City of Norwich, chapter 42: West Wimer ward

WIMER'S GREAT WARD

Takes its name from Wimer, (fn. 16) who lived at the time of the Conqueror's survey; this ward is subdivided into three small wards, called West, Middle, and East Wimer wards, the whole extending by the south side of the river, quite through the city from Bishop's-gate in the east, to St. Benedict and Heyham in the West, and first of

West Wimer ward,

Which contains, besides part of Erlham and Heygham, without the walls, the parishes of St. Benedict, St. Swithin, St. Margaret, St. Laurence, and St. Gregory, within the walls,

(81) The church of St. Benedict, or Bennet,

Stands near the most western part of the city, and is an ancient small building; the steeple is round at bottom, and octagonal at top, and hath three bells, the nave, south porch, north isle, and vestry, are leaded, the chancel, and north porch are tiled.

In the nave on a brass plate:

Orate pro anima Johannis Ker.

Pray for the Soule of Thomas Whes, on howys Soule Jesu habe Mercy,

Here under resteth the Body of Peter Vertegans Gardyner, who dyed the 24 March A°. D. 1633.

Orate pro anima Willi: Calle qui obiit primo die Aprilis A^o. Dni. M. cccc. biii^o cuius anime propicietur Deus.

Dorothy Wife of Tho. Houghecroft, Nov. 18, 1690. Tho. Houghecroft 1706. Martha Wife of Tho. Houghecroft 1730.

In the chancel,
Tho. Powell 1683, 77. Sarah his Wife 1689, 78. John Yallop 1695. Eliz. his Wife 1696.

In the north isle,

(fn. 1) Orate pro anima Ricardi Herby cuius anime propicietur deus Amen.

Orate pro anima Andre Walssh ruius Ic.

Eliz. Wife of John Hyndes 1696, 76. John Hyndes 1699, 77. Jeremye Gooch Gent. 1617. Barbara wife of Nat. Durrant 1684, 39. Also Anne another wife 1702, 45. Nat. Durrant 1706, 63.

In the south porch,
Sarah wife of George Bayfield, 23 Mar. 1719, 63. Death is a Market, &c. as at p. 140.

George Bayfield 23 March 1719, 63.

Remember me as you pass by, For as you are, so once was I, But now I am return'd to Dust, In hopes to rise among the Just.

In 1475, Rob. Herman was buried in the church, and gave a new cope and 10 marks.

† 1502, Ric. Harvey, buried in the north isle. 1504, Margt. his wife buried by him, and gave 40s. and a silver censer; she had formerly been wife of John Stalon.

1506, Ric. Hill Rafeman, gave a suit of vestments.

This part of the city is called Westwic, for its standing on the western wic or winding of the river; and the parts next the river are said to be in Nether or Lower Westwic, as those which are most remote from it, are in Over or Upper Westwic.

The advowson of this rectory was given to the priory of Bukenham in Norfolk, (fn. 2) about 1160, by Tho. de Sancto Egidio, (fn. 3) (or St. Giles,) chaplain, together with two acres of ground joining to the west side of the churchyard, with his messuage thereon built, between the churchyard east, and Bennet-gates west, and also many rents that were annually paid to it; on the east part of this messuage, was the parsonage-house and garden, (fn. 4) which stood at the very north-east corner of the churchyard; the east part looking into the churchyard, and the north side into the great street; this house, together with all the revenues of the priory, came into the King's hands at the Dissolution, and were after granted to Ralf Sadler and others, except the impropriation and advowson of the church, which was purchased by the parishioners, the majority of whom elect their parish chaplain or minister at this day; it being a donative in their hands.

It was appropriated soon after it was given to the priory, and was valued at 5l. The priory repaired the chancel, as the parishioners do now: it is served once a fortnight. Dr. Prideaux says, the whole is voluntary contribution, and in his time was 8l. and is now estimated at about 10l. per annum.

It was anciently taxed at one mark, and paid 3d. synodals, and the Abbot of Holm, Prior of Norwich, and Prioress of Carrow had rents here.

Parish Chaplains.

1405, Sir John Pokeman, buried here.

1492, Sir Will. Norwich.

1526, Sir Rich. Norfolk.

1533, Will. Morrison.

1562, John Lowe.

1610, Rich Gammon.

1628, Mr. Ward.

1636, Laur. Townly.

1641, Mat. Stonham.

1668, Sam. Stinnet.

1674, Ben. Penning.

1684, Joseph Ellis.

1696, Edw. Reveley.

1730, Gilbert Bennet.

1734, James Taylor.

1735, Robert Camell, LL. D.

1735, Robert Clipwell.

1736, the Rev. Mr. Rich. Tapps, the present minister.

It is augmented by lot, but no purchase is yet made. There is service and a sermon once in a fortnight only.

Here was an alms-house given very anciently by Hugh Garesoun or Garzon. (fn. 5) And within the walls on the south side of

Westwick or St. Bennet's-gates, was an old hermitage; and without a

Leper-house, which continued as long as the other leper-house did, as a sick-house or hospital for the poor. In James the First's time Leonard Wright was keeper of St. Bennet's hospital.

In 1594, William Edwardes was master, governour, or proctor, of the hospital or poor-house, called St. Bennet's in Norwich, and used the ancient seal of the hospital, which is oblong, having the effigies of St. Bennet standing at the entrance of a church door, which shows it was dedicated to him.

There is an orchard on the west side of the churchyard, which formerly belonged to the parish, who conveyed it to Mr. Codd, who gave it to St. Giles's hospital, of which it is holden by lease at this time.

In 1484, William King was buried in the church, and made and glazed a new window in the north isle; he gave his tenements and gardens to the church, for the church-wardens, to have placebo and dirige said yearly, on Sunday after the Circumcision between 5 and 6 o'clock in the afternoon; and the Monday following, mass of requiem, for his own soul, and the souls of Joan his wife, and all his friends; the priest to have 4d. and the clerk 2d. and they were to offer 1d. and put one halfpenny into the poor's box, and distribute 16d. in bread and beer to the poor, the rest of the profits were to be applied at the discretion of the inhabitants, either to pay the taxes of the poorest inhabitants, or repair the church; and to pay to the priest 2s. a year, and find 7 candles yearly to burn at the high-altar, on St. Bennet's day, Whitsuntide, and Advent; and one taper of a pound weight, to burn before the sepulchre of our Lord Jesus Christ at Easter, in Whitlingham church. These extended against the east side of the churchyard, from the Common-green on the south part of the churchyard, to St. Bennet's-street north, and now belong to the parish. The sign of Adam and Eve is part of it, now let at 9l. per annum, another house is let at 7l. per annum, and another at 3l. per annum, and the most southern part was leased at 4l. per annum ground rent, for 2000 years, to George Bayfield, who built the houses in which Mr. Bacon and Mr. Daye now dwell thereupon. In 1654, by decree in chancery, they were settled to repair the church, and pay taxes for the poor; and the clear profits are now applied to church repairs, and the overplus given in coals, bread, clothing, &c. to the poor.

1663, Edward Howard, or Heyward, gave 50l. to buy land, the revenues of which, to be given to widows, orphans, or industrious poor people. And the house in St. Laurence's parish in which Mr. Wright now dwells, pays 3l. per annum, which is given to the poor in money, it being tied for this gift.

1686, Michael Smith, worsted weaver, gave 6l. to be paid to the receiver of the Boys hospital yearly, to maintain a boy continually there, (fn. 6) to be taken always out of St. Benedict's parish, to be named and chosen by the church-wardens and overseers of that parish, or any three of them, and if they neglect to choose a boy and place him there, the six pounds shall not be paid to the receiver during the vacancy.

1700, Tho. Seaman, &c. See under St. Margaret's.

(82) St. Swithin's Church

Hath a square steeple and three bells; the north and south isles, north and south porches, and nave, are leaded, and the north vestry tiled; on the second bell,
The. Maria. Gracia. Plena. 3d, Nobis solamen, sit Deus, Amen.

The chapel of St. Mary at the east end of the north isle, had an altar and a gild of the Holy Virgin kept there, called the Tanner's gild, and a messuage, on the east of the churchyard on the south side of the church, was given to find a lamp burning there. (fn. 7)

On a mural monument on the north side of the altar, the arms at top,
Scottowe, fess or and az. a star counterchanged, and Suckling, per pale gul. and az. three bucks tripping or.

In Memorie of Anne Scottowe the wife of Augustine Skottowe of Norwich, Gent. who was the Daughter of Rob. Suckling of Woodton in Norfolke Esq; she died the 24^th Day of 8^ber A^o, 1662, and left one Son and one Daughter. And of Sibilla Skottowe his first Wife, who was the Daughter of William Brooke of Norwich Gent. she died the 17 8^ber 1657, and left one Sonne.

On a brass in the chancel,
Orate pro anima Walteri Gods quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie ruius anime propicietur deus Amen. He was buried in 1497.

1659.

Stay Passenger and let thine Eyes Inform thee, who here under lyes Yet haste, since William Brook is gone, And left this World, e're fifty one;
Whose Lustre, a slow Consumption spent, Wasting a clayie Tenement, It matters not how long we live, but how? From second Birth, a few Days are enough.

Here he lyes, that was a Friend, To Religion 'till his end; Never touch'd with Faction's Sting, A Lover of his exil'd King, Tenn of his Offspring in the Heavens dwell, Singing a Triumph over Death and Hell, Weep, weep no more, cease to Repine, The water of these Brooks is turn'd to wine, The fourteen Springs from this Brook, For their Supply, doe to the Fountain look.

Under this Stone interr'd doth lie, Sibilla Skottowe, whoe did dye, Sooner then twenty, yet had more Of Patience, than manie Score, Ev'n like a Pearl fall'n into Dust, Yet is not Lost, tho' it doth rust; She's match'd again, and home is took, By him, who drank deep of the Brook; Haste Reader, Christ is Love, England's Crimes, Will justifye a Death betimes; And with hir lies in Bed hir Sonne, Came in, & cried, wash'd, and had done, Yet is he now as old as she, Heirs of one Perpetuitie.

She was the Daughter of William Brooke of Norwich Gent. of Tamasine his wife, died 17 Aug. 1657.

There is another stone for John son of Will. and Tamazine Brook, 20 Feb. - - -

And many verses on this stone are covered with a seat.

Mr. Francis Marshall 1727, 61. Peter Thacker 1663. Tho. and Sam: son of Sam: and Eliz: Juler 1697. Mary wife of Tho. Heach merchant, 1707, 33. John their son 1706, 4. Peter son of Peter Thacker 1675.

In the nave are the following inscriptions on brass plates;
Ye shall of yomer Charite pray for the Sowle of Rob. Barket lat Citizen and Alderman of Norwich, the which died the rrr Daye of Man in the Yere of owre Lord God M^o h^o and rbi.

Hic iacet corpus Margarete Uroris Thome Barter que obiit decimo quarto die Decembris 1619.

Orate pro anima Petri Tilney qui obiit rrii^o die Tunii Anno Dni: M. b^o i^o ruius anime propicietur deus.

Ye shall of yower Charite pray for the Sowle of Rob. Barker lat Citizen and Alderman of Norwich, the which died the rrr Daye of May in the Yere of owre Lord God M^ow^c and rvi.

John Burroughs 1740, 71.

Hic iacet corpus Margarete Hroris Thome Barter que obfit decimo quarto die Decembris 1619.

On a brass plate in the south isle,

Orate pro anima Simonis Bryght qui obitt xxx die Maii An^o. Dni: M^o h^c. cuius anime propicietur deus.

There is a brass at the east end of this isle, covered with a seat, which may be for Tho. Barley, who was buried in 1504, or for Ralf Clemens, who gave 10l. to gild the rood loft, and was buried in 1534.

On plates in the north isle,
Grate pro anima Marie Barker filie Rob: Barker Aldermanni, ruius anime propicietur deus Amen.

The effigies of a priest, having a label from his mouth, on which,

In te Domine sperabi, no confundar in eternum. Cur sub norte dies, cur ipse raligine Titan, Cur labilis bita Principe morte ruis? Me bir nature compagine teruit ordo Sobrior, et horrendi hermis alumnus ero, Hic ego Cinis eram, sed I adbena Barly Johanne s. Erul ab urbe mea celica Regna peto, Virgo Decora dei Mater, Baptista Johannes, Per bos eterna, sit mihi queso salus, M. C. quater Domini seragessimo quoque quinto Septembris quarta luce Caro rediit.

On the same stone, on a modern brass,
Matthew Bridgis wrapped up in Clay, Layes here intomb'd untill the Judgement Day, He lived in good Estate, in Fayth he dyed, And now we hope with Christ lives glorifyed. As he is now, so shalt thou shortly bee, Death's Bridg is laid a Passage next for thee. died 23 Jul. 1625, aged 45.

In the east window of the north isle, are the emblems of the Trinity and sacrament, and this inscription also remains on a brass plate in the isle:

Orate pro anima Agnetis Barly ruius anime propicietur Deus Amen.

On the font, the Trinity, sacrament, emblems of the passion, and the East-Angles arms.

On two loose brasses which came out of the chancel,
Hic iacet Edmundus Colman nuper cihis et Aldermannus Nor wici et Matild Uror eius qui obiit iiii^o die Jan: M^occcc xxxi^o I dicta Matilo obiit xij die eiusdem Mensis eodem anno quarum animarum propicietur dcus Amen.

Hic iacet Dominus Johannes Whythred Capellanus ruius anime propicietur Deus Amen.

On a monument against the south wall,
In Memory of Edward Temple some time Inhabitant of, and at his Death a liberal Benefactor to this Parish, who departed this Life Sept. 23, 1701, and lyeth interr'd on the South Side of the Church-yard. He bequeathed his Estate in Houses at the George of St. Stephen's being seven Pound per An. and two Peices of Land lying out of St. Austin's Gates, by Estimation 12 Acres, at eleven pound ten Shillings per An. (fn. 8) to these charitable Uses, viz. 10 Shillings to the Minister of this Parish for a Sermon to be preached annually on the 1^st. of January, & two Shillings to the Clark for his Attendance, two Dozen and a half of Bread to be delivered every Sunday in the Year in this Church, to the poor of this Parish, and what shall remain of the said Rents, shall be given in Coales to such Poor of this Parish, as his Executors and Trustees shall see meett, for ever.

On another mural monument more east,
To the Memory of Mary the Wife of William Wilcocks, youngest Daughter of Mr. Christopher Burlingham, a Woman who during the state of her Mortality, in all Conditions of Life had her Conversation such as became the Gospel of Christ; She was a very dutyfull Daughter, a most obliging, faithfull, and affectionate Wife, a carefull, prudent, and indulgent Mother, a kind & gentle Mistress, a good and peaceable Neighbour, and a charitable, devout, and humble Christian: By an Appoplectick Fitt, she was intirely deprived of all Sense as in a moment of Time, on Sunday in the Evening the 21^st. of Dec. 1735, and expir'd the next Day, in the 54^th Year of her Age, for whom this Monument is erected.

In the south isle are stones for, Anne Bowman 1684. Susan wife of Ric. Foulger, Grandmother to Anne, 1665. Sarah Dr. of Will. and Lydia Godfrey 1740, 31. Eliz. wife of Will. Burtis 1673.

Tho. Chapman 1675.

Pasenger make greate spede & now repent, Those Talents which in Vanitie are spent, Death will upset, his Prisoner yow shall be, 'Till you be sent forth unto Victore.

Will. Chapman his son 1679, 46, Will. his son 1680, 23. Christopher eldest son of Tho. Burlingham Gent. 1710, 58. Alice eldest daughter to Christopher. Tho. Chapman 1682, 22.

In 1390, Peter de Heygham Potter, buried in the church. 1460, John Wacey tailor, was buried in the friars-minors church, and gave a picture of St. Swithin here.

In 1429, legacies were given to every sister that vowed chastity, and dwelt together in the tenement formerly John Pollet's in this parish, and were called the sisters in St. Swithin's.

Augustine Steward, alderman, by will bearing date Oct. 9, 1570, gave to (St. Giles's) "Hospital for ever, by the Advice of Mr. Major of the Citty, and the Surveiors of the said Howse, for the Time beinge, the five tenements that lye and bene scituate in the Parish of St. Swethings Church-Yard, for five pore Widowes to dwell in them, of good Name and Fame, paying no Fearme nor Rent for their Dwellings, and to put in them such pore Widowes that have little or nothinge to live bye, at their Discretions aforesaid; and if they be not of good Behavier, to remove them at their Pleasure; and to put in other pore Widowes, and I will that my executors to see at the Delivery of the said Howses to the Surveiors and Major for the Time beinge, to make them Winde thite and Water thite; which five tenements to have their cominge to the Well ther, beinge to drawe ther Water ther at all times, accordinge as I have the grant of it for ever." (fn. 9) These alms-houses stand on the west side of the churchyard, and two of them are quite dilapidated, and the three remaining, in bad repair. They belong to the hospital, and the mayor and hospital committee have the nomination to them.

1662, Isabel Dix, widow, gave a copyhold house and yard in Eaton, now let at 2l. 6s. per annum to the parishioners, 5s. of the annual rent to go to the church repairs, and the rest to be divided among the poor.

This rectory was anciently in the donation of the see of Norwich, and in 1200, was annexed to the deanery of the city of Norwich, as were the churches of St. Simon and Jude, and Crostweyt, and the deanery of Taverham, and were so held till 1329, (fn. 10) when Thomas Silvestre, chaplain, dean of Norwich, died, and then the deaneries were separated from the churches, which were perpetually united; so that the rectors from 1329, to 1546, are the same as those of St. Simon and Jude, and Crostweyt (which see hereafter.) But on the 28th of Aug. 1546, Bishop Rugg separated the advowson from the bishoprick, and granted it to William Farar and others; and it was afterwards purchased by Augustine Steward, Esq. in whose time Tho. Robinson was rector.

1608, Nov. 8, John Warde was patron, (fn. 11) who lapsed it to the Bishop, who collated him to it, and it being entered in the book, that the Bishop collated him in full right; it is said since, to be in the Bishop's patronage, though it is only a lapsed rectory in the Crown, the advowson being in the heirs of the said Mr. Warde, who died in 1647; and the value being small, it hath been held by sequestration or license ever since, at the Bishop's nomination.

It is rated in the King's Books at 6l. 3s. 4d. but sworn of no certain value; Dr. Prideaux says, the arbitrary contributions were about 10l. per annum and they are now about 12l. Service is here every other Sunday.

The Rev. Mr. Blackburn is now minister of this, St. Margaret's, and St. Laurence, and vicar of Shropham in Norfolk.

The New-mills are chiefly in this parish, as was proved in 1459, when there was a suit between the prior of Bukenham, impropriator of St. Bennet's, the Prior of St. Mary in Coslany, who had a small part allowed him, and the rector of St. Swithin, for the tithes of them; concerning the suit between the Abbot of St. Bennet and the city, as to their erection, see Pt. I. p. 147. Formerly all the city bakers were obliged to grind at these mills, and the miller, as a publick servant belonging to the city, had a livery and badge given him every year. In Queen Elizabeth's time, the water-works were begun here, to serve the city with river water; and in 1583, were brought so far to perfection, as to serve the hall and cross in the market-place; and then John Foster and Alex. Peele, surrendered all their right in them, to the city, for 650l. and undertook to keep them in repair for the 6th part of the annual rents. And now the water began to be laid into private houses from the main pipes; and since that time, the works hath been so improved, that by rayses or water cisterns properly placed, the whole city is served with river water, as commodiously as any city in England; the mills still belong to the city, and were let with the bakers grint, thereto belonging in 1706, for 87 years, at 200l. per annum; but by covenant Dec. 6, 1708, they were reduced to 180l. per annum.

1663, Edward Howard or Heyward's gift to this parish is 3l. per annum given to the poor in bread; see St. Margaret's parish, to which he was a benefactor.

1730, Mr. Charles Emerson gave 50l. the annual interest of which is to bind out a poor child of this parish yearly; he is buried here.

For Mr. Tho. Seaman's gift, see St. Margaret's parish.

There is a handsome set of plate for the altar, viz. a silver flaggon of above 38 ounces, a bason of 20 ounces, a paten of 11 ounces, a cup, and a new cover to it.

(83) St. Margaret's Rectory,

Commonly called St. Margaret of Over Westwick; was anciently valued at 40s. and paid 3d. synodals to the Bishop; it stands at 5l. 4s. 8d. in the King's Books, but being sworn of no certain value, is discharged of first fruits and tenths, and hath been augmented by lot, and an estate is purchased and settled on it, which lies in Newton Flotman in Norfolk, rented at 14l. per annum, and is part copyhold, but fine certain at 4s. per acre.

In Dr. Prideaux's time, the voluntary contributions were 6l. and now are about 12l. per annum. Service is every other Sunday. There is only one cup and cover belonging to the altar.

Rectors

1286, Thomas, son of Mabel, daughter of Isabell le Cauz, sold the advowson to Jeffery son of Warine le Gros of Wodenorton, whose son, Jeffery de Norton, was rector in 1300.

1330, James de Yokesford was patron, who sold it to John de Norwich, clerk.

1338, Hugh Banden of Jokesford or Yoxford, instituted at the presentation of Emma, relict of John de Norwich, clerk.

1349, John de Walsham, ob. John de Norwich, Lord of Yoxford.

1352, Rob. de Kyngton, who in 1355 changed it for Keswick, with Simon de Bintre. Ditto.

1357, John Garson, resigned. Sir John de Norwich le Cosyn, Knt. who was lord of Yoxford, and had his city house in this parish.

1359, Henry de Plumstede. Ditto. He was succeeded by Simon Gilberd, who in 1376, exchanged it for Brandon, with Jeffery de Swathyng. John Norwich, Esq.

1376, John Dilham. Ditto.

1395, Will. Chaumpenys. Ditto.

1416. Tho. Berford, ob. He was succeeded by Jeffery Goddard, and he in 1421, by John Domlyn, who died rector. The last three were presented by John Norwich of Yoxford, who in 1428 gave this advowson to be sold with his manor of Yoxford, as appendant thereto.

1439, Rob. Sleper. Sir John Fastolff, Knt. John Berney of Redeham, and John Lynford of Stalham, in right of their manor of Yoxford.

1459, Rob. Ellis, resigned. John Hopton, Esq. and Rob. Baniard.

1462, John Everard, resigned. John Hopton, Esq.

1467 John Barker, buried in the chancel in 1500, and was succeeded by John Castre, who was presented by Rob. Clere and other feoffees of the manor of Cokefield-hall in Yoxford, to which manor this advowson is appendant. He died in 1507, and Sir Rob. Clere, then lord of that manor, presented William Empson, who was buried before the altar of our Lady in St. Anne's chapel on the south side of the chancel in 1512, being succeeded by John Wilkins, who died in 1536, and Tho. Wellys was presented by the assignee of Sir Arthur Hopton, Knt. lord of Cokefield-hall, who in 1544 presented Stephen Prowet. (fn. 12)

Mr. Gardiner succeeded Prowet in 1559.

In 1580, Sept. 8, Edward Reade was presented by Edward Duke, Esq. lord of Cokefield-hall, to which manor the advowson was, and still is appendant; but it being small, from this time, the lords of that manor have totally neglected it, and the following rectors were all instituted in right of the King or the Bishop by lapse; and those that were ministers served it by sequestration or license a long time.

Reade was succeeded by John Lowe, rector, and he in 1613, by Will. Merricke, both collated by lapse.

In 1615, the King presented Tho. Townly, by lapse, who died in 1623, and the Bishop collated Nic. Stonham, and in 1638, Sam. Dobson; and at his death the following ministers served it without any institution, as,
1660, Mr. John Carter, (fn. 13) and afterwards Mr. Poke, Mr. Rively, Mr. Edw. Capper, Mr. Bennet, Mr. James Taylor, and in 1739, Feb. 12, The Rev. Mr. John Blackburn was instituted at the collation of the Bishop of Norwich.

The south isle, nave, chancel, and north and south porches are leaded, the north vestry is tiled; the tower is square and hath five bells, besides a small sanctus bell; at the east end of the south isle is a chapel of St. Anne, the altar of which was dedicated to St. Mary, and the barkeres or tanners gild was kept at it; before this altar lies a large stone, under which, Mr. Tho. Bell, late coroner of the city, was buried in 1713, and it hath been robbed of all its brasses but one, on which is R. H. which shows me that it was the stone of Robert Hemyng, alderman, who was buried in 1541, by Tho. Hemyng, his father, who died in 1537, and gave a new pair of organs to this church. In 1512, William Canon, secular priest, was buried in this chapel, as was Kat. Gervase, Gent. in 1517, by her sister.

In the nave lie two large stones robbed of their brass inscriptions, on one remain four shields of arms, viz.

1. Jenney erm. a bend gul. cotized or, impaling quarterly a cross botoné, between four escalops, and a chevron between three cinquefoils.

2. The cross and cinquefoils quartered. 3d. Ditto.

4 Inglosse, barry of six arg. and az. on a canton arg. five billets in saltier sab.

Under this stone, in 1494, was interred Eleanor Jenney, first wife of Rob. Inglosse, Esq. and after that of Sir Will. Jenney, Knt. one of the King's justices.

Two shields only remain under the adjoining stone,
1. Per pale a chief dancetté, over all a bendlet.

2. Inglosse with a crescent, impaling the cross botoné, quartering the chevron between three cinquefoils, under which it seems Rob. Inglosse, Esq. her first husband, was interred.

In this nave was buried Margaret Ampulford, Gent. wid. in 1467, and Isabel Stalon, wid. in 1502, and in 1522, Ric. Fuller, tanner, who gave a garden out of St. Bennet's-gates to the church-wardens, to keep his anniversary on the Feast of the Translation of St Richard, viz. June 16, when they were to pay 5d. to the rector for a dirige, 4d. to the clerk to ring a soul-peal, to four poor people 1d. each, and 4s. for a certeyn for his own soul and the souls of Tho. and Alice Fuller his father and mother; and to the headman of the tanners gild, held in St. Swithin's and St. Margaret's churches 2s. 8d.; this was seized from the parish in Edward the Sixth's time. In 1534, Rob. Empson's widow, was buried in the nave, and gave a towel four yards long to hallow the middle bell with. There are stones for Eliz. wife of Will. Wilson 1735, 49. Peter Burgess 1718, 34. Mr. Ric. Hayes 1725, 66, and two in the south porch for, Mat. Greenleafe 1723, 67. Mat. Greenleafe 1721, 22.

In the chancel,
Mr. William Tooley, a worthy Citizen, aged 72 Years, was buried here Feb. 10, 1716, and hath an unalienable Right to this his Gravestone, consecrated to his Dust ('till the Resurrection) by the Piety of his only Daughter, the Wife of John Russell of Poswick Clark.

John Gilman 1678, 58. Hannah, Anne, Henry, and John, Children of Will. Gilman and Anne his Wife, 1686.

On a brass plate on the top of an altar tomb on the north side of the altar, under the effigies of a woman, is this,
Here under lieth buried the Body of Anne Rede, the Daughter of Sir Tho. Blevyrhayset Knt. and first the Wife of George Duke late of Brampton Esq. and then after the Wife of Peter Rede of Gymmyngham Esquyer, the which Anne departed this iyfe the rvi Day of April in the Year from Christes Jncarnacion 1577

Duke, az. a chevron between three sterns arg. membered gul. quartering 1st. Bedingfield. 2d. a fess between two chevrons, a canton erm. 3d. a fess between two chevrons impaling Bleverhasset, Lowdham, Orton, and Keldon, quartered.

Rede's arms, with Sir Peter's honourable additions as at p. 200, impaling Bleverhasset, quartering Lowdham, quartering Orton, Skelton, and Keldon.

This ancient family dwelt in the black flint house opposite to the north side of the churchyard, in which many of their arms remained lately.

In 1292, Robert de Aswardby had settled an alms-house, called afterwards God's-house, in St. Margaret's, for the benefit of the poor; it stands on the west side of the churchyard, but hath been a private property many years.

The Prioress of Carrow, the Abbot of Sibeton, the Prior of Bromholm, the Dean of the chapel in the Fields, and the brothers and sisters of Magdalen hospital, had revenues here.

In 1463, there was an alms-house of one room only, at the northeast corner of the churchyard, which hath been long since dilapidated, and the ground built upon.

Andrew Topliffe gave 5s. a year to be given every 10th of Jan. in bread to the poor, and tied his estate opposite to the south-west corner of the churchyard, for payment of it.

Mr. Edward Heyward gave 3l. per annum, for which he tied the estate in St. Laurence, where Mr. Wright now dwells, as also for 3l. per annum to St. Bennet's parish, 3l. per annum to St. Swithin's parish, and 3l. per annum more to St. Laurence's parish; which sums are paid to the several parishes, and divided in bread among the poor.

1730, Mr. Charles Emerson's gift of 10l. was paid to the parish, the interest to be given to the poor every 19th of January, in bread.

Mr. Tho. Seaman, by will dated Aug. 10, 1700, settled his closes lying between St. Giles's and St. Stephen's-gates, containing nine acres, called Crabtree or Claypit closes, to pay 5l. clear of all taxes, yearly, and gave 200l. with which an estate in Heigham was purchased, to find 10l. yearly, the former to bind out two girls, paying 50s. each, and the latter to bind out two boys yearly, paying 5l. each, from the parishes of Heigham, St. Benedict, St. Swithin, and St. Margaret, so that every year each parish hath a child bound out, and alternately a boy one year, and a girl the next.

(84) St. Laurence's Church

Stands upon the very spot of ground that in ancient days, before the retreat of the sea, when this was a great fishing town as Yarmouth now is, was the very key or landing-place for all the herrings brought hither, the tithe of which was so considerable when it belonged to the bishops of the East-Angles, that when Alfric the Bishop granted the key, stathe, hagh, (or close enclosed with hedges,) together with the adjoining mansion, to Bury abbey, (fn. 14) about the year 1038: the abbey, upon building the church, had a last of herrings reserved to be paid them yearly. On this hagh, in the time of the Confessor, the parish began to be built, the abbey having aliened it, and reserved the key or stathe only, on which the old church of St. Laurence was founded in the Confessor's days, made a rectory, and divided into two medieties at its foundation; (fn. 15) the abbey having the house and half the profits, and the rector the other half; but soon after, the whole was joined about Will. Rufus's time, and so hath continued an entire rectory; the parsonage-house on the west side of the churchyard being part of the abbey's mediety, was then joined to the rectory, and continues with it at this day; the last of herrings paid by the rector to the abbey, was compounded for by the celerer of the convent about Henry the Third's time, for a pension of 40s. which was annually paid till Henry the Seventh's time, and was then released on account of the meanness of the profits. The rectory being valued at five marks, was constantly taxed at half a mark, and paid 3d. synodals; it stands now in the King's Books at 4l. 13s. 9d. and being sworn of the clear yearly value of 16l. 5s. 11d. ob. it is discharged of first fruits and tenths, and is capable of augmentation.

The ancient church that stood here was wholly pulled down about 1460, in the time of John Boone, abbot of Bury, (fn. 16) at whose expense, jointly with the assistance of that monastery, the parishioners, and several benefactors, living and dead, (fn. 17) that most beautiful regular pile which is now standing, was erected and finished in 1472.

It consists of a most noble square tower, 112 feet high, having a door on the west side, over which, on a north part, is the martyrdom of St. Laurence carved in stone, the saint being laid broiling on the gridiron, and the soldiers tending the fire; there is also a representation of a King, crowned, which was designed to represent the Father, with a sword in his hand striking at the Emperour Decian, who commanded this cruelty to be executed on the saint, the Emperour falling down at the stroke. On the other side is another carving of St. Edmund the King, where he is seen tied to a tree, and the Danes shooting arrows into his body; and under them is his head in a parcel of bushes, in allusion to that part of the legend, which says, that when they could not kill him with arrows, Hunguar, the Danish leader, ordered them to smite off his head, and carry and throw it among the thickest thorns in an adjacent wood, which they did; but a wolf finding it, instead of devouring it, kept it from all beasts and birds of prey, till it was found by the Christians, and buried with the body, and that in a surprising manner, according to the legend.

There are six musical bells in this tower, on the third is this in Saxon capitals, VOLOR JOHANNES. The sixth bell weighs about 15cwt. and is rung for a curfew bell, at eight o'clock every evening, (fn. 18) there being an acre of land in Earlham field, called St. Laurence's acre, very anciently given to the rector, who was bound to pay a person to ring it constantly; but at the Dissolution it became vested in the parishioners, who choose feoffees for it, and let it at 1l. 5s. per annum; there is a clock also; the nave, two isles, and two chapels at their east ends, the south and north porches, are leaded; and the north vestry tiled, the lead being sold off it in the late rebellious times. The following were presented by the Abbot and Convent of Bury.

Rectors

1289, Angelarius.

1307, John.

1309, Hugh.

1322, Robert, son of John de Morley.

1329, Tho. de Bughton.

1340, Rob. de Runhall.

1349, Stephen de Runhall.

1349, Rob. de Runhall again; he died and was buried in the chancel in 1388, and was infeoffed in a messuage in Alderford, by Robert Mayn, to sell and build a new south porch, repair the altar in the chapel at the east end of the south isle, and the window over it. He was succeeded by

John Wareyn, who, in 1390, changed it for Uggeshall rectory in Suffolk, with Will. de Thornton, who died in 1401, and was buried at the head of Rob. de. Runhall, being succeeded by

Henry Plomer, and he in 1414, by

Rich. Rag. In

1417, Rob. Hay was instituted, who in

1422, changed it for Kirkele in York diocese, with

Rob. de Ravenyngham, (fn. 19) who was buried in the chancel in 1436, and was succeeded by

Rob. Lawshull, who in 1437, resigned to

Tho. de Ely, and he in

1438, to John Brygges, who died in 1449, and was buried in the churchyard, on the south side, being succeeded by

John Boteler, who resigned in

1461, to Will. Man, and he in

1470, to Will. Ashfield, who died rector in 1479, and

John Steyk was instituted, who in 1484, resigned to

John Lee, and he the same year to

Tho. Nevile, and he in

1501, to Tho. Rede, and he in

1504, to Rob. Thompson, who died rector in

1521, and George Stywarde was instituted, who resigned in

1523, to John Bobet, who died in 1537, and was buried on the north side of the chancel, being the last rector presented by the Convent.

For that house had before is dissolution conveyed the advowson to Rob. Leche, alderman of Norwich, who on the 19th of Jan.

1537, presented Will. Nuttell, under their grant. In

1571, Mr. King was sequestrator, and in

1596, Mr. Ragg.

1604, 17 Sept. Mr. Richard Gamon was presented by the Crown, by lapse. In

1639, 30 Dec. Charles Davill was instituted rector, at the presentation of Thomas Bartram of Melton in Norfolk, whose heir is now [1744] patron; for it hath been ever since presented to by the Crown by lapse only, or else held by sequestration. Davill was succeeded by

Francis English, and he in

1654, by Mr. John Carter, who was chosen by the parishioners, and died in 1656, in which year he added a codicil to his will, expressing, that whereas in his will dated Sept. 18, 1655, he gave to the library of the city of Norwich, divers books, &c. "nowe seeinge (to my no small grief) that that library is locked up, ministers shut out of it, and that it is never like to be of publique use againe, but that the books are devoted to the wormes, dust, and rotteness, to the dishonour of God, the damage of the ministry, and the wrong of the benefactors, the dead, and the living, &c." He reversed his gift, and instead thereof gave 5l. to each of the three united parishes of St. Laurence, St. Swithin, and St. Margaret, (fn. 20) for a stock of coals for ever, the principal to be laid out every summer by the church-wardens, when they are most cheap, and are by them to be sold to the poor in the dead of winter, at the same rate. The parishioners had such a value for him, that they repaired his house, and laid a tombstone over him at their own cost.

1669, Mr. John Chapman, sequestrator.

1676, died Samuel Cowper, who is buried in the chancel, with this,

Exuviæ Samuelis, Henrici, Cowper, viri vere pij, Theologi ad SS. Scripturam Normam elimati, Christiani plusquam nomine, tenus salutem Fide quærentis, Fidem operibus Perficientis, Concionatoris ut oracula Dei loquentis, Christum tanquam omnia & in omnibus exaltantis Ecclesiæ Dei in hâc Paroeciâ à S^to Laurentio, necnon in duabus proximè vicinis, à S^ta. Margaretâ, et à Sancto Swithino denominatis, Pastoris Fidelis, sub hoc marmore, ad Clangorem ultimæ Tubæ â tertio Calendarum Maij anno salutis 1676, secundum, et feliciorem Indutum præstolantur.

Siste Viator! Æternitatem versus Iter tuum est, En! tibi Religionis Exemplum cujus vestigia Supremam Pallidæ Mortis umbram ipse etiam Transeas, in Chisto humiliter audax.

1683, 20 July, Mr. John Pitts, instituted; the King by lapse. He was deprived.

1693, 1 Aug. Thomas Gooch; the King by lapse. He died April 28, 1715, aged 48, and is buried on the south side of the churchyard.

1716, Mr. John Brand, sequestrator.

1728, Mr. Samuel Ganning.

1740, Mr. Charles Ames.

The present sequestrator [1744] is the Rev. Mr. Blackburn, rector of St. Margaret.

In 1448, there were three devotees, or women that vowed chastity, called the sisters of St. Laurence, that dwelt together in the tenement by the churchyard, late settled by John Asgar for that purpose; and as they died others came in.

The altars in this church were, the high-altar, St. Mary's altar, and holy-rood altar; and there were tabernacles and images of St. Laurence, and St. Edmund by the high-altar, the former on the north, and the latter on its south side, with wax tapers burning before them; there were also images and tabernacles of St. Nicholas, St. Christopher, St. Mary, St. Mary of Pity, the Assumption, and St. John, with lights before them, as also before the holy sepulchre, the crucifix or holy-rood on the perke or rood-loft, the image of Jesus, and the sacrament in the chancel.

In 1591, the organs were sold out of the church. In 1593, the silk copes were turned into a pall cloth, communion cloth, and cushions. There is a cup weighing about 30 oz. which was made in 1567. In 1636, the church was repaired, and the altar rails set up at above 70l. expense; and in 1643, they were pulled down, and the chancel floor levelled, and the fine painted glass windows defaced, as appears by this entry in the parish book, "laid out to Goodman Perfett for the putting out of the superstitious incriptions in the church windows and the pulling down of crucifixes 1s. 8d." In 1710, the east end of the chancel was blown down, and was repaired by the parish, and the contributions of other benefactors; the income being so small, that the rector, to whom it belonged to repair it, would have quitted the living rather than have undertaken it, the whole not exceeding 25l. per annum. Dr. Prideaux placed the certain endowment at 10l. per annum, and the voluntary contributions at as much.

1471, Will. Owdolf buried here. 1482, William Davy, and gave a legacy to repair the church. 1529, Alice, widow of Tho. Rudkyn, buried in the churchyard by her husband, and gave 10l. to make a perke or rood-loft in the north isle.

The religious concerned here were, the Prior of Norwich, the Prioress of Carrowe and Bungeye, the Dean of the chapel in the Field, the Abbot of Sibton, the Priors of Hickling, and Thetford canons.

In 1627, there was a dispute between the parishioners and city, about repairing the streets; viz. Over or Upper Westwick or St. Ben net's-street on the south side of the churchyard, and Nether or Lower Westwick, Hollegate or Hellegate-street on the north side, and the common passages and steps called St. Laurence Steps and passages; the streets were adjudged to the parishioners to repair, and the steps and passages to the court, as being publick ways for the use and conveniency of the city. In 1679, the like contest happened, but was determined in the same manner.

In 1606, Mr. Gibson was buried in the chancel, and paid the minister the usual fee of 6s. 8d. for breaking the ground, and gave 40s. to the church, "received of John Wright as a dutie belonging to the churche for carrying the dead corps of his mother widow Colman out of this parish, to be buried in St. Margaret's parish, the dutie being 6s. 8d. but in kindness took but 4s." 1668, Alderman Heyward buried in the church, and the executors paid the churchwardens their fee for it, as did the executors of Mrs. Brett and Mrs. Barrow. 1682, Mr. Isaac Westal and Mrs. Lowe, buried in the church, and in 1688, Mrs. Fromantle. In 1695, 3l. 6s. 8d. was distributed of Prebend Loveland's gift; the whole was 10l. per annum for five years.

In the north isle lie buried, Mary, wife of Rob. Miclo, 16 - - Henry, second son of Sam. and Cath. Shuckford, 1692.

Tegumentum hoc marmoreum, piæ Memoriæ Adam Brigham, nuper de hâc Parochiâ Pandoxatoris (qui sub hoc Lapide depressus jacet) dicavit Elizabetha Brigham, nunc Vidua Mœstissima, nuper vero Uxor Charissima ipsius prædicti Adam, Materque alma Roberti Brigham, cujus corpus sub alio marmore, huïc marmori contiguo, ex parte septentrionali sepultum jacet.

In youth, I poor and much neglected went, My gray & wealthy Age in Mirth I spent,
To Honours then, I courted was by many, Altho' I did in no wise seek for any; But what is now, that Wealth, that Mirth, that Glory, Alas! 'tis Grave, 'tis Dust, 'tis mournfull Story; Ne'erless my Soul thro' Christ, a Place enjoys, Where blessed Saints, with him in God rejoice.

Moriens ita speravit.

Obijt 14° die Junij A^o Christi incarnati 1685, ætatis suæ vero 54°.

Hodiè mihi. Cras tibi.

Sub hoc marmore positæ sunt exuviæ Roberti Brickham, Filij unici Adami Brickham de hâc Parochiâ Pandoxatoris et Elizabethœ Uxoris suæ; Qui redemptorem suum vivere, ac seipsum in hâc eâdem Carne suâ, posthàc visurum esse, Deum sciens, hanc pro meliori commutavit vitam, quinto die Octobris, A^o Ætatis suæ 22° Christi vero 1681, Moriens ità dixit.

In the chancel,
Here lyeth Meynel-Gaunt of Yeares but seaven, His Body sleeping while his Soule's in Heaven, Then rest a while sweet Babe, noe Tombe nor Stone, Can e're prevent thy Resurrection.

Ob 5° Feb. 1665. To all Eternitie.

Isaac, Son of Francis Annison 1660. John a 2d Son 1662. Ephraim Son of Ephraim Dowsan 1697, 22. Eliz wife of Edw. Green, 1732, 66. Edw. Green, who fined for Sheriff of this City in 1709, and died in 1737. John Lambert Gent. 1696, 67.

Lambert's arms, gul. a chevron or, a chief chequy or, and sab.

Rebecca Wiscard 1727, 72. Mrs. Cicilie Brantingham 1641. Elias Brantingham Esq. had a house in this parish.

In the south isle are memorials for the following persons, beginning at the west end.

Daniel Green 1715, 33. Daniel his Son 1738, 19. Mr. John Greene 1735, 85. Mary his Wife 1737, 87. Edw. Thexton 1740, 70. John Greene 1720, 36. In the east chapel of this isle, Clement Son of John Lowe 1674, Mary a Daughter 1675. Eliz. Wife of Mr. John Colfier 1628. Michael Andrews 1725, 58. Sarah wife of Dan. Gilman, Dr. of Mich. Andrews and Amy his wife, 1716, 20, Amy wife of Mich Andrews of Norwich Kallendrer, 1719, 48. Margt. Wife of John Lowe, Dr. of John Curtis of Fritton in Norfolk, 1679, 35, Rob. their son 1670, John another Son 1698. Sarah Wife of Joshua Keymarsh, Daughter of Will. Marshal of Lincoln Gent. 1679. Susan Dr. of Rice Wicks and Eliz. his Wife, 1727, 44, Rice Wicks Dec. 7, 1725, 73. Eliz. Wicks Relict of Rice, Febr. 10, 1734, 77. In the south porch, Gilbert Pickering 1706, 59, Ann his Wife 1697, 43. In the nave, Mary Wife of Will. Bear 1733, 66.

The following memorials are on brass plates.

There is a stone that hath the effigies of a man in an alderman's gown, and his wife by him; and the mercers arms, with his merchant mark, and I. W. the inscription being defaced, but the mark and letters show that John Westgate and his wife were here interred, who was sheriff in 1520.

On a stone in the chancel, is the effigies of a priest, over his head is St. Faith the Virgin crowned; out of his mouth, Wirga,

Orate pro ainma Galfridi Langley, quondam Prioris istius Lori qui obiit xxxviij die Mensis Decembris Anno Domini M^o. ccccxxxvij.

He was installed Prior of the priory of St. Faith the Virgin at Horsham, in 1401.

In the south chancel isle,

Of Your Charite pray for the Soull of Margaret Leche, late the Wyfe of Robard Leche Alderman of Norwich, the wiche Mar geret deperted the ix day of Man in the Year of our Lord Gode M^o. ccccc^o, on howhis Sowll Jesu have Mercy Amen.

Hic iacet Johes: Asger Junior, quondam Cibis Norwici qui obiit xii die Mensis Mail Anna Dni. D^o. cccc^o xxxvi ruius anime propicietur deus, Amen.

On another stone are two large effigies and four shields; on each side a small label of the word mercy, and his merchant mark.

Over his effigies was this, now lost. (Weever, fo. 803.) He was mayor in 1426.

Sis Cestis Criste, quod non iacet hic Lapis iste, Corpus ut ornetur, sed spiritus ut memoretur. Queris, quis iacet hic? John Asger marmore strirtus. Sit precor hic illic ubi semper sit Benedictus. Quondam Burgensis fuerat, merrator onustus, Post Boricensis Maior, moderamine iustus, hunc tulit a terris, Febru, penultima Mensis, Anno Milleno C quater ter I x quoque seno,

The following lines now remain on the same stone,

Qui me conspicitis, pro certo scire potestis, Quod sum, bos eritis, olim fueram, belut cstis, Ut merear beniam, precibus me queso iubetis Ad bos non heniam, sed bos ad me benietis, Pares meis Domine delicitis, bel miserere, De possim fiere, sed letari sine fine. Da requiem runctis Deus, ubique sepultis, Ut sint in requie propter tua Uulnera quinque.

On another stone,

Dic iacet Robertus Asgar guondam Mercator I Cihis Norwici qui obiit xix^o die Mensis Aprilis A^o. Dni Millimo:cccc^o bicesimo quinto cuius anime propicietur deus,

Orate pro anima Ricardi at the Gatys, quondam Ciuis Norwici qui obiit xi^o die Mensis Marcii A^o Dni. M^o cccc^o xxvii. cuius anime propicietur deus.

There is a skeleton on a plate over the following inscription:

Hic iacet Tho. Childes quondam Clericus istius Ecclesie qui obiit decimo septimo die Mensis Julii A^o Dni. M^o cccc^o lii, cuius anime propicietur deus Amen.

In the south isle,

Hic iacet Johes: Stylle Capellanus qui obiit secundo die Au gusti, A^o. M^o cccc^o lxxxiii. ruius anime propicietur deus Amen.

The following were here, but are now gone, (fn. 21) In the south isle on a grave stone,

Orate pro anima Johis: Groos Arming: qui obiit iiii^o die Men sis Martii A^o. dni: M^o cccc^o lxxxxvII^o cuius anime propicietur deus.

Orate pro anima Margaretæ Gross nuper uroris Johis: Gross Arm. que obiit xix^o die mensis Oct. M^o cccc^o lxxxxviii^o.

Escutcheons, 1st and 4th Groos single. 2d and 3d Groos impales Heveningham.

Orate pro aia: Johis Wellys nuper Aldermanni I Maioris istius Cibitatis ac Margaretæ Uroris sue, qui obiit iii^o die Nobem bris tempore maioratus fui Ao. Dni: m^o cccc^o xcv^O.

On the south windows of the nave,
A saltier quarterly gul. and vert counterchanged, between four birds heads erased sab. beaked arg.

1. Nevile, gul. a saltier arg. a crescent or for difference.

Orate pro anima Jhome Nebilli Rectoris istius Ecclesic.

2. Jewell, az. an armed arm cooped at the shoulder, holding a ball in its hand or. Erm. on a bend az. three roundels or.

Orate pro anima Elizabethe Uroris Johannis Jewell.

Groose and Heveningham impaled, Strange and Heveningham. Heveningham single.

4. Orate pro aia: Eliz. Rust: Orate pro aiabs Johis Kyng I Rosæ: suæ.

5. Orate pro aiab: Rici Fuer I Alice ur: eius.

6. Groos, Heveningham and Redsham.

Orate pro anima Johannis Groos.

7. Hastyngs impales gul. three fusiles in fess erm. Brewse, and sab. a bend between two crescents or, impaled with sab. a bend between two crescents ar. the same impales Foliot, quartering Hastyngs.

Drate pro aiab: dni: Chome Bremse et Eliz. Ur.

8. St. George. Norwich city, viz. gul. a castle az. and a lion underneath passant guardant er.

9. Jewell, and Isabell, az. on a bend or three bezants.

10. St Lawrence, sab. a gridiron arg. St. Edmund's arms, and arg. a lion rampant gul. debruised with a bend az. three bezants.

On a north isle window,
Orate pro bono statu Chome Thome Thirsby, ct Cliz. Ur. et pro aiab: Johis: et Rob. Aylmer quondam maiorum Cibitatis Normici.

On the north windows of the nave:

1. Gul. a cross patoncé arg. St. George's cross.

Orate pro animabus Johis Ramsey

2. Sab. two hands in pale or, holding two three-stringed whips in saltier arg. and az. two garbs or.

Orate pro anima Johis. Bomue et Alicie Uroris.

3. Thorp, az three crescents arg.

Orate pro anima Rob. Thorp nuper Aldermanni.

4. Az. three escalops arg.

5. Orate pro anima Thome Tatlin.

6. John Wells his achievement, coat, mantle, helm, and crest, viz. per pale gul. and vert, a boar's head coupé, between two wings sab. armed arg. quartering a bend ingrailed between two cottises arg.

Sab. a cross ingrailed arg. impales sab. a saltier ingrailed arg.

Orate pro animabus Johis: Wells t Margarete uroris eius.

The same coats again on another fair window, right underneath the former.

Nevil with a label, goboné, Montague and Monthermer, quartered, impaling France and England quartered. Canterbury see impales quarterly Nevile, with a label, and Montague and Monthermer quartered.

7. Orate pro aia. Nici Hemes qui istam fenestram fieri fecit. (See his inscription.)

8. Gul. a cross ingrailed arg.

9. Roos, gul. three water-budgets arg.

Orate pro aiab. Hugonis Col.

These fine windows were demolished in 1643.

1290, Walter son of Rob. de Asewardeby and Sara his wife, conveyed a house in Lower Wesiwyk, to Thorald de Causton, who was to pay for ever 16d. per annum to repair this church, and four hens every Christmas day to the high-altar. (Rot. Cart. 18 Edward I.)

1424, Joan, wife of Roger Parker, buried in the church.

1459, Ric. Playter, buried in the churchyard before the north door, and gave 46s. 8d. to build a new porch there, and 40 stone of lead to cover it; he gave a St. Christopher and all its appurtenances, to the said church; and a candle to burn before the said St. Christopher on festival days, for 7 years; and also candles to be set before St. Laurence, St. Edmund, St. Mary of Pity, and St. Thomas; and 4d. for a light before the cross in the chapel.

1459, Henry Hykelyng, fuller, buried at the west end of the steeple in the churchyard, before the image of the Trinity, and gave to the altar of St. Laurence and the holy cross, 6s. 8d.

1478, John Alysaunder buried here.

1487. John Groos, Esq. buried in the south isle before our Lady and the holy-rood, and gave 5 marks to repair the church. See his inscription.

1493, John Caster, citizen and alderman, buried in the church before the image of St. John, and gave to the making a new perk there, 40s.

1501, John Bowde, raffman, buried in the alley before the font, gave 6s. 8d. a year, that the parson shall every Easter day, when the gospel of high-mass be done, exhort his parishioners yearly, to say for his soul a Paternoster and an Ave, and he to have for his labour 4d. Three altar cloths for the three altars in the church, and two copes of white branched damask; on the high-altar cloth St. Laurence to be embroidered in the middle, with a bow on each side, and a J. and a B. On our Lady's altar cloth her image embroidered in the midst; and on the holy-rood altar cloth, IHS in the sun beams, with a crucifix in the midst, and on the cope St. Laurence embroidered, and upon the pectoral before a rost iron, and on the other cope, the image of St. Edmund, and on the pectoral two arrows crossed; he gave to the five parish churches, which used yearly on St. Mark's day to go in procession unto the cross without Westwykgates, viz. St. Bennet, St. Swithin, St. Margaret, St. Gregory, and St. Giles, to each 20d. yearly, on Easter day, when the gospel of high mass is done; and the curates to exhort their people to pray for him; he gave Margaret his wife his shop of raffery, five combs of gray salt, 100 weight candle, &c. and his shop of mercery in his house on the north side of the churchyard.

1502, Nic. Hews, parson of Walsoken, buried in the chancel; he gave to the holy-rood altar, in honour of the holy-rood, our Lady, and St. Nicolas, a vestment of red cloth of bawdkyn, the orfrays of blue velvet, powdered with crowns and stars, and divers flowers, and wrought with the needle in fine gold; also a corporas kercher, with the case of white damask wrought with branches of gold, garnished with red silk and gold, and three tufts of red silk, with three stones of calcedony, also to the said altar a pair of silver cruets gilt, weighing 6 ounces and a quarter, and half a mass book in quires new written; also to the presbitery his best carpet, with three cushions to be occu pied at principal feasts at the high-altar in the said presbitery, (fn. 22) and 5 marks to St. Laurence's tabernacle, and to mend St. Nicholas's tabernacle. His brass had this,

Orate pro anima Rici Hemes, quondam Rectoris de Walsken qui obiit iij ^o die Sept. M^oCCCCC^o

He was instituted to Walsoken in 1473, and resigned it in 1502.

1502, Will. Drake, Gent. buried in the church. 1563, Eliz. Drake, she gave to repair the church 53s. 4d. a vestment of green with a crucifix, and Mary and John for the Rood Altar.

1504, Kat. widow of T. Bewfield, alderman, gave 40s. to the church.

1508, John Kyng, callaundrer, buried in the churchyard, gave 5l. to the church, and 20s. towards makyng a new perke. 2 doz. wax candles to burn in the basin before the crucifix, 2 doz. to burn before the holy-rood. 2 doz. to burn before the image of our Lady in the chapel, and 2 doz. to burn before the image of St. John in that chapel.

1508, Avelyne widow of John Caster alderman. "I knowlege my Self a Crysten Woman, I make yis Protestacion befor Almyghty God, yt I entend & wyll with his helpe Grace, & Socour to lyue & dey in ye Feyth of Holy Chyrch, & therfor yf yt fortuneth me by Reason of Sykness, ille Custome, Alienacon of Mynde, Tribulacon, Temptacyon, or ony Vexacyon of ye Devyll, to do, wyll, sey, or thynk, or otherwise thanne holy Church hath ordeyn'd, as God forbyd, I now at this Tyme, for yt Tyme, revoke yt, & forsake yt, & hartly pray Almighty God of forgyuenes, onto whome I mekely comend my Soule, & to owr blyssyd Lady St. Mary, St. Laurence, myn Adwer, and all Saints, & my Body to be buryed within the Chyrch of St. Laurence in Norw. Item I bequeth to the fynysching of the Stepyll 6s. 8d."

1518, Eliz. Thursby, widow, some time wife of Rob. Aylmer, gave 5 marks to repair the church, a vestment of 20s. and her next best chalice.

1532, Rob. Long, alderman, buried in the church, dwelt in the parish. He gave 6l. for to make a new covering for the font.

1535, John Bobet, priest, buried in the chancel, and gave 40s. towards two new antiphoners.

Besides the stones before spoken of, there are several others disrobed, as one which hath lost its effigies, label, shield, and inscription, and only this remains, Mater Jesu Christi post hoc erham nobis bonet gaudium sine fine. Another hath the effigies of a woman left, another hath a label only, with Inclina cor meum Deus, &c.

The Terrier in 1740, says, besides the churchyard, the rector hath a rectory-house, and three tenements much in decay, and a yard thereto belonging, being 29 yards long and 13 broad, abutting east on the churchyard, on upper Westwyck-street south, and the rectory lands west, and also two pieces of land adjoining to the same, east, being 14 yards broad, and 18 long. with a summer-house built thereon, and another piece, abutting east as the former, and south on upper Westwyk-street, on which a house is built; for which parcels, 1l. per annum is paid to the rector.

This on a stone on the outside of the east chancel wall,

Jesus, havc Mercy on my somle. William Pakenham: Rector bene and Tural:

This on a stone in the churchyard, near the south chancel door,
Ester Nelson, the Dr. of Benj. & Eliz. Nelson of Skarning in Norfolk, 1637, 28.

The Young and Innocent in Death are blest, These with small Trouble, gain eternal Rest, And have the Privilege to run the Race, That leads to Heaven in a little Space.

Dear Child her Time was short, The longer is her Rest, God calls in Mercy first, Those whom he loveth best.

There is a stone lately laid in the south isle, for Sarah, relict of Edw. Thexton, 82, Anno Domini, 1743.

Other Benefactors besides those already mentioned, are,
1660, Alderman Edw. Heyward, alias Howard, settled 12l. per annum out of his estate in this parish, in which Mr. Wright now lives, to pay 3l. per annum to this parish, and 3l. to St. Bennet's, 3l. to St. Swithin's, and 3l. to St. Margaret's, as is mentioned under those parishes, "to be by the church-wardens and overseers, imployed for releif of poor widowes, orphans, and laborious poore people, inhabitinge in the said several parishes."

1730, Mrs. Eliz. Wickes, widow, of St. Laurence's parish, by will dated Jan. 18, tied her houses in this parish, in which she lived, for 10l. per annum, to be yearly paid every 1st day of Dec. for to clothe eight poor women for the parish, to be chosen by the minister, church-wardens, and overseers, or the major part of them.

1685, Bernard Church, Esq. his gift see in Pt. I. p. 420, 1, where it is said 10s. per annum instead of twenty, his will being, I will, "that yearly and everye Yeare, for ever hereafter, upon the fifteenth Day of January in every Yeare, the several Sumes of Money following, shall be given and paid as followeth, that is to say, twentie Shillings to the poore People of the Town of Whinburgh, and other twentie Shillings to the Parish of St. Laurence in Norwich, where I served my apprentiship." (Will. Book, fo. 46, b.)

Mrs. Joan Smith's gift is sometimes 6s. per annum, sometimes 12s. (see Pt. I. p. 358,) paid by the aldermen of the ward.

Mr. Tho. Warren's gift is 12s. once every two years.

Mr. Topliff's gift is 5s. per annum, (see p. 260,) in bread to the poor on New-year's day.

There is a piece of ground and a summer-house in this parish, used by Mr. Rob. Thexton at 3l. per annum, paid towards church repairs, which was sold in 1549 by Rob. Brown, mercer, to Tho. Smith, raffman, who settled it on the parish.

The Well called St. Laurence's Well, is very ancient, for in Edw. the First's time it was a common well; in 1547, the court granted the parishioners the lane from the High-street to the well, together with the said well, on condition they erect a door at the south end of the lane, and keep it open in the day, and shut it up securely at night. In 1576, Rob. Gibson had a grant of the said lane or entry and well, provided that at his own charge, he shall bring the water from the said well in a cock of lead, into the publick street, for the ease of the common people, and shall maintain the same. It is now called St. Laurence's Pump, and hath this inscription on it,
This Water here cavght, In Sorte as yowe se, From a Spring is brovghte, Threskore Foot and thre.

Gybson hath it sowghte, From Saynt Lawrens Wel, And his Charg this wrowghte, Who now here doe dwel.

Thy Ease was his Coste, not smal, Voychsafid wel of those, Which thankful be, his Work to se, And thereto be no Foes.

St. Laurence's acre mentioned at p. 264, was conveyed in 1535, by John Bobet, rector to the church-wardens, and their successours. By

(85) Coselany Bridge there is a great passage from this parish to the part of the city on the other side of the river, it being the first common bridge on the west part of the city, for carriages, &c. and is one of the five bridges over the river.

(86) St. Gregory's Church

Was a rectory, the advowson of which belonged to the Valoines or Valoyn's family; and in 1210, John Fitz-Bernard, one of the coheirs of that family, had it settled on him and his heirs, by fine levied between him and Sibill wife of John de Rochford, by the name of the advowson of St. Gregory's church near Mancroft in Norwich; it continued in his family till Walter Fitz-Bernard, Knt. gave it to the priory of monks at Norwich; (fn. 23) and in 1276, it was appropriated by Roger de Skerning Bishop of Norwich, at the rector's death, for the use of the stranger's-hall, (fn. 24) and entertainment of their guests there; but in 1289, Ralf de Walpole, at the death of Andrew de Giselham, the last rector, reversed the former settlement, and appropriated it to the infirmary of the monastery, the master or keeper of which received all the profits, there being no vicarage endowed, and paid a secular priest for the service of the church, repaired the chancel, and answered all things to the Bishop and Archdeacon of Norwich, whose jurisdiction it is subject to, as it was before the appropriation, when it was valued at 9 marks, taxed at four, and paid 6d. synodals. The chancel was rebuilt in the handsome manner we now see it, in 1394, at the expense of the priory, and such benefactors as they could get to contribute to it; and the churchyard was much enlarged on the north side. In 1421, the keeper of the infirmary was at a great expense to repair the priest's chamber, and chancel leads, which were much damaged by a high wind; and in Henry the Seventh's time the infirmary received about 3l. per annum clear out of the profits, the service and repairs being deducted.

It is now a donative in the donation of the dean and chapter, of the value of near 40l. per annum, but is all arbitrary contribution, (except the offerings and surplice fees,) which in Dr. Prideaux's time amounted to 24l. Dr. Gardiner, rector of Massingham-Magna, is now [1744] minister. Here is service and a sermon every Sunday, and prayers on Saints days.

The church is an ancient building, and was covered new with lead in 1537, and is now handsome and convenient within, consisting of a nave and two isles, with chapels at their east ends; that on the south is dedicated to St. Thomas Archbishop of Canterbury, and its altar to St. Thomas and St. Anne, who had their images by it, in niches in the wall; that on the north was St. Mary's chapel; and at the west end of the steeple is a small chapel still remaining, which opened into the common passage; this was the chapel of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, in which was her altar and image with a light always burning before it; and Jesus mass was celebrated here; at the Dissolution it fell to the church-wardens, who have constantly let it out, as they did also the vault under the chancel, which was a charnel.

1577, paid the glazier 5s. for taking the images out of the windows. In 1578, a tissue cloth cope was sold. In 1582, an attempt was made to consolidate it to St. Laurence, but the parishioners opposed it at a good expense. In 1597, the spire or pinnacle lead work was cast; this spire is the only one in Norwich, except the cathedral, and is very tall, being made of timber covered with lead. In 1626, about 110l. was laid out in beautifying the church, half of which was raised by voluntary contribution, and the rest by rate, as the 50l. was also raised, before the subscribers names is this, "Christian successors according to this last yeares accompt with the great charge subscribed to it, it is thought fittinge not to suppres, but to specify unto you the names of the well disposed gentlemen and inhabitants within this parish, who have voluntarily contributed to so pious a work, as the beautifying God's house or habitation, the place where his honour dwelleth, as the prophet David professeth, Psalm 26, verse 8, not doubtinge but as our forefathers have formerly shewed their zeale and goodworks in building this temple, so you seeing owr continewed mayntayning and upholding of the same, may take the better occasion to be stirred up to go forward in the same course." Mr. Robert Debney, mayor in 1624, 43s. 4d. &c. and among them is Francis Watson, a pedler, who not only contributed 30s. but painted and marbled all the pillars, railed in the font, and adorned the altar, "out of his own free will, zeal, and devotion, to the house of God." The font was repaired and made in the manner we now see it in, in 1624, at near 40l. expense, to which Edmund Reve, Esq. afterwards a judge, Mr. Francis Bacon, who was a judge also, Mr. Stonham, minister, and Mr. John Loveland, sheriff this year, were benefactors. In 1626, the east end and window of the chancel was repaired partly by the dean and chapter, who laid out 10l. and 5l. was given by Francis Bacon, Esq. 5l. by Tho. Bacon, Esq. &c.

The lights kept here, before the Reformation, were placed before the following images, viz. of St. Catherine, St. Margaret, St. Elizabeth St. John, St. James, St. Christopher, the Holy-rood, our Saviour, and the Holy Sepulchre.

The chancel, south vestry, south and north isles, south and north porches, are leaded; the tower is square, hath a clock and five bells in it, on which,
1. Dulcis sisto melis, Campana vocor Michaelis.

2. Sanctus Gregorius Papa.

3. Gabriel ave, hac in conclave, nunc pange suave.

4. In multis annis resonet Campana Johannis.

5. Nos societ Sanctis semper Nicolaus in altis.

In St. Thomas's chapel on the south side of the chancel, is an altar monument, and also a very handsome mural one, on the top of which is a death's head, or dead man's scull, and under it a spade and mattock in saltier, with this,
Mors Ligonibus æquat Sceptra.

And then the arms and crest of

Bacon, arg on a fess ingrailed between three inescutcheons gul. three mullets or.

Crest, a talbot's head erased per fess sab. and arg. holding a sheep's foot in his mouth or.

Bacon impaling Rouse, sab. a fess dancetté or between three crescents arg.

Bacon impaling quarterly, 1st and 4th Bacon of Garboldesham, 2d and 3d az. ten estoils or, 3, 3, 3, and 1. Bacon impaling gul. two chevrons arg. Bacon impaling

Robinson, sab. a frett arg. on a chief gul. three escalops of the second. At top,
Tota Funeris Pompa, contemnenda est in nobis, non tamen negligenda in nostris—Cic.

On the table: Quis hic tandem? Quem luges rigida Niobe? Cuinàm Lachrymas marmore exudas? Quem nemo non luget; cui nullus non illachrymatur, nisi marmore durior.

Nè sileant Homines, saxa loquantur, Æquum est scilicet, Justa facere, Jus dicenti, At quis huïc oneri invito succumbit, Si nescis, Ignare, audies: Atlas utriusque poli vergentis Juris Æquitatis, Legis, Morum, Pacis, Arbiter, Vindex, Censor, Sequester, Judex in Terris integer, (si quis alius) Judice Coelo Tandem quietus est, et hic jacet; Nec jacet tamen, sed subsidit, Laboris et Senij, non tamen sui, Quàm delirantis Mundi, pertæsus, Paucisque in terris repertis Bonis, abijt ad Plures; Diebus nefastis, Justitio in terris indicto Irati Coeli Justitia, Terram reliquit, Ad Astra fugiens, Astreæ sequax, Cum Sanctis Collegis redux, Luce novissimâ, Terram denuò judicaturus, Quin tandem Nomen ut eloquar, Magni Verulamij et Sanguine et Nomine, Utroque dignus, audit Franciscus Baconus.

An altar erected over his grave hath this on its top,
Resurrecturum in Resurrectione, in novissimo die, hìc in spe requiescit Corpus vere venerabilis perdoctiq; Judicis Francisci Bacon: Qui ex Thoma Bacon (Proavo suo) de Hesset in Comitatù Suffolciœ; Generoso (anno primo Edwardi Regis Angliœ Sexti defuncto) per Annam Rowse Uxorem suam secundam & Filiam Henrici Rowse de Dinington in Comitatû predicto Armigeri, originem suam deduxit, Quiq; etsi multò magis ob cognomen, quam Divitias Prosapiæ ejus devinctus fuit, attamen Dei Benedictione, suisq; Studijs, sine istâ Animâ venali, quâ in hâc hominum Ætate Aurifures opulescunt, honestè & modicè ditescens, sibi benefecit, & lautè vixit: Liberos benè Moratos, ac ad eruditionem educavit, & (cum Familiâ piè gubernatâ) copiosè sustentavit, pauperibus et egenis amicè subvenit: esurientis quotidiè exsaturavit; et (tandem) Salvâ Conscientiâ, honestissimâ Famâ prorsus omnibus per amatus, et deploratus obijt. Quemq; (post multos Annos studiosè & per officiose (in Vitæ serie) contritos, et ultra quam quatuor Tyrocinia in Legibus Angliœ Ambagiosis, evigilando adimpletâ; unamque Legis Lectionem Societati suæ publicè in Hospitio Graïensi præleetam) Rex noster Carolus insigni honore bis nobilitavit, scilicet, Termino Trinitatis Anno Regni sui 16° & 1640, ad Statum & Gradum Servientis ad Legem gratis ordinavit: & Termino Michaelis 18° Regni sui, 1642, unum Justiciariorum de Banco Regis, et coram ipso Rege (insperato & sine ambitû) delegavit (postquam nec Serviens ad Legem, neque Judex apud Westmonasterium per ipsum Regem ordinatus nec constitus fuit) & in eâdem Curiâ (nec Amore præmij, nec timore Pœnæ Jus violare unquam persuasus, cum Pietate, Fidelitate, & Honestate, Deo, Regi, & Patriæ cum Collegis suis, et pro tempore haud parvo, ut Judex unicus tempore bellicoso) munus suum Judiciarum præstitit; usquequò diploma ejus (per præmaturum Regis prædicti Fatum) legitimè finitum fuit: per quod, optimum Magistrum, honorabile, & perutile servitium amittens, & nolens (Rebus sic stantibus) novam Commissionem exequi: etsi hìnc Divitias exaggerare, suosq; posteros Impendio locupletaret) sese negotijs publicis (ullo modo) tumultuare penitissime recusavit: et ab eo tempore vitam privatam egit, Tædiumque Vitæ, Clientibus privatim consulendis delusit, usque 22^am diem Augusti, A^o. Dni. 1657, quâ stadium pertæsum sibi propositum (per Tollerantiam) decucurrit, et A^o. Ætatis suæ 70° (morte pergratâ) Periodum imposuit, ex quo Filius suus natû maximus, (Filiali Debito Reverentiæ & Gratitudinis obstrictus) in Memoriam Honoris & Integritatis ejus Pijssimam (anno Salutis nostræ 1659, cum tristissimo Dolore) hoc Monumentum constituit, et (quantum in se fuit) Æternitati Mandavit.

Arms at the east end of the tomb,

Bacon, arg. on a fess ingrailed between three inescutcheons gul. three mullets or, impaling gul. a lion rampant arg. surmounted by a bend az.

On the side,

Bacon impaling sab. three beehives or. Bacon alone, and Bacon impaled with arg. a saltier ingrailed az.

On a stone in the same chapel:

Elizabeth the charitable and pious wife of Francis Bacon, (the last Judge that was commissionated in the Court of King's Bench by our late deceased King) was here buried, in the Grave of her Father William Robinson Gent. about the 56^th Year of her Age, Oct. 9, A^o. Dni. 1651.

When Christ who is our Life shall appear, then shall we also appear with him in Glory. Colos. 3. 4.

Here also lies Francis Bacon Esq; (eldest Son of the abovesaid Francis and Eliz.) who died 28 Sept. 1692, aged 68.

Bacon impales Robinson.

Bacon and Bedingfield impaled.

Here resteth in hope of her Resurrection to everlasting Blisse, Dorothy, the faithfull, loving, charitable, and pious wife of Francis Bacon Esq. (eldest Son of the late Judge) and the eldest Daughter of Philip Bedingfield of Ditchingham in the Countie of Norfolk, Esq; and Anne his Wife, the Dr. of Edward Bacon of Shribland-Hall in Suffolk Esq. she died in the prime of her yeares, and was interr'd upon the 12^th Day of August in the 15^th Yeare of the Reigne of our Soveraigne Lord King Charles the second, Annoq; Dni. 1663.

Behold he taketh away, who can hinder him, Who will say unto him what doest thou? Job. 9, 12.

Anne wife of Robt. Davy Esq, and also Robt. Davy Esq; Recorder, who died in 1703.

Pepys, sab. on a bend or between two nags heads erased arg. three de-lises az. impaling Bacon.

Barbara the wife of Roger Pepys of Impington in Cambridgeshire Esq; and the eldest Dr. of Francis Bacon, sometime one of the Judges of the Court of King's Bench, [leaving two Sons and two Daughters overliving her; viz. Talbot and John, Barbara and Eliz. Pepys] was here buried March 2d. A^o. Dni. 1657.

Nos nostraque Morti debemus.

Mary Dr. of Rob. Davy and Anne his Wife died 18 March 1683.

Davy, sab. a chevron ingrailed erm. between three annulets arg.

Andrew Carr Gent March 31, 1658. Andrew only Son of Nic: eldest Son of Nic. Carr Esq; Dec. 9, 1684, 22, buried in the Grave of Andrew Carre his Uncle, who was buried in 1658. Mary Sister of Andrew 1690.

Carr gul. on a chevron arg. three estoils [and sometimes mullets] sab.

Crest, on a buck's head cooped, two bars gemels.

The following inscription is either lost or covered lately:

Epitaphium.

Quæ jacet hìc moles? Thomæ tenet ossa Corei, Qui Norvice, tibi, Scriba fidelis erat.

Hunc habuit charum totâ cum plebe Senatus, Sæpe requirit eum Concio, Sæpe Forum.

Sed frustrà! Terras et Tecta caduca reliquit, Ducit et Æternâ tempora Læta Domo.

Obijt anno 1590, 16° die Septembris.

Henry Bacon Gentleman, the youngest Son of Francis Bacon the Judge, died a Batchelor, and was buried under this Stone, 18 Oct. 1675.

Gulielmi Robinson Gen. (fn. 25) et Elizabethæ (fn. 26) Uxoris, funere conjunct' piæ Memoriæ, Elizabetha Uxor Francisci Bacon Armigeri, eorum unica soboles hanc observantiam posuit A. D. 1637.

Here lyes Elizabeth Robinson, eldest Daughter of Christopher Layer Esq; who was first the Wife of Thomas Corey Gentleman, and afterwards of Will. Robinson Gent. and was buried the 6th Day of August, 1620, between her said two Husbands.

On this Stone also is this: Eliz. Wife of Rob. Longe of Remerston in Norff. Esq. second Dr. of Francis Bacon, some time one of the Judges in the Court of King's Bench, was buried 1659, in the 3d Year after her Marriage, & in the 33d of her Age.

O Dij Boni! quid est in Vitâ hominis diù. Cic.

Corey, sab. on a chevron between three griffins heads erased or, as many stars gul. a mullet for difference impaling Layer.

All these now are, or lately were, in the chapel of St. Thomas the Martyr on the south side of the chancel, in which the following memorials do now, or lately did, remain, viz. on a small mural monument over the south vestry door, is this,
Johannes Whitefoot Sesquisenex; Ecclesiæ Anglo-Catholicæ Presbyter, Hujus Parochiæ Curatus, In Coelum pariter ac terram, Redux factus; Quod habuit utrinque Deo volente reddidit, Teque propediem Lector, utrobidem manet, Interea temporis pro Statu dispari, Coelestem Patrem qua datur, Utrique jugiter colamus, Quin et quà licet, et refert.

Pro nobis ipsis oremus invicem.

Obijt A^o. Ætatis 89°.

Æræ. Xianæ 1699°.

Opposite is a mural monument adorned with military ensigns, as drums, trumpets, colours, &c. with this inscription,
Josephus Paine (fn. 27) Eques Auratus, Hujusce Urbis Civis, Senator, Prætor, Tribunus, Pius, Prudens, Justus, Fortis, Familiam honestam, honore auxit, Industriæ et Virtutis præmio.

Pauperum Patronus, Quos ab injuriâ & Inediâ vindicavit Suppeditato & opere & ope, Relicto etiam in illorum suppetias, Thesauro perpetuo.

Civitatem Magistratû et Consilio ornavit Ecclesiæ huic reliquias credidit, Quam et instauratâ Fenestrâ Astante decoravit.

Sic lumine bonorum operum, Qui claruit vivus Extinctus etiam splendet Obijt Aug. 15°, 1668.

Ætatis suæ 68.

Pain, sab a fess raguled, between three gambs erased and erected or.

Crest a gamb erased sab. holding a ragged staff or.

Eliz. Dr. of Jarrett Dashwood Gent. and Anna-Maria his Wife, Jan. 18 1741, aged 7 weeks.

Orate pro anima Jacobi Pote Tivis Mormici cuius anime propicietur Deus.

Hic iacet Johes Tilney puer et Armiger.

Mary youngest Dr. of Tho. Bacon Esq. and Jan. his Wife 1669, 5.

Will. Greene, late Servant to Sir Henry Hobart Knt. and Baronet, Lord Chief Justice of his Majesty's Court of Common Pleas Westminster. - - - -

Fui, Lucia Uxor Thomæ Neve Civis Norwicensis Filia Magistri Josephi Pain, ejusdem Civitatis Aldermanni, annum agens 24^m Feb: 16^m diem clausi novissimum A. D. 1658. Oportet operari donec dies est, venit nox, quando nemo potest operari.

Robertus Pain, Josephi Pain Militis, & aliquando hujusce urbis Prætoris, Filius primogenitus, egregiæ indolis, eximiæ virtutis, flos Familiæ, spes Magna Civitatis, omnium Testimonio ornatus, seculo malo, benigno numine ereptus, anno Ætatis 31, 1656. Collectus ad tres Liberos præmissos, vid. Rogerum, Mariam & Josephum, qui hic sepulti adjacent.

Pain impales Mingay.

Pain's crest, arms and motto, viz. Je prens pour donner.

Here lyeth the Body of the vertuous Lady, the Lady Emma Paine, Wife to the Right Worshipfull Sir Joseph Paine Knt. some Time Mayor of this Citie, who departed this Life the 28 Day of April, A. 1665, being the 65 Year of her Age.

The Memory of the Just is blessed.

In the nave,
Will. Son of Will. and Amy Clerk, 1726, 6 Months, John second Son 1729, two Years, Daniel 3d Son 1737, 6 Months. John Goose Esq. some time Mayor 1714, 72. Hester Hemyngway 1740. Francis Gilbert 1719, 65, Mary his Wife aged 55, 1719, and six of their children, John Gilbert 1719, 28. Hester Brownsmith 1726, 42.

Crest, an eagle displayed. Gilbert, az. a chevron ingrailed erm. between three eagles displayed arg. impaling erm. on a chief three crescents.

Under the steeple, Tho. Bateman Gent. Dec. 29, 1740, 64. Eliz. his Wife 1741, 66. There is a mural monument at the west end of the nave, for Mary Dr. of Tho. and Eliz. 1721, 15. Mary Goose 1697. Eliz. Goose 1726, 79. In the south porch, M. Pepys, 1700. Eliz. Wife of Rob. Goose 1682, Rob. Goose 1687. On a chevron between 3 geese's heads erased, 3 mullets of 6.

On a loose brass which came off a stone in the nave,

Orate pro animabus Johannis Pennyng nuper Tibis et Alver manni Pormici et Elene Uroris sue qui quivem Johannes obiit iiii^o vie Mensis Julii A^o. Dni. M^oCCCClix^o quorum animabus propicietuc Deus Amen.

Orate pro anima Alicie Uroris vudum Galfrivi Hauby.

Here under lyeth the Body of John Weaver, sometime one of the Carriers to London for this Citie of Norwich, who departed this Life the 17 Day of November Anno 1625, being of the Age of 43 Years, whoe gave by Will a certaine Piece of MeadowGround lying in Eaton by Norwich, (holden by copy of the Dean and Chapter) to this Parish of St. Gregory, for the preaching of two Sermons yearly for ever, allowing xs. for each Sermon, and the Remainder of the Rent to the Poor of the same Parishe. (fn. 28)

Orate pro anima Johannis Honemorth nuper Tibis t Alver manni Normici Merrer, qui obiit vecimo vie Mensis Marri M^o CCCC^o xiv^o cuius anime propicietur veus Amen. He was sheriff in 1457,

Orate pro anima Matilve Mestgate nuper Uroris Johannis Westagate quonvam Tibis et Alvermanni Normici, que obiit vices simo quarto vie Aprilis An. Dom. 1538. Tuius anime propicietur Deus Ame.

Fui Jana Stebbing Filia Gregorij Stebbing Gen. 1677.

Hic iacet Torpus Thome Unvermood, quonvam hic Uicarii, cuius Anime propicietur Deus Amen.

Nicholas the Son of William Oliver and Elizabeth Oliver, died the 15, and was buried the 17 of July, 1668. (This stone is now removed.)

Here under lyeth the Body of Thomas Gostlin, Son of Thomas Gostlin and Sarah his Wife, he departed this Life the 14 of March 1676, aged 4 Years and 5 Months. Also their Sons and Drs. Thomas 1668. Eliz. 1677. Thomas 1678. John 1731, 66.

Eliz. 1694. Susan 1709.

Crest an eagle's head erased. Gostlin, gul. a chevron between three crescents erm.

Pray for the Soul Rob. Tomson, on mhose Soule Jesu habe Merry Amen. A. D. 1539.

Hic iacent Johannes Wilby Mercenarius, quondam Alderman nus Norwici, et Matilda Uxor eius, Qui Johannis obiit septimo decimo die mensis Septembris Anno Dom. 1444. Dictaque Matilda obiit die Anno Dom. M. CCCC Quorum animabus propicietur deus Amen. He was sheriff in 1427.

Orate pro anima Thome Cok Civis Norwici Raffman, Qui obiit 21 vie Aprilis A. D. 1502, cuius anime etc. amen. His effigies remain.

Mary the Dr. of John Burkin Junior, dyed the 13 of Nov. Anno 1664. Elizabeth Dr. of John Burkin, died the 6 of Aug. Anno Dom. 1666. (a brass plate.)

Orate pro anima Willielmi Turhe, Draper, quondam Cibis Normici, cuius anime propicietur deus.

Sugden, az, a fess between three maids heads cooped at the shoulders, in chief, and a leopard's face in base or. Crest, a leopard's face or on a coronet, impaling a chevron between three dolphins. Gamaliel and Eliz. Children of Gamaliel and Mary Sugden, 1681, 1688. Priscilla Dr. of Tho. and Alice Wigmore, 1684. Thomas Son of Nic. Booty, 1700, 62.

In the north isle,

Maria Filia Francisci Wise Generosi, & Mariæ Uxoris ejus, sub hoc marmore jacet, qua vitam morti succubuit, quarto die Maij An. Dom. 1673.

Orate pro anima Roberti Bryon qui obiit A. D. 1531, cuius anime propicietur Deus, Amen.

Orate pro animabus Renrici Gunton, quondam Tibis Normici, et Margarete Uroris sue, qui quivem Henricus obiit vicesimo octabo die Mensis Julii A. D. 1468, et victa Margareta nbiit verimo nono vie Mensis Februarii A. D. 14 - - - cuius animabus propicie tur veus.

Will. Woods 1726, 55. Mary his Wife 1735, 69.

Hic jacet Corpus Priscillæ, Uxoris Jacobi Barnham, spe Fœlicis Resurrectionis, quæ decimo septimo die Martij A°. Salutis 1722, obijt. Ætatisque suæ 24°.

On a small mural monument on the north wall,

Sacred to the Memory of Daniel Fromanteel Esq. Sheriff of This City 1719, Mayor 1725, who was very much esteemed both in his publick and private Character. He departed this Life 25^th Nov. 1731, aged 53.

Barry of ten vert and arg. a lion rampant gul. crowned, impaling or, three lozenges gul.

At the east end of this isle is St. Mary's chapel, in which is a vault for the Seamans; here hangs a hatchment of

Vere, quarterly gul. and or, four mullets counterchanged, impaling Seaman,
Crest, a boar passant az. armed or.

This was for Frances wife to Thomas Vere, Esq. sister to Sir Peter Seaman, who was interred in the vault April 20, 1729.

There is a mural monument at the north east corner, with a bust of Sir Peter Seaman, holding a truncheon in his hand between two Cupids, one of which holds a spear, and the other a helmet.

P. M. S.

Petri Seaman Equitis Aurati Cujus exuviæ hic juxta sitæ sunt.

Vir Famæ integræ, sine Fuco, sine Fastu, Hujus Civitatis aliquando Prætor, Militiæ Urbanæ Tribunus, Necnon Comitatus Norfolciæ Vicecomes, Redditu anno ad binos pauperculos Artifices erudiendos, relicto in perpetuum.

Obijt vi° Iduum Jan.

Anno Dom. 1715.

Ætatis suæ 53.

Seaman, barry wavy of six arg. and az. over all a crescent gul. impaling

Framlingham, arg. a fess gul. between three cornish crows proper, quartering three martlets in a tressure fleuré. Crest, a mast and tackle. (fn. 29)

This chapel is adorned on the top with, Labi helpe.

In the south isle,
George Davidge 1704. Edw. Scott 1727, 39. E. Clift 1690.

R. Clift 1696. Ric. King late of Dearham, 1731, 21.

Bacon impales De Grey.

Here resteth the Body of the vertuous and charitable Jane late Wife of Thomas Bacon Esq. youngest Dr. of Sir William de Grey of Merton Knt. deceased, who departed her Life the 27^th of July, in the Year of Christe 1698.

Here likewise resteth the Body of the abovesaid Thomas Bacon Esq; 2d Son of the venerable Judge Bacon, by whose exemplary integrity and Abilities, the Hereditary Accomplishments of his worthy Ancestors, were transmitted to the Honour of theirs, and his own Memory, ob: May 18^th 1710, Ætat. 83.

Hic iacet Alicia quonvam Uror Johannis Clerk, que obiit xxiiij die Martii Anno Dom. 1467, Cuius anime propicietur veus Amen.

Orate pro anima Thome Alberv, unper Cibis Normici, qui obiit In festo Sancti Cdmunvi Regis, Anno Dom. 1510, ruius animi propicietur deus.

Hic iacet Thomas Nemman cibis Normici, qui obiit 29 die Martii Anno Dom. 1444, cuius anime propicietur deus Amen.

On the top of the nave are the arms of Morley and Erpingham, quarterly one and four Boleyn, and sab. three mullets or, a chief indented erm.

Hoe and Beauchamp impaled, on a coat of pretence fretté, a chief gul.

Wichingham, and barry of six or and az. on chief arg. three lions heads erased sab.

On two altar tombs on the south side of the churchyard,

Crest, a lion rampant.

Bokenham, or, a lion rampant gul. over all, on a bend az. three bezants, impaling,

Nicholson, az. two fesses er. in chief three suns proper.

P. M. S.

Henrici Bokenham Med. Doct.

Reginaldi Bokenham de Wortham In Agro Suffolciensi Armigeri Filij natû maximi, Generosa non minus Indole, Quam Fide Antiquâ, Qui cum bina fere Lustra Apud Ædes Collegiatas Gonvilienses Bonis Literis Felicem navâsset operam.

Perduellione grassante, Gradum Doctoralem Ultrajecti capessivit, Patriam inde expetens, Annum circiter MDCLVII.

In hac Civitate Norvici Artem Medicam Egregiâ Laude, Felici Successû, professus est, Vitæ tamen pertæsus, Cœlo autem maturus obijt, Æræ Xianæ MDCXCVI, VII Calendas Februarij Ætatis LXXX.

Here lieth Eliz. the Wife of the said Doctor Bokenham, who was the Daughter of Francis Nicholson of Ipswich Esq; she departed this Life 2d. Nov. 1666.

And the Bodies of Roger Seaman Gent. & Francis his Wife, Dr. of the said Doctor Bokenham & Eliz. his Wife, also the Body of Mary West Widow, Sister of the said Doctor. Mr. Seaman died 3d Aug: 1698, his Wife 14th Jan: 1715, and Mrs. West 13 Oct. 1696.

At the feet of these lye Henry, Reginald, & Eliz. Sons & Daughters of the said Doctor and his Wife. Also Henry & Thomas Bokenham, & Henry Seaman their Grand-Children.

Here are also two headstones, with the arms of Bokenham and L'Estrange.

In Memory of Thomas Bokenham Gent. Son of Henry Bokenham M. D. 1743. aged 78, and of Judith his Wife, who was the Daughter of Hammond L'Estrange late of Pakenham in Suffolk, 1739, aged 76.

Here are two very fair altar cloths, the first is of black silk, and was always used when mass for the dead was celebrated here; it is adorned with dolphins embowed, embroidered thereon, each having a fish in their mouths half devoured; there also many angels, each holding a sheet; those like men, having a demi-man naked, in each sheet, and those like women, having a demi-woman naked in each sheet; to represent, that by their ministration, the souls of the righteous are conducted to heaven; on it is this inscription;

Pray for the Somles of Thon Reede and Agnes his myfc.

The other is of gold brocade, with this on it,
Pray for the Somle of John Mestgate Alderman, t Mamde hes Wyff.

There is a silver paten of 5 oz. and an half, and a handsome gilt cup with the date 1629; which weighs 29 oz. and a chalice weighing 35 oz. on which is this,

Deo et Ecclesiæ Dicavit Maria Ward, Norwigch Vidva. April 12, A°. D. 1628.

The font is a large pile, having an octagonal top, on four sides of which are the four Evangelists; and on the other four sides, four persons representing the four parts of the world, viz. Europe, Asia, Africa, and America; there is also an angel holding a mitre in one hand, and the Gospels in the other; to show, that by the Gospels of those Evangelists, all the world shall be converted to the faith of Christ, and then there shall be one church triumphant for ever.

The following persons are buried in the church, as the will-books, ledger, &c. inform me,

1447, Clement Rash, fishmonger, in St. Thomas's chapel. 1460, Alex. Thurston, in the isle before the image of the Virgin Mary, in a niche in the wall there. 1467, Agnes Bixter, Gentlewoman, and gave a cup to the church. 1473, Kath. Dilham alias Thyrston widow. 1499, Rob. Hothe buried in the arch under the high-altar. 1502, John Pepir mercer. 1503, John Wrane. 1513, Will. Playford, sherman, buried before the chapel of our Lady at the steeple end. 1537, Margaret widow of Tho. Cory citizen and alderman, buried in the church by her husband, and gave ten marks towards new leading the church, and a cope and two chesibles for the deacon and subdeacon. Will. Cory buried in the south chapel, and many of that family. 1609, Jacob Young and Abraham Nixon. 1619, Mr. Ric. Morley. 1631, Mr. Alderman Debney's wife, by her husband. Mrs. Mary Ward. Mrs. Barbara Cory, Kat. Keymer, and Mrs. Margaret Mihill. 1633, Mary Keymer.

The Parish Chaplains here were,
1303, Sir Ralf. 1400, Roger Austin, who was buried in St. Thomas's chapel. 1439, Nic. Hall. Tho. Underwood, vicar, see his inscription. 1450, Sir Will. Veautre, buried in the south isle at St. Thomas's chapel door, and gave five marks to finish the new sepulchre of our Lord. 1477, Sir Will. Bruyn. 1492, Mr. Robert Bulle or Balle, who by will in 1497, ordered his body to be buried in the arch under the high-altar, and gave 20 marks which Sir John Paston, Knt. owed him, to the reparations of the church vestments. 1525, Tho. Hallys, buried in the churchyard. 1523, Sir Rob. Pictow, chaplain. 1574, John Nesse. 1577, Mr. Hinckes. 1578, Mr. Fasset or Fawcet. Sir Anthony Hudson succeeded him, and he was succeeded by Mr. Richman. 1587, Mr. Curby, and after him Mr. Barnard. 1593, Mr. Decke. 1623, Mr. Mat. Stonham senior. 1637, Mr. Allison. 1641, Mr. John Whitefoot. 1727, Will. Bentham. 1732, the Rev. Dr Gardiner, the present [1745] minister. (See St. Giles.)

The religious concerned here were, the Prior of Bromholm, whose temporals were taxed at 5s. 4d. The Prior of Dunmowe taxed at 4s. 4d. and the Prior of Norwich at 1l. 13s. 4d. the said Prior having divers houses and rents of the gifts of Master Andrew de Giselham, and Roger Algor, and confirmation of Alexander Waleyns, rector of Dudelington, in the year 1300, and of divers others; several rents of which, were settled on the infirmary belonging to the priory, and others, on the almoner.

Benefactors to the parish and church:

1301, Alice, widow of Walter le Mercer, junior, settled 2s. rent out of a house in the market, to find two candles to burn before the holy rood, another before the image of the Virgin, this was seized at the Reformation.

1304, Walter de Wymundham mercer, settled 2s. rent out of a stall in the market, to find two tapers at the altar. This is paid by the chamberlain of the city.

1505, Robert Barnard, Esq. gave a pair of aglytts of gold to the church

1523, William Byrd, cooper, gave the grounds late Rob. Necoman's, lying in this parish, towards repairing the church for ever. (Regr. Grundesburgh, fo. 46.) In 1574, it was called the Alms-house, and laid on the west side of the churcyard, it is now aliened, and was then let at 20s. a year.

1525, Thomas Hallys, clerk, buried here, confirmed the mansion house (fn. 30) that was sometime Thomas Fedymont's, to the use of the church, according to the last will of Catherine Hallys. (Regr. Alpe, fo. 42)

1444, Maud, relict of John Wilbey, senior, alderman and mercer, buried here, (see the inscription,) gave a silver cup of 12 ounces.

In 1574, there was another house released by the prior and convent to the parish, it being anciently the chaplain's house; it joins to the clerk's house, and is rented at 20s. a year.

There were also other tenements on the west side of the churchyard, rented in 1574, at about 40s. per annum, but are all lost.

In 1582, the parish nominated their own minister, by lease from the dean and chapter, and received the tithes of the gardens, and paid 6s. 8d. a year rent, during their lease, and repaired the chancel during that time, which now belongs to the dean and chapter to repair.

In 1597, the parish houses at the steeple's end, were let by the parish, and so was the parsonage and the other house at the chancel's end, they having agreed to take the whole, and pay the minister 34l. per annum, which they did in 1638.

1631, 30 Dec. the will of Mrs. Margaret Stevenson, which is proved in the Bishop's office, hath this clause:

"Item, I will and my minde is, and I do give and bequeath unto the poore people of St. Gregory's parish, where I do now dwell, twenty shillings a year for ever, as a rent charge issueing and goeing out of the houses in St. Gregorie's and St. Peter's. which I bought of Mr. William Peters Gent." This rent charge is paid out of the Angel and Fishes inn, now owned by Mr. Will. Paine, attorney at law, and is divided among poor widows of the parish every Christmas eve.

For Mr. John Weaver's gift of Eaton Meadow, see p. 280.

Mr. Thomas Weaver left a house and ground at Poringland, now let at 1l. 17s. per annum for a sermon on the Epiphany or Twelfth Day, the minister to have 10s. and the parish clerk 2s. and the rest to be given in coals to the poor.

1644, Mary, widow of Alderman Richard Ward, paid 28l. 10s. to the parish of her husband's gift.

1682, Mr. Nat. Letten of London, merchant, gave 20l. to clothe the poor.

1697, Mrs. Mary Goose, single woman, buried here, gave a crimson velvet pulpit cloth, and cushion, and 5l. to the poor.

1703, Mrs. Eliz. Goose, single woman, her sister, gave a brass branch with 16 sockets, which now hangs in the nave. There is also a brass eagle.

1706, Mr. Phillip Manning gave 20l. to clothe the poor.

For Sir Joseph Pain's gift see Pt. I. p. 411.

For Sir Peter Seaman's gift, Ibid. p. 437; by will dated 2d of Sept.
1715, he gave all his houses and lands in St. Swithin's, and his messuage, &c. in St. Julian's, to bind out two poor boys, &c.

For Alderman Pye's alms-houses in this parish, see p. 245.

The north-east corner of this churchyard abuts on Sherer's-hill, which took its name from sheremen or cloth-cutters that dwelt there; on the spot at the meeting of the three streets, was a stone cross erected, by corruption called charing-cross, for sherer's-cross; this was taken away in 1732. See Pt. I. p. 447.

The small ward called