Hundred of South Erpingham

THE HUNDRED OF SOUTH ERPINGHAM.

This hundred is bounded on the east by that of Tunstede, on the west by the hundreds of Holt and Eynesford, on the south by Taverham hundred, and on the north by that of North Erpingham.

The fee of it remained in the Crown till 1226, and then King Henry III. granted it to Hubert de Burgh Earl of Kent, at which time it appears, that the hundred court was held at Cawston ParkGate; for William de Calthorp, and Nicholas de Reppes, who had a dispute of right, both appeared, and left it to six of their neighbours, who knew the truth of the facts, there to determine it, which was accordingly done in favour of William; an excellent instance of the speedy course of justice in those days, and much to be wished that it might be restored in our own. Hubert aforesaid granted it for life to Hugh le Parker, (or his park-keeper at Cawston,) to which manor this hundred then belonged; and at his death John de Burgh, senior, son of Hubert, had it; and in 1273 released the manor and hundred to King Edward I. when it was worth 22l. per annum, the old rental being only 10l. per annum. In 1285 the King had settled it on Queen Eleanor his consort, and John de Berewyk, clerk, her treasurer, received the profits for her; in 1301 William Curson of Carlton farmed it with the hundred of North Erpingham, &c. which attended this hundred. In 1357, Isabel Queen of England, mother of King Edward III. died seized of both these hundreds, and that King was found her heir, who by indenture dated 25th of June 1371, settled it upon his son,

John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, when he married Constance, the only daughter and heir of Don Pedro King of Castile, &c. in exchange for the honour, earldom, castle, &c. of Richmond; and from this time it became parcel of the Dutchy of Lancaster, together with the manor of Aylsham, and hundreds of North Erpingham, Gallowe, and Brothercross. In 1396, Sir Thomas Erpingham, Knt. held it for life, by grant from the Duke of Lancaster; and in 1414, the reversion, after Sir Thomas's death, was settled on the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of Norwich, John Woodehouse, Esq. and others, as feoffees in trust. In 1474, Elizabeth, wife of King Edward IV. held it in jointure, and from that time it hath passed as the manor of Aylesham; to which I refer you.

This hundred constitutes the deanery of Ingworth, in the archdeaconry of Norwich; and paid clear to every tenth 109l. 7s. 4d. and the religious paid to every tenth, for their revenues here, 24l. 9s. 8d.