Gallow and Brothercross Hundreds: Thorpland

THORPLAND.

This also at the survey was a beruite, belonging to the King's lordship of Fakenham, &c. and here was a carucate of land, and one carucate, and one servus. (fn. 1)

This little hamlet lies about two miles north of Fakenham; I meet with old evidences mentioning Thorpland-Hall, a small lordship, depending on that of Fakenham. Richard Dendeney of East Barsham, chaplain, confirmed to Margaret, relict of John de Thorpland, all his rent, homages of his tenants here, &c. in the 20th of Edward III.

In a record of the 10th of Henry IV. it appears, that by an inquisition taken before the eschaetor, Sir John Le Strange, Knt it was found, that Roger de Lenne gave a messuage, 100 acres of land, 10 of meadow and pasture, and 10s. rent, with a foldcourse in Fakenham, Thorpland, and Althorp, to be amortised to Thorpland chapel; on condition to find a chaplain to pray for the soul of the said Roger, which was done (as said) without the King's license.

Afterwards the Farmers possessed Thorpland Hall, and Thomas Farmer, Esq. held it in fee farm of Queen Elizabeth, as part of the dutchy of Lancaster, as did Sir Christopher Calthorp, who lived here in 1680, as appears from several of his letters here dated, and so came to the L'Estranges.

In Register Hyrning, amongst the Will-Books at Norwich, it appears that this chapel of Thorpland was dedicated to St. Thomas, and that there was a cemetery belonging to it, in 1419. Robert Bateman, chaplain of Fakenham, gave in 1492, 6s. 8d. to the repair of it, and there was the gild of St. Thomas of Thorpland: the rector of Fakenham had obventions, great and small. (fn. 2)

On the 30th of July, in the 9th of King James I. the King grants to Francis Morice, of Westminster, Esq. and Francis Philips, of London, Gent. this chapel, then a barn, in the tenure of Jerome Alexander, Gent.; and in the said year, November 28, they conveyed it, with half an acre of land, whereon it stood, to Robert Bumpstead of Walsingham Parva; it was held then of the manor of East Greenwich, and in soccage, paying 2s. rent per ann.

The inhabitants of this hamlet go to Fakenham church, and pay great and small tithes to the rector.

In the reign of Edward I. it is said there were 90 parishioners in this hamlet, when there was a chaplain to serve the cure, but no sepulture, or baptism, belonged to it.

The rectory of Fakenham had a manse, with 40 acres of land belonging to it, in King Edward the First's reign, and paid Peter-pence 13d.

Rectors.

Wymerus occurs rector, in 1226.

1300, John de St. John, rector, presented by Sir Guido Ferre.

In 1309, the sequestration was granted to William de Melton, and in the said year he was instituted, presented by the King; he was afterwards Archbishop of York.

1317, Simon Garet, by David de Strabolgy Earl of Athol.

1328, Walter de Avyham, by Isabella Queen of England.

1357, William de Walcote, Ditto; he was archdeacon of the East Riding in Yorkshire.

1364, William de Gunthorp, by the master and scholars of the King's Hall in Cambridge; he was prebend of Wighton, in the county of York, of South Alton in Salisbury, and prebend of Southwell.

1400, Richard Kingeston. Ditto: he was archdeacon of Hereford.

1405, Henry Kays. Ditto; archdeacon of Norwich, &c.

1426, Mr. Robert Fitz Hugh, S. T. P. Ditto; afterwards Bishop of London.

1431, Mr. Thomas Ludham, in Decret. Bacc. Ditto; prebend of Lincoln.

1454, William Radclyff, Decret. Dr. prebend of St. Paul's and treasurer of Litchfield.

1465, Robert Wodeman. Ditto.

1477, Mr. William Laughton, S. T. P. by John Rotheram, Esq. hac vice.

1496, Mr. William Rokesby, by John Bishop of Salisbury, and the master and fellows of King's Hall, &c.

1522, Mr. Thomas Baughe, alias Williams, S. T. B. by the master and fellows, &c.

1540, David Bromfield, L. L. B. Ditto.

1545, George Cowper, S. T. B. Ditto.

Richard Lache was rector about 1553.

1555, Mr. Edmund Cosyn, S. T. B. master of Catherine Hall, Cambridge, rector of Oxburgh, &c. presented by the master, &c. of Trinity college, Cambridge.

1558, William Marshall. Ditto.

1570, Robert West, S. T. B. Ditto.

1610, Samuel Heron, S. T. P. Ditto.

1616, George Watts, S. T. B. Ditto.

1640, Richard Meredith, S. T. P. Ditto.

1655, Charles Robotham, B. D. Ditto.

1700, Daniel Hopkins, D. D. Ditto.

1732, John Hacket, D. D.

1745, Richard Walker, D. D. on Hacket's death.

1758, Francis Hooper, D. D.

1763, Dr. Davis, D. D. the present rector.