annum rent: he left it to Reginald de Brokedish, his son and heir, and in 1339, it was conveyed by John Hardele and Alice his wife, and Rob. Bokenham, parson of Hardwich, to Sir John le Sturmyn and Maud his wife, and their heirs; and so it was joined to Sturmer's manor, and with that fell into Stratton-hall manor, and there continues.
The town is a small, but compact village, and hath a good publickhouse or two, for the reception of travellers; its standing on the road from Ipswich to Norwich makes it pretty much frequented; the justices of the peace for this division generally meet here, and have done so very anciently, for in 1380, the justices and country gentlemen, in the time of the insurrection, met here to consult what was best to be done for the King's service and country's safety, as at p. 108, vol. iii.
St. Mary's church, hath a round steeple 54 feet high, with a small spire on its top, against which the clock-bell hangs, on the outside; there are now five bells, on one of which I read this,
Nos Societ Sanctis semper Nicolaus in altis.
The steeple is a much older building than the church, the present fabrick of which, was built chief by Sir Rog. de Bourne, Knt. lord and patron, about 1330, and the chancel by Rich. de Bourne his brother, then rector here; and it seems as if one John or James de Bourne, glazed the clerestories or lights in the nave, for J. B. in old capitals, remains still in several windows there, as do the arms of Bourne in the east chancel window, viz.
Arg. a chevron gul. between three lions rampant sab.
And in the north window of the Baptist's chapel, at the upper end of the north isle, which Sir Roger built for his own burial-place, is this now broken inscription,
ORATE. PRO. AIA'. RO[G]--. ORNE. --TIS. (Orate pro anima Rogeri de Borne, militis, &c.)
His stone is robbed of its inscription, circumscription, arms, and effigies, and nothing remains thereon, save two brass effigies of corses looking out of their winding sheets; at the altar here, the gild-chaplain of St. John celebrated mass for his soul, and the souls of his family; many of whom are interred in this chapel and chancel.
The south porch, two isles, nave, and north vestry, which is now used as a school-house, are all leaded, as is the east part of the chancel, the western part of which is thatched.
In the south Isle I find nothing, save these words on the poors' box, which siands at the south door, The Gift of John Machet.
In the north isle is a stone for Hannah Wife of Thomas Park Gent. April 29, 1709.
Anne Dr. of John & Ann Browne, March 22, 1716.
