Walsham Hundred: Hemlington

HEMLINGTON.

Six socmen of Gert were at the Conquest deprived of 30 acres of land, 2 acres of meadow, with 2 carucates, in this town, there were also 2 socmen, one of them belonged to the soc of the hundred, who held half a carucate of land, and a borderer with 6 acres of meadow, who had under them 7 socmen, with 20 acres of land, and one of meadow, and there was one carucate and an half among them all; it was one leuca long, and half a leuca broad, and paid 16d. gelt. (fn. 1)

This lordship was in the Crown at the survey, and Godric took care of it; and was granted to the family of Le Botiler, and from them came to the Botetourts, as in South Walsham, and Upton.

William de Rothing and Joan his wife claimed view of frankpledge, &c. in the 15th of Edward I.

Henry de Cat and Margery his wife had an interest herein, in the 35th of the said King, and Henry Cat, and Jeffrey Atte Fenne were returned to be lords in the 9th of Edward II. after this John Fastolf and Margery his wife.

The principal manor belonged to the see of Norwich; at the survey William Beaufoe Bishop of Thetford held it in his own right, as a lay fee, 60 acres of land; of which 2 freemen (of Ralph Stalre were deprived) with the soc and sac; of one of these Almar Bishop of Elmham had the commendation, or protection only, of this Beaufoe had the soc, &c. and Ralph, the Earl had the other, valued at 2s.

Bishop Beaufoe in right of his see had also 21 socmen, with 140 acres of land, 8 acres of meadow, and 3 carucates and a half, &c. this was valued in his principal lordship of Blowfield: in this town, there were also 60 acres of demean land. (fn. 2)

Bishop Beaufoe gave this to his see at his death, and Bishop Herbert settled it on the priory, with the advowson of the church.

The ancient family of the Castons held a considerable part of these fees. of the see of Norwich, of whom see in Blofield, Bradeston, &c. and after came to the Berneys of Reedham; the Lords Bardolf had also an interest herein, in the 15th of Edward I. William Bardolf, claimed the assise, frank pledge, &c.

Sir Thomas Berney died lord in 1389, and his descendant, Henry Berney, Esq. in 1584.

The tenths were 2l. The temporalities of St. Faith's priory 18d. Of Weybridge 5s.

The Church was a rectory dedicated to All-Saints, and formerly in the patronage of the Bishops of Norwich, but was appropriated to the prior and convent of Norwich, for the prior's table, by Walter Suffield Bishop in 1248, and was valued together with the vicarage at 5l.—Peter-pence 12d.—Carvage 2d. ob.

Vicars.

In 1304, Thomas de Langele, instituted vicar, presented by the prior &c. of Norwich.

1307, Richard de Boton. Ditto.

1324, And. de Bedingham. Ditto.

1349, Edmund Barker. Ditto.

1367, Thomas Gilbert. Ditto.

1395, John Malpas. Ditto.

1395, Edmund Heryng. Ditto.

1397, Robert Gernon. Ditto.

1401, Sim. Annable. Ditto.

1402, Robert Body. Ditto.

It has for many years been served with a stipendiary curate, nominated by the dean and chapter, who have the appropriated rectory.

In the church were the lights of All-Saints, St. Mary, Holy Cross, St. Catherine, and St. Margaret.