Eynford Hundred: Hilderston

HILDERSTON.

Called in the book of Domesday, Hidolfeston, was a lordship of the Bishop of Thetford, belonged to the see in King Edward's reign; and there were 200 acres held in demean, by 12 villains and 22 borderers, 3 servi, with 2 carucates in demean, and 5 among the tenants, 312 acres of meadow, a mill, 2 beasts for burden, 20 cows, 40 swine, 40 goats, and 2 skeps of bees, and a church belonged to the manor, endowed with 26 acres, valued at 20d. was one leuca long, and one broad, and paid 8d.½ gelt: this lordship, with those of Norton, Geist, and Geistweit, all belonging to the Bishop, were valued together at the survey at 13l. viiis. per ann. (fn. 1)

Herbert Bishop of Norwich, on his foundation of the priory, gave this manor to it as part of their endowment, and the said prelate granted to Edric le Cat, certain tenements with lands, &c. in this town, Norton and Geist; Godfrey, son of John, son of Gilbert le Gross, a descendant of the aforesaid Edric; (fn. 2) setting forth that whereas great part of the said tenements and lands were alienated to several persons, and the rent of 40s. per ann. payable for the same was in arrears to the prior and convent for several years, on that account, grants by deed to the said prior, &c. November 1, in the 31st of Edward I. all the demeans, &c. aforesaid, with the services, wards, reliefs, view of frank pledge, &c.

Ralph, son of Petronilla de Hyndelveston, granted to Roger, prior of Norwich, &c. land here, as did Ralph and Adam, sons of John le Quillour of Hyndelveston, all the lands of the prior's fee, to William de Kirkeby, prior. (fn. 3)

In 1428, the temporalities of the priory were valued at 18l. 0s. 1d. ob.

On the dissolution of the priory, it came to the Crown, but on the foundation of the deanery and chapter of Norwich, it was vested in them, and continued so, with the impropriate rectory and patronage of the vicarage, and the demean lands are held by Sir Jacob Astley, Bart. lessee, who has a good manor-house near the church.

The tenths were 1l. 18s. 4d.

The Church is dedicated to St. George, was anciently a rectory, but appropriated by John de Grey Bishop of Norwich, to the priory, and a vicarage was settled, valued together at 17 marks, and Peterpence 7d. ob.; the present valor of the vicarage is 6l. 0s. 11d.

It contains a nave, a north and south isle, covered with lead, and a chancel, and has a tower with 4 bells; in 1445, John Swift of this town, gave a legacy to the building of the new tower.

Here is a grave-stone,

In memory of Beatrice Byllye, daughter and heir of Dionyse Sheringham, late wife of John Byllye, who died Nov. 24, 1621, and gave 20l. to the repair of the church, and 20l. to the relief of the poor.

One

In memory of John Bullye of this town, who left 15l. to purchase some land, the rent thereof to be given to the poor yearly for ever; he died Aug. 19, 1586.

Also one for

Denys Sheringham, who died on St. Luke's Day, 1557

Vicars.

Henry de Martham occurs vicar, in 1277.

1308, John de Swanton, presented by the prior and convent

1349, Hugh Grubbe. Ditto.

Richard de Hony and Robert de Waterden, are said to be vi. cars before this Hugh.

William Cultych, vicar.

1360, Robert Attegrym. Ditto.

Robert Natkyn, vicar.

1378, Robert de Stodey.

1378, Hugh Thede.

Eustace Brown, vicar.

1386, William Markaunt.

1410, Peter Crow.

1418, John Nychol.

1431, Robert Jordan.

Thomas Jurdan, vicar.

1458, John Shyming.

1462, Robert Smith.

John Smith, vicar.

1476, Henry Wroo.

William Eton, vicar.

1519, Thomas Ward.

1531, Thomas Tompson.

1536, John Clerkson.

1544, Richard Quicquam.

Thomas Palling.

1588, Thomas Mann, by Gyles Symonds, Esq. farmer of it.

Rouse Burton occurs vicar in 1633.

1662, Edward Voice, presented by the dean and chapter.

1663, Thomas Picard.

1686, Clement Hutton.

1703, Richard Osborn.

1721, Francis Say, by the dean, &c.

1740, Thomas Gregory. Ditto.

1741, George Watson. Ditto.

1749, John Knipe.

Here were the guilds of St. George, St. Mary, and St. Peter; and the lights of St. Mary, St. Nicholas, and St. Christopher.