Freebridge Hundred and Half: South Lynn

SOUTH LYNN.

The chief lordship of this hamlet or village, was held by Herold, in the reign of King Edward the Confessor, who was then Earl of Norfolk, and afterwards King of England; after his death at the battle of Hastings, it was granted by the Conqueror, to Ralph de Tony, (of whom see in Necton.)

Five socmen held under Herold, 80 acres of land; there were also 3 borderers, 5 saltworks, with 2 carucates, all which was valued with Necton by Swaffham, a capital manor belonging to him.

This Ralph Lord Tony, on his founding the priory of Westacre, endowed it with this lordsip and advowson. (fn. 1)

Godscroft, of Westacre Manor.

Several persons were benefactors to this priory. In the 4th of Henry III. Will. de Dunham, gave by life, 18d. rent, and one comb of salt, per ann. out of lands here. Richard de Brandon, and Agnes his wife, gave to Hubert, prior of Westacre, lands in South Lenn, in the 12th of Edward I.

In the 6th of Edward II. Jeffrey Sutton aliened a messuage with 60 acres of land, in South Lenn, Lenn Episcopi, Tylney, &c. and in the 17th of that King, William de Wigenhale aliened lands and tenements here, and in Walpole, &c. and the prior had a patent for 2 messuages, the site of a mill, 1 acre of meadow, 100s. rent, and 8 quarters of salt in South Lenn, Lenn Bishop's, Islington, Hardwick, Sechy, &c.

In the 38th of Henry III. the jury present, that there was a common way from this village to Lenn Bishop's, beyond the bridge called Suth bridge, which bridge wanted to be repaired, and they say that the men of the burgh always, from time immemorial, used to repair and build anew, that part of the bridge called the draught, and that they ought not to repair any other part.

The temporalities of the priory were taxed in 1428, at 3l. 12s. per ann.

At the Dissolution it came to the Crown.

John Pell farmed the manor of Godscroft of the Crown at 30l. 4s. 3d. per ann.

At the survey, Hugh de Montfort's lordship of Islington extended into this, and the other townships or hamlets of Lyn.

Scales-How.

In the 43d of Henry III. a fine was levied, whereby Robert Lord Scales granted to John Soyer for life, the manor of Scales How, on condition of his paying 120l. sterling; and Robert Lord Scales held here, in Islington, &c. one fee and a quarter, ao. 1 Edward I. and had the assize. In the 9th of Edward II. Isabel de Scales held it in jointure, and by fine surrendered it to the Lord Robert de Scales, and the lady Egellina his wife, with the manor of Islington. (fn. 2)

Richard Riggs with Emma his wife, held here and in Islington, &c. 2 carucates of land, of the Lord Scales, in the 12th of that King; about this time, the Bishop of Ely, Lord Scales, and John de Fitton, were found to have lordships in the hamlets of South, West, and North Lenn.

Sir Edmund Thorp was lord in the 3d of Henry IV. in right of the Lady Joan, his wife, relict of the Lord Scales; in this family it continued, till Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Thomas Lord Scales brought it by marriage to Anthony Woodvile Lord Scales; and on her death, the families of Howard and Tindale were her heirs.

On a division of the estate of the Scales's, on the accession of King Henry VII. to the crown, this manor, &c. (as may be seen in Middleton) came to the Earl of Oxford, as one of the heirs; and on the death of John de Vere Earl of Oxford, without issue, to his sisters and coheirs.

And John Nevill Lord Latimer, had an interest herein, in right of Dorothy, one of the sisters and coheirs, as Sir Anthony Wingfield had also in right of Elizabeth, another of the sisters and coheirs.

Sir Robert Wing field was lord, and it remained in that family till the 4th of James I. George Allington, Esq. afterwards possessed it.

After this, Thomas Lilly, Esq. was lord of Scales-How, and Etheldreda his daughter and heir, brought it by marriage, to Sir William Hovell of Hillington, and by the marriage of his second daughter and coheir, it came to Martin Folkes, Esq. of Greys, who left it to his brother.

The Lord Bainard's manor of Tilney extended into this hamlet, and the rest at the survey: he had also in Lena here, 58 acres of meadow, with 3 acres of land, and 2 salt-works, and a freeman held of him 3 acres, and 8 acres of meadow, with the moiety of a salt-work, by way of exchange, and Stigand had the soc.

William Lord Baynard, forfeited it on his rebellion against King Henry II. who granted it to Richard Fitz Gilbert Earl of Brion, in Normandy, ancestor of the Earls of Clare.

Rainald, son of Ivo, had also at the survey, in Lynn, 14 acres with a salt-pit, held by a freeman, which he had invaded, or seized on, valued at 4s. per ann. It was held before by the abbot of Ely, and Stigand had the soc; and his manor of West Winch extended here.

This also came to the Earls of Clare.

The Lord Bardolf, and James de Belvaco, held in South Lenne and West Winch, in the reign of King Henry III. one fee of Richard Fitz Simon, of the Earl of Clare.

Richard, son of William de Reynham, held in the same reign, lands also, and John de Reynham in that of Edward I. William de Reynham was witness to a deed in the first of Edward III. and Sir Edmund was living in 1379. He was brother and heir of John de Reynham, and held lands here, of the Earls of Clare, and the Lord Scales.

In the 53d of Henry III. Margaret, widow of Adam de Watlington, granted a messuage in the parish of All-Saints, South Lenn, on the south side of the flete of the Lord William Bardolf, and the land called Grenehyll, to the east, to Herlewin, son of Paulinus de Suth Lenn; witness, James de Belvaco.

Thomas de Warblington held lands of the honour of Clare, in the 8th of Edward II.

Edmund Mortimer Earl of March, &c. was capital lord of this manor in the 3d of Henry VI.

Seche Parva.

Was an hamlet in the parish of South Lyn: in this Seche Parva, on the banks of the river, and near the Ouse river, was

Hall-Place, or Manor.

In the 11th year of King Edward III. Matthew Herlewine conveyed by fine and trust, to Thomas Duraunt, parson of Clench Warton, William Duraunt of South Lenn, and John Kervyle of Wygenhale, 7 messuages, a salt-work, 75 acres of land, 29 of meadow, a turbary, 40s. rent, a fishery at Seche Hithe, with appertenances in South Lenn, West Winch, Wygenhale, and North Rungton, and the advowson of the hospital of St. Laurence at Herdwyk Dam, together with the rents, homages, services, &c. of the master of the said hospital, of the prior of Wirmegey, the prior of Westacre, and of John de Lenn.

To this William Doraunt, Margery, late wife of Sir Roger Watervile, granted lands at Sechey, in the 10th of the aforesaid King, and sealed with the arms of Watervile, argent, three chevronels, gules, in a bordure ingrailed, impaling, a fess, between six billets, (but obscure,) probably her own arms.

William Douraunt, in the 35th of Edward III. grants to John his son, and Elizabeth his wife, and their heirs, his capital messuage in Seche, with all his lands, tenements, and rents in South Lenn, Yslyngton, Wigenhale, &c. which descended to him on the death of John Doraunt his father.

This John married Elizabeth, one of the daughters and coheirs of Matthias Herlewin.

Alice, another daughter and coheir, married Jeffrey Bourghard, as appears from the following deed:

William Doraunt, of South Len, John, son of Bartholomew de Watlyngton, and John, son of William de Watlyngton, grant, &c. to Alice, relict of Jeffrey Burghard, daughter of Matthias Herlewin, of South Len, and her heirs, 7 messuages with their appertenances, and 28 acres of ploughed land, 60 of meadow, &c. in South Lenn village, and fields, North Lenn, West Winch, Hardwick, &c. all which were late Matthias Herlewin's, father of Alice.

Witnesses Sir John Howard, Sir John de Wilton, Sir John de Tilney, knights, John Seafoul, Richard Frere, William de Rongeton;—dated at South Lynn, on Sunday before the feast of the exaltation of the Holy Cross, ao. 26 of Edward III. To this were 3 seals, the first of red wax, with a chevron between three escallops, Dorant's seal; though afterwards they sealed otherwise; the other two seals destroyed by time.

By a deed dated July 20, in the 9th of Henry VI. John Duraunt and Thomas Lovell, Esq. appoint Tho. Pokedyk, &c. to deliver seisen, &c. of a messuage called Herlewin's in South Lenn, and 140 acres of land lying east of Seche Hithe, with the advowson of the hospital of St. Laurence at Hardwyk Dam, to Sir Henry Rocheford, knight, Ralph de Middleton, and John de Bekyswell.

William Duraunt, Esq. was lord of Hall Place in Seche, and sealed quarterly, in the first and 4th quarter, barry of six, a bend over all, and in the 2d and 3d, three cinquefoils, in the 16th of Henry VI.

Sir Edmund de Reynham granted to John Duraunt, father of this William, in the 2d year of Henry IV. all his messuage in Seche, which he formerly purchased of William de Wynch, with all the lands, meadows, pasture, foldage, wards, relief, escheats, rents and services, in the town and village of Seche, excepting Reynham Dole.

His seal to this deed was sable, three mallets, argent; crest, on an helmet, a large hat, on which were two mallets, one before, and one behind.

John Durant, brother of William, who died s. p. releases to William Walton and Catherine his wife, (his sister,) and their heirs male, all his right and title in Hall Place, in Seche, with all the lands, rents, services, &c. late William Durant's his brother, with the advowson of St. Laurence's hospital, and the fishery of Sechithe and Reynham Dole, in South Lenn; witnesses, Thomas Lord Scales, Thomas Lovell of Barton, &c.

The said John Durant, Esq. granted to Robert Synkclere and Agnes his wife, the hospital, or house of lepars, with the chapel of St. Laurence, situate on the causey of Hardwyke, by Lenne, with the appertenances for their lives, from the feast of St. Michael, in the 27th of Henry VI. paying to him, his heirs and assigns, for every brother and sister entering into the said hospital, and made by the said Robert and Agnes, 20d. and it shall not be lawful for the said John, his heirs, &c. to put in or out, any brother or sister during the lives of the aforesaid Robert and Agnes.

Soon after this, William Walton, Esq. and Catherine his wife, (fn. 3) convey by fine, in Hillary term, ao. 36th of Henry VI. to Sir Thomas Tudenham, Knt. this manor of Hall-Place, in Seche, with a messuage, 200 acres of land, 50 of pasture, free fishery of Sechyth water, and Reynham Dole, in South Lynn, and 20s. per ann. in Seche, Sechyth, Hardwyk, South Lyn, &c. with the advowson of the chapel of St. Laurence.

Sir Thomas Tudenham was, on the accession of King Edward IV. beheaded with the Earl of Oxford, for rebellion against that King, and so it was forfeited to the Crown; but John Walton, Gent. son of William Walton, Esq. and Catherine his wife, cousin and heir of John Durant, Esq. late of Seche, quitting all his right nerein, to Anthony Lord Scales, who was lord of Middleton, and capital lord of this fee (as I take it,) and had at that time great power and authority, his sister being King Edward's queen consort.

The said Anthony, on October 30, in the eleventh year of the said King, granted it to Margaret Beding feld widow of Edmund Bedingfeld, Esq. and only sister of Sir Thomas Tudenham. This lord had a grant of the custody of it, May 27, ao. 2 of Edward IV.

In the 17th of Edward IV. Edmund Bedingfeld was lord; and in a court held of this manor, grants to John Norris, vicar of South Lynn, the site of the hospital of St. Laurence (which was then burnt) till it was rebuilt.

In the family of the Bedingfelds of Oxburgh it remained, till Sir Henry Bedingfeld, Bart. sold it in the reign of King George I, to the Lord Fitz-Williams, in which family it remains.

This village of South Lynn was always a distinct and separate place from King's Lynn, till in the 4th and 5th of Philip and Mary, it was granted to be annexed as a member of that burgh for ever, under the same government, and to enjoy the same privileges, and to be exempt from any power or authority of the sheriff of Norfolk.

Several religious houses had possessions here.

On May 30, ao. 1 of Queen Mary, Gilbert Potter had a grant of several messuages, lands, &c. formerly in the tenure of Thomas Winter, and belonging to Blackburgh priory, to be held by knight's service; Porter had license to alienate them to George and Thomas Eden; and George Eden to John Knapp of South Lynn, in the 1st and 2d of Philip and Mary, with 22 acres of land, called Colton Dale, in Wigenhale, late in the tenure of John Reynham, Gilbert Potter, &c. belonging to the said priory, and Knapp conveyed it, 29th of Elizabeth, to Hugh Pratt and Edmund Houghton.

In the 17th of Elizabeth, John Herbert and Andrew Palmer had a grant of 16 acres and an half of concealed land, belonging formerly to this priory, and 19 acres of land and marsh here, and in West Winch, granted November 16, ao. 5 Edward VI. granted to Edward Lord Clynton.

In the 5th and 6th of Philip and Mary, July 9, Sir George Howard had a grant of 17 acres of land in the tenure of Robert Miller, lately belonging to the priory of Shouldham.

Robert de Brandon and Agnes his wife, gave to the prior of Shouldham lands, by fine, in the 12th of Edward II. and their temporalities were valued at 10s.

Temporalities of Ely priory were taxed in 1428, at 10s. Of Wirmegey 10s. Of Shouldham 10s.

The prior of Binham's at 24s. 11d.

Here was a capital messuage called Gayneslands, belonging formerly to the college of St. Stephen's, in Westminster. Queen Elizabeth on February 18, ao. 27, demised to Leonard Mapes, Gent. this messuage, with 48 acres of land, 50 of meadow, and 110 of pasture, for 21 years, paying 24l. per ann. Richard Candler held it in the 18th of James I.

Here was also a house called the White House, or the Dairy, with 173 acres of pasture and meadow, held by Sir George Kemp, Knt. of Pentlow-Hall in Essex, in the 9th of Charles I.

The tenths of this village were 16l. 6s. 8d.

The Church is dedicated to All-Saints, and is a vicarage, anciently valued at 12 marks. The present valor is 18l. 6s. 8d. The valor of the rectory was 10 marks, and Peter-pence 1d. and the priory of Castleacre had a portion of tithe valued at 1l. 10s.

It is a regular pile, built in form of a cross, with 3 isles, and a chancel, covered with lead, the whole being about 140 feet long, and the breadth of the isles 48 feet, the cross isle 83 feet long; at the west end was a strong tower, four-square, with battlements of stone, and thereon a shaft, with the weather-cock, the tower being about 82 feet high, and the shaft 30; and five tuneable bells.

The tower fell down in 1763, and part of the end of the church, which is now repaired with a strong brick wall; on the top of which is a kind of cupola of wood, &c. in which hangs one small bell.

In the chancel lies a marble gravestone with the arms of Baron; in chief, a crescent, and decrescent, and in base, a mullet.

Juxta patris tumulum charissimi et medicinæ doctoris eximii, hic situs est Andr. Baron, M. A. collegium Petrense apud Cantabrig. utrosq; alumnos fovebat, utrosq; sociorum titulo merito adornavit, mater summa cum amore filios amplexa est, et filij matrem. Virtutes modestia semper vetuit resonari, silet itaq; monumentum. Patris obitum proximus indicat lapis, hic filij qui quicquid fuit mortale deposuit Aug. 14, A. D. 1719, ætat. 74. Utriq; hic juxta pace requiescant, utriq; ad gloriam juxta resurgant.—Hic jacet Sam. Baron, M. D. qui post hanc vitam quam bonis operibus, et vera pietate ornaverat, cælo donatus est 29 Apr. A. D. 1673.

Hic jacet Francisca Pretyman, filia Sam. Baron, M. D. uxor Petri Pretyman, obt. 22 Decr. 1666.

Sub hoc marmore dormit Francisca Baron, filia unica Tho. Goddard, armig. et uxor charissima Sam. Baron, M. D. obt. Junii 1667.

A stone,

In memory of Lidia, wife of Mr. John Sims, merchant and alderman, daughter of Mr. Jenkinson, merchant, died 1654.

In the cross isle, on a marble gravestone,

Here lies Thomas Spensly, gent. who died October 2, 1673, aged 73.

A stone,

In memory of Mary, wife of Richard Beckham of Gaywood, gent. late wife of Andrew Pell, of South Lynn, gent. died January 26, 1626.

One,

In memory of Rachel, wife of Jacob Wragg, gent. who died 1685. (fn. 4)

On a marble in the south isle,

Jacet hoc sub lapide corpus Tho. Lilly, gen. qui obt. 21 Aug. 1662, ætat. 56. corpus Clementiæ uxoris quæ obt. 27 Sept. 1663, ætat. 59.

In the north isle, near the door, a gravestone,

In memory of Ann, one of the daughters of Luke Skippon, D. D. rector of Wissingset, who died—of January, 1694, and sometime vicar of this parish.

The plate belonging to the communion is considerable, in the whole 154 ounces 10 penny weights; about 130 ounces of it was the gift of the Lady Etheldreda Hovell, relict of Sir William Hovel, of Hillington, sole daughter and heir of Thomas Lilly, Gent. abovementioned.

At the Dissolution this impropriate rectory being in the Crown, was assigned to the Lady Mary, before she came to the crown, and was valued at 11l. 0s. 9d. per ann.

In the 20th of James I. it was possessed by Sir John Jolleys.

Vicars.

Peter de Wendy occurs vicar in 1302.

1307, Bartholomew de Runhale instituted, presented by the prior, &c. of Westacre.

1312, John de Godewick.

1321, Richard de Godewick.

1346, Henry Basset.

1352, William Aungier.

13 - -,—de Barlings, vicar.

1369, John de Acre.

Robert Flood occurs vicar, in the 17th of Richard II. and A^o. 5 of Henry IV.

1412, Thomas Ledlady.

1417, John Candeler.

1428, John Mundeford.

1438, Hugh Acton.

1442, Mr. John Halle.

1444, John Norys: by his will in 1503, he desires to be buried in the middle of the high qweere (the chancel) before the sacrament, and gives to find a priest at the altar of the blessed Trinity in this church, and for the better sustentation of that gild, his meadow and house, with the appertenances, lying without the east gates of Lynn, called the Oylhouse, and the profits of 7 acres of land and meadows in Sechy, called Berton's yards, and 5 acres in Rungton field, 3 half acres in West Winche mershe, to find a lamp burning day and night before the sacrament in the hey quere, by the oversight of the church reves, and his portous of paper rial to be chayned in the chapel of our Lady in this church. This vicar also built the vicarage-house, as appears by an inscription carved on the wood of the door case; his chantry priest was to pray dayly for his soul, and Jeffrey his father's, and the alderman and his brethren of Trinity gild, to keep yere day on Monday in Easter week, in Trinity chapel, and of Tuesday the mass of requiem.

1504, Richard Gotts.

1535, Mr. Thomas Alblaster, S. T. B.

1543, Mr. John Clerk, presented by Thomas Legh, Dr. assignee of the prior.

1556, Nicholas Myller, by the King and Queen.

1569, Henry Thompson, by the Queen.

1601, William Guybon, S. T. B. by the Bishop of Ely, on an exchange of the lands of that see, with the Queen.

1605, John May, by the Bishop of Ely.

John Horn, vicar.

1662, Luke Skippon, D. D.

1668, Mordant Webster.

1689, John Marshall.

1689, Henry Wastell.

1718, Thomas Pyle, by the Bishop of Ely.

Mr. Charles Phelps, by ditto.

A messuage was granted to the vicar and parishioners, to find a light in the church, A^o. 16 of Richard II.

In this church was the fraternity, or gild of the Holy Trinity, a patent for it in 1414: the guild-hall, with messuages and lands, &c. in the tenure of divers persons granted in the 2d of Edward VI. to Thomas Woodhouse of Waxham, with several lamplands.