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Witchingham, Great (St. Mary)

WITCHINGHAM, GREAT (St. Mary), a parish, in the union of St. Faith, hundred of Eynsford, E. division of Norfolk, 2 miles (S.) from Reepham; containing 624 inhabitants. It comprises 2153a. 3r. 7p., of which 1577 acres are arable, 448 meadow and pasture, and 63 woodland; the surface is undulated, and the views from the higher grounds are interesting. The Hall is a handsome mansion of brick, in the Elizabethan style: there are some remains of the old Hall, built by John Norris, founder of the Norrisian professorship of Cambridge. The hamlet of Lenwade is situated on the road from Norwich to Fakenham, and near the river Wensum, on which is an extensive flour-mill. The living is a discharged vicarage, with the rectory of Little Witchingham annexed, valued in the king's books at £4. 17. 11.; patrons and impropriators, the Warden and Fellows of New College, Oxford. The great tithes have been commuted for £488. 12., and the vicarial for £250; the glebe comprises 34 acres, with a good house, lately rebuilt by the Rev. William Howard. The church is a handsome structure, chiefly in the later English style, with a lofty square embattled tower. There is a place of worship for Wesleyans. John Britton, Bishop of Hereford, who died in 1275, and Sir William Wychinghara, judge of the common pleas in 1363, were natives of the parish.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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