenths were 5l. 4s. Deducted 1l.

The Church is dedicated to St. Mary. The ancient valor was 10 marks.—Simon Bishop of Norwich confirmed in 1265, to the priory of Castleacre, two parts of the tithes of the demeans of Robert de Verly, and a pension of 46s. 8d. was paid for the same annually, by the rector. Peter-pence, 10d. The present valor is 9l. 12s. 7d.

In 1300, Henry le Parser held it by sequestration.

Rectors.

1302, Simon le Parker, rector, presented by Sir Philip de Verli.

1303, Mr. Richard de Ely, by ditto.

1328, Mr. Richard de Ely, by Robert Prykke.

1332, Robert Prikke of Fressingfeld, by Ralph, rector of Thornton Pilcock, and Richard, rector of Euston.

1340, Roger de Wartham, by John de Norwode, rector of Iklingham All-Saints, called also Roger Peche.

1350, Roger de Wortham, by Richard Rokely, Simon, late rector of Babingle, Richard, rector of Oxwyk, and Roger Stalion.

1360, Jeffrey de Denham, by Roger de Caston, William Wychingham, John Berney, Adam de Sheringham, and Henry de Berney.

1394, John de Hertford, canon of Walsingham, by the prior and convent of Walsingham.

1400, Richard Goode. Ditto.

James Cole, rector.

1420, James Cole, junior. Ditto.

1463, Clement Argent. Ditto.

1464, Richard Orme. Ditto.

1482, Edmund Geffreys. Ditto.

Henry Manser occurs rector in 1543, died in 1558.

In the 3d of Philip and Mary, the advowson of this church, on December 22, (lately in the priory of Walsingham) was granted to Edmund Beaupre, Esq.

George Leeds, rector, buried in 1573, William Herrin, rector, buried May 29, 1609.

1609, Robert Gould, rector.

1612, Samuel Leeds compounded for his first fruits, May 23, presented by Sir Edward Coke.

John Franklyn, rector, buried, 1678.

1679, Nathaniel Ducket, rector.

1721, Luke Budworth, by Thomas Coke, Esq.

1739, Thomas Groom, on the death of Thomas Donne, by the Lord Lovell.

1742, William Hoste, (the present rector,) on the death of Groom, by ditto.

The chancel and church are covered with lead, being a single pile with a square tower and 4 bells, and a dormitory on the north side, for the family of the Cokes.

A gravestone in the chancel for

Abigail, wife of Thomas Halet of Godwick, daughter of Christopher Bedingfield, Fsq; and Lucy his wife, late of Wighton, who died October 16, 1727, aged 52.

In the chancel against the north wall is a marble monument raised altarwise, with the arms of Coke, per pale, azure and gules, three eaglets displayed, argent impaling quarterly, ermin and azure, a cross, or, Osborn.

Here lyeth the body of Robert Coke of Holkham, Esq; son of Richard Coke and Mary, daughter of Sir John Rous of Hanham-Hall in the county of Suffolk, bart. great grandchild of Sir Edward Coke sometime lord chief justice of the King's Bench, by Henry his 5th son. This Robert married the Right Honourable the lady Anne, daughter of Thomas, earl of Danby lord high treasurer of England, by the Lady Bridget his wife, daughter of Montague, earl of Lindsey, lord great chamberlain of England, by whom he had issue Elizabeth, a daughter, who died in her infancy, as also Edward, his only son now living: he departed this life the 16 of January, 1678/9, in the 29 year of his age, which said Lady Ann has caused this monument to be erected as a mark of her entire love and affection to the memory of her dear husband.

Against the said north wall is a curious monument of marble, and in an alcove the effigies of a woman on her knees before a desk; under her 6 sons and 2 daughters, on their knees.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou surmountest them all. Bridget. daughter and one of the heirs of John Paston, Esq. first wife of Edward Coke, Esq attorney general, had issue by him, Edward, Robert, Arthur, John, Henry, Clement, Anne and Bridget: she deceased the 27 of June, Ao. Dni. 1598.

On the summit it is decorated with a great shield, viz. Coke quartering in the 2d quarter, argent, a chevron, azure, between three chaplets, gules, Crispin; in the 3d, sable, a chevron, argent, between three covered cups, or, Folkard; in the 4th quarter, gules, a griffin segreant, and crusily of cross crosslets, fitchè, or, Pawe; impaling Paston, argent, five de lis, azure, 3, 2, and 1, a chief indented, or with his quarterings, viz. first, Peche, argent, a fess, between two chevronels, gules; 2d, Leach, ermin, on a chief indented, gules, three ducal coronets, or; 3d, Somerton, or, on a chief between three lions heads erased, gules 5 bezants; 4th, argent, on a chevron, gules, three de lis of the first, Peper; 6th, Walcot, azure, an escotheon and orle, of martlets, or; 7th, Berry, argent, a chevron, between three bears heads couped, sable, muzzled, or, 8th, Craven, argent, a fess between six cross crosslets, fitchèe, gules; 9th, gules, a saltire ingrailed, argent, Kerdeston, 10th, Wachesham, argent, a fess, and in chief, three crescents, gules, 11th, ermin, on a chief, gules, five lozenges, ermin, Charles; 12th, Hetherset, azure, a leopard guardant, or, spotted, ermin; 13th, Tatsall, checque, or and gules, a chief, ermin; 14th, Hengrave, argent, a chief indented, gules; 15th, Baynard, sable, a fess, between two chevronels, or; 16th, azure a cross, or, Mauteby; and in the 17th, azure, a cross, flurt, or, over all, a bend, gules.

On the dexter side of this shield stands a shield with the arms of Coke, and on the sinister side the arms of Paston.

At the east end of the said north wall is a beautiful and sumptuous altar monument, on which lies the effigies of Sir Edward Coke, in white marble, as a judge in his robes, under an arch supported by 2 black marble pillars; on the summit is this shield, Coke quartering first, Crispin, 2d, Felmingham, 3d, azure, a cross between twelve billets, or, Sparham; 4th, gules, a lion rampant, ermin, Narford; 5th, Brecknock, or Yarmouth, argent, a chevron, between three lions gambs erect, sable;—6th, Knightlye, quarterly, in the first and 4th, ermine, in 2d and 3d, paly of 6, or and gules, in a bordure, azure, and in the 7th Pawe; also the figures of the 4 cardinal virtues, Prudence Justice, Patience and Fortitude. Motto, Prudens qui patiens.

Deo Optimo, Maximo.

Hœ exuviœ humanœ expectant resurrectionem piorum, hic situs est non perituri nominis Edvardus Coke, eques auratus, legum anima interpres oraculum non dubium, promicondus mysteriorum, cujus fere unius beneficio jurispiriti nostri sunt jurispiriti. Eloquentiœ flumen, torrens fulmen suadœ sacerdos unicus. Divinis heros, pro rostris ita dixit, ut liberis insudasse crederes, non nisi humanis; ita vixit, ut non nisi divinis. Sacerrimus intimœ pietatis indigator. Integritas ipsa, verœ semper causœ constantissimus assertor, nec favore, nec muneribus violandus. Eximie misericors. Charior erat huic reus quam sibi (miraculi instar est) siccoculus sœpe audijt sententiam in se prolatam nunquam hic nisi madidoculus protulit.—Scientiœ oceanus, quiq; dum vixit bibliotheca viva, mortuus dici meruit bibliothecœ parens. Duodecim liberorum, tredecim librorum pater. Facessant hic monumenta, facessant marmora (nisi quod pios fuisse denotarint posteros) Ipse sibi suum est monumentum marmore perennius, ipse sibi sua est œternitas.

"DEDICATED to the memory of Sir Edward Coke, knight a late reverend judge, born at Mileham in this county of Norfolk, excellent in all learning, divine and humane, that for his own, this for his country's good, especially in the knowledge and practice of the municipal laws of this kingdom. A famous pleader, a sound counsellour; in his younger years recorder of the cities of Norwich and London, next solicitor general to Queen Elizabeth, and speaker of the parliament in the 35 year of her reign, afterwards attourney general to the same queen, as also to her successor King James; to both a faithful servant for their majesties safetyes. By King James constituted chief justice of both benches successively, in both a just, in both an exemplary judge. One of his majesty's most honourable privy council as also of council to Queen Anne, and chief justice in Eyre of her torests, chaces, and parks. Recorder of the city of Coventry, and high steward of the university of Cambridge, whereof he was sometime a member in Trimty College: he had 2 wives; by Bridget his first wife, (one of the daughters and coheirs of John Paston, Esq;) he had issue 6 sons, and 3 daughters, and by the Lady Elizabeth his second wife, (one of the daughters of the Right Honourable Thomas, earl of Exeter,) he had issue 2 daughters, a chast husband and a provident father"

Between this inscription and the remaining part of the epitaph, are three shields of arms, Coke impaling a quartered shield, in the first, Crispin; 2d, is obscure; in the 3d, Folkard; in the 4th, sable, a chevron, guttee de sang between three cinquefoils, ermin, Woodhouse, and in the 5th, Knightley.

He crowned his pious life with a pious and Christian departure, at Stoke Poges in the county of Bucks, on Wednesday the 3d day of September, Ao. Dni. 1634, and of his age 83. His last words, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done."

Learn reader to live so, that thou may so die.

Mr. John Hargrave, a famous statuary, is said to have made this elegant statue of Sir Edward, and Mr. Nicholas Stone, master mason, to have erected the monument with its embellishments, which cost 400l.

A gravestone by the communion table,

In memory of Nathaniel Ducket, rector of this parish 41 years, who died October 28, 1721, aged 73; and of Lydia Ducket, widow, who died June 21, 1683, aged 68.

On a mural monument by the pulpit, is the shield of Coke, with his quarterings; first, Crispin; 2d, Knightley; 3d, azure, a bull's head, cabosed, or; 4th, 5 covered cups in saltire; 5th, Pawe; 6th, argent, on a saltire, sable, five swans of the first, Burgh; 7th, argent, a lion rampant in a bordure ingrailed, sable;

Winefrede, daughter of William Knightley, Esq. by Robert Coke, Esq. her first husband, had issue, Edward, Winefrede, Dorothy, Elizabeth, Anne, Ursula, Margaret and Andrew; and by her second husband, Robert Bosanne, Esq. had issue, John, and was buried January 16, in the 11th year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Ao. Dni. 1569.