joined to the other manors. In 1285, the Prior had free-warren in his demeans in Besthorp; in 1288, it was returned, that the Prior held the twentieth part of a fee in Besthorp, of Montchensie's barony, which was heretofore Aymer de Valence Earl of Pembrook's, and this he joined to the Rectory manor.
Ebraud de Melnes gave to God and his church of St. Mary at Thetford, two parts of the tithes of his demeans in Melnes, or Melles, and Besthorp, for which the Prior of the monks of the said church was taxed at 15s.
The vicarage was valued in the King's Books, at 5l. 6s. 8d. ob. and being sworn of the clear yearly value of 48l. 15s. 6d. it is discharged of first fruits and tenths. In 1603, return was made, that it was in Rockland deanery, and Norfolk archdeaconry, and had 180 communicants, and was late in the patronage of the Crown, but is now granted to Anthony Drewry, the elder, Esq. The town paid 2l. 14s. to the tenths, and is now [1737] assessed at 1087l. 11s. 8d.
The Church is dedicated to all the Saints, and the north chapel to the Annunciation of the Holy Virgin, and had two gilds kept in it, of the same dedications. Against the north wall of the chancel is a most curious monument of black and white marble, thus inscribed,
Arms, Drury and Cokain impaled.
Here lyeth the Body of Sir WILLIAM DRURY, Knight, Eldest Son of Sir Anthony Drury, Knt. late one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace, and Quorum, and one of the Deputy Lieutenants of this County, who after the Death of his Father, succeeded him, both in the Commission of the Lieutenancy, and of the Peace for this County; he married Mary Eldest Daughter of William Cokain of London, Esq. by whom he had Issue, 2 sonns William, and Anthony, and 3 Daughters, Bridgett, Jane, and Anne; he departed this Life at London upon the 8th Day of Nov: in the Year of our Lord, 1639, & in the 42d Year of his Age, and was shortly after solemnly interr'd in this chancell, to whose dear and lasting Memory, the said Mary his sorrowing and surviving Lady, hath erected and dedicated this Monument.
On the north side of the chancel,
Sculptura perennius esto.
CAROLUS HARBORD Eques Auratus, Caroli Primi et Secundi, Regum Angliæ, Supervisor Generalis, Pater (ex Maria Uxore prudentissima) quatuor filiorum sc. Philippi et Willielmi Harbord, Armigerorum Caroli Harbord Equitis etiam aurati, (qui cum prædilecto suo prænobili Comite de Sandwich, in Navali Conflictu acerrimo contra Batavos, Anno 1672, magnanimiter occubuit) & Johannis Harbord Armig. & trium filiarum sc. Annæ, Hester, & Catharinæ.
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