there was an inquisition taken in the consistory court at Norwich, on the oaths of John, vicar of Thorp, Roger, vicar of Tharston, Gilbert, chaplain of Hapeton, and others, who presented that the rector for the time being, ought to repair the church of Fundenhale, and if it should happen, to rebuild it; and that a certain lady called Bertha de Fundenhale, gave to the said church and rectors thereof for ever, 15 acres of land in Fundenhale field, and a mark yearly rent in the town of Harpol; on condition, the rector and his successours for ever, should repair and rebuild it, as often as it should happen to want; which lands and rent, the rector then enjoyed; and that in a former controversy between the parishioners and Robert du Boys then rector, it was adjudged by the Bishop's official, that the rector should repair it, and not the parishioners: at the Dissolution in 1536, the King granted to Rich. Stephens and George Buck, "all the rectory and church of Funhall in the county of Norfolk, and the advowson of the vicarage of the parish church of Funhall, to be held by the rent of 6s. 8d. per annum, and the yearly stipend of one chaplain performing divine offices, and taking the cure of the souls of the said parish;" and in 1547, Stephens had license to sell it to Sir John Clere, Knt. and his heirs. Afterwards, Thomas Knevet of Ashwell-thorp, Esq. lord here, and the inhabitants, petitioned the House of Commons, that the Lady Clere of Cotton, late wife of Sir Francis Clere, and John Smith, Esq. who purchased the reversion of the impropriation of Sir Edward Clere, brother to the said Sir Francis, who died without issue, might be called to show, why they should not pay a competent stipend out of the profits, sufficient to find a serving minister, that might serve it regularly, and continue with them, instead of such poor stipends as 12 or 16 pounds a year at most, by reason of which, no minister would stay any time on the cure, there having been 40 returns of curates in the memory of one man; but it appearing that one Mr. Symonds, who obtained a presentation from the King in 1608, could not enjoy it, as not being presentative; but that the impropriator was to nominate a chaplain or curate, and pay him out of the profits, a competent stipend, they were dismissed. However, Mr. Edward Voice, the then curate, being returned to the house as a "godly, conscionable, and painful preacher of God's word," was appointed minister, and had a competent stipend assigned him out of the profits, by virtue of the order of the House, made Dec. 19, 1640. The impropriation now belongs to John Berney, Esq. of Swerdeston.
Rectors
Ric. de Eye.
Will. de Giffard, rector in Bishop Turb's time.
- 1270, Rob. du Boys, rector.
- John de Creke, rector. Walter Blench.
- 1315, Will. de Clare, presented by the prioress and nuns of Flixton; he resigned in
