CHAPTER XLI. OF THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH, AND ITS PRECINCT
editThe present cathedral is a fine Gothick freestone building, brought to that magnificence we now see it in, at several times and in different ages, by the great care and industry of its many worthy benefactors; Bishop Herbert, its original founder, laid the first foundation stone in 1096, in the place where afterwards was made the chapel of the Blessed Virgin of Pity, and there he erected an altar in honour of our Saviour; and Hubert de Rhye, one of his barons, a devotee to the Holy Land, laid the second stone; Roger Bigot, and most of the nobility and barons of the diocese, being present, laid their several stones, and contributed largely to that pious work: so that the original church, as left by Herbert, was the whole choir, tower, and two transepts, with the north and south isles of the choir, beyond the transepts, and the extent of it then, was to the division between the nave and anti-choir, and no further; the lower part of which, now remaining, is the original building of Herbert, though some ornaments between the arches, and the entire roofs and upper parts have been since added.
Having finished his church, it was dedicated to the honour of the Holy Trinity, on the 24th day of Sept. on which day the dedication feast was annually celebrated to the Dissolution.
At Herbert's death, Bishop Eborard, his successour, built the whole nave or body of the church, and its two isles, from the antichoir or rood-loft door, to the west end, which was so great a work, that some have not scrupled to say, he built the whole church; and the present building, except the roof of the nave and western end, is of his foundation; and thus the church stood (though not perfectly fitted up and finished) till 1171, when it received much damage by fire; all which,
John of Oxford, the 4th Bishop in this see, fully repaired, and completely fitted up the church with ornaments, vestments, and such like, about the year 1197.
The next addition to this pile, was the noble chapel of the Virgin Mary, called the chapel of St. Mary the Great, which was built by Walter de Suffield the 10th Bishop here, who was a person of such sanctity and goodness, that though he was not formally canonized by the Pope, he was a reputed saint in his country, and a shrine being erected over his grave, it was visited by pilgrims from many parts, abundance of miracles being said to be done there; which was much confirmed by the miraculous escape of this chapel (as they then interpreted it) from the fire and fury of the citizens in 1272, when the whole church, tower, and adjacent buildings, were totally defaced in the insurrection between the citizens and monks; a large account of which occurs in Part 1. p. 53, 54, &c.
But the citizens being condemned to pay 3000 marks for their rashness; with that, and the liberality of the King, Queen, Bishop, Nobles, and Barons, of the country, the church was repaired and finished, and on Advent Sunday 1278, King Edward the First, and Eleanor his Queen, the Bishop of London, Hereford, Waterford, and many other nobles, were present at the inthronization of William de Midleton, who then rededicated the church in their presence; and John de Chisil Bishop of London then dedicated that altar where the body of St. William was buried, to the honour of our Saviour, and all the Saints; and Thomas de Cantelupe Bishop of Hereford dedicated the opposite altar by the choir door, to the honour of the Blessed Virgin, St. John the Baptist, St. Giles the Abbot, and all Holy Virgins; and Stephen Bishop of Waterford in Ireland dedicated the altar at the sacrist's chamber door, to St. Peter and Paul, and all the Saints,
And at this time the Bishop decreed, that the feast or dedication of the church should be held on the 18th of the calends of October, (viz. Sept. 24,) as usual in ancient time, and that the octaves of that feast, should be a single feast, held every year on the first day of October.
The old tower appearing soon after to be much weakened by the fire, another was begun on St. Peter and Paul's day, by Bishop Ralf de Walpole, at whose expense it was totally finished.
The same bountiful prelate, in the year 1297, began the cloister on the south side of the church, and the old chapter-house, which he built, together with that part of the cloister from the grand entrance into the church, called the Prior's entrance, with all the curious work about that entrance, to the entrance leading to the chapterhouse, (now to Life's Green,) and by that he placed a stone with this on it.
Dominus Gadulfus Dalpole Dorwicensis Episcropus me posuit.
i. e. Ralf de Walpole Lord Bishop of Norwich laid me.
And Richard de Uppehall, the undertaker of the aforesaid works of this Bishop, built three more of the arches, of that side of the cloister, and laid a stone in the wall in like manner, showing that he was founder of them.
The other five arches, and the south side of the cloister to the arch, where the espousals or sacrament of marriage was carved on its top, were built by Bishop Salmon and his friends, and by the office of pittancer, which the convent set aside, and laid out the pittance money on this work.
The north side against the church was built by Master Henry de Well, at the expense of 210 marks, besides 20l. given by Master John de Hancock, and some of the pittance money.
The west side from the espousals aforesaid, with the fine carved entrance towards the refectory or common eating-hall, together with the Lavatories, and the door entering into the strangers-hall was built by Jeffery Simonds, rector of St. Mary in the Marsh, at the expense of 100l. and the part from the strangers-hall door to the entrance into the church, with that entrance, was made by the executors of Bishop Wakeryng, who also in his lifetime rebuilt the new (but now demolished) chapter-house.
And Walter de Burney, citizen of Norwich, gave 100l. in 1382, with which much of the fine iron work and glazing of the cloister windows were perfected.
The rest being finished by the several families of Morley, Shelton, Scales, Erpingham, Gourney, Mowbray, Thorp, Savage, &c. the arms of all which families, and those of or, a lion rampant gul. with many more, were to be seen in the windows of the cloister above the bars, before their glazing was demolished.
And thus this famous cloister was finished in the time of William Alnwyk Lord Bishop here, (of whose gift the west end of the church was built, as may be seen in Pt. I. 531,) and in the third year of William Worsted, prior of the church, who were both considerable benefactors: in the year of our Lord 1430, and in the 133d year from the first beginning of the work.
In 1361, on the 15th of Jan. the steeple was blown down, and the quire much damaged, to repair which, Bishop Percy not only gave 400l. out of his own purse, but obtained an aid of 9d. in the pound, of all his clergy, to repair it, and then was the spire first erected, and the present tower built.
The shaft or spire commonly called the pinnacle, is a most handsome and well proportioned fabrick, and the highest in England, except that of Salisbury, which being raised upon a very high tower, is higher from the ground; but yet the pinnacle itself seems at least to equal that, and is higher than those noted ones of Litchfield, Chichester, or Grantham.
In 1629, the upper part of it was blown down; and in 1633, it was agreed at a general chapter, that it should be repaired.
It is 105 yards, and two feet, from the top of the pinnacle, to the pavement of the quire under it; it is built strongly of freestone on the outside, and brick within; the upper window is the highest ascent inwardly.
At the Restoration, when it was repaired, and a new gilded weathercock placed on it, there were stages made at the upper windows, and many went up to the top of the pinnacle, from whence is a prospect all round the country; Moushold-hill seems low and flat ground; the Castle-hill and high buildings, are very much diminished; the river looks like a ditch, and the city with its streets, shows like a pleasant garden of many walks.
The cock is three quarters of a yard high, and one yard and 2 inches long, as is also the cross bar and top stone of the spire, which is not flat, but consists of a half globe, and channel about it, and from thence are eight leaves of stone spreading outward, under which begin the 8 rows of crockets, which go down the spire at five feet distance.
In 1463, the church was much damaged again by fire, occasioned by lightning which fired the wood-work within the top of the pinnacle, which was the means of its being much augmented and beautified: for the noble stone roof of the nave of the church, adorned with most of the principal stories of the Old Testament, as of Pharoah, Sampson, &c. carved in stone very neatly, with the upper part of the nave, was then made at the expense of Bishop Lyhert and his friends, whose great generosity, added to his own, enabled him not only to perfect this great work, but pave the cathedral, build the stone rood-loft which now remains, and erect that tomb which was over the founder, before it was demolished in the late rebellion, on the south side of which, were the arms of the See, Lyhert, and of Windham impaling Braunch, who all contributed towards that good work; and on the north side were the arms of the See, an emblem of the Trinity, and Clere and Branch impaled; which I suppose were put on, when the tomb and choir were much repaired, by the Cleres, Boleyns, Windhams, &c. about the latter end of Henry the Seventh's time, or the beginning of Henry the Eighth's; and least the memorial of such benefactors should perish, the windows of the nave were adorned with the arms of England, Edward the Confessor, Bohun, Valence, Brotherton, Earl Warren, John of Gaunt, Cornwall, Beauchamp, East-Angles, the See, Albany, Lacy, Danby, the Empire, Plantagenet, Ufford, Bardolf, Huntingfield, Norwich, Charles Earl of Richmond, Lyhert, Hetherset, Mortimer of Attleburgh, Ingham, Bacon, Kerdeston, Morley, Scales, &c. most of which are now gone.
On Lyhert's death, Bishop Goldwell, his successour, beautified the tower, made the roof of the quire, of the same work as the nave, with stone carvings of most of the principal passages of the New Testament, and fitted up the choir and chapels about it, in the same manner as they now appear; and covered the vaulted or arched stone work, with lead; placing on the walls and in the windows, the arms of those worthy benefactors that contributed to that work, viz. Southwell, Calthorp, Erpingham, Clopton, Walton, Windham, Kerdeston, Warren, Dela Pole, Lucy, Hobart, Clere, Boleyn, Butler, Le' Strange, Bovile, Beauchamp, Felbrigge. Wichingham, Vere, Stanley, Wingfield, Heydon, Townesend, Bedingfield, Bruce, Hastyngs, Stapleton, Clifton, Hevingham, Bokenham, Ingloss, and many others; most of which, are now lost; but there are none so often occur as the arms of Sir Thomas Erpingham and his two wives, Sir Thomas Windham and his two wives, and Sir William Boleyn and his wife; which shows, that they were the most considerable benefactors.
There are also twenty-four escutcheons on the inside of the steeple over the quire, six on each side; those on the east side are the arms of
1. England and France quartered. 2. Edward the Confessor. 3. an Emblem of the Trinity. 4. the Emblem of the Sacrament. 5. the East-Angles. 6. the See of Canterbury, impaling Archbishop Moreton, viz. quarterly gul. and erm. on the 1st and 4th quarters a goat's head erased arg.
On the south side,
1. Stanley Earl of Derby, arg. on a bend az. three bucks heads caboshed or, with his quarterings, impales France and England quartered.
2. England alone.
3. Vere Earl of Oxford.
4. Townesend, az. a chevron erm. between three escalops or, quartered with gul. a chevron between three de-lises or, impaling quarterly, 1. az. a chevron between three boars heads cooped or. 2. arg. three chevrons gul.
5. Bedingfield.
6. Clere, impaling Udall or D'overdale.
On the north side,
1. Norwich See impales Goldwell's coat and devices, joined per fess, viz. first, gul. three gilt or golden wells, or. 2. Arg. six columbines az. 3. his paternal coat. (See Pt. I. p. 540.)
2. De la Pole impales Burwash, gul. a lion rampant doublequevée or.
3. Stanley and his quarterings, and Plais quartering Ufford.
4. Heydon.
5. Wingfield quartering Bovile.
6. Brewse impaling Debenham, sab. a bend between two crescents or.
On the west side.
1. The Priory arms impaling the arms of Prior Heverlond, viz. gul. on a fess arg. between three falcons or, three inescutcheons. (See Pt. I. p. 604.)
2. The Priory impales Prior Molet, viz. sab. between three luces or pikes hauriant 2 and 1, a mullet or. (Ibid.)
3. St. George's arms.
4. The City arms, viz. gul. a castle az. in base, a lion passant guardant or.
5. The Priory arms impales Prior Bozoun. (Ibid.)
6. The Priory impales the arms of the then Prior Spynk, for which see Pt. I. p. 605.
All which coats, though misplaced and wrong described, are to be seen in two copperplates in the Repertorium.
In 1509, the transept isles of the church being much injured by fire, Bishop Nix repaired them, adding a stone roof to them, in the same manner as the rest of the church, so that he completed the roofs, as we now see them, and in memory thereof, fixed up his own arms there, with those of his friends, who were benefactors to the work.
And thus the church remained till the Dissolution, when, by injunction from the Bishop, to the dean and prebends, the crucifixes, images and pictures, were all taken away, and the tabernacles or niches, where the images stood, where filled up and whited over.
No other alteration happened till 1601, when part of the spire was struck down by lightning, which was afterwards soon repaired.
And thus it continued in the same state, till the grand spoil of it in the late rebellion, in the year 1643, an account of which occurs in Pt. I. p. 382, &c.
But at the Restoration, the church was fitted up again in the old manner; and in the same place where the old organ stood,
The present organ was set up by Dean Crofts and the chapter, and was afterwards painted and beautified by Dean Astley; the old organ erected in 1607, and repaired in 1626, with a legacy given for that purpose by Abel Colls, being altogether demolished by the rebels. As were the five or six copes belonging to the church, which though they looked somewhat old, were richly embroidered: the present cope was given at the Restoration by Philip Harbord, Esq. then high sheriff of Norfolk; at which time the city, to make some amends for the late spoil and abuse of the church, gave 100l. for plate for the altar.
And from that time till the late reparations, &c. mentioned in Pt. I. p. 630, scarce any thing was done; so that it was in a most indecent condition, though now few exceed it in that point, it being both as neat and decent (if not more so) than the generality of the present cathedrals are.
And now having given an account of the building, I shall only observe, that from the west door to the entrance of the ruinated chapel of St. Mary the Great, which stood at the east end, is 400 feet, and the extent of the transept or cross isles, from north to south, is 180 feet; and thus much as to the church in general.
I shall therefore now descend to a particular account of it; and in so doing, shall follow the Ichnography or Plan, here inserted; by which the dimensions of the building may not only be generally viewed, but particularly described in the following manner.
The letter (a) denotes the
Chapel of the Blessed Virgin, commonly called St. Mary the Great, and very often St. Walter's chapel, from Walter de Suffield, alias Calthorp, its original founder, whose tomb is marked with figure (1). The life of this good and religious prelate may be found in Pt. I. p. 486. And it appears by the annual accounts of the sacrists of this church, that the offerings at the altar of St. Mary, or the high-altar of this chapel, marked by the pricks in the plan, above figure (2), together with those at his shrine or tomb, with the money taken annually out of the box, placed at the head of the shrine, were very considerable; daily service was said at the high-altar here, for the founder's soul in particular, his friends, relations, benefactors, and the dead in general, according to his foundation for that purpose, mentioned in Pt. I. p. 487.
This chapel was about 70 feet long, and 30 broad, had a fair entrance out of the church of a considerable height, as may be seen by the outside, where it joined to it; being fallen into decay, it was demolished in the time of Dean Gardiner, whose reputation was deservedly stained upon this and other accounts of the like nature; for on a commission of enquiry concerning the affairs of the church in his time, it was sworn by Mr. John Debney, under-steward, and chapter clerk, and Mr. Robert Stanton, one of the minor canons,
That the houses belonging to the ministers of the church were leased to laymen at small rents; that those who were married and kept hospitality, were forced to be contributors to those that kept none, by allowing towards keeping the common-table in the common-hall, that the brew-house was turned into a tippling-house; that of the lead taken off our Lady's chapel, two fodders were sold to Mr. Sackfield, master of the requests, for 12l. and that the Dean had the money towards his charges at London; the rest being disposed of to the use of the church; and that the said Dean pulled down a great leaded hall, (viz. the strangers-hall on the west side of the cloister,) and pulled the lead off his own house where he lived, viz. (the present deanery) and not only swallowed it all, but had 40l. more allowed him towards repairing his house aforesaid. And Tho. Hughson, formerly sacrist, swore, that in the first year of King Edward VI. there was plate in the cathedral of above 592 ounces weight; but that the next year it was reduced to 271 ounces; and that in this dean's time there was no more than one communion cup double gilt, weighing 19 ounces. That the ancient parochial church of St. Mary in the Marsh was pulled down by Dr. Gascoigne, who bought it of the dean and chapter for 80l. which was divided between the Dean, Dr. Spencer, Dr. Barret, Mr. Mannell, and Mr. Toller, minister of the parish; and immediately after the new erection of the cathedral, the dean and chapter sold the bells of St. Mary's church aforesaid.
What became of all the tombs, monuments, and gravestones, in this chapel, we know not, except two only, whose surviving relations took care to remove them into Jesus chapel, where they now remain.
Some have said the consistory court was formerly kept in this chapel, but by errour, for it was ever since the foundation of the present chapel (where it is now held) kept there, and the errour proceeded from the evidences saying, it was held in St. Mary's chapel, which is true, the present consistory being the chapel of St. Mary the Less.
The site of this chapel is now Mr. Frank's garden.
Between the altar and the founder's tomb, at figure (2), was buried Bishop Totington, for whom see Pt. I. p. 525.
And at figure (3) lies Bishop Walton, mentioned in Pt. I. p. 492.
Figure (4) is the burial-place of Bishop Scarning, who is treated of in Pt. I. p. 493.
And figure (5) denotes the place of the interment of Bishop Midleton, whose life occurs in Pt. I. p. 494.
The figure (6) shows the place, where the tomb which now stands in Jesus chapel, marked with figure (7), was removed from; it was erected to the memory of Sir Thomas Windham, who was knighted by Sir Edward Howard Lord Admiral of England in the fourth year of King Henry VIII. at Croiton Bay in France, in which expedition he was very serviceable, doing much towards the winning of Turney, Turwin, and other places; he was Privy Councellor to that King, one of the knights retained for his body guard, and vice-admiral, being son of Sir John Windham of Crownthorp in Norfolk; he was buried between his two wives, Eleanor, daughter and coheir of Rich. Scroop of Upsall, Esq. and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Henry Wentworth of Letheringham in Suffolk, and died about 1521; for on 22d of Oct. in that year, he made his will at his manor of Felbrigge in Norfolk, by which he appointed this place for his sepulture, and this tomb, with the following arms and inscription to be erected,
Orate pro animabus Thome Dinham militis Cleanore, et Domine Elizabethe Urorum eius, Qui quidem Thomas fuit unus consiliariorum Domini Gegis Menrici Ortaui, ar unus Militum pro Corpore eiusoem Domini Gegis, necnon Vice Admirallus.
His own effigies, with those of his two wives, were upon it, and the arms of
Windham, arg. a chevron between three lions heads erased or, impaling his first wife, viz.
Scroop, az. a bend or, with a crescent for difference, quartering Tiptoft, ar. a saltier ingrailed gul.
Windham impales his second wife, viz.
Wentworth and her quarterings.
1. Wentworth, sab. on a chevron between three leopards heads or, a crescent for difference.
2. Spencer, quarterly arg. and gul. in the 2d and 3d quarters a fret or, on a bend sab. three mullets of the first.
3. Inglethorp, gul. a cross ingrailed arg.
4. A fess between eight barrulets.
5. Barry of six, a canton erm.
6. Lucy, gul. crusuly or, three luces hauriant sab.
Other persons of note buried here that I have met with, are,
John Clervaus, archdeacon of Suffolk; see Pt. I. p. 652.
John Thornham, dean of the deanery of Norwich city, buried in 1423, and gave to the high-altar of the cathedral 20s. and towards repairing the tower, a fodder of lead.
Elizabeth Blomvyle of Norwich, gentilwoman, buried in 1433; she gave the prior 20s. and to Richard Walsham the sacrist 20s.
John Bypys, chaplain, buried in 1477; he gave to the new glazing a window in this chapel 16l. and 4l. more, for other work and ornaments to be done there.
The Chapel of St. Luke the Evangelist, situate on the south-east corner of the cathedral, is marked with the letter (i) in the plan; it is of the original building of Bishop Herbert, and was the prior's chapel, till that on the east side of the cloister was built for that use, as being more convenient on account of its nearness to the prior's lodge; at first it extended nor further than figure(49), at which the present pulpit is fixed, as is the font at (48); but now being used instead of the ruinated parish church of St. Mary in the Marsh, for a place of divine worship for all the inhabitants within the Close or Precinct, there is weekly service performed therein, and all the part of the isle from the east end to the 18th south pillar, is now included in it.
At figure (8) was a very ancient gravestone, with a cross thereon, said to be laid over Prior Walsham. See Pt. I. p. 601.
At figure (9) was another of the same sort, said to be the monument of Prior Brampton, (Ibid.) by whom Master John de Cove, an advocate in Norwich consistory court, was buried in 1373. (Ibid.)
In 1471, Katherine Saint-Thomas was buried here, whose will was remanded from the Archdeacon's to the Bishop's office, as being a gentlewoman that bare arms.
In 1505, Master Wotton paid 20s. for his mother's interment in St. Luke's chapel.
There was an ancient gild called St. Luke's gild, kept at the altar here; for the offerings of which, the sacrist annually accounted; it was held every Sunday after Trinity, and was the gild belonging to the pewterers, brasiers, &c. See Pt. I. p. 207.
The font is very ancient, being that which stood in the church of St. Mary in the Marsh; there are upon it the carvings of the seven Sacraments, and the four Evangelists, besides other saints, popes, and confessors.
Over this chapel is the treasury belonging to the dean and chapter.
The following inscriptions are to be seen on stones here:
Willielmus Infans, Henrici Mazey, Natus et Denatus, Aprilis 23, 1674:
John Welch died Febr 21, 1681.
Rob. and Deborah Welch his Wife; he died Nov. 4, 1717, Æt. 81. She died Dec. 7, 1724, Æt. 80.
I. Under this Stone lie the Bodies of Mr. Samuel Hoadly, Master of the Free-School in Norwich, who died April 27, A. D. 1705, Æt. 61.
II. Of Mrs. Martha Hoadley his Wife, who died Jan. 13, A. D. 1702, Æt. 64.
III. Of Benjamin Hawkins their grandson, who died Febr. 10, 1703, Æt. 6.
There is a stone over against the font, for
Jeremy Vynn, Esq; Mayor of the City of Norwich, who died Dec. 1. 1705, Æt. 73.
Susan Vynn, his Wife, died Jan. 7, 1710, Æt. 73.
John Knights Gent. his Son-in-Law, Aug: 3, 1706, Æt. 34.
Mrs. Frances Knightes, Relict of John Knights Gent, & Daughter of Jeremy and Susan Vinn, 29 Jan: 1730, Æt. 60.
Mrs. Christiana Warnes, Nov. 26, 1711, Æt. 77.
On an old gravestone which had an effigies and two escutcheons, is this lately cut,
Hic jacet Georgius Lamb, Filius Georgij Lamb, Med. Doctoris, & Mariæ Uxoris ejus A. D. 1710.
There are also stones for Mrs. Anne Bret, and Henry Son of William Newbury, and Anne his Wife, 1667.
Robert another Son, 1677. Anthony another Son, 1678, Eliz. their Dr. 1680.
Bridget, Daughter of Edward Pearce Esq; by Mary his Wife, died on Easter-Day Morn' 1667.
Anne Pearce her Sister, March 27, 1668.
Lucy, Daughter of Mr. Tho. Breton of London Merchant, by Lucy his Wife, died Sept. 20, 1667, and is buried by her Cousin Bridget Pearce.
Within the altar rails,
Crest, a leopard sedant erm.
Harvey, or, a chevron between three leopards heads gul. impaling, quarterly on a bend three mullets.
Sacred to the Memory of William Hervey Gent. who departed this Life the 23 of June 1714, Æt. 61. Anne his Wife, 28 May, 1738, aged 79 Years.
Carola Daughter of John and Alice Harwood, was buried upon Good-Friday, 1661.
On a small mural monument on the north side of the altar,
To the Memory of John Harwood, Curate to this Chappel 32 Yeares, who died 21th Day Jan. 1691, aged 65 Yeares, and also of Alice Harwood his Relict, one of the Daughters of Dr. Hassall, some Time Dean of this Cathedral, who died 16 June, 1713, aged 84 Years, both being buried in the Middle Part of the Altar.
Arms and Crest of Steward.
Sarah Wife of Caleb Steward, died June 17, 1734, aged 46 Years.
At figure (13) is the monument of Richard Brome, Esq. his arms, viz.
Broom, ermine a chief indented gul. impales,
Yaxley, erm. a chevron sab. between three mullets gul. pierced or.
Crest, a bunch of broom vert, flowered or.
The inscription,
Nic iacet Richardus Brome Armiger, ruius anime propicietur Deus, is now lost, as are three shields from the altar part of the tomb, though the two initial letters of his name still remain in a cipher.
This Richard Broom lived in the time of King Henry VII.; his daughter Elizabeth married John Herberd, alias Yaxley, serjeant at law, from whom the Yaxleys of Melles and Yaxley in Suffolk descended.
To the west end of this, adjoins the monument of Prior Bozoun, described in Pt. I. p. 603, and marked in the plan with figure (12). Weever, fo. 796, calls him Boswell, and gives a large account of that family, which hath no relation at all to this.
On a stone over against Brome's monument,
Hic jacent Parentum deliciæ, Eheu! Breves. Maria et David Fleming; Hic obijt VI°. Id. Quint. Infans sesquimestris, Illa balbutiens, dum Parentum fallebat luctus, dolentis Patris ulnis, Eheu; jam tandem satis dolentis, subita morte erepta est, IV. Id. Quint. Uno Eodemque Die et Tumulo Sepulti, Prid. Id. Quint. 1720: Robertus Fleming, Infans. obijt XVI°. Cal. Quint. Nat. IV°. Non. Jun. 1722.
Anne Harsnet 1641. Heaven, has her Charitie,
The Good her Fame, The Church, her Pietie, This Stone, her Name.
Opposite to this is,
The Chapel called Jesus Chapel, marked in the plan with letter (g). This is also of Herbert's foundation, and before any chapel was built to the palace, was the Bishop's own private chapel; it was dedicated to this Holy name, and had the mass of Jesus said daily in it to the Dissolution.
It is now used both as a chapter-house or consistory for the dean and chapter, and vestry also.
In the midst of it stands Sir Thomas Windham's tomb, of which before; and on the north side of the now demolished altar, is a brass plate fixed, which was brought out of the ruinated chapel of St. Mary, as appears by the will of Ralf Pulvertoft, custos or master of the charnel chapel, at the west part of the cathedral, who ordered his body to be buried in St. Mary's chapel aforesaid. He was rector of Hevingham, and died about the latter end of Henry VII. His arms are, Six wheat ears in a bordure of cinquefoils.
And this inscription,
En morior, prodest michi quid prius hoc quod habebam, Preterit omne quod est, eo nudus sic beniebam, Sola michi requies manet, hic non sunt mea plura, Antea nulla quies, modo pro uichilo michi Cura; Sed fleo, dum fueram, modicum, bel nil bene gessi Crimina multa feram, fuerrant mea, quando cecessi Pulnertoft Gadulphus eram, Custos Caronelle, Christe Deus pro me passus, mea Crimina Pelle, Sic eroro, petas, qui mea Scripta legas. Pater noster.
On a gravestone is this,
Jane Bacon, Daughter of Henry Howard of Tandredg in the County of Surrey Esq; Widow to Richard Bacon Cittison of London, deceased the 10th of Jan. 1664.
On a small stone on the south side,
Elizabeth, the first-born of Fran: Frank, Bachelor of Laws, & Eliz. late BACON, his Wife, born Apr. 13, died Febr. 20, 1736. Also Frances their Daughter was born June the 4th, and died July the 5th. 1739.
In the north window of this chapel were the effigies and arms of Radcliff Lord Burleigh and Cecil, and or, a saltier ingrailed sab.; and in the east window is the effigies of a religious, kneeling on a cushion, and under him, was arg. a lion rampant gul.
There were also three achievements supported, of Ratcliff Earl of Sussex, Cecil Lord Burleigh, and the Earl of Leicester.
Between this chapel and the entrance into St. Mary's chapel, behind the 20th and 21st north pillars, in which place the singing school was lately kept, are stones for John and Barbara Rhodes; see Pt. I. p. 670. There is also a very large stone disrobed of its circumscription and other ornaments, which, I take it, was laid over John Skarlet, rector of Little-Massingham, who was buried here in 1468.
Near which is this on a stone,
Hic conditur Domina Anna Gresham Vidua, quæ obijt vicessimo sexto die Februarij, A. D. MDCXXXIV.
Ex Momento hujus vitæ pendet Æternitas, Memorare novissima.
On a stone near Jesus chapel door,
Gournay, arg. a cross ingrailed gul. impales On a fess between three de-lises, three roundels.
Restaurato Rege Carolo 2do.
Cujus reditû non Solum vivorum, sed etiam Mortuorum Dormitoria, Nec non Fana ipsa sacrata à Fanaticorum violationibus preservantur In memoriam BRIGETTÆ Uxoris suæ dilectissimæ 26 7bris Anno salutis 1652, Denatæ.
Thomas Gournay hoc posuit Anno 1662.
Returning back in the same isle, we come to the ancient confessionary, marked in the plan with letter (f) it is an arched stone vault, through which we pass, in going from the quire to Jesus chapel, but was formerly very dark; here the people stood when they confessed to the priest, who stood within the altar rails, between the 18th and 19th north pillars, at the letter (e) in the plan, the voice coming through a hole made in the wall for that purpose, which still remains; this place is now called Queen Elizabeth's seat, because that Queen, when she attended service here, sat in a seat prepared for her between those pillars.
Near the entrance of the confessionary, at number (53), was buried Sir William Denny, Knt. recorder of Norwich, and counsellor at law to King Charles I.
Repositorium Gulielmi Denni Millitis, Quondam Recordatoris hujus Civitatis, et unus ex Consiliarijs Regis ad Legem. Qui obijt vicesimo Sexto die Marcij Anno XVIII Caroli Regis Anno Dom. 1642.
Here under resteth the Body of the right vertuous Lady Frances, late Wife of Sir William Denny, one of his Majesty's Counsail learned in the Law, eldest Daughter of James Taverner Esq; who departed this Life the 12th Day of Febr. A. D. 1631, being of the Age of 36 Years.
On the north side of this isle there were two chapels, but both are demolished; to what saints they were dedicated I cannot certainly learn; but take that most east to be the chapel of St. Stephen; for I find the sacrist annually accounted for the offerings, at the cross in the chapel at the altar of St. Stephen: and the other, I take it, was St. Sithe's chapel, which was paved in 1398; and the offerings at the altar here were also considerable; it seems as if the chantry priest of Sir Robert Ty, Knt. who was sustained by lands in Thurleton, officiated in one of these chapels.
Here are also stones for Mrs. Anne and Mrs. Mary Eachard, whose monument is against the west side of the 18th north pillar, in the quire; the first died Nov. 1710, the last July 15, 1714.
William Yallop Gent. died 17 May, 1725, Æt. 52.
Ed. Yallop Nat. 4° Jul. 1706. obijt 16 Nov. 1710.
To pass over now to the south side of the quire, the consistory, or
Chapel called our Lady the Less, or Beauchamp's Chapel, is first to be observed; it is marked (k) in the plan, was dedicated to our Lady and all the Saints, by William de Bello-Campo or Beauchamp, its founder, as the following inscription in capitals, cut in stone near the ground on the outside of the south wall, informs us;
In Honore beate Marie Virginis, et omnium Sanctorum, Willielmus Beauchampe, Capellam hanc ordinavit, et ex proprija Sumptibus construxit.
He lived in the time of Edward II. and III. being a knight of good reputation and family, and is buried in a fine arched vault under the chapel; and his inarched monument is in the south wall, at number (14) in the plan: the altar stood in the middle of the east wall, and there is a fine carved tabernacle or niche in that wall, on its north side, where the image of the Virgin heretofore stood; and opposite is a ledge or cornish, on which stood a groupe of figures of all the Saints.
I have an old account of the monuments, taken before the Rebellion, which says, that John Barret, D. D. prebend of this church, who died July 12, 1563, was buried here; as was a daughter of Dean Gardiner's, and Dr. Talbot, late prebend; for whom see Pt. I. p. 663.
Thomas Leman, clerk, was also interred here, who died October 4, 1564.
The roof is of stone, finely carved in the same manner with the rest of the church, having legends of divers saints, &c. represented thereon, as the Ascension of the Blessed Virgin, the Salutation, the Conversion of St. Paul, and our Saviour's triumphant entering into Jerusalem, with other symbols of the Apostles, Martyrs, and Confessors; with the arms of Beauchamp, and a mullet sab. for difference; which I suppose, was done by another of the same name and family, who lived in the beginning of Henry the Sixth's reign, and probably may be buried in the vault here, where, without doubt, several of the Beauchamps are interred.
Against the west wall of this chapel, at the entrance on the right hand, is a neat mural monument, erected to the memory of Thomas Batcheller, LL. B. one of the proctors in this court, with the following inscription, composed by Dr. Tanner, then chancellor of the diocese, and the arms of
Batcheller, arg. on a bend vert, between three single wings az. three de-lises or, impaling
Erm. on a chief sab. three lioncels rampant arg.
Batcheller's crest (not on the monument) is, on a pair of wings conjoined az. six de-lises or on each wing.
At top there are two Cupids, one holds a lighted torch, the other points to the place of his sepulture; at the bottom in a chaplet, are two trumpets in saltier.
Quod mortale fuit THOMÆ BATCHELLER Patriâ Norfolciensis,
E Coll. S. Petri Cantab. in Jure Civ: Baccalaurei, Subtus depositum est, in loco hoc Consistorij Episcopalis, Ubi multa cum suâ Laude litigantium Commodi et Fori Ecclesiastici Dignitate, in causis agendis defendendisve (Et Negotijs gerendis) per quadraginta tres annos Procuratorum Generalium unus, versatus est.
Ad intimam juris Cæsarei Canonici et Maritimi.
Cognitionem tam Theoricam quam practicam adjunxit, Literas Politiores, et Romanis Græcisque Scriptoribus Usus est familiariter.
Eximiâ erat vitæ integritate, mirâ in negotijs gerendis Solertiâ, rarâ Humilitate, & modestiâ penè nimiâ.
Perspectâ in Clientes Fide et Diligentiâ, Summâ in suos Benevolentiâ In omnes humanitate:
Meritò itaq; Episcopis Norvicensibus eorumq; Cancellarijs et Clero (quorum jura optimè callebat Et egregie tuebatur) vixit charus, omniumq; ordinum Hominibus, quibus ob Legum Rerumq; peritiam Ingenij acumen, judicij Gravitatem, multiplicem eruditionem Spectatam probitatem et singularem Prudentiam Innotuit, tristissimum sui desiderium reliquit.
Obijt XVIII° die Mensis Julij A. D. MDCCXXIX°.
Ætatis suæ LXV°.
There is a gravestone for him on the ground, on which is added,
In hoc Tumulo Sepultus est Thomas Batcheller filius natù Maximus Leonardi Batcheller Arm. Thomæ Batcheller L.L. B. nepos, Qui obijt decimo Septimo Septembr. 1736.
A stone with a defaced circumscription lies over Martha wife of Robert Smith, late one of the procurators (or proctors) of the consistory, who died in 1634.
That part of the south isle from St. Luke's chapel door at the 18th pillar, to the transept at the 15th pillar, is the burial place for persons dying in the Close or Precinct, in which the following persons are interred,
STEPHANUS KNIGHT sub hoc marmore requiescit, Johannis Knight Generosi, Hisdaniæ Vici Essexiæ posthumus, Legum Baccalaureus, Caroli I°. Britanniarum Monarchæ à cubiculo privato Extraordinarius, tribus Dominis Episcopis Norvicensibus Registrarius principalis, proximus post Christi Resurrectionem Dominico anno Christi MDCLXIV denatus, Ejus Resurrectione expectans suam.
Pepper son of John Moore Gent. and Tamasine his wife, died 27 March, 1705, aged 1 year and a quarter. For Mary and Robert Pepper, see Pt. I. p. 635.
John son of Jeremy Norris, Nov. 1692. Æt. 20.
Elizabeth conjux charissima Gaguini Nash, cujus Mater adlatus, Liberi ad pedes hic jacent, obijt 10 Apr. 1693.
Maria filia Gaguini Nash hujus Ecclesiæ Minor-Canonici obijt Dec. 27, 1684, nata 11 Menses.
Gaguinus filiolus Gaguini & Eliz. Nash, obijt Dec. 24, 1686.
Gaguinus alius eorundem Parentum filiolus expiravit Mar. 22, 1689.
Reliquiæ Gulielmi Newbury Gen. et Notarij publici, qui obijt 29 die Mensis Julij anno Dom. 1699, Æt. suæ 62.
A large marble at the very entrance of St. Luke's chapel is thus inscribed,
Here lyeth the Body of John Miller Esq; Son of Sir John Miller Knight. He married Bridget, the youngest Daughter of Edmund West Esq; late of Marshworth in the County of Bucks.
By her he had Issue, two Sons, and two Daughters, His Wife, one Son, and one Daughter, surviving him, who was one of the best of Husbands and Fathers, and always ready to do friendly Offices to all Mankind.
He was but five Months at this City before he died, On the 30th of Jan. 1708.
in the 70th Year of his Age.
His Wife Bridget died the 7th of June 1711.
at London, in the 63d Year of her Age, and according to her own Desire, was buried here in the same Grave.
She was a very pious and charitable Woman.
Miller, az. an inescutcheon arg. between four mascles in cross or, impaling
West, arg. on a fess dancetté sab. three leopards heads jessant or.
Eliz. Dr. of Alexander and Mary Croshold, Nov. 13, 1668.
Steward's arms in a lozenge.
Eliz. eldest Daughter of Augustine Steward Gent. and Mary his Wife, died Sept. 13, 1730, Æt. 67, and Mrs. Anne Steward their youngest Daughter, Febr. 18, 1732, Æt. 63.
Beridge, arg. a saltier ingrailed between four escallops sab. impaling Miller.
Here next to the Bodies of John Miller Esq. and Bridget his Wife, lieth the Body of Anne their eldest Daughter, who was buried here by her own special appointment; she was married to John Beridge of Great Massingham in Norfolk, Doctor in Divinity, whom she survived, and left by him only one Daughter, she died the 21 of Febr. 1725, aged 59 years.
John Marcon (Barrister at Law) died May 12, 1723, Æt. 38.
Tho. Woodger Mar. 19, 1733, Æt. 48. William Son of Tho. and Mary Woodger an Infant 1727.
Hic sitæ sunt reliquiæ Deboræ et Elizabethæ, Gulielmi Herring LL. D. et Deboræ Uxoris ejus, Filiolarum; hæc Id Apr. 1724. 2do. Anno ineunte, Illa 18vo. Cal. Febr. 1727, annum agens 8vm de Vitâ migravit.
M. S. Joannis, Gulielmi Herring LL. D. et Deboræ Uxoris ejus, Filij natû tertij: Juvenis Singulari modestia, Temperantia, Bonitate, prediti: Literisque à pueritiâ mirificè dediti: Qui dum studia colebat in Academiâ Cantabrigiensi Severiora, spemque Egregiam parentibus afferebat, morbo, quem vocant Tabem absumptus, quarto Mensis Julij Anno Christi MDCCXLo. Ætatis suæ xixo. supremum diem Clausit.
Debora their mother lies interred at their left hand, being so lately buried, that a stone is not yet laid over her.
Erasmus Greenwood, Oct. 4, 1726, Æt. 64. Jane his Relict Sept. 5, 1738, Æt. 58.
Alice Rising 1708.
Jane Daughter of Abraham Clarke and Jane his Wife, March 3, 1723. Kemp their Son died the same Month, in the 2d Year of his Age.
Sacred to the Memory of Isaac Chambers, late of this Precinct Gent. who died March 21, 1725, Æt. 66. He married Christian Brabourne, Dr. of Samuel Brabourne late of Rumburgh in Suffolk Gent. died Jan. 20, 1727, Æt. 76.
Crest, a leg in armour, cooped at the thigh, the foot standing upwards.
Chambers, arg. a chevron erm. voided sab. between three chambers or canons discharging, impaling
Brabourn (or Brabant) arg. on a fess humetté gul. three leopards faces or.
Ric. Calvert Gent. died in May 1721.
John and Ellen, Son and Daughter of Charles and Ellen Catton late of Burrow-Bridge in Yorkshire 1723.
Abigail Daughter of Richard and Hannah Catton 26 June, 1733, Æt. 8.
Charles Catton 7 Oct. 1736, Æt. 53. Ellen Catton 1732. Abigail 1733. 2 Hannahs, one in 1727, another in 1731, his Children.
Nathaniel Smith Gent, Son of John Smith of Yarmouth Gent. 10 May, 1739, Æt. 28.
A stone laid over John Moore, principal register, whose monument, with the arms and inscription, occurs in Pt. I. p. 590, on which Moore impales Pepper.
On the back side of Bishop Goldwell's tomb, was this inscribed on a brass plate,
Of Thomas Tybenham, under Stone, The Body here doth rest Who when God called in hope of Neuen, Co change his Lyfe was prest, Ne Lybyng trusted certainly, An God his Nope was sure, Dying By Christ's own Death to fynde, The Life which shall endure, Wherefore good Reader credit that, Which said so truly is, And godly hope, his soul to libe With God in Nebenly Bliss. Obiit 22 Jan. 1582.
On another brass next to it,
Pray for the Soul of Elizabeth Waters, and John Waters Alderman, and for the Soul of John Manning Alderman and Manor of Norwych, and husbands unto the said Elizabeth, on Whose Souls God habe Mercy. Amen.
On another stone,
Here resteth the Body of Mr. John Rede, late Canon of this Church, who departed the 16 of July, 1588.
The south cross isle or transept, marked (o) in the plan, hath the following memorials all on flat stones, there being neither altar tomb nor monument in it.
Gulielmus Burton, eximia spe virtutis et ingenij adolescens, è Collegio Caij Gonvilliensi apud Cantabrigienses, A. B. annos natus duos et vigniti, denatus VI Calendar' Julij MDCLXXXIII. triste sui desiderium reliquit.
He was son of Mr. John Burton, master of the free-school, who wrote the inscription.
Margery Wife of Edward Gresham Esq; her 6th Husband, died Sept. 7, 1646.
Henry Neave Gent. 16- - -
Mr. Peter Seautin M. D. ob. 21 Aug. 1630.
Arabella Dr. of Edw. Turfett Gent. Apr. 8, 1648.
Ledia Daughter of Mr. John Smith of Cratfield Esq. Mar. 16, 1671, Æt. 15.
Exuvias hic deposuit Ric. Hughes Presbyt. et hujus Ecclesiæ Minor Canonicus, VIII. die Mensis Augusti A. D. MDCXCVIII.
In spem Gloriosæ Resurrectionis, depositum Johannis Pulham, hujus Ecclesiæ Auditoris, Qui migravit ad Dominum 16° Martij 1642.
Ad pedem Parietis huic lapidi vicini jacet, Rebecca Lovering, mater Thomœ Lovering, Quæ cum annos Octoginta & unum implessit, morti cessit,
Sic gravidis onerata seges, subit horrea Culmis
Sic Matura suo tempore poma cadunt.
Obijt autem Junij 26, A. D. 1644.
Huic à Latere accumbit Blancia Lovering Uxor ejusdem Thomœ prima, quæ cum Sexaginta plus minus annos numerâsset tunc ablata: Sub hoc Lapide jacet Margeria ejusdem Thomœ Uxor secunda, de quâ, ut de Priore, dum vixerunt meritò affirmetur.
Utraque grata uni, vicinis grata et egenis, At nunc Cœlesti est Utraque juncta choro.
Obijt harum Prior Maij 12, 1658.
Posterior Aprilis 26, 1663.
In this transept also was buried William de Bakunsthorp. (See Pt. I. p. 605.) At figure (43) in the plan, was a brass plate on a stone for Simon Folkard, first prior of Hoxne, and after of Lynn, which is now lost, but had this inscription on it,
Orate pro anima Symonis Folkard nuper Prioris Lenne, qui obiit MCCCCCI
There was also an inscription for one Thomas, a priest, who paved this transept, but it is now quite gone,
Thome Presbyteri Corpus Lapis iste, retentum, Funus habet, magno qui sumptu dedit hor pabimentum. Anno milleno quater et C Septuageno Octabo, Stephani liquit terrestria festo, Ut Cœli detur requies sibi quisque precetur. En iacet hic stratus Under this Ston, Ligs John Knapton, Who died inst, The xxvii of August. M D, L. C, and on, Of thys Church Peti Canon.
Mr. Walter Hawe, son of Walter Hawe, Hawys, or Haughs, one of the proctors, who was elected schoolmaster in 1562, was interred here, but his brass is lost, which had this on it,
Clarus et hac celebri qui quondam birit in Orbe, Nunc agit etherea Clarior ipso Domo, Cuius ab Eremplo iam doctus randide Lector. Disce moci Mundo, bibere Disce Deo, Obiit bio Junii 1569.
Another brass now gone, had this,
Anna sub hoc tumulo iacet, cognomine dicta Cornmaleis, gelide morte perempta iacet, Nanc genuit Rookwood, peperit Wychingham, et utrique Natæ ac hæredis nomine chara fuit. Jnsignis pietate sua Assiduasque preces obtulit ipsa Deo. Jllius Eremplo doctus nunc, candide Lector, Cu bene far bibas, et morieris bene Obiit anno salutis 1565, 18 Aprilis.
On another brass now lost, was this,
Radulfus Sadlington Notarius Publicus, qui suo tempore morte immaturâ abreptus fuit 6to die Martij 1601. Ejus Vita perpetua fuit mortis Commutatio, morbi Magnitudine excruciatus, illius accerbitatem, æquo animo, ac Christianâ Patientiâ pertulit, usque ad extremum spiritum, prepotentem deum verbis Supplicibus orabat, ut inter illius peccata, et justum Dei judicium, merita interponat, in quo omnem spem salutis Æternæ posuit, moriens 30° Anno Ætatis suæ nondum compleverat, fuit mitis teneræque naturæ in vitâ manens, maxima virtutis, religionis, et pietatis, documenta dedit. Domum in cujus famulatû ferè continuus vixit, summâ observantiâ coluit, et omnibus, illi fidelis fuit; erat literis politioribus non leviter tinctus, et ad humanitatis studia perpendebat, cum illo actum est preclaré. Cujus anima eternitate fruitur.
Quid vel vivens, vel moriens metuit, Cui vivere Christus est, et mori Lucrum.
There was also another stone that had at the time the former were copied (which was before the Rebellion) four escutcheons only left, the effigies and inscription being reaved.
Sab. a fess dancetté between three crescents or.
Gul. three martlets arg.
Arg. a lion rampant gul. double furché.
A crown or.
Under St. Peter's picture was painted the sea, with a ship, and fishermen catching abundance of fishes, and this distich,
Ecclesiam pro Nabe rego, michi Climato Mundi Sunt mare, Scripture, Retia, Piscis, Nomo.
There is a clock fixed in the south part of this isle, and two small figures of men, with hammers in their hands, turn themselves and strike the quarters of the hour; and on the frontispiece was painted the sun and moon, to whom the clock comparatively seems to speak in this hexastich, which is painted on the same place:
Noras significo cunctas quas Phæbe Diebus, Quas solet atque tua pallida nocte soror: Nec Magis errarem, Rector mihi si foret idem, Nos qui, I quæque regit motibus astra suis. Tempora nam recte designo, si mihi doctus, Custos assiduam conferat artis opem.
And on each side of the clock, these words,
Nil Boni hodie? Th! diem perdidi.
These verses, Mr. Weever in his Funeral Monuments, fo. 800, renders thus,
Phœbus, I tell all th' houres, and all as right As thou, or thy pale sister, day and night, Nor I, no more than you, in ought should erre, If he rul'd mee, who guides you, and each starre; For times I rightly tell, if of his art My learned keeper, will his help impart,
What's the day gone, And no good done? Alas! if so it be, The day is truly lost to thee.
In this isle also, are the following memorials,
Phillippus Borrough Presbyter, et hujus Ecclesiæ Minor Canonicus ob. xv Sept, A. D. MDCXVIII° Æt. XXXII°.
A hand cooped at the wrist in bend.
Cornelius Man - - - hujus Ecclesiæ Cath. Epistolarius. Feb. 2. 171 - - Æt. 31.
Mary wife of Humphrey Cotton, Organist, 21 Jul. 1724, Æt. 24. This brought from the S. isle. H. Cotton. Æt. 65.
Gul. Smith A. M. hujus Ecclesiæ Minor Canonicus & Sacrarij Curator, ob. 13, Jan. 1728, Æt. 65.
Eliz. Dr. of Timothy and Mary Garey 1633.
Philip Priest Lay-Clark 10 years, Nov. 17, 1721, Æt. 29.
Anne wife of Tho. Church, 14 Sept. 1730 Æt. 33.
Tho. Church 1 May 1742, Æt. 53.
Hic jacet Gremio terræ Commissum Marthæ, Uxoris Josephi Ransome Clerici, Corpus, ob. 29 die - - - A. D. - - - -
Edmd. & John, sons of Edmd. Witherlye Gent. and Dorothy his wife, the first, died Julij 27, 1661, aged 6 years & 8 Months, the 2d. March 2, 1662, ag. 3 Months.
The north cross isle or transept marked (n) in the plan, hath had the following arms in the windows; most of which are now gone,
The arms of the SEE, impaling
Nix, Goldwell, Ufford with a bendlet arg. Beck with a bendlet az.
Gul. a cross recercelle az. Erm. on a chevron gul. three bezants.
Bateman, Thorp, Morley, and Norwich, per pale gul. and az. a lion rampant erm. the usual coat of this family, but this lion is crowned, and hath a ring in his nose or.
There are plain flat stones for the following persons,
Philip Geast, 5 Years Verger, March 7, 1703, Æt. 47.
Elisabeth his Widow, Dec. 7, 1709, Æt. 53.
Edw. Cooke, Lay-Clark 33 Years, June 11, 1704, Æt. 68.
Timothy Browne Lay-Clark, June 21, 1711, Æt. 49.
William Burgesse, 15 Aug. 1688, Æt. 59. Eliz. & Anne his Daughters, 1657.
William Geast, Verger 18 Years, Aug. 14, 1698, Æt. 65. Mary his Wife Apr. 3, 1682.
Margaret Rault, Wife of Peter Sandley, May 13, 1664.
Mrs Martha Blofield Sept. 5, 1677.
Margaret Alden, March 5, 1691. Charles Alden Lay-Clark, Aug. 4, 1692.
Jane Holt Widow 1626.
James Davy Verger 7 Years, Nov. 25, 1711, Æt. 41.
Tho. Mowting Gent. Lay-Clark, Febr. 3, 1685, Æt. 82. Frances his Wife, July 21, 1681.
Rob. Tracey Oct. 10, 1670, Æt. 70.
Frances Fox Widow, June 10, 1683, Æt. 60, an. 11. Mens.
John Brereton, 50 Years Verger, Sept. 13, 1680, Æt. 86. Ursley his Wife, May 23, 1663.
Eliz. Carleton July 19, 1681, Æt. 6.
Brathwait Sowter Lay-Clark, Nov. 8, 1680, Æt. 68.
Eliz. Wife of Charles Bromehall, June 24, 1689, Æt. 86.
John Wythe, Aug. 3, 1695, Æt. 10 Months. S. W. obijt 1700.
Hannah the beloved Wife of Stephen Searle Gent. Oct. 29, 1684, Æt. 25. Stephen Searle Junior, Nov. 17, 1684, Æt. 10 Months. Tho. Son of Stephen Searle, buried Feb. 19, 1694.
Tho. Beare, Apr. 15, 1633.
Walter Marcon, who was Porter unto four Bishops, Apr. 30, 1636.
To the pious memory of Mrs. Eliz. Stukely, the beloved Wife of Mr. John Stukely Minor-Canon of this Cathedral Church; she was the only Daughter of Mr. Charles, Binks, late of Barbadoes Merchant, who exchanged her Mortality for Immortality, on the 11th of Oct. in the 27th Year of her Age, Anno Dom. 1698.
John their Infant Son, May 11, 1603, and Charles another Infant, Aug. 16, 1695.
D. S. Thomas Pleasants, hujus Ecclesiæ Organista, et puerorum Choristarum in arte canendi Instructor, obijt 5° Id. Mensis Augusti, anno ætatis suæ XLI. Salutis humanæ MDCLXXXIX. 20d° die 9bris. In eodem anno, Thomas Pleasants, dicti Thomæ & Annæ ejus Uxoris Filius, ad patrem et plures abijt, anno Ætatis suæ 10.
Thomas and Anne Pleasants of 3 Days age, died Aug. 9, 1672. Eliz, died July 5, 1682, aged 5 weeks. and Edm. Aug. 12, 1683, aged 16 Days.
Mary Daughter of Anthony Loveday, of Cheston in Suff. Gent. died Oct. 23, 1639.
Hast Reader, and away for Fear, Lest thou dost turn Idolater, For here, Love, Grace, and Wit, In a true Virgin Knot were knit.
On a stone in the east wall near the door, leading towards St. Giles's hospital,
Here lies the Corps, the Ghost is gone, To Joy, the which in Life it sought; At length it found by Christ alone: See what Advantage Death hath brought.
George March, Verger of this church, 1740.
In the north isle of the nave, at letter (M), was the entrance into the preaching place, afterwards called the Green Yard, which is now stopped up, the yard being enclosed, and added to the Palace Yard: before the grand Rebellion, the combination sermons were preached in the summer time at the cross in this Green Yard, where there was a good accommodation for the auditors. The mayor, and aldermen, with their wives and officers, had a well contrived place built against the wall of the Bishop's palace, covered with lead, so that they were not offended by rain. Upon the north side of the church, places were built gallery-wise, one above another; where the dean, prebends, and their wives, gentlemen, and the better sort, very well heard the sermon: the rest either stood, or sat in the green upon long forms provided for them, paying a penny, or half-penny apiece, as they did at St. Paul's cross in London. The Bishop and chancellor heard the sermons at the windows of the Bishop's palace; the pulpit had a large covering of lead over it, and a cross upon it; and there were eight or ten stairs of stone about it, upon which the Hospital boys and others stood. The preacher had his face to the south, and there was a painted board, of a foot and an half broad, and about a yard and an half long, hanging over his head before, upon which were painted the arms of the benefactors towards the combination sermon, which he particularly commemorated in his prayer; viz. Sir John Suckling, Sir John Pettus, Edward Nuttel, Henry Fasset, and John Myngay, But when the church was sequestered, and the service put down, this pulpit was taken away, and placed in the New-hall yard, which had been the artillery-yard, and the publick sermon was preached there. But the heirs of the benefactors denying to pay the wonted beneficence for any sermon, unless it was preached in the Green Yard; after a full hearing, it was adjudged, that they should be always preached in the cathedral, for the future, as they still continue to be, every Sunday morning; the preachers being appointed by the Bishop every half year, viz. the Norfolk clergy in the winter time, (as being nearest,) and the Suffolk in summer time: and each minister so appointed, receives a guinea of the mayor for his sermon, and is entertained at the corporation's expense. The mayor and court are obliged to attend the combination sermons; and for neglect of it, there have been a mandamus sent down for that purpose. In 1635, March 14, his Majesty directed his letter to the city, commanding the mayor, sheriffs, justices, aldermen and all other chief officers of the city, to resort every Sunday morning to the cathedral church, in the same manner as is done at London, and hear divine service, and also the sermon which shall be preached there, or in the Green Yard.
At the upper end of the south isle of the nave, against the south wall, is the figure of a skeleton, on whose breast is this,
All you that do this Place pass by Remember Death for you must die As you are now, so once was I As I am now so shall you be.
At the bottom,
Thomas Gooding here doth stay, Waiting for God's Judgement Day.
On flat stones in this isle, all which, are lately removed,
A saltier between four griffins heads erased.
Here lyeth interred the Body of Richard Yleward, Organist of this Place, who was born at Winchester, and died here the 15th of October, An. Dom. 1669.
Here lyes a perfect Harmonie, Of Faith & Truth & Loyaltie, And whatsoever Vertues can, Be reckoned up, was in this Man, His sacred Ashes here abide, Who in God's Service liv'd & dy'd.
But now by Death advanced higher, To serve in the celestial Quire.
God save the King.
Richard Blagrave, Lay-Clark, March 20, 1707, Æt. 42, he was buried on the S. side of Spencer's tomb, but his Stone is removed and laid between the first and second North Pillars.
On a stone between the 10th and 11th south pillars,
Exuvias hic deposuit Jacobus Cooper, hujus Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Organista, et puerorum Choristarum in arte Musicâ Instructor, Quibus Officijs Summâ diligentiâ perfunctis, tandem presentis Temporis ævum pro æterna fœlicitate Commutavit xxvi° die Jan. annoq. Dni. 1720.
Amicos multos, Inimicos nullos meruit.
Thomas Otway Minor Canon, July 31, 1732, Æt. 28.
Anchor Kilby, Sub-Sacrist 40 years, July 30, 1712, Æt. 82. Eliz. his Wife 8 March, 1721,
There is a stone removed from the south transept, now broken in peices, for Tho. Weaver, one of the wardens of the worshipful company of fish-mongers, whose arms are on the stone, and another
In piam Memoriam Johannis Weaver - - - - -
If thou wouldst know these doubting Days, The Guides to Heaven and their Ways, Faith, Truth, Love, Loyalty, are gone, Under this sad and sacred stone.
In the south isle, in that part between the south transept and the partition wall,
Petrus de la Hay Cadomensis hujus Ecclesiæ presbyter & Minor Canonicus, obijt 16° Cal. Octob. A. D. 1687.
Sacrum Memoriæ Thomasinæ Corbet. filiæ Clementis Corbet LL. D. et quondam Cancellarij Norwicensis, fuit religiose pia, prudens, benefica, fidelis Filia Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ, perseveravit in Virginali Statû usque ad Mortem. Obijt Julij 5° 1665, Cujus Exuviæ, hic depositæ sunt, in certam Expectationem Resurrectionis ad vitam eternam.
This stone is also removed, and laid between the second and third south pillars,
Thomas Dunch A. B. Hujus Ecclesiæ Minor Canonicus, de Bergh-Apton Rector, obijt xxvj° die Mensis Decem. A°. Dni. MDCCXIX°, Ætatis suæ xxxij°.
Gulielmi Bentham A. M. Rectoris de Taseburgh, Sti. Egidij, et Sti. Gregorij infra hanc urbem Curati, quod mortale erat, et claudi poterat, hic clauditur, multùm se vivens dilectum reddidit, multùm obiens exoptatum; plorant itaque, Conjux Maritum, Parochiani Parochum, Amici Amicum, Canonici Canonicum, et hujusce Ecclesiæ Precentorem; ita tamen, ut non tanquam sine spe mærere videantur; sciunt enim easdem Dotes Quæ eum huic Choro desideratissimum, Cælesti etiam desideratum reddidisse, obijt Febr. xxvii°. A°. Salutis MDCCXXX°, Ætatis xxxvii°.
William Bentham, Dec. 28, 1730, Æt. 5.
This stone is now removed into the south transept,
Forster, arg. a chevron between three bugle-horns sab.
Pexhall Forster A. M. hujusce Ecclesiæ Precentor, in Theologiâ et Musicâ supra Ætatem Doctus, dum Ecclesiam Catholicam propugnabat, et hunc Chorum Cathedralem ornabat Subitâ morte ereptus, in Cælestem Chorum Cooptabatur, Oct. IV°
A°. D. MDCCXIX. Æt. xxvi°.
This stone is now removed into the south transept.
In this isle also, is interred Mr. Richard Deere, late minor canon of this church, to whose memory I saw a handsome black marble in a stone-cutter's shop, with an inscription said to be composed by his tutor in Cambridge; but (as I am informed) it was not permitted to be laid down, on account of the inscription, which here follows.
Hic jacet quod reliquum est, Revdi. Richardi Deere A. B. Qui Canonicus licet Minor, Inter Majores tamen, (Id erat meriti) dignus, qui consedisset; Ecclesiæ Sti. Johan: Sepulc. in hâc Civitate Pastor non infidus.
Variolarum tandem morbo correptus Et devictus, Novissimam efflavit auram, die xxiij° Julij, Anno Cælibatûs xxxi°.
Domini: M. DCCXXXVII°.
The chapel marked (1), totally demolished, was called Heydon's chapel. It was built in the reign of King Edward IV. anno 1479, by John Heydon of Baconsthorp, Esq. a great favourite of Henry VI. for his own interment; and accordingly, he was buried here in 1480; as was also Sir Henry Heydon, Knt. his heir, who built the church at Salthouse, and made the causeway between Thirsford and Walsingham, at his own charge; he died in Henry the Seventh's time.
The arms of Heydon, viz. per pale arg. and gul. a cross ingrailed counterchanged, were in several places in the windows of this church on the south side, and once in the deanery. I do not find that this chapel had ever any other entrance to it, but from the chapter-house, marked (m) in the plan, concerning which, see Pt. I. p. 530.
In the Nave were gravestones with the following inscriptions, all which are now removed.
At Figure (55) in the plan, is buried Dean Prideaux, for whom see Pt. I. p. 629.
At figure (37) is buried Sir Francis Southwell, Knt. of Wood-rising in Norfolk.
Between the 3d and 4th north pillars, lies a stone removed about 6 feet only more north, from the place it laid in, on which are the arms of
Castle, in a lozenge, arg. three castles triple towered gul.
M. S. Elizabeth Castell, (fifth Daughter of Talmach Castell, late of Raveningham in Norf. Esq. by Eleanor his first Wife) departed this Life the 7th of Jan. 1728, aged 86 Years.
Between the 7th and 8th north pillars lies a stone removed from the other side of the nave over against the 6th south pillar, having
Dalton's crest, viz. a demi-wivern; and arms, az. a lion rampant gard. arg. impaling
Hunt, per pale vert and arg. a saltier counterchanged.
Thomas, Son of John Dalton, late of Bury St. Edmund Esq; died 26 Dec. 1727, Æt. 29.
Between the 4th and 5th south pillars lies a stone, removed from the north side of Nix's monument, with the
Crest of Bedingfield, a demi-eagle displayed gul. and
Bedingfield, erm. an eagle displayed gul. with his two wives,
1. Cullum, az. a chevron between three pelicans arg. vulning themselves.
2. Hare, gul. two bars and a chief indented or.
H. S. E. Phillippus Bedingfield Armiger, Vir verè Generosus, quin et Theologus, suprà Pares suos eximius, Fidel Catholicæ et Hierarchiæ Primitivæ Assertor strenuus, etiam et propugnator, sinceræ Pietatis, Integritatis et Humanitatis Cultor assiduus. Abi Viator, et Sequere. Obijt 24to Octobris, Anno Dni. 1730, Ætatis suæ 59no.
This learned gentleman published The Psalms of David, made fit for the closet, and an exposition on St. Athanasius's Creed, Lond. 1720, oct°. and is well known to have deserved the character here given him by Dr. Littell, one of the prebends, who composed the inscription.
At figure (33) laid the stone now lying between the 9th and 10th south pillars, which is thus inscribed,
Hic sepulta Elizabetha Edmundi Mundeford Militis Filia, Primo Milonis Hobart Armigeri, deinde Hugonis Cartwright Militis Uxor. obijt Anno Ætatis 83. Anno Dom. 1690. Hic etiam contumulabatur, filia natû maxima prædicti Milonis, et Eliz: Hobart, Mulier (si quæ unquam) vita inculpabilis, 63 plus minus annos nata, mortem obijt 12 Calend: Maij An. Dom. 1696.
Figure (32) is where Dean Astley's stone laid, for which see Pt. I. p. 652.
On the west side of the 5th north pillar is a mural monument, with the following inscription, almost illegible; there is a cut of it in the Repertorium, at p. 67, inscribed to Mr. James Cooper, then organist.
OSBERCO PARSLEY Musicæ Scientissimo Ei quondam consociati Musici posuerunt Anno 1585: Here lies the Man, whose Name in spite of Death, Renowned libes by Blast of Golden Fame, Whose Normonie surbibes his bital Breath, Whose skill no Pride did spot, whose Life no Blame; Whose lom Estate was blest with quiet Mind, As out sweet Coros, with Discords mired be, Whose Life in seventy and fourYears entwin'd, As talleth mellowed Apples from the tree; Whose Deeds mere Rules, Whose Words mere Verity, Who here a singing Man did spend his Days, Full Fifth Years, in our Church Melody, His Memory shines bright whom thus me praise.
For Dean Fairfax's monument, at figure (40) see Pt. I. p. 627.
For Chancellor Spencer's tomb at figure (39) see Ibid. p. 633.
For Bishop Nix's monument and chapel, marked (38) see lb. p. 546.
For Bishop Parkhurst's monument at figure (36) see Ib. p. 555.
For Chancellor Maister's monument at figure (35) see Ib. p. 633.
For Bishop Scambler's monument at figure (34) see Ib. p. 559, 560.
At figure (31) between the 9th and 10th north pillars, was a chapel belonging to the Hobart family, enclosed till the late repairs, and then laid open; (the likeness of which is still preserved in a cut in the Repertorium, at p. 4.)
In it stands an altar tomb disrobed of its brasses, under which was interred Sir James Hobart, who was born at Monks-Illegh in Suffolk; was a great friend and acquaintance of Bishop Goldwell, whom he much assisted in building and adorning the quire; being a right good man, of great learning and wisdom; in 1447, in Lent term, he was reader of Lincoln's-Inn, of which society he was chosen one of the governours in 1483, having made such proficiency in the study of the laws, that on Nov. 2, 2 Henry VII. 1486, he was constituted attorney general by the King; and afterwards, sworn of his privy council, and was dubbed knight, when he created his son Henry Prince of Wales.
He settled at Hales-hall in Lodne, the parish church of which he built; as also the bridge of St. Olave, commonly called St. Tooley'sbridge; and made the causeway by it: he married Margaret, daughter of Peter Naunton, Esq. who died before him in 1494, according to Mr. Weever, who says she was buried in Loddon church.
Mr. Rice, in his Survey, says, that Sir James died in 1507, from whom Sir Henry Hobart, Bart. attorney general to King James I. and afterwards Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, descended.
On the top is the crest and arms of
Hobart, S. a star of eight points or, between two flaunches erm.
Crest, on a wreath, bull passant per pale S. and G. besanté.
On the top of the arch was Hobart's coat; the bull as before, for one supporter, and a martlet as the Naunton's, supporter for the other.
On the south side of the tomb was Hobart's arms single.
On its right side, Hobart impales
Naunton, S. three martlets arg.
On its left side, Naunton single.
And in this chapel, till the Reformation, the souls of himself and family were constantly prayed for.
Figure (30) is the grave of Bishop Thomas Browne, before St. William's altar, represented by the pricks in the plan; see Pt. I. p. 533. And figure (29) is the grave of Bishop Walter Hart, for which, see Pt. I. p. 536.
The altar marked with pricks opposite to the altar aforesaid, I take to be the precentor's altar, dedicated to St. Mary, for the offerings at which, the precentor annually accounted to the sacrist, and he to the convent.
Over St. William's altar is the mural monument for Dean Astley's wife, for which see Pt. I. p. 625.
Against the west side of the 11th south pillar, is a monument painted on the wall, having an angel blowing a trumpet, and at bottom an old man lying dead on a tomb, with a pillow under his head; by him stand two old men, with each a chaplet of flowers in their hands, one representing art, holds a musick book, the other, the representing age, an hour-glass at bottom,
Inglot, on a chief indented, a lion passant gard. impaling
On a chief indented, a crescent.
A plate of this monument, dedicated to William Croft, master in musick of the King's royal chapel, may be seen in the Repertorium.
Here William Inglott, Organist doth rest, Whose Art in Musick, this Cathedral blest; For Descant most, for Voluntary all, He past, on Organ, Song, and Virginall; He left this Life at Age of sixty seven, And now 'mongst Angells all, sings St. in Heaven, His Fame flies far, his Name shall never die, See Art and Age, here crown his Memorie.
Non Digitis, Inglotte, tuis terrestria tangis, Tangis nunc digitis, Organa celsa Poli.
Buried the last Day of Dec. Anno Dom. 1621. This erected 15 Day of June 1622.
The Anti-Choir was the chapel of St. Mary of Pity; at whose altar in it, many offerings were made, and yearly accounted for by the sacrist, as were all such offerings as were made at the box at the entrance into the presbitery, which also stood in this chapel, at the right hand of the door of the presbitery or choir. This chapel is marked (q) in the plan, and is directly under that noble rood-loft, erected by Bishop Hart, as is before observed, Pt. I. p. 536; at present it is the organ loft, but was, till the Pieformation, the reredos, or holy-rood-loft, as it was then called; on which, the principal rood or cross, with the effigies of our Saviour, in full proportion on it, was placed; with the imago principalis, the principal image, or image of the Holy Trinity, to which this church was dedicated, together with the images of the Virgin Mary and St. John, and such other saints as were principally esteemed here; touching these linages, there was great variety in those days, as to their position, habits, and ornaments; the rood, or image of Christ upon the cross, was generally made of wood, and in most churches, was placed in a loft made for that purpose, right over the passage out of the church into the chancel. The nave representing, as they said, the church militant, and the chancel, the church triumphant, those therefore that would pass out of the former into the latter, must go under the rood-loft, that is, must go under the cross and suffer affliction. But no rood was complete without the images of Mary and John, one standing on one side, and the other on the other side of the cross, in allusion to that of St. John in the Gospel, (chap. xix. ver. 26.) Jesus (on the cross) saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved.
The like images were sometimes placed without, over the entrance into the church, but that very rarely.
The holy-roods were of very great esteem, and many miracles were said to be done by some of them, the falsity of which, at their demolition, flagrantly appeared.
The festival of the cross, was, and till this time is, known by the name of holy-rood-day, the word [rode] in the Saxon language, signifying a cross; and as it was then a usual oath to swear by the mass, so also to swear by the rood was a very sacred thing.
The images on this rood, I make no doubt, were finely adorned; that of the Holy-Trinity being richly gilt; and in 1499, Lady Margaret, late wife of Sir Ralf Shelton, Knt. sent by Master Simon Dryver, to be put about this image, a gold chain of 25 SS. weighing eight ounces, wanting half a quarter, with four small jewels, and one great jewel, with a red enamelled rose in gold hanging thereon; and in 1443, R⊙b. Norwych, Esq. who was interred in the cathedral, (but in what part I cannot find,) gave to the great image of the Trinity, his silver collar, given him by the Emperour, as part of his livery; both which were seized with the rest of the church plate, at the Dissolution.
This image of the Trinity was, in the then too usual but profane manner, the Almighty Father, whom the heavens, and the heaven of heavens, are not able to contain, being blasphemously represented by a weak old man; the Blessed Redeemer on the cross, between his knees, and the Eternal Spirit, by a dove, on his breast.
Here also were kept the holy relicks, (as they were called,) among which the most remarkable, was a portion of the blood of the Blessed Virgin Mary, mentioned by Mr. Fox, to which many came in pilgrimage, and made their offerings, for which the sacrist annually accounted.
At the Reformation, a multitude of cheats and counterfeits were discovered in this matter of relicks, and it is probable, this might be something like the blood of Christ, showed in those days at Hales in Gloucestershire, which proved to be the blood of a duck, weekly renewed, to their no small gain.
The other relicks in most esteem here, were those of St. William the boy saint, for whom see Pt. I. p. 27, to whose honour the altar was dedicated, as aforesaid,
The experience of the notorious and frequent delusion in relicks, occasioned a cautious provision in the council of Trent, that no relicks should be admitted or esteemed, but such as were first approved by the Bishop, which was only inforcing the decrees of the Lateran council, that no relicks should be worshipped but such as were stamped with the Pope's authority; which not having prevented the delusions so long afterwards practised, it would have been much better to have put an end to all such practices, by setting them all aside at once.
Among other precious things kept here, was the crown of silver and gold, which John Smethurst yeoman of the crown, used in his office; who, when he died at Hetherset in 1506, gave it to the church.
This is sometimes called Holy-rood chapel, and had Jesus mass sung in it once every week.
At figure (26) lies buried Bishop Percy, (see Pt. I. p. 514,) who had his chaplain celebrating for his soul, at St. Thomas's altar on the right hand of the quire door; that of Virgin of Pity being on the left hand; in 1428, an image of freestone, which cost 5l. 6s. of St. Thomas the Martyr, was fixed here, which shows that it was dedicated to Archbishop Becket.
In 1528, Sir Edmund Wethyr, master of the charnel, was buried at his left hand, and had a stone over him, with his picture, &c. in brass, as he desired, which is the only gravestone now remaining in this chapel; but it is spoiled of all its ornaments.
On the other side of the said Bishop, was Will. Sekyngton interred in 1460, who founded a pittance on the day of his obit; and another on the day of the principal feast, or dedication day; close by his grave, at figure (27), was interred Dean Crofts; (see Pt. I. p. 623;) but his stone is now removed and laid between two of the north pillars in the nave; the other stones here were removed, and now lie in the south isle adjoining.
At figure (28) is the monument of Dame Elizabeth Calthorp, with the arms of
Calthorp impaling Berney, she being the daughter of Ralph Berney of Gunton, Esq.
Culpepper of Suffolk, gul. a chevron ingrailed, between three martlets arg. impales Berney.
Berney in a lozengè single.
And this inscription,
This doth shew, that here under resteth the Bodye of the worshipful Dame Elizabeth Calthroppe Widow, first the Wief of Sir Fravncis Calthrop, Knight, and last the Wief of John Cullpeper Esquier, who departid this Lief the 24th Daie of December in the Yere of our Lord God 1582.
On the west wall of the said chapel, on the north part, is a mural monument for William Burleigh of Lytcham, Esq. with this inscription,
Hic jacet Gulielmus Burleigh Armiger, Lychamiæ in Agro Norfolciensi natus, in Academiâ Cantabrigiensi per Septennium enutritus, Gradû autem Magistri in Artibus Ornatus, in Hospitio Grayensi Legum Municipalium Studijs Operam dedit, donec Actor in Foro Westmonasteriensi Evaderet. Tandem Decano et Capitulo Norvicensi, Factus est à Consilijs, atque etiam Curiarum & Maneriorum Seneschallus: Quæ Munia singularia absolvit integritate, Vir spectatâ in Deum, Regem, Ecclesiam, Pietate, Fide, et amplâ (dum vixit) in hanc Basilicam Munificentiâ, ubi jam requiescit spe felicis Resurrectionis, Denatus Aprilis 14°. Anno salutis 1683, Ætatis suæ 55°,
Under it laid a gravestone, now removed and placed between the 3d and 4th south pillars in the nave, with the following inscription and arms of
Burleigh, arg. a lion rampant sab. surmounted by a fess chequy or and az. impaling
Sayer, gul. a chevron erm. between three sea-mews proper.
Here lyeth the Body of Mary, the beloved Wife of William Burleigh Esq; and one of the Daughters of Thomas Sayer of Essex Esq; she died Sept. 3, A. D. 1679.
John Crispyng, Esq. was buried here in 1423; he gave a legacy to make a new rood-loft in Hapisburgh church, and others, to the Trinity gild there; and to the chapel of St. Thomas the Martyr in Bromholm convent; 20s. to the cathedral, and 40s. to find a light burning before the image of the Blessed Virgin of Pite here, which was an effigies of the Virgin sometimes in tears, sometimes in a most melancholy posture, surveying the wounds and dead bodies of our Blessed Saviour.
Laurentio Townley, A. M. et hujus Ecclesiæ Canonico Minori, Qui obijt Maij 24, 1642.
The stone is now removed.
Anne Lambert, Daughter of John Sandlay, March 14, 1659.
John Sandlay, Apr. 28, 1660.
Hester Wife of Francis Wasey, and Widow of John Sandlay, 22 Sept. 1691.
All their stones are removed into the south isle.
And now having passsed through the whole church, except the presbitery or choir, we must enter there, and for regularity shall begin at the east end, at letter (b), which is the ancient Bishop's throne, ascended by three steps, and raised so high, that originally, when there was no division between that and the altar, and before the present rood-loft was built, the old loft being placed very high, at the pillars marked (12), the Bishop could see directly in line through the whole church, unto Tombland; but now there is a late partition between that and the high altar, which makes the old vestry at letter (c) now disused.
Letter (d) is the high-altar of the Blessed Trinity; the custos or master of which annually accounted for the offerings made there, which were very many, the annual processions only of the country and city clergy, made on the Feast of the Holy Trinity, on St. Paul's day, and at Whitsuntide, raised a good sum: the copes, vestments, and other ornaments belonging to this altar, were very grand, and the plate and furniture very sumptuous, till the Reformation, when it was much lessened; but in Queen Mary's time was again much increased; till Dean Gardiner and the prebends, reduced it to a cup of 19 ounces only; but by the time of the Rebellion, it became handsome enough to be seized by the rebels, headed by such of the principal citizens as were then in power; for which abuse and spoil, after the Restoration, the city gave 100l. with which the fine large offering dish, and pair of silver candlesticks, all double gilt, were purchased. On the dish is this,
Ad sacros usus Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Sanctæ et individuæ Trinitatis Norwici Donavit Civitas Norvicensis, Pietatis, in Deum, et in Ecclesiam hanc Charitatis Tesseram: Tempore Maioratûs Mathei Markham.
On each of the silver candlesticks,
Ad sacros usus Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Sanctæ et individuæ Trinitatis Norvici, donavit Civitas Norvicensis.
On a noble silver chalice, double gilt, on which the arms of the deanery impales Suckling.
Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quæ tribuit mihi?
Calicem Salutis accipiam, et nomen Domini invocabo, Psal. 116.
Edmundus Sucklyng Sacræ Theologiæ Professor, et Decanus Ecclesiæ Cathedralis Norwici,
Poculum hoc Deo dedit et Mensæ Dominicæ ibidem. Anno Dni. 1615.
On a large silver patin gilt, the arms of De Grey, and this,
Deo, et Sacris, dicavit Domina Anna de Grey de Antingham in Agro Norfolciensi Vidua.
On two large flaggons of silver double gilt,
The deanery arms, and these words, Ecclesia Norwici.
Ex dono Barbaræ Rhodes, Relictæ Johannis Rhodes, nuper hujus Ecclesiæ Prebendarij, A. D. 1668. (See Pt. I. p. 670.)
There are also two large cups and covers of silver, gilt, with nothing on them but the arms of the deanery, and Ecclesia Norwici.
Another fine silver cup gilt, hath the same arms, and this,
To the Cathedral Church of Norwich, The Gift of Sarah Helwys, Aug. 23, 1743.
Helwys in a lozenge; or a bend gul. surmounted by a fess az.
There belong also to the furniture of this altar, two Common-Prayer books, and a fine Field's Bible in two volumes, bound in red velvet, bossed with silver double gilt; on them are the arms of the church, and the crest and arms of
Crowe, viz. a frette of four arrows.
Girony of eight O. and S. on a chief of the second, two leopards heads of the first.
Hunc Sacrum Librum, et Seipsum Deo et Ecclesiæ dicat R. [ogerus] C. [rowe.] 1673.
The steps of the altar extend as between the pillars marked (18), on the uppermost of which stand the rails, within which, at letter (e), the priest formerly heard confessions. See p. 12.
Figure (11) is the grave of Bishop Redman, as I have lately found by undoubted proof, so that he was not buried as mentioned from common report, in Pt. I. p. 561, there was nothing on the stone over him but these words,
Beati qui moriuntur in Domino.
Figure (10) is the gravestone of Sir Will. Boleyn or Bullen, now spoiled of its brasses, but Mr. Weever hath preserved the inscription, which was this,
Nic jacet Corpus Willelmi Boleyn Militis, qui obiit r Octobris Anna, Dni: MoCCCCCono, Cuius anime propicietur Deus Amen.
I find he gave 20l. to three priests, to celebrate masses here for his soul, and 6l. 13s. 4d. for lights, &c. on his burial day.
In 1483, John Mowbray Duke of Norfolk, Lord High Admiral, constituted this Sir Will. his deputy for all the coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk, for life; with all the fees belonging to his place, and a pipe of good wine yearly, with power to exercise it by his deputies. The commission is dated at Norwich Aug. 21, 1 Richard III.
He was a great benefactor towards adorning the arches in the quire, as appears by his arms, and those of his wife.
But yet as Mr. Weever (fo. 799) observes, Let it be the greatest honour to this noble Knight, that he was great-grandfather to that renowned and victorious Princess, Elizabeth, late Queen of England, according to Mr. Cambden's account, in his introduction to his History of her long and prosperous reign.
The linage and descent of Elizabeth Queen of England (saith he) was by her father's side truly royal, for daughter she was, to King Henry VIII. grand-daughter to Henry VII. and great grand-daughter to King Edward IV. By her mother's side her descent was not so high; howbeit, noble it was, and spread abroad by many great alliances in England and Ireland: her great grand-father's father was Geffrey Boleyn, a man of noble birth in Norfolk, (who purchased the manor of Blickling of Sir John Fastolf, Knt. and settled there, as a letter under his own hand shows me.) In 1457, he was lord mayor of the city of of London, and at the same time, honoured with the dignity of knighthood. An upright honest man, of such estimation, that Thomas Lord Hoo and Hastyngs, knight of the Order of St. George, gave him his daughter, and one of his heiresses, to wife; and of such wealth, that he matched his daughters into the noble houses of the Cheyneys, Heydons, and Fortescues; left his son a goodly inheritance, and bequeathed 1000l. to the poor of London, and 200l. to the poor of Norfolk.
This man's son, William Boleyn, was chose amongst 18 choice knights of the Bath, at the coronation of King Richard III. to whom Thomas Earl of Ormond (who was in such favour with the King's of England, that he alone of all the Irish noblemen had his place and voice in the English parliaments, (and above the barons of England also) gave (Margaret) his second daughter, and one of his heiresses, in marriage. By her, (besides daughters married to Shelton, Calthorp, Clere, and Sackvile, men of great wealth and noble descent, and other children,) he begat
Thomas Boleyn, who being a young man, Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey, who was afterwards Duke of Norfolk, a man much renowned for his worthy service and achievements in the wars, chose to be his son-in-law, giving unto him his daughter Elizabeth in marriage, and Henry VIII. after he had performed one or two very honourable embassies, made him first treasurer of his household, knight of the Garter, Viscount Rochford, Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond, and LordKeeper of the Privy Seal. This Thomas, among other children, begat Anne Boleyn, who in her tender years being sent into France, attended on Mary of England, wife to Lewis XII. and then on Claudia of Britaine, wife to Francis I. and after she was dead, on Margagaret of Alencon, who with the first, favoured the Protestant religion springing up in France. Being returned into England, and admitted amongst the Queen's maids of honour, and then but 22 years old; King Henry, in the 38th year of his age, did for her modesty tempered with French pleasantness, fall deeply in love with her, and took her to wife, by whom he had the aforesaid Elizabeth Queen of England.
The arms on this stone were,
1. Boleyn single, arg. a chevron gul. between three bulls heads cooped S. armed or.
2. Boleyn quartering,
1. - - - - - three mullets, 2 and 1, a chief indented erm.
2. Butler Earl of Ormond. Or, a chief indented az, Impaling
Hoe, quarterly arg. and sab. quartering
St. Omer, az. a fess between six croslets or, and a coat of pretence, in fess of Wichingham er. on a chief sab. three croslets paté or.
3. Three mullets 2 and 1, a chief indented erm.
Adjoining to the north side of Boleyn's stone, lies another large disrobed stone, now spoiled of all its brasses, under which lies buried Robert Clere, Esq. of Ormesby, and Elizabeth his wife, daughter and heiress of Thomas Owydale, Udale, or Dovedale, Esq. lord of the manor of Tacolneston in Norfolk; she died at Tacolneston in 1492, and gave the prior and convent a rent charge of 3l. 6s. 8d. yearly issuing out of the manors of Threston in Norfolk, and Cleydon in Suffolk, to pray for their souls.
On it were the arms of
Clere, arg. on a fess az. Three eagles displayed or, and Clere impaling
Dovedale, sab a cross moline gul. pierced arg.
Near this place was also buried Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Philip Braunche, Knt. first widow of John Clere of Ormesby, Esq. (who was, as I imagine, also buried here,) and then widow of Sir John Rothenhale, Knt.; she died at Castor by Yarmouth in 1440, and gave a vestment to the church; to Ric. Walsham, monk of Norwich, and then Prior of Yarmouth, eight marks per annum for his life, to pray for her own and husband's souls, and if he died, to be contiuued by some monk of the church, for 50 years after her decease, and two marks per annum for the aforesaid term to the Norwich monks, to keep her anniversary.
Another stone had these arms,
1. Two lions passant guardant
2. Quarterly Hoo and Wichingham, and a coat of pretence of
St. Leger, az. frette arg. a chief or.
3. St. Omer single.
At No. (45) lieth buried Bishop Overall, his monument, against the 18th south pillar, see in Pt. I. p. 565.
Letter (s) is Wakeryng's or St. George's chapel, and figure (21) the grave of that prelate; see Pt. I. p. 528. The circumscription on the stone was this,
Orate pro anima Reberendi Patris Dni: Johannis Wakeryng quondam Normicensis Episcopi qui obiit rrbio die Aprilis MoCCCCorrbo, ruis anime propicietur Deus, Amen.
There were also shields of the arms of St. George, England and France quartered, the see of Norwich, and his own.
Figure (20) is the burial place of Bishop Corbet, see Pt. I. p. 568.
Figure (19) is Bishop Spencer's grave, see Ibid. p. 515.
Figure (15) is the founder's tomb, for which see Ibid. p. 465,
Figure (16 is the grave of Bishop Turb and Bishop Montague, see Ibid. p. 474, 571.
Figure (18) is the grave of Bishop John of Oxford, at the head of which stood a cross, and a box to receive the offerings of such people as prayed at his grave, he being of great reputation both in his time, and after his death. The sacrist annually accounted, till after 1334, for the offerings at the cross at the head of Bishop John's grave. See Ibid. p. 476,
Figure (17) is Bishop Armine's grave, see Ibid. p. 501.
Figure (24) is Chancellor Pepper's grave, see Ibid. p. 635.
Figure (25) is the burial place of Bishop Hopton, see Ibid. p. 552.
Figure (44) is the place where Bishop Rugge was interred, see Ibid. p. 547.
The inscription on the brass on his stone was this,
Nic jacet Willus Rugg Sacræ Theologiæ Procfessor, quondam huius Ecclesiæ Normicensis Episcopus qui obiit vicesimo prime nic Sept Mocccccolo.
The stalls are fixed as in the plan, and are in number 62, according to the number of the old foundation, viz a prior, sub-prior, and 60 monks; and are, according to the mode of those times, adorned with odd fancies, most of which allude to the violent animosities that then subsisted between the regular and secular clergy.
Letter (t) is the chapel of St. James the Greater, and St. James the Less, commonly called Goldwell's chapel; and figure (22) denotes where that prelate was interred; see Pt. I. p. 540. The altar in it marked with the pricks in the plan, had a pair of silver chalices gilt, of 24 oz.; a silver paxe gilt, of 2 oz.; a cheseble of blue tissue, with the albe and stole; a cheseble of red velvet, with the albe and stole; a cheseble of white busteyn with the albe and stole; a case of red velvet on one side, for the corporase to be put in; an altar cloth of baudekyn silk, another of red damask, and another of dun damask, belonging to it, all of the Bishop's appointment.
Forregister Moore's monument, against the 16th south pillar, see Pt. I. p. 590.
For Prebend Kent, see Ibid. p. 669. There is a shield of Kent' arms upon the stone, viz.
Az. a chief erm. in fess a lion passant guardant or.
For Prebend Pearce see Pt. I. p. 663, and also for Prebend Littell's monument, Ibid. p. 664.
For Prebend Spendlove and his wife, see Pt. I. p. 670.
Against the east side of the 15th south pillar, is a mural monument, for Stephen Knight, whose gravestone lies in the adjoining south isle, as may be seen by the inscription on it, at p. 15; on it Knight, vert, a bend lozenge or, impales Faldo, gul. three bucks heads caboshed or, attired arg.
Memoriæ Sacrum, Charissmi Patris Stephani Knight Essexiensis Generosi, Qui Uxorem duxit Margaretam filiam natû maximam Tho. Faldo Gen. Faldorum prisco oriundi Stemmate, in Agro Bedfordiensi, Primi ab Archivis Norfolciensi et Suffolciensi, Quo officio summâ perfunctus integritate (usque quo invido premeretur Fato) qui nuperis in Angliâ motibus, varijs se objecit periculis, multa Rei-publicæ Causâ prosperè molitus, animi Constans, damnorumque patiens, cujus virtute delectatus, Rex Carolus Primus, illi recusanti ordinem Equestrem obtulit, Ducis tamen titulum, ad quem in ipsis Castris evectus est, invitus suscepit. Denatus 17mo die Apr. An. Dom. 1664, Ætatis suæ 73.
This monument was erected by his beloved daughter Mary Knight, a woman of singular qualifications, most exemplary for her duty towards her parents, even to their deaths.
Against the west side of the 17th north pillar there is a mural monument lately erected for Prebend Hubbard, (see Pt. I. p. 668,) with this inscription.
Non longè ab hinc, (sub Occidentali silicet parte, Monumenti in Herberti Memoriam positi) Sepultæ sunt Reliquiæ EDVARDI HUBBARD S. T. P.
Aulæ Stæ. Catherinæ CANT. Magistri, Et hujus Ecclesiæ Prebendarij, Qui Cùm Academicæ Juventuti Bonis Literis erudiendæ, Satis felicem per XXIII annos operam navasset, Et intereà Procuratoris et Procancellarij Munera sustinuisset, Diem suum obijt Dec. XXIII, Anno Dom. MDCCXLI. Ætat. XLVII.
Qualis fuerit, Bene norunt amici, Quibus non pancis flebilis occidit, Reliquis tum demum innotescet, Quando resurget.
Against the west side of the 18th north pillar, is a mural monument for Mrs. Anne and Mary Eachard, who are buried in the north isle, (see p. 13,) on which is this;
Beneath these Steps lay interred, the truly Religions and Vertuous Mrs. Mary and Mrs. Anne Eachard, loved and lamented by all that knew them, Mary died July 15, 1714, Anne Nov. 6, 1710.
At the top, a flame issues from an urn, placed between two extinguished tapers.
For Edward Hall's monument, see Pt. I. p. 581, near which is a flat gravestone thus inscribed;
Here lieth the Body of Mary, the Relict of John Hobart Esq. late of Waybread in the County of Suffolk, and Daughter to Sir Anthony Felton of Playford in the same County, Knight of the Noble Order of the Bath, who departed this Life the first Day of Oct. A°. Dom. 1685, aged 78.
On a flat stone by Bishop Montague's grave,
Henry Best Gent. Principal Register to the Bishop of Norwich, died in 1629.
My Time is shorte, the longer is my rest, God calls them soonest, whom he loves Best.
Letter (r) is St. Anne's or Berney's chapel, and figure (46) is the grave of John de Berney, who was buried here in 1374, by Joan, his former wife; he willed, that if the Prior would not permit him, he would then be buried by Sarah his wife, in St. Anne's chapel, which he had founded and built adjoining to the church of Burgh by Apton. He gave 5l. to repair the cathedral; 30s. to the Prior; to Joseph, a monk here, 20s. to every monk 2s.; 26l. to keep his 7th and 30th day after his burial, and founded an anniversary on the day of his death, when the monks were to have 20s. for a pittance, besides wine: he appears to be son of Ric. de Berney, and Alice his wife; Agnes de Berney, his aunt, Katherine his wife, then alive, Thomas and Robert, his sons, and Alice his daughter, married to Rich. de Holdiche, are mentioned: and he particularly ordered five wax tapers of 5l. weight a-piece, and seven torches to be set by his coffin in the church at his burial.
The offerings at the altar here were yearly accounted for by the sacrist.
In 1379, Walter de Berney, citizen of London and Norwich, was buried in the cloister, to which he had been a great benefactor. See p. 3. He gave the prior 40s. and every monk half a mark.
Figure (23) is the burial place of that famous knight Sir Thomas Erpingham, and his two wives; Joan Walton, his first wife, died in 1404, as appears by the probate of her will; and Joan, daughter of Sir William Clopton of Wickham-Brook in Suffolk, Knt. died also before him: it is plain that his first wife was a great favourer of the doctrine of Wickliff; as Sir Thomas also was, for in her will she mentions no saints, but commends her soul to God only.
In 1417, King Henry V. for his faithful services, granted an annuity for life of 50 marks a year issuing out of the alien priory of St. Faith's at Newington Longeville in Bucks. And in 1427, he was lord and patron of the manor and advowson of Toft Monks in Norfolk, which he had given him by King Henry IV.
He made his will in 1427, and died in 1428, when it was proved in the prerogative court, by which he gave to the high-altar 10 marks, to every monk 6s. 8d.; to Erpingham and Litcham churches 40s. each; to the altar of St. Martin at the Palace-gate, in which parish his city house was, 26s. 8d.; to Norman's spittle 10 marks; to the prisoners in the castle and gild-hall 40s. each place; to Julian Lampit, recluse at Carhoe, 10s. &c. Sir Will. Phelip, Sir Andrew Butler, Knts. William Baumburgh, Rich. Gegge, Esqrs. and others, were executors; Bishop Alnwyk supervisor, and Sir Simon Felbrigge, Sir John Clifton, and Sir Tho. Kerdeston, Knts. witnesses.
Before his death, he gave 300 marks to the prior and convent of Norwich, to found a chantry for a monk to sing daily mass for him and his family for ever, at the altar of the holy cross in the cathedral, and to keep his anniversary; with which they purchased houses on Tombland, and settled them to that use; and bound themselves to enter his name in their martyrology, and recite it particularly on his anniversary, before the whole chapter.
His effigies, with those of his two wives, were in the window of the north isle, and in several places in the nave; in some, their own and husband's arms were in the mantle or outward garment; in others their husband's on the mantle, and their own on the kirtle.
They are preserved by a plate in the Repertorium, at the 8th page, dedicated to Sir Hen. St. George, Knt.
Erpingham's crest is, from a crown gul. a plume of feathers arg. vert, an inescutcheon in an orle of martlets arg.
Walton, arg. on a chief indented sab. three bezants.
Clopton, sab. a bend arg. between three cotizes dancetté or.
The word Bewar remains on a brass label at one corner of his stone, which I take to have been his motto.
He was knight of the Garter in Henry the Fourth's time, and a lord warden of the Cinqueports in Henry the Fifth's time: he built the Black-Friars church, now called the New-hall. Many of his family are buried at Erpingham, whence they took their sirname.
Other persons of note buried in and about the cathedral, whose fixed places of sepulture I cannot determine, are,
Mabel de Lakenham, whose obit was kept every 16th day of March.
- 1328, Margaret wife of Sir William son of Sir Roger de Kerdeston.
- 1329, Sir Walter de Norwich, Knt.
- 1329, Sir John de Mutford, one of the judges in the Common Pleas, in the time of King Edward II. of the knightly family of the Mutford's of Mutford in Suffolk.
- 1374, Alex. de Melton, citizen of Norwich, who gave a silver cup for common use, to the convent.
- 1379, Robert de Aylesham, chaplain.
- 1398, Nic. de Berford, citizen.
- 1420, Robert Yelverton of Rackhithe, Gent. buried in the cathedral by his father John Yelverton's tomb.
- 1422, Thomas Salmon, rector of Great Rackhite, buried in the yard, right before the porch of the charnel, now the free-school.
- 1423, Will. Holm, chaplain, buried right before the west door of the north isle in the yard.
- 1436, John Atte-dam, priest.
In 1444, John Paston, eldest son and heir of Will. Paston, chief justice, and Agnes Paston, widow of the said justice, settled a rent charge of eight marks yearly, for 90 years, issuing out of the manor of Sweynsthorp, to find a priest to sing for the soul of the said William, in the chapel of our Lady the Great, in the cathedral of Norwich; in which chapel, the said chief justice lies interred; and 7d. a week for seven years, to the monk that singeth the mass of the Holy Ghost in the said chapel daily, to pray for him and his family's souls. And it appears, that at his death, the said chief justice had in cash at his house in London, 1460l. 2s. 4d. In this monastery 958l. 16s. 5d. besides rings of gold weighing 13 oz. and an half. Gilt plate 24 pounds 11oz. and ungilt plate 92 lib. 2 oz. by weight.
- 1453, Rich. Lombe, rector of St. Julian.
- 1459, Brother John Norwich. Dr. John Park. Brother Robert Porland, and Brother Rob. Cley, monks.
Sir William Yelverton, one of the King's justices or judges, was buried here.
- 1475, Edm. Soham of East-Bilney, Gent.
- 1505, Sir Thomas Growt, monk.
- 1541, Walter Grime.
Besides the arms already mentioned at p. 5, there were these following, many of which are lost, though some still remain.
Taverner, one of that family being buried in the north isle, near Erpingham's tomb.
Gilbert's merchant-mark, impaleth the Grocers arms, and under it,
Orate pro animabus Johannis Gilbert quondam Maioris Cibi tatis et ur: eius
He was mayor in 1459, and was a considerable benefactor towards building the roof of the quire.
Heydon. Lyhert. Andrews. Weyland. Suliard. Hastyngs. Clifton. Caily. Heveningham. Fastolf. Redisham. Ratcliff. Burnell. and Wakeryng.
Windham impaling Redisham, Fastolf, Clifton, Cayly, and Howard.
The arms of all which families, and those before observed, are often impaled, and quartered, in many places, both in the windows, and on the walls.
Besides the altars, chapels, &c. already mentioned, the sacrist accounted yearly for the composition fees for people buried in the church, and for the offerings at the three Kings, at St. Eligius, at the great gild called St. George's gild, kept here; the dyers gild, and worsted weavers gild. Of the indulgence published by Dr. Bryggate by the Pope's bull, called the Angelles or Perke Indulgence, on the vigil of the Ascension. At the altar by the black cross, of which a monk was chosen custos or keeper. At the stumpe cross; at the red cross; at St. Nicholas's altar, where Nic. de Hindolveston was buried in 1298; at St. Appolonia, at St. Gazian, and St. John of Bridlington at St. Catherine, at St. Petronel or Parnell, at St. Ipolitus's altar, at St. Leodegar or Leiger, at St. Anthony, at St. Theobold, at the charnel cross, and at All-Saints. By which we may see, with what number of altars, images, crosses, and pictures, the church was in those days filled.
The Prior was obliged to pay 10s. a year, to find a wax taper burning at our Lord's sepulchre, one of which was in those days in every church, generally in the north wall of the chancel: great pomp and pageantry was used at the sepulchre at Easter, on which day, the crucifix and the pix were taken out of this place, where they were in a solemn manner deposited on Good-Friday, by the priest, on the saying Surrexit, non est hic; He is risen, he is not here.
There were certain annual sums paid to the boy bishop and his clerks, on St. Nicholas's day, by all the officers of the church.
This Boy-Bishop, or episcopus choristarum, was a chorister bishop, always chosen by his fellow children on St. Nicholas's day; and on that day above all others, because that saint's Legend says, that while he laid in his cradle, he fasted Wednesday and Friday, and knew the Scriptures from a child, and therefore children worship him before all other saints; from this day till Innocents day at night, the episcopus puerorum, or boy bishop, was to bear the name and hold the state of a bishop, answerably habited with a crosier or pastoral staff in his hand, and a mitre on his head; and such a one too some had, even richer than the real Bishop's: the rest of his fellows taking on them the style of prebends; yea, so far was this carried on, that whatever the very Bishop himself, with his deans and prebends (had they been to officiate) was to have performed, the very same was done by this boy bishop and his canons, upon the eve and holiday, the mass itself only excepted, as the book of Salisbury church shows us; for that of York takes no notice of it. This chorister bishop went in solemn procession with his fellows, to the high altar of the Holy Trinity, in their copes, and burning tapers in their hands; there performing the service of the holy innocents, designedly represented by these children, which seems to have been the main cause of this institution; which was so guarded, that nobody, under pain of excommunication, should interrupt or press upon them during the procession, or any part of the service: nay (as Molanus says) the part was acted yet more earnestly, for this bishop and his clerks had certain fixed rents paid them yearly, by most of the officers of this church. If the chorister bishop died within the month, his exequies were solemnized with an answerable glorious pomp and sadness; he was, as all other bishops, buried in his pontificalibus: there is a monument of such a bishop in Salisbury church, standing on a beast with a lion's head, and dragon's tongue and tail, in allusion to that of the psalmist, Conculcabis leonem et draconem. Thou shalt tread on the lion and the dragon; and a child of this kind might be thought fit enough to tread upon the old serpent.
John Gregory, A. M. of Christ-church in Oxford, hath a treatise extant, on the ancient custom in the church of Sarum, of making an anniversary bishop among the choristers; printed at London in 1649. But it appears to me, to have been a common custom in most cathedrals.
There have been eight bells, but five only now remain, on which,
1. Fac Margareta nobis hec Munera leta.
2. Andrea quesumus, famulorum suscipe Vota.
3. J. B. A. D. 1633.
4. Subbeniat digna, donantibus hanc Katerina.
5. Sum Rosa Pulsata Mundi, Maria bocata. Orate pro aia: Roberti Brethenham Monachi Norwici.
And now having done with the church, I shall proceed into
The cloister,
Which is on the south side of the church, and is the largest quadrangle of this kind in all England: the dimensions of it may be seen in the plan, and the account of its foundation in Pt. I. p. 530.
The stone roof is adorned with sculptures of divers scripture pieces, and many legendary ones, in particular the visions of the Revelations, the last judgment, the legends of St. Christopher, St. Laurence, &c. remain very perfect.
At the grand south entrance, marked (D) in the plan, are the espousals or sacrament of marriage, carved in stone; the custom being formerly, for the couple who were to be married, to be placed at the church door, where the priest used to join their hands, and perform the greatest part of the matrimonial office; it was here the husband endowed his wife with the portion or dowry contracted for; which was therefore called dos ad ostium ecclesiœ, or the dowry at the church door: and from hence the poet Chaucer, who lived in Edward the Third's time, in his Wife of Bath, hath this,
She mas a worthy Woman all her Libc, husbands at the Church Dore had she fine.
On the right hand of this door, are the two lavatories, marked (EE) in the plan; here the monks used to wash their hands before they went into the common eating-hall, the towels hanging on the left hand of the door.
Over one of these, is carved in stone, a fox in a pulpit, in the habit of a secular priest, holding up a goose to his auditory; this, with many other carvings on the stalls in the quire, and on the stone work in other places, was designed as a reflection on the secular clergy, or parish priests, who were much hated by the monastick or regular clergy, as they called themselves, though not on account of their being more regular than the others; for had it been so, common experience would have given them the lie; but because they did, or at least pretended to live, by the regulœ or rules of the founders of their several orders, and these being Benedictines, consequently were to follow the rules of St. Benedict.
What really first caused this standing antipathy was, the regulars continually incroaching upon the seculars, in getting the parochial churches appropriated to themselves, thereby making the seculars subservient solely to them, for what they thought fit to allow them for the service of the cures, otherwise obtaining dispensations to serve them themselves: which covetousness so apparent to all the world, caused the people in general to join the seculars, and at last utterly demolish all the regulars: this is the reason of the many odd figures usually seen carved on the stone work of religious buildings: in monasteries or churches appropriated to them, what do we see oftener than the heads of secular priests, lions, wolves, foxes, and other emblems of craft and rapine, fixed with leaden spouts from their mouths: and on the parochial churches, what so common as part of a monk, in his cowl, pouring water out of his mouth every shower, to upbraid that sect with their excess of gluttony and drinking; and to represent their vanity, idleness, folly, and other vices; nothing more common than asses, monkeys, owls, magpies, tortoises, swine, &c. dressed in cowls, or other monkish habits.
Near the other of these lavatories, was formerly a shield of the arms of the ancient family of
Verdon, sab. a lion rampant arg.
The north part of the cloister was unpaved in the late rebellion, but was repaired by Will. Burleigh, Esq.; on the wall of the church there were eleven shields, handsomely beautified with the arms of such nobility, in their proper colours, crests, mantlings, supporters, and quarterings, as attended Queen Elizabeth in her progress hither in 1578, when she lodged at the Bishop's palace, and dined here in publick, they made a handsome appearance till the late rebellion, when the lead being faulty, and the stone work decayed, the rain falling upon the wall, washed them away; they were these, the Queen's achievement, Howard Duke of Norfolk, Clinton, Russell, Cheyney, Hastyngs, Dudley, Cecil, Carey, Hatton, &c.
In this walk, at figure (47) in the plan, is a void space in the wall where formerly was the effigies of a person in a praying posture, said to be Bigot's monument; the description of which, answers to that I find of the monument of Roger Bigot, sewer to King Henry I. the co-founder, as it were, with Bishop Herbert; who, by his means, obtained the very land the church stands upon, of that King: that this Roger was interred here, contrary to the account of those historians who say he was buried at Thetford, I think I have sufficiently proved in the first volume of my Norfolk History, at p. 441; as well as shown the great reason those historians had to think so; but that he should be buried in this place, I can hardly believe, being apt to imagine that he was laid by the high altar, or near the founder; though probably this might be the tomb of some of that name, buried long since the former. For besides the tradition, that Roger Bigot was buried in the church, in Mr. Le-Neve's Collections, I meet with the following account of his monument; that he, as a knight, was represented kneeling in his armour, on a cushion, with a surcoat of arms of a lion rampant, bareheaded, with a collar about his neck, before an image of our Blessed Saviour, which had only a loose garment thrown over him, and the crown of thorns upon his head; over which were three shields, viz. the arms of the see in the middle, on the right hand a lion rampant as on the surcoat, and on the left or, a cross gul. both which last coats were born by the Bigods.
Persons buried in this walk are,
Robert Brigstock, one of the Free-Masons of the Cathedral, 1673. Will. Spring, Gent. Proctor, 1694. Mrs. Hannah Wake, March 8, 1742, æt. 84. Walter Long 1725. Hannah his Relict July 29, 1743. Walter his Son, March 13, 1739, æt. 40. Charles Knapp, Gent. 1721, æt. 60. Jer. Richardson 1657. John Moy, April 1, 1709, æt. 56. Eliz. Wolfe 17 Aug. 1679.
Reliquiæ Saræ-Maræ Primogenitæ Johannis et Elizæ Marker, hic depositæ sunt. Nata 20mo. Januarij 1721mo. denata, 19°. Aprilis 1722°. necnon Amantis ejus Matris, quæ obijt 2d. Aug. 1729no.
Francis Stafford sometimes Parish-Clerk, May 15, 1694, æt. 40. Anne his Wife Nov. 30, 1710, æt. 55. they had 10 Children, 9 survived their loving Father, and 6 an indulgent Mother.
Francis the Daughter of Henry Mowting and Mary his Wife, The 7th. Day of February departed this Life,
Anno 1679.
Sarah York this Life did resigne, On may the 13th. 79. [sc. 1679.]
And the following lines, much like the former, were to be read here some time since:
Here lieth the Body of honest Tom Page, Who died in the 33d. Year of his Age.
The following epitaph was composed for Jacob Freeman, who was buried in the cloister yard, where he used often to lie on a hill, and sleep with his head on a stone: this old man was very hardly used by the committee in those times, for lying in the cathedral, and in church porches, where he usually repeated the Common Prayer to the people, in spite of all their ill treatment, he being often sent to Bridewell, whipped and imprisoned for it. It is printed in Matthew Stevenson's Poems, p. 85.
Here in this homely Cabinet, Resteth a poor old Anchoret, Upon the Ground he laid all Weathers Not as most Men, Gooselike, on Feathers, For so indeed it came to pass, The Lord of Lords his Landlord was, He liv'd instead of Wainscot Rooms, Like the possess'd, among the Tombs, As by some spirit thither led, To be acquainted with the Dead.
Each Morning from his Bed so hallow'd, He rose, took up his Cross, and follow'd; To every Porch he did repair, To vent himself in Common-Prayer, Wherein he was alone devout, When Preaching justled Praying out; In such Procession, through the City, Maugre the Devil and Committee, He daily went, for which he fell, Not into Jacob's, but Bridewell, Where you might see his Loyal Back, Red letter'd like an Almanack, Or I may rather else aver, Dominickt, like a Calender, And him triumphing at that harm, Having nought else to keep it warm, With Paul he always pray'd, no wonder, The Lash did keep his Flesh still under; Yet Whip-Cord seem'd to loose it's Sting, When for the Church, or for the King; High Loyalty in such a Dearth, Could bafle Torments with Mean Earth, And tho' such Sufferings he did pass, In spite of Bonds, still Free-Man was.
'Tis well his Pate was Weather Proof, The Palace like, it had no Roof: The Hair was off, and 'twas the Fashion, The Crown being under Sequestration, Tho' bald as Time, and Mendicant, No Fryer yet, but Protestant.
His Head each Morning and each Even', Was water'd with the Dew of Heaven.
He lodg'd alike, dead and alive, As one that did his Grave survive; For he is now, tho' he be dead, But in a manner put to Bed; His Cabin being above Ground yet, Under a thin Turf-Coverlet.
Pitty he in no Porch did lay, That did in Porches so much pray; Yet let him have this Epitaph, Here sleeps old Jacob, Stone, & Staff.
In the west side of the cloister, near the grand entrance into the church, at letter (G) in the plan, are stones for,
Rebekah Wife of Francis Stafford, Aug. 10, 1717, æt. 29. Frances their Daughter, 1716. Susanna Daughter of the said Francis by Susanna his Wife, 1718.
Eliz. Mayer of London 1731, æt. 47. Mary Day of Henham in Suff. 1712.
Edward Cuddon Gent. 1678. Prudence his Wife 1727, æt. 90.
Cuddon, arg. a chevron gul. on a chief az. 3 bezants.
In the south wall of the cloister are stones for,
Mrs. Mary Cooke 1717, æt. 23. Will. Clarke 1723, æt. 58. Sarah his Wife 1736, æt. 73. Will. Son of Ric. Cooke Gent. 1686. Mary Cook 1741, æt. 82, &c.
In the south wall there are niches, which formerly served as repositories for the towels and linen, for daily use in the common-hall, which stood a few paces on the left hand of the door marked (D), to which the butteries, cellars, kitchens, and other offices adjoined; the dormitory or dorter also, and infirmary, frater, or firmary, where on this south side, and are now standing; the long gallery or walk, well enclosed, where the sick monks used to walk, still remaining whole; as doth the prior's lodge, now the dean's house, commonly called the deanery, at letter (y) in the plan, beyond which, stand the granaries, and other buildings, now converted into dwelling-houses; the stone buildings on the right hand of the aforesaid entrance, extending from the west side of the cloister, were the strangers lodgings, the most southern chamber of which, is now the library and chapterhouse, and to the north end of these lodgings, the strangers-hall adjoined, and extended against part of the west side of the cloister, behind the lavatories, as far as the void space in the plan, which was the entrance into it, the rest of that side, and the other parts of the cloister, being taken up with the cells.
In the east side, extending from the grand entrance at letter (z), or the prior's entrance, to letter (C), which is now called the Darkentry, and was anciently a passage to the dormitory, infirmary, kitchen, and other offices, are buried,
John Taylor 1725, æt. 61. Etheldred his wife 1721, æt. 53. Will. Hey, 1730, æt. 44. Edw. Kirk 1726, æt. 43, &c.
And not far from the prior's chapel, marked (x) in the plan, lies a large stone robbed of its brasses, under which, Walter de Berney, who is mentioned among the benefactors to the cloister at p. 3, is said to be interred.
This chapel was founded by one of the priors, and was dedicated to St. Edmund King of the East-Angles, but by which of them, I cannot find: it was appropriated for the use of the prior, who before that time used St. Luke's chapel, for want of one nearer to their lodge; in all probability several of the priors were interred here, but being quite demolished at the Reformation, it is now a yard to the adjoining house.
On this side of the quadrangle, is the dean and chapter's office, at letter (B), and the gaol and dungeon at figure (54) and letter (u)
And now having finished all belonging to the church on its south side, we must return to the north side thereof, on which stands the
BISHOP'S PALACE
editTo which there was a passage from the door of the north transept, marked (N) in the plan, which was arched over with stone like the cloister, till the late troublesome times, when it was totally demolished; an account of which building you have in Pt. I. p. 530.
This entered the palace at the great or common-Hall, on part of the site of which, the present chapel is built; the old chapel, now totally demolished, standing on the right hand between the church and it, from which it is not far distant.
The present palace, though it stands upon the same spot, was not built by the founder, that being wholly pulled down by Bishop Salmon, who not only entirely rebuilt it, but obtained license from the King to enlarge the site: the works of this prelate were truly grand, not only the present palace as we now see it being of his building, but the demolished great hall, which was 110 feet long, and 60 feet wide, extending from the southern wall of the present chapel, to the now decayed kitchen, buttery, and other offices, which almost reached the great gate built by Bishop Alnwyk (as you may see in Pt. I. p. 531,) which opens on St. Martin's Plain, and the grand gate or entrance into the said hall, which is now standing, (the chamber over it being the repository for the Bishop's evidences,) also the old chapel, now demolished, and the charnel chapel and its offices, were of his foundation; all which, by length of time, and too much negligence, were fallen into decay, till Bishop Totington substantially repaired them; the whole being afterwards much adorned by Bishop Hart, in 1449, against the King's coming to lodge there, and afterwards by Bishop Goldwell, and Bishop Parkhurst, (see Pt. I. p. 555,) whose arms, with those of divers other Bishops, as Freke, Redman, Corbet, &c. were to be seen in the windows.
In 1535, Bishop Nix, just before his death, with the consent of the prior and chapter, granted a lease to the mayor, sheriffs, and citizens, for 89 years to come, that for the honour of God and St. George, they might hold the gild and feast of St. George in the palace, and use the buttery, pantry, and kitchen at its north end, for 14 days together at the gild time, unless the King, Queen, or other nobles, were at the palace with the Bishop at that time. This hall was demolished in the Rebellion, and the lead sold, and that after the year 1656, for then it was a publick meeting-house; for at the court of mayoralty held June 13, that year, Henry Sedgwick informed upon oath, that the last Monday, "At a publique meeting in the place which formerly was the Bishops-hall, one Will. Wayneford a comber, did there in his prayer which he did openly make, use these words following, that the Lord would be pleased to throw down all earthly power, and rule, and authority, and that he would consume them that they might be no more alive upon the earth, and that he would set up the Kingdom of his Son, that they might be all taught of God."
A sad example of the doctrine, as well as folly, of those pernicious times.
There is a room in the palace, wainscotted with carved wainscot brought from the demolished abbey of St. Bennet in the Holm, on which I saw the arms of that abbey, of the Veres, Ingloses, and others, and particularly those of Sir John Fastolff, their great benefactor, handsomely carved; which shows that it was done at the expense of that great man, and the others, whose arms are thereon, and that it was made in the time of Henry V. or Henry VI.; there are also busts of divers heroes, and remarkable persons both men and women, with their names carved by them; it was brought hither by Bishop Rugg.
Bishop Reynolds had enough to do at the Restoration, to make the palace fit to be inhabited, it being then divided, and let out into so many tenements, that it was almost quite ruinated, since which time, little had been done, unless by Dr. Trimnel; so that its neatness and convenience is entirely owing to the generosity of our present diocesan.
OF THE BISHOP'S CHAPEL.
At first, Jesus chapel in the cathedral was the Bishop's private chapel, but that being inconvenient by reason of its distance, Bishop Salmon, at his coming to the see, about the year 1300, having agreed with the prior and chapter for a peice of land lying between the church and the palace, on the east side of the way leading from the church to the palace, for an annual pension of 4l. built a chapel thereon, and dedicated it to the honour of the Virgin Mary.
It stood near the place where the present chapel stands, about 10 or 12 yards more south, and was 30 feet broad, and 130 long; there were many plain monuments, under which it was thought some of the Bishops were buried, and Bishop Salmon, its founder, is said to be interred in the midst of it, before the high altar.
In this chapel was a chantry of three priests, founded by Will. de Ayreminne, Bishop here in 1331, who purchased the advowson of Thurveton or Thurlton, and appropriated it to the hospital of St. Giles, the master of which house was to pay out of the annual profits of that rectory, stipends of 6 marks a year to each officiating chaplain; all which were to be in the Bishop's collation, and dwell and have apartments in the palace, and be found with meat; drink, and lodging, at the Bishop's cost; they were to pray daily for the souls of their founder and his family, for the King and his progenitors, and for the welfare of the present bishop of the see, and the souls of all his predecessors: and King Edward III. not only confirmed the foundation, but also granted, that during the vacancy of the see, they should not be molested by any one, but should continue in the palace, and be provided for as usual: they were all sworn at their admission, to serve duly according to their foundation, which was not settled till the latter end of
- 1342, when Peter de Bardelby and Robert de Berningham were collated; and in 1343, Tho. de Plumstede; who were the three first chaplains in this chantry.
- 1351, Will. de Blickling.
In 1368, The Master of St. Giles's hospital certified to Bishop Percy, that the profits of Thurveton rectory were so reduced by the late plague, that they did not amount to above 10l. per annum, so that he could not pay the three stipends without damage to himself and house; upon which the Bishop agreed he should drop one of the three chaplains, paying the other two, 7 marks, 3s. 4d. per annum, on giving security, that if the rectory advanced again hereafter to the old value of 20l. per annum, that he would then pay a third stipend, whenever the Bishop collated a 3d chaplain; and thus they were reduced to two only.
- 1374, Roger de Couteshale. 1377, William Halle, priest. 1385, Roger, son of John atte Welle of Couteshalle. 1409, William Bacon. 1418, Sir Thomas Rodeland, priest.
In 1448, Jan. 4, Walter Hart Bishop of Norwich discharged the master and brethren of St. Giles's hospital from finding the other two chaplains in this chapel, and so the chantry ceased: the master and brethren indeed obliged themselves to find a priest to sing for the founder in their own house; and certified that the profits of Thurveton were so reduced, that they would only find a parochial chaplain to serve the church; but this was a mere pretence only: the truth is, the Bishop, who was to maintain them in the palace, and find them apartments there, was glad to get rid of them, and not to have such chaplains as he was forced to keep, after he had once collated them; but liked others better that he could discharge at his pleasure, and so make them wholly dependent.
In 1619, the Bishop licensed the Walloon congregation to use his chapel during his pleasure.
The 4l. per annum pension before mentioned was always paid till Bishop Goldwell subtracted it all his time, but his executors were forced to pay it by Bishop Nix's arbitration in 1508, and it was constantly paid till Michaelmas 1642; and then the Bishop came to the dean and prebends assembled in chapter, and said, That he conceived the chapel of the palace, which ought anciently to pay 4l. per annum, was the dean and chapter's, and that they might take it into their hands, for he would pay it no longer; upon which they declared, that though the pension was due for it, yet it was not theirs, but the chapel of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, and hath been so reputed, taken, and used, time out of mind: but from this time it quite ceased. For the same year, Bishop Hall, in his Hard Measure, informs us, at p. 15, whose own words I shall use, "Sheriff Tofts and Alderman Lindsey, attended with many zealous followers, came into my chapel to look for superstitious pictures, and reliques of idolatry, and sent for me, to let me know, they found those windows full of images, which were very offensive, and must be demolished: I told them they were the pictures of some ancient and worthy Bishops, as St. Ambrose, St. Austin, &c. it was answered me, that they were so many Popes; and one younger man among the rest (Townsend, as I perceived afterwards) would take upon him to defend, that every diocesan Bishop was a Pope: I answered him with some scorn, and obtained leave, that I might with the least loss and defacing of the windows, give order for taking off that offence, which I did, by causing the heads of the pictures to be taken off, since I knew the bodies could not offend." But the good Bishop needed not to have been so exact, if he could have thought of the consequence; for soon after, the windows were not only quite broken in pieces, but the lead pulled off the roof and sold; so that at the Restoration it was so decayed, that Bishop Reynolds was forced to pull it down entirely; upon which, he built the present chapel, somewhat more north than the former, in which he and his successour, Bishop Sparrow, lie interred; as may be seen in Pt. I. p. 584, 587.
Besides the inscriptions for Dr. Tanner's two wives, already mentioned in Pt. I. p. 590, 636, under the account of that prelate, who was chancellor here, there are the following ones on brass plates, viz.
Antonius Filius Petri Parham M. D. & Susannæ Filiæ Rev. Patris Antonij, Episcopi Norvic: natus 7 Mens: obijt Martij 21 Anno Dni: 1680.
Rebecca Filia Petri Parham M. D. et Susannæ Uxoris, nat. 10 Mens: obijt Oct. 2do. 1682.
Thomas Filius tertius P. Parham M. D. et Susannæ Uxoris, natus 6 Hebdom: Obijt Aug: 16, An°. 1684.
Jana Webster obijt Aprilis 24, 1685.
The ancient garden belonging to the palace, is on the east part of it, and the stables, &c. join, as they always did, to the great entrance.
And now having finished the description of the cloister, and buildings belonging to the Bishop and Convent, I shall proceed to the other places to be treated of, which are within the Close or Precinct; and first of the church of
St. Mary In The Marsh
editSt. Mary In The Marsh, called Cow-Holm, that is, the marsh where the cows fed, that part of the city now called Conesford being originally called Couesford or Cowsford, from the ford they passed over to come to this holm or marsh, all which was then in the parish of Thorp, and came with that manor to Bishop Herbert; before whose time all the inhabitants were buried and received the sacraments at Thorp; and as a proof of it, till the Reformation all the rectors in Blofield deanery came in procession to this church every Whitsun-Monday, as to a church in that deanery.
There was a chapel here before Herbert's time, belonging to its mother church of Thorp, which that Bishop pulled down, and rebuilt the present church, and gave it, with all Cowholm, to the Prior and Convent, who always presented, the dean of their manors inducting to it, as one of their peculiars.
The rectory was valued at 5l. 10d. was not taxed, and so paid no first fruits, but 10s. 1d. tenths, 12d. synodals, and 15d. procurations; but being sworn of no value, it was discharged of tenths.
In 1499, all the lands and gardens, with the cellerer's dove-house, within the Precinct, paid their tithes and offerings to this church; it being, from Herbert's time, the parish church of the Precinct: the prior, and since that, the dean and chapter, paid the rector a pension of 3l. 6s. 8d. a year; and the cellerer for the tithe of his gardens, offerings of the servants at Christmas, Easter, &c. paid 53s. 4d. per annum. The
Rectors
editOf this church were,
- 1272, Master Simon de Skerning.
- 1311, Tho. de Langele.
- 1324, John de Dudelington.
- 1332, Tho. Mannyngs of Hindolfstone.
- 1334, Mr. John de Brisele. His will is proved before the dean of the manors, of the prior and convent.
- 1357, Rob. de Ashele, who changed for Saxlingham-Nethergate in
- 1360, with Ric. Skyn.
- 1369, Will. de Sharington.
- 1369, Simon de Bukbrok.
- 1376, Rob. de Howe.
- 1390, Mr. Rob. Cook of Thurgarton.
- 1393, Will. Bernham, in Bac. Dec.
- 1405, Tho. Dallyng, who changed for Warham All-Saints, in
- 1406, with Will. Bacon.
- 1409, Jeffry Simonds.
- 1410, Will. Bernham again; he resigned for Blofield.
- 1420, Peter Skelton, resigned.
- 1425, John Hancok, he died rector.
- 1431, John Waryn, resigned.
- 1432, Will. Sekyngton, LL. B. resigned.
- 1459, Edm. Keche, resigned.
- 1466, John Hornese, alias Sipton; Bishop of Ross.
- 1471, John Styward, by lapse.
- Jeffery Lawnder died rector.
- 1506, Henry Sharpe. Ditto.
- 1507, John Farewell.
- 1514, Rob. Jackson, he died rector in 1526; the brass taken from his stone in this church is now in Mr. Rolf's hands, with this on it,
- Orate pro anima Domini Roberti Jackson quondam Rectoris istius Ecclesie, A. D. M. N.orrhio.
- 1526, The venerable and religious father in Christ, Rob. Catton, Prior of Norwich, on the presentation of Thomas Godsalve, by grant from the convent.
- 1528, Will. Chaumberleyn, he died rector.
- 1533, Will. Frankysh.
- 1546, Ric. Underwood, by lapse.
- 1547, John Basse, by lapse.
- 1559, John Tollar.
In 1564, John Parkhurst Bishop of Norwich, John Tollar, recto here, and John Salisbury dean, and the chapter, patrons of St. Peter per Mountergate, St. Mary in the Marsh, and St. Vedast, commonly called St. Vast's or Faith's, agreed to consolidate the said parishes; the church of St. Vedast being down, and this rectory being of small value, they were consolidated to St. Peter's aforesaid, which church was large enough for all the three parishes, the income of which, when united, would be but small, the dean and chapter having reserved all St. Mary's tithes lying in the Precinct, and all pensions, and also all the tithes of the gardens lying out of the Precinct on the north side of St. Vast's-lane, as enclosed with a wall or pale, down to the river, for a rector to be instituted in Jesus chapel in the cathedral, which was to be assigned to the parishioners of St. Mary, dwelling in the Precinct; and their rector was to have all things within the Precinct, as his predecessors had, and was to pay all things as they did, all ornaments, plate, &c. belonging to St. Mary's, being to be removed thither, the Bishop assuming a strange and unwarrantable power of desecrating the said church; an example I never met with in any age before, or since; and not only so, but of converting the structure itself to the use of the cathedral; and on the first of June following, by virtue of the act of the 37th Henry VIII. by consent of the Bishop, incumbent, patrons, mayor, sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty of the city, that part of the rectory and parsonage of St. Mary aforesaid, lying within the Precinct, and the gardens aforesaid lying without the Precinct, were consolidated to the chapel of St. John the Baptist in the south isle of the cathedral, for the better maintenance of the said isle and chapel, and for the better relief of the incumbent there; which said isle, called St. John's isle, was henceforth to be called the parish church of St. Mary and St. John for ever: and the parishioners inhabiting in the Precinct were bound and obliged for ever, to hear and receive the sacraments there, instead of the church of St. Mary, and were to be accounted parishioners of the said chapel or isle, and to pay to the parson there, all their tithes, offerings, &c. and the sextry yard joining to the south side of the said isle was appointed the burial-place for all the parishioners: the site, lead, bells, and buildings, of the church of St. Mary, with the churchyard and ground on the north and south sides thereof, were reserved to the use of the dean and chapter; and the plate, jewels, books, and other ornaments, to the parishioners, to be carried to St. John's. The parson of St. Mary and St. John, and his successours, being obliged to pay to the Queen's Majesty, the Bishop, and Archdeacon, and their successours, all manner of tenths, subsidies, pensions, senages, visitation money, and proxies, in such manner as was always paid.
Upon this, the dean stript it of its lead valued at 160l. which he sold, and it was sworn in 1568, that he never brought one penny of it to account, nor yet of the lead that was sold off the dorter or dormitory; and Dr. Gascoign, the chancellor, stript the inside, and pulled down much of the stone work, having bought it of the dean and chapter for 80l. which was shared, as is mentioned at p. 7.
Afterwards the bells were sold, and it stood useless for some time, till it was turned into a dwelling-house, as it still remains, standing in the Lower-Close, on the right hand going to the ferry, it being inhabited by Mr. Holland, a hatter, some few years since.
In 1421, John Metfield, chaplain, was buried in the churchyard.
In 1460, Will. Sekyngton, some time rector here, was buried in the cathedral, and gave a vestment of black and white silk, an ordinal, and a new processional to this church.
In 1516, William Elsy, who was buried in St. George's of Colgate church, gave to this church a white vestment, in honour of God and our Lady, of 4 marks value, and 20s. to buy a small copper cross, gilt.
- 1539, John Horn was buried in the steeple in the belfry.
- 1540, James Wallington was buried upon the bank before the south church door, and gave 10l. towards repairing the church.
Soon after this consolidation, the dean and chapter, desirous to have the south isle clear, agreed with the parishioners, and assigned them the chapel of St. Luke the Evangelist, for their parochial church; and the isle between that chapel and the south transept of St. John's isle from which they were removed, for the burial-place of the principal parishioners, which hath continued so ever since, though it was done by verbal agreement only, no instrument, since that of the last consolidation, being made concerning it.
At Tollar's death, this rectory lapsed to the Bishop, who, in
- 1569, 17 Jan. collated Thomas Read to the consolidated rectory of St. Mary in the Marsh, and St. John in the Cathedral: and in
- 1579, 10 Febr. the dean and chapter presented Richard Sadlington to the said rectory.
From which time I find no institution, the rectory having been served, as it now is, by a Sequestrator or Curate.
In 1616, Tho. Askew, curate here, died.
- 1617, George Saunders, curate.
- 1662, John Harwood. See p. 10.
The present [1744] curate is the Rev. Mr. David Fleming, rector of Bixley and Framlingham Earl in Norfolk. See p. 11.
ST. Ethelbert's, or St. Albert's
editParochial chapel, was founded before the cathedral, as is evident by its parish being divided part within, and part without the Precinct; it was a rectory, of which,
John was rector in 1256, and was succeeded about 1260, by Mr. Simon de Skerning, in whose time,
The chapel, which stood near the left hand as you go out of the monastery gate, at the south end of Tombland, was burned down by the citizens in the grand insurrection in 1272, as is before observed in Pt. I. p. 54. Upon which, by consent of the prior and convent, patrons thereof, and of Simon de Skerning, then rector; Roger de Skerning, then Bishop, perpetually united it to the church of St Mary in the Marsh, to which the said Simon was then instituted, and all the parishioners both within and without the Precinct were united to St. Mary's, and were obliged to hear divine service, and receive the sacraments there; and those within the Precinct were to pay all their tithes and oblations to the rector there; and be, as formerly, exempt from all archidiaconal jurisdiction: but those without the Precinct were to pay their tithes to the rector of the church of St Cuthbert, and his successours for ever; and be subject to Master Tho. de Skerning, Archdeacon of Norwich, and his successours.
After the insurrection was appeased, the citizens, in part of recompense for the injury done to the convent, built the present gate, in the same place where the old one stood, that they had destroyed; and over it a large handsome chapel, which was dedicated to St. Ethelbert or Albert; in which, the rector of St. Mary in the Marsh at first officiated, to such parishioners of St. Albert's parish as lived without the Precinct; but afterwards withdrawing his service wholly to St. Mary's, as he had power to do, this chapel was served by a priest, who had only what voluntary offerings were made there by strangers, for his labour; which after some time becoming small, the cellerer took it; in whose hands it remained many years, till at last it was let out for a dwelling; and in 1519, the cellerer accounted for the profits of the house or chapel of St. Ethelbert over the great gates of the monastery; it is now divided into three rooms, in which the registers and wills belonging to the Bishop are reposited, whose office is kept close by the gate, on its north side.
Besides this great gate, there were four others entering the Precinct, one of which, though now demolished, entered into St. Vast's-lane; another called the Hospital-gate, because it leads to St. Giles's hospital, is still standing; another opens on St. Martin's Plain, and is called the Bishop's Great-gate, for which see Pt. I. p. 531: and the other called Erpingham's, or the Lower-gate, in the Close, opens against the west end of the cathedral, and was built as a penance for Lollardy by Sir Thomas Erpingham, as is already observed in Pt. I. p. 524.
There is a cut of it at p. 24, in the Repertorium, dedicated to Charles Lord Vicount Townsend, but the effigies of Sir Thomas on his knees, which is now in the niche, was not then found and placed there, as it hath since been, so that it doth not occur in the plate.
On the summit, stands a cross of stone, and the emblems of the four Evangelists are placed on pedestals, two on each side. On the top sits an effigies of a secular priest with a book in his hand, teaching a youth standing by him; and opposite, on the southern pillar, sits a monk with a book in his hand also, surveying those that pass by; designed, I presume, by the founder to signify, that the secular clergy not only laboured themselves in the word, but diligently taught the growing youth, to the benefit of the world; when the idle regular, who by his books also pretends to learning, did neither instruct any, nor improve himself; by which, he covertly lashed those that obliged him to this penance; and praised those that had given him instruction in the way of truth.
On one side of the niche are the arms of the see; and on the other, those of the church. Right over the arch is a shield of the five wounds of Christ, represented by a heart between two hands cooped in chief, and two feet cooped in base, our Blessed Lord being wounded on the cross, with the nails that went through his hands and feet, and with the spear that pierced his heart.
On the north side of this, are three shields; the largest hath on it a triangle, to represent the blessed Trinity; the lowest hath our Saviour on the cross; and the uppermost, three chalices and wafers thereon, to represent the blessed sacrament: opposite also, are three shields, the largest hath the arms of Sir Thomas, impaling those of Joan Clopton, his second wife; the uppermost hath the arms of Joan Walton, his first wife, and the lowest, hath the arms of Clopton single. The pillars and arch are adorned with many well carved images, and the word pena often under them: they are the effigies of divers saints, martyrs, kings, and confessors; those on the north side being most, if not all, men; and those on the south side most, if not all, women; by which we may learn, that his last wife was concerned in this penance, as being a Lollard, or follower of Wickliff, as well as himself; the arms of the Erpinghams, Waltons, Cloptons, &c. are scattered all over the building; which hath its beauty entirely spoiled by a chamber of wood fixed in the arch for a dwelling, which not only stops up great part of it, but renders the sight altogether disagreeable; the loss of the rent of which, could be no great thing, if the dean and chapter, to whom it belongs, should, for decency sake, take it away.
The eastern part of the Precinct is bounded by the river, over which there is, and immemorially hath been, a ferry; the keeper of which is appointed by patent from the dean and chapter: it is now called Sandlin's Ferry, from one of that name who was keeper of it, and most probable from Mr. John Sandlin, mentioned in the Repertorium at p. 1, who lived 89 years, and was a chorister in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; near this ferry was a large canal, that formerly conveyed all things brought by water, into the Lower-Close; besides fish-ponds, &c. for the convent's use.
The Charnel House
editnow the free-school, at the west end of the church, was founded by John Salmon Bishop of Norwich, who died in 1325, as may be seen in Pt. I. p. 499; in which he at first placed four chaplains or priests, one of which was to be custos, master, or principal; and at the west end thereof, he erected proper offices and chambers for them; so that the whole (except the present porch) was built by this Bishop; and that, was the foundation of Bishop Hart, as appeared by his arms cut in stone there.
The upper charnel chapel is now the school-room, and was dedicated to the honour of St. John the Evangelist. In this, the custos or master, and chaplains with him, served daily; underneath was the lower charnel chapel, and CHARNEL-house itself; all which is now used for a vault or cellar: this chapel was dedicated to the same saint, though I have seen it called St. John Baptist's, by errour; and here the keeper of the lower charnel officiated daily, as they all did, for the souls of Salomon, his father, Amy, his mother, his own soul, and those of all the departed Bishops of Norwich in particular; all the dead in general; and in particular for the souls of all those whose bones were reposited in the vault of this charnel; in which, with the leave of the sacrist, who kept the key of the vault, the bones of all such as were buried in Norwich might be brought into it, if dry and clean from flesh, there to be decently reserved till the last day. Whether the bones were piled in good order, the sculls, arms, and leg bones in their distinct rows and courses, as in many charnel-houses, I can not say; nor how they were disposed of when removed after the Reformation, I do not find; though it is with probability conjectured, they were buried in the Upper-Close, which was to that time the burialplace belonging to the charnel: the foundation deed of which, is dated at the Bishop's palace at North-Elmham, IVth of the nones of Oct. 1316; by which it appears, that the founder had purchased the advowson of the church of Westhale St. Andrew in Suffolk, and appropriated it to the prior and convent, who were to have all the tithe corn of the said parish; out of which they were yearly to pay 22 marks and an half as follows; viz. to the principal chaplain six marks a year, and to each of the other three, five marks and an half per annum, by the hands of the prior, for the time being, who was to receive the profits, and pay yearly to the said chaplains 6l. on Michaelmus day, 4l. on St. Andrew's day, and 5l. on the octaves of Easter: all the small tithes being reserved to the vicar, who was to be presented by the prior and convent, as the vicars are now by the dean and chapter; and if the prior omitted to pay at any time, the chaplains were to be daily maintained in the strangers-hall, or at the prior's table, and yet recover their full stipend.
The custos or principal was always to be nominated by the prior for the time being, or in a vacancy, by the sub-prior, in a full chapter, to whom the custody of the vestments, books, ornaments, and buildings were committed; on swearing at his admission, to take care of them, and to celebrate mass every day for the dead, and the mass of St. John the Evangelist in particular, to which the other three chaplains were also all sworn.
The other three chaplains, every vacancy, were to be named by the prior in a full chapter, and all were to be honest learned priests, and of advanced years; and if every vacancy was not filled up by the prior in a month's time, the bishop, or his official in his absence, was to collate to it by lapse; and every one nominated by the prior, was to be presented to the Bishop, who was to admit him, on swearing as aforesaid; and every chaplain omitting to be sworn for a month, was to forfeit and pay half a mark to the official, and if he neglected it two months, was to be removed, and the prior was to present another. But in all cases the ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the chaplains, concerning all things only within the Precinct, belonged to the prior and convent, as all things in the precinct anciently did; and the prior and convent could displace them for any thing that would displace a stipendiary priest.
They were to live together in the apartments by the charnel, (which are now the schoolmaster's house,) and have free egress and regress for themselves and families, at all competent and fit times at the monastery gates; and to eat and drink together at a common table, and were to be compelled by the prior, under pain of ejection, to keep their houses in good repair.
The chapel itself, with the vestments, plate, books, and ornaments, being to be maintained by the prior out of the profits of Westhale rectory; and the sacrist of Norwich was annually to receive all the offerings in the chapel; but was to allow the moiety of those made on the two feasts of St. John the Evangelist, and on the day of the dedication of the said chapel to the chaplains to find small necessaries for the chapel; and all books, plate, or vestments given to the chapel, were there to remain for its use continually.
Nine pounds of the overplus profits of the rectory of Westhale were to be delivered yearly to the chamberlain of the convent, who every March, on St. Bennet's day, was to pay it to half of the monks, to find them such winter gowns as the other half were already provided with; and what still remained overplus of the said profits, were to be paid by the prior for the common use of the church and convent; and all the priests and their servants were to be sworn by the prior or sub-prior, neither privately or publickly to do, act, or cause to be done, any thing to the prejudice, hurt, or damage, of the church or convent. All which was confirmed by the bull of Pope John XXII. and by the patent of Walter Archbishop of Canterbury, as also by Rob. de Langele Prior of Norwich, and his convent; and least the mortmain act should void the whole, King Edward II. licensed the abbot and convent of Humberstayn, for a fine of 40s. to assign the advowson of Westhale to the prior and convent, and the prior and convent to receive them in mortmain, by license dated at Windsor, 10th April, in the 8th year of his reign; and by another dated at York, four years after, the prior and convent had license to purchase 10l. per annum more, in mortmain, to settle on the chaplains aforesaid; and accordingly a messuage, six acres of land and two acres of wood in Hoxne, and one acre of pasture, and liberty of faldage in Denham in Suffolk, were settled to that use, by John Cordwayner of Eye, chaplain, Rob. Barker, and others, of whom they were purchased, in 1389.
After these four chaplains were settled, there were two more added by the founder himself, whose stipends were paid by the cellerer of the monastery, out of certain lands in Cressingham, Hopeton, and Ashele, which were purchased of Sir Walter de Norwich, Knt. and settled on the prior and convent for that purpose; so that the cellerer paid the said priests 22 marks and an half, and 10l. to the chamberlain of the convent for winter gowns, out of Westhale, as they did before.
In 1421, John Wodehouse, Esq. that great warriour, obtained license of his sovereign, King Henry V. to found a chantry priest, to sing for the King, Queen, and his beloved Esquire John Wodehouse, and his wife, their ancestors and posterity, in the lower charnel chapel, where he was buried in 1430; Alice his wife surviving him, who afterwards married to Edw. Winter, Esq. and dying in 1447, was buried by her husband Wodehouse in this chapel, as her will declares; in the license for the foundation, the King himself is declared founder, who licensed the said John Wodehouse, to grant the advowson of the rectory of Geyton, which belonged to the alien priory of Wells and Pangsfield, and was given him by the said Prince, for that purpose, to the chaplain of the perpetual chantry, now founded in honour of the Holy Trinity and five wounds of Christ, in the lower chapel of the charnel; and not only so, but he got it appropriated to the said chaplain and his successours for ever; who were to take all the great tithes for their own stipend, and to present a vicar, who was to enjoy all the small tithes; and I find, the said John Woodhouse presented to Geyton rectory thrice, in right of the temporals of the alien priory aforesaid, then in his hands by the King's gift: and in 1436, Oct. 29, Peter Knowt of Geyton was presented to the vicarage by John Sparham, chaplain of the perpetual chantry in the lower charnel chapel at Norwich, founded in honour of the Holy Trinity and five wounds of Christ, to which chantry this church was now appropriated. But though the appropriated tithes continued to support this chantry, the chaplains of it did not present to the vicarage after 1476, for then Henry Chamber, was presented by the dean and chapter of Westminster, who had obtained a grant of the temporals of the alien priories, from Henry VI. The account at large of the gifts of John Wodehouse, &c. may be seen in my first volume of the History of Norfolk, p. 757. [Vol. ii. p. 548. oct. edition.]
This arched vault is supported by two rows of pillars, 14 feet high; at the entrance, on the right hand, was a holy-water stone; and on the other side, a niche, where formerly an image stood: it appears that this chantry did not add any other chaplain to the former six, but which ever of them it was, that was appointed keeper of the lower charnel chapel, he it was that consequently was Wodehouse's chantry priest.
The names of such CHAPLAINS as I have met with, are these:
- 1324, Hubert and Henry.
- 1373, Walter de Sechford, chaplain, buried in the cathedral sanctuary, in the place where the charnel chaplains are buried.
- 1386, Henry de Biteryng, and Will. de Mikelby. In this year, Julian, relict of John de Mikelby of Wenhaston in Suffolk, was buried in the burial-place of the charnel chaplains.
- 1434, William Martin, by lapse.
- 1436, and 1447, John Sparham, keeper of the lower charnel. Henry Bitteryng, chaplain.
- 1440, William Karre, by lapse.
- 1464, Thomas Hill.
- 1478, died Tho. Dale, principal or master.
- 1492, Rob. Ippeswell.
- 1494, Ralf Pulvertoft, principal or custos of the charnel; by his will, dated 27 March, 1525, ordered to be buried in our Lady's chapel at the end of the presbitery; and gave the 3l. that Prior Bakunsthorp owed him, to the poor for bread, 3s. 6d. to the ringers at his exequies or mass; a taper of 5l. of wax to the image of the Trinity, and another like it to be set before our Lady's image in the chapel where he was buried; a candle of half a pound wax to be kept for a year, burning on his grave daily, when Lady mass was sung there, and to the priests gild 6s. 8d. and the same to our Lady's gild in St. Stephen's church; "also I give and bequeth to the use of the charnell, all the stuff of my household as I delivered it to
Sir John Boot, to whom I resigned the charnell, that is to sey, in the chapel a pixt of silver weying 12 oz. and an half, Item an antiphoner, ij grayles, ij processionaries, iiij rochets wight, iiij vestments, with other stuff," To John Spilman, Gent. and Will. Christian, parson of Saxlingham, his executors, 6s. 8d. For his monument, &c. see p. 11. - 1528, Edm. Wethyr, LL. B. master of the charnel, was buried in holyrood chapel in the cathedral, and founded a priest to sing for him for three years, at his grave; he bequeathed five marks that the abbot of St. Bennet owed him, to the charnel. See under holy-rood chapel in the cathedral, and volume ii. p. 390 of the History of Norfolk.
- John Whetacre, died master, and in
1547, Sir Thomas Lewyn was admitted in his place, by the dean and chapter, on the presentation of John Sotherton, citizen and mercer of Norwich; to whom, jointly with - Nic. Sotherton deceased, the next turn had been granted by the late prior and convent; and this was the last presentation ever made to it. For the next year, it was dissolved, stipends being reserved to the chantry priests during their lives, three of which only survived to the year 1555, when Thomas Lewyn, late master, received a pension of 7l. per annum, and Tho. Hay, and Henry Smith, late chantry priests there, 4l. 13s. 4d. per annum each.
This chapel was not taxed, but was valued at 19l. at the Dissolution; at which time Edw. Warner, Knt. and Ric. Catlyn, Gent. obtained a grant of it to them and their heirs, by the name of the chapel, called the Charnel-house, with all its site and appurtenances, within the Precinct of the cathedral of the Holy Trinity at Norwich, they being to hold it of the King, as of his manor of Draiton in Norfolk, by fealty only, in free soccage and not in capite, which grant bears date the first of July, in the second year of King Edward VI. and the year following, they sold it to Thomas Bere of Norwich, goldsmith, who conveyed it, the year following, to Rob. Jermy, Gent. and the 4th of Oct. the same year, he sold it to the mayor, sheriffs, and commonalty of the city of Norwich; who purchased it as part of the 200l. per annum, that they had license in mortmain, to purchase and add to the revenues of the hospital in Holmstrete; but in the mean time, the dean and chapter would not acquiesce in the validity of the grant, and therefore, to hinder its taking place, they granted a lease of the said charnel, dated Febr. 5, 1578, to Queen Elizabeth and her assigns, from Lady day 1579, for 100 years to come, at 10s. a year rent; which term the said Queen assigned to Rich. Coningsby, and Nic. Brooke, Esqrs. and they to John Bate, Gent. and he to the dean and chapter again; all which was done under colour to strengthen their weak title; but in 1582, it was agreed between the city and church, to leave it to the final determination of Ric. Davy and Ric. Godfrey, Esqrs. who determined it in favour of the city, on their paying to the dean and chapter, 3s. 4d. for ever at Easter, for a parcel of land lying within their premises; and each party binding themselves under the penalty of 500 marks, to stand by this arbitration: the matter was finally settled Jan. 11, 1582. And soon after, they acknowledged the city's right to their houses on the Precinct wall, at the north-west corner, and for a rent of 4d. a year, granted them license to make a door and windows through their wall, and another door into the schoolmaster's garden.
Before this time, and after the Dissolution of the old grammar school, at the Reformation, the city, by their hospital charter, dated May 7, 1 Edward VI. was obliged to find a schoolmaster and usher out of their revenues assigned them in that charter; both which, were to be sufficiently learned to teach grammar, and to be nominated by the mayor and majority of the aldermen for the time being: the master being to have a convenient house for his dwelling, and an annual pension of 10l. sterling, with power to seize on the revenues for non-payment; which pension was to be free and clear from all payment of first-fruits, tenths, or other outgoings.
The usher also in like manner was to have an annual pension of 6l. 13s. 4d. and a convenient house for his dwelling, and both are removeable from their places, by the mayor, and major part of the aldermen, "for any great crime by them, or either of them committed, or for being negligent or disobedient in performing and doing, those good and reasonable ordinances and commands, which shall be assigned or ordered to them, or any one of them hereafter," and to place others in their rooms, as often as it shall so happen.
And from that time, the school was kept in the frater or firmary, belonging to the late dissolved Black Friars convent, according to their promise to the King, when they petitioned for that monastery to be granted them.
But now the charnel chaplains houses were assigned to the schoolmaster, and the upper chapel was fitted up for the school, as it still continues; the names and arms of such benefactors as contributed to the work being at first placed in the windows, most of which are now lost, except some remains in the north windows, of the drapers, grocers, and St. George's arms; with those of the Palmers, Symbarbs, Ruggs, &c. In the upper window of this side, there remained sufficient fragments of words to denote by an easy conjecture, the following lines, which seem to refer particularly to those, whose arms went before; the words signifying,
That the citizens have at their own charges, repaired this place, when it was just coming to ruin, and made it a grammar school for boys, in the manner which we now see it adorned;
Hanc cum jam misere fuerat vicina Ruine, Ære Domum Cives restituere suo, Atque modo, quo nunc ornatam cernitis illam, Grammaticam Pueris, instituere Scholam.
In the middle of the top of the east window was an imperial crown, and in the midst of it the ensigns of King Edward VI. who confirmed by his charter, the hospital begun by his father King Henry VIII. and took care that the master and usher should be supported by the yearly income of the same, as is already observed in the foregoing extract of that charter. And in the same window was an account, in Roman capitals, of the assignation of the building for the use of a publick school, but it is so defaced that it cannot be made out.
On the front of the south porch, or entrance, on each side of the city arms, are the following lines now almost defaced:
AD QUEMVIS [philomathi].
Quam cernis variâ renovatam Porticus Arte, Pandit Apollineis Artibus ista Viam.
Ad quas ut Stoicos transcendas; Perge, Vocaris: Invenitque novos nunc Honor Ipse Gradvs; At quo, si quæras, polycleto Surgimus, aut Quam, Invenit Phidiœ nostra Minerva, Manum, Totius Candor vult quæque albere Senatus, Luteaque Henrico Lane via sola placet.
There is a copperplate of this chapel prefixed to the account of it, at the end of the Repertorium.
The schoolmasters that I have met with since the Reformation, are,
- 1542, Walter Hall; he was succeeded in
- 1547, by Mr. Bird, and he by Mr. Buck.
- 1562, Mr. Walter Hawe was elected by the court, and the salary advanced to 20l. per annum; see p. 19.
- 1570, Mr. Stephen Lymbert, who died Oct. 10, 1589, on whose stone the following inscription was fixed on a brass plate:
Stephano Limberto.
Here resteth the Corps of Mr. Steven Limbert, Maister of Artes, in that renowned Universitie of Cambridge, who taught and governed the Free-School here at Norwich five and thirty Years, and died in the Year of our Lord 1589, full of Dayes, and of Comfort in the Multitude and Proficiencie of his Scholars.
Limbertus jacet hic, Quis ille, quæris? Frustra. Major enim ille quam referro; Major quam capere et queamus illum, Æra, aut marmora quanta, quanta totum, Pergin' quærere? plura Sciscitator? I, porrò lege, perlege alteram illam Quam NAUNTONIVS addidit propinquis Votivam Parietibus Tabellam, Triste Mnemosynum Optimi Magistri.
Dilectissimi Præceptoris Sanctissimæ Memoriæ Posui Robertus de Naunton, Miles.
- 1602, Mr. Richard Briggs, at whose election the salary was raised to 26l. 13s. 4d. per annum; and in 1610, it was settled at 40l. per annum.
- 1636, Mr. Thomas Lovering, A. M. at whose admission the salary was raised to 50l. per annum, and the usher's house was joined to the master's, in recompense of which, they added an annual allowance of 6l. a year to the usher. See p. 18.
- 1664, Mr. Henry Mazey. See p. 9.
- 1667, Mr. John Burton. (See p. 18.) He was author of the Antiquitates Capellœ D. Johannis Evangelistœ. hodie Schole Regiœ Norwicensis, which is always bound up with the Repertorium. He was a most noted schoolmaster, and was succeeded by
Mr. Samuel Hoadly, (father to the present Bishop of Winchester,) who died in 1705, for whom see p. 9; being succeeded by
Mr. Robert Pate, who in 1713 published "a compleat Syntax of the Latin Tongue, compared with the English, principally designed for the use of Norwich School." It was printed by John Collings at the printing-house near the Red-Well, and was sold there by Francis Collins. In 1722, it was republished at London, for Mrs. Frances Oliver, bookseller in Norwich. There is also in print, "an Exposition of the Church Catechism for the Use of Norwich School."
I have seen a sermon preached at Thetford assizes, March 17, 1703, on Mat. v. 5, by John Robinson, A. M. rector of Reepham, and some time usher of this school, published at the request of Richard Knights, Esq. high-sheriff, printed at Norwich by Francis Burges, quarto, 1704.
Mr. John Reddington, A. M. succeeded; he was rector of Rackhithe and Hethill in Norfolk, and resigned the school in 1737, as did the Rev. Mr. Cory, then usher:
And the Rev. Mr. Timothy Bullimere, vicar of Olton, and rector of Plumstead in Norfolk, the present [1744] master, was elected; whose son,
The Rev. Mr. Ellis Bullimere, is the present usher.
The master's salary being now 50l. pounds a year, besides his house; and the usher's 30l. per annum, but no house.
For scholarships belonging to this school, see Pt. I. p. 300— 310.