Part 4 — CHAPTER III. Ecclesiastical.

The origin of the See of Norwich is attached to Sigebert, king of the East Angles, who, being in France about the year 630, brought over Felix, a priest of Burgundy, and constituted him bishop, fixing his seat at Dunwich, in Suffolk. About forty years afterwards the diocese was divided, Dunwich and North Elmham having each a bishop, and this continued till the year 870, when the two sees were again united under Wybred at Elmham. Owing to the devastations of the piratical Danes the see remained vacant nearly one hundred years, but was restored by Theodored, in 995 according to the common account; but there is evidence which tends to prove that he was bishop in 945, if not before. During the reign of William I. the see was removed to Thetford, and in the year 1094 it was finally settled in Norwich. This added greatly to the importance of the city, and made it the capital of East Anglia.

The diocese, as to its seat, has continued unchanged since 1094, and as to its extent and government has been but slightly modified. The most prominent bishops have been Losinga, who established the see at Norwich and founded the cathedral, and John Grey or Gray, who governed Ireland, divided it into counties, placed it under English laws, fought in France, and captured fortresses there,—for bishops were fighting men in those days; Pandulph, who excommunicated King John Lackland; W. Middleton, who acted as Guardian of the Kingdom; John Salmon and William de Ermine, who were Lord Chancellors; and Bateman, who founded Trinity Hall, Cambridge. Others less noted were Henry le Spencer, who fought as a soldier for the pope on shore, and as an English admiral at sea; Richard Courtenay, who died at the siege of Harfleur; John de Wakering, who was Lord Privy Seal; Nykke, known as the blind bishop, who conducted a traitorous correspondence with the pope; William Rugge, who deprived the see of its barony; Parkhurst, who was famous for entertaining Oxford scholars; Scambler, called “the scandalous;” John Jeggon, called “the wag;” Montague, called “the excellent;” Corbet, called the “merry wit;” Hall, “the saintly;” Overall and Sparrow, “the learned;” and Bathurst, “the good,” who pleaded for Catholic emancipation. Three of the dignitaries, J. Harpsfield, H. Prideaux, and T. Sherlock, became cardinals; one, John, became archbishop of Smyrna; and one, Montgomery, became bishop of Meath.

The cathedral establishment includes the bishop, the dean, three archdeacons, four canons, twenty-four hon. canons, four minor canons, and a chancellor. The income of the bishop is £4,500; that of each of the archdeacons is £200; and that of the other archdeacon is £184. The diocese comprises all Norfolk except the parishes of Emneth and Brandon, and all Suffolk except the deaneries of Thedwaster and Thingoe, and parts of the deaneries of Clare, Fordham, and Sudbury; and it is divided into the archdeaconries of Norwich, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Population, 743,000; acres, 1,994,535; deaneries, 41; benefices, 908; curates, 253; church sittings, 294,177. A few more particulars may be stated respecting some of the earlier prelates.

Herbert de Losinga A.D. 1094.

Founder of the diocese and builder of the greater part of the Cathedral.

Eborard or Everard A.D. 1121.

Divided the archdeaconry of Suffolk into two, founded the hospital and church of St. Paul in Norwich. He either resigned or was deposed.

William Turbus A.D. 1146.

A friend and advocate of Thomas à Becket, who induced him to excommunicate the Earl of Norfolk and some other nobles, for which he was forced to take sanctuary till he had appeased the wrath of the King, Henry II.

John of Oxford A.D. 1175.

Took part with Henry II. against Becket, and built the church of the Holy Trinity at Ipswich.

John de Grey A.D. 1200.

Built a palace at Gaywood, near Lynn, made that town a free borough, and lent large sums to King John, for which he received in pledge the royal regalia. After him the see was vacant seven years.

Pandulphus A.D. 1222.

Obtained a grant of the whole of the first fruits of the clergy in his diocese for himself and his successors, which was not revoked till the time of Henry VIII.

Thomas de Blandevill A.D. 1226.

Ralfo (died soon after) 1239.

William de Raleigh 1244.

Translated to Winchester.

Walter de Suthfield 1244.

Obtained for the bishopric a charter of free warren to himself and successors, erected and endowed the hospital of St. Giles, and made a valuation of all the ecclesiastical revenues for Pope Innocent.

Simon de Walton A.D. 1258.

Roger de Skernyng 1265.

William de Middleton 1278.

Ralph de Walpole 1288.

Translated to Ely.

John Salmon 1299.

Enlarged the Palace and founded the Charnel House School (now the Grammar House School).

Robert de Baldock A.D. 1325.

Resigned the same year.

William de Ayrminne 1325.

Enclosed and fortified the Cathedral and Palace with stone walls.

Thomas Hemenhale A.D. 1337.

Translated to Worcester same year.

Anthony de Beck 1337.

Being of a quarrelsome disposition, was poisoned either by the monks or his own servants.

William Bateman A.D. 1343.

Was a native of Norwich, and founded Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

Thomas Percy A.D. 1355.

Youngest brother of the Earl of Northumberland; was only twenty-two years of age when he obtained the prelacy.

Henry le Spencer A.D. 1370.

Was consecrated by the pope in person. He took an active part in the warfare between the Urbanites and Clementines. He was an enthusiastic zealot, and a fierce persecutor of the Lollards.

Alexander de Tottington A.D. 1407.

Richard de Courtenay, LL.D. 1413.

John Wareryng 1416.

William Alnwick, LL.D. 1426.

Translated to Lincoln.

Thomas Browne, LL.D. 1436.

Translated from Rochester; he left money to pay the city tax, and founded exhibitions at the Universities for poor scholars in the diocese.

John Stanbery, D.D. A.D. 1445.

Chosen but never consecrated.

Walter Lyhart 1446

He repaired the Cathedral, and made many ornamental additions to the edifice.

James Goldwell A.D. 1472.

Granted twelve years and forty days pardon to all who assisted him in beautifying the Cathedral.

Thomas Jan A.D. 1499.

Richard Nykke or Nix 1500.

Alienated the revenues of his diocese for the Abbacy of Holme, by agreement with Henry VIII., and was a cruel persecutor of the reformers, who, at this period, begun to be numerous.

William Rugg D.D. A.D. 1535.

Resigned the See for an annuity of £200 per annum.

Thomas Thirlby A.D. 1550.

Translated from Westminster, of which he was the first and last bishop; and afterwards removed to Ely.

John Hopton, D.D. A.D. 1554.

A sanguinary persecutor of the reformers, and is supposed to have died through fear of retaliating vengeance on the accession of Queen Elizabeth. “Thus conscience cloth make cowards of us all.”

After the Reformation the following were the bishops of Norwich in the 16th century:—

Richard Cox A.D. 1558.

Translated to Ely.

John Parkhurst, D.D. 1560.

A friend of Oxford scholars.

Edmund Freke, D.D. 1575.

Translated from Rochester and afterwards removed to Worcester.

Edmund Scambler, D.D. A.D. 1584.

Translated from Peterborough.

William Redman, D.D. 1594.

The following were bishops of Norwich in the 17th century:—

John Jeggon, D.D. A.D. 1602.

In his time a fire broke out in the palace at Ludham and consumed the whole of the library, and many valuable documents respecting the diocese.

John Overall, D.D. A.D. 1618.

Translated from Lichfield and Coventry.

Samuel Harsnett, D.D. 1619.

Translated from Chichester, and afterwards became archbishop of York.

Francis White, D.D. A.D. 1628.

Translated from Carlisle, afterwards removed to Ely.

Richard Corbet, D.D. A.D. 1631.

Matthew Wren, D.D. 1635.

Translated from Hereford and afterwards removed to Ely. He was father of the celebrated architect, Sir Christopher Wren.

Richard Montague, D.D. A.D. 1636.

A distinguished scholar, translated from Chichester.

Joseph Hall, D.D. A.D. 1641.

Translated from Exeter. During the civil wars he was sent to the tower for asserting his right to vote in the house of peers; and parliament deprived him of his temporalities, and prohibited him from exercising any spiritual jurisdiction. The See was vacant four years.

Edward Reynolds, D.D. A.D. 1660.

Was a liberal benefactor to the city of Norwich, and paid much attention to the comforts of the parochial clergy.

Anthony Sparrow, D.D. A.D. 1676.

Translated from Exeter.

William Lloyd, D.D. 1686.

Translated from Peterborough. On the accession of William III., refusing to take the oath of abjuration against James II., he was deprived of his bishopric.

John Moore, D.D. A.D. 1691.

Translated to Ely. He collected a large library of rare books, which, at his death, was purchased by George I. and presented to the University of Cambridge.

The following were the bishops of Norwich in the 18th century:—

Charles Trimnell, D.D. A.D. 1707.

Translated to Winchester. He was a native of Norwich, and greatly assisted the Protestant emigrants who fled to his diocese from the Palatinate on the Rhine, through the irruptions and exactions of the French. Many of these emigrants were artisans, and greatly increased the general welfare of the city and county.

Thomas Green, D.D. A.D. 1721.

Translated to Ely.

John Leng, D.D. 1723.

William Baker, D.D. 1727.

Translated from Bangor.

Robert Butts, D.D. 1732.

Translated to Ely.

Sir Thomas Gooch, Bart., D.D. 1738.

Translated from Bristol and afterwards removed to Ely.

Samuel Lisle, D.D. A.D. 1748.

Translated from St. Asaph.

Thomas Hayter, D.D. 1749.

Translated to London.

Philip Yonge, D.D. 1761.

Lewis Bagot, LL.D. 1783.

Translated from Bristol and afterwards removed to St. Asaph.

George Horne, D.D. A.D. 1790.

Author of a “Commentary on the Psalms,” and other works of considerable merit, more especially an “Introduction to the Study of the Bible.”

During the present century the following eminent divines have been bishops of Norwich:—

Rt. Hon. C. M. Sutton, D.D. A.D. 1792.

Prelate of the Order of the Garter. Translated to the archbishopric of Canterbury.

Henry Bathurst, LL.D. A.D. 1805.

He died in the 94th year of his age.

Edward Stanley, D.D. 1837.

We have already given a sketch of the life of this estimable bishop, and also of those of his immediate predecessor and successor, at pages 520 to 524, in our notices of the eminent citizens of the 19th century.

Samuel Hinds, D.D. A.D. 1850.

Resigned in 1857, and lives in retirement

Hon. John Thos. Pelham, D.D. A.D. 1857

The second son of the late earl of Chichester, and brother of the present earl; was born in 1811, and graduated at Oxford. In 1845, he married a daughter of Thomas William Tatten, Esq., and was appointed chaplain to the queen in 1847. After this he was collated to the rectory of Bergh Apton, in Norfolk, by the earl of Abergavenny, which he held till 1852, when he was appointed to Christ Church, Hampstead, and in 1854 he was nominated by the crown to the rectory of St. Marylebone, Middlesex. He fulfilled the arduous duties of minister of that populous parish for three years. He was installed at the Cathedral church, Norwich, on June 26th, 1857, and since then he has ruled the diocese with satisfaction to the great body of the clergy.

Deans of Norwich.

A.D.

William Castleton, the last Prior, was made the first dean of the Cathedral 1538.

John Salisbury, suffragan bishop of Thetford, was made dean on the resignation of William Castleton, and deprived about 1553 1539.

John Christopherson; afterwards bishop of Chichester 1554.

John Boxall. Resigned 1557.

John Harpsfield (Archdeacon of London.) Deprived 1560 1558.

John Salisbury, restored. Buried in the Cathedral 1560.

George Gardiner. Buried in the Cathedral 1573.

Thomas Dove: afterwards bishop of Peterborough 1589.

John Jeggon: afterwards bishop 1601.

George Montgomery (bishop of Meath). Resigned 1603.

Edmund Suckling. Buried in the Cathedral 1614.

John Hassall. Died 1654: buried at North Creake 1628.

Void till after the Restoration.

John Crofts. Buried in the Cathedral 1660.

Herbert Astley. Buried in the Cathedral 1670.

John Sharp. Removed to Canterbury 1681.

Henry Fairfax. Buried in the Cathedral 1689.

Humphrey Prideaux. Author of a learned work entitled “Connection of the Old and New Testament.” Buried in the Cathedral 1702.

Thomas Cole. Buried in the chancel of East Raynham church 1724.

Robert Butts: afterwards bishop 1731.

John Baron (Archdeacon of Norfolk). Buried at Saxlingham 1733.

Thomas Bullock. Died May, 1760. Buried in the Cathedral, at the extreme east end 1739.

Edward Townshend 1761.

Philip Lloyd. Buried in the choir of the Cathedral 1765.

Joseph Turner. Buried in the choir of the Cathedral 1790.

The Honourable George Pellew. Buried at Great Chart 1828.

Edward Meyrick Goulburn, D.D., Chaplain in Ordinary to the Queen 1866.

Dignitaries, etc., of the Diocese.

Bishop.

The Hon. and Rt. Rev. JOHN THOMAS PELHAM, D.D. 1857.

Chancellor of the Diocese.

Worshipful E. Howes, Esq., M.A., M.P., 1868.

Archdeacons.

Norwich, Ven. A. M. Hopper, M.A. 1868

Norfolk, Ven. W. Arundell Bouverie, B.D. 1850

Suffolk, Right Rev. Bishop Ryan, D.D. 1868

Examining Chaplains.

Rev. J. J. S. Perowne, B.D., and Rev. T. T. Perowne, B.D.

Registrars: Rev. E. S. Bathurst and John Kitson, Esq.

Deputy Registrar: W. T. Bensly, Esq.

Secretaries to the Bishop.

J. Kitson, Esq., Norwich; J. B. Lee, Esq., Dean’s Yard, Westminster.

Assistant Secretary; W. T. Bensly, Esq., Norwich.

Registrars of the Archdeaconries.

Norwich, Edward Steward, Esq., Norwich.

Norfolk, Henry Hansell, Esq., Norwich.

Suffolk, C. R Steward, Esq., Ipswich.

Proctor for the Chapter, Rev. Canon Heaviside, M.A.

Proctor for the Archdeaconries of Norfolk & Norwich, Rev. H. Howell, M.A.

Proctor for the Archdeaconry of Suffolk, Rev. W. Potter, M.A.

The Dean and Chapter.

DEAN.

The Very Rev. EDWARD MEYRICK GOULBURN, D.D., 1866.

Canons.

A. Sedgwick, LL.D. 1834 C. K. Robinson, D.D. 1861

J. W. L. Heaviside, M.A. 1860 J. M. Nisbet, M.A. 1867

High Steward of the Cathedral.

The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley 1866.

Honorary Canons.

Hon. E. S. Keppel, M.A. 1844 Hon. K. H. Digby, M.A. 1858

Archdn. Bouverie, B.D. 1847 R. H. Groome, M.A. 1858

Bishop of Columbia, D.D. 1850 Thomas Mills, M.A. 1859

Edw. J. Moor, B.A. 1850 W. F. Patteson, M.A. 1860

W. H. Parker, M.A. 1852 H. R. Nevill, M.A. 1861

Robert Eden, M.A. 1852 W. Howorth, M.A. 1863

Wm. Potter, M.A. 1853 S. Everard, M.A. 1863

Wm. Jackman, M.A. 1853 J. Lee-Warner, M.A. 1863

Archdn. Hopper, M.A. 1854 E. F. E. Hankinson, M.A. 1863

W. R. Colbeck, B.D. 1856 R. Blakelock, M.A. 1864

R. Collyer, M.A. 1856 W. Blyth, M.A. 1868

Hinds Howell, M.A. 1856 G. King, M.A. 1868

Minor Canons.

J. C. Matchett, M.A., Sacrist 1824 E. Bulmer, M.A. 1865

H. Symonds, M.A., Precentor 1844 J. S. Müller, M.A. 1865

Chapter Clerk, John Kitson, Esq.

Organist, Dr. Z. Buck.

The Clergy of Norwich.

The following is a list of the clergy of Norwich, revised to the time of our going to press.

Rural Dean—Rev. W. F. Patteson, Vicar of St. Helen.

Benefice. Pop. Incumbent. Wh. Inst. Curate. Ch. Acc.

All Saints St. Julian, R. 667 Kant W. 1868 150

St. Andrew, V. 978 Copeman A. C. 1857 700

St. Augustine, R. 1890 Rackham M. J. 1848 240

St. Benedict, V. 1381 Dombrain J. 1865 300

St. Clement, R. 3961 Rigg R. 1842 350

Christ Church, V. Wade R. 1852 629

St. Edmund, R. 753 Taylor T. 1864 425

St. Etheldred, V. 614 Bishop W. 1865 100

St. George Colegate, V. 1607 Durdin A. W. 1852 380

St. George Tombland, V. 687 Trimmer K. 1842 400

St. Giles, V. 1586 Ripley W. N. 1859 Brownjohn J. 600

St. Gregory, V. 934 Wortley J. 1864 500

St. Helen, V. 507 Patteson W. F. 1824 289

St. James, V. Pockthorpe and Barracks 3408 Pringle A. D. 1865 340

St. John Maddermkt, R. 537 Price G. F. 1863 461

St. John Sepulchre, V. 2219 Moore W. T. 1865 300

St. John Timberhill, V. 1302 Titlow S. 1831 400

St. Julian, R. 1361 See All Saints 150

St. Lawrence, R. 877 Hillyard E. A. 1861 600

St. Margaret, R. 664 Cobb J. W. 1848 500

St. Martin at Palace, V. 1085 Barker R. W. 1866 360

St. Martin at Oak, V. 2546 Caldwell C. 1858 300

St. Mary Coslany, V. 1498 Morse C. 1851 250

St. Mary in the Marsh, V. (Bishop’s Chapel) 451 Matchett J. C. 1824 120

St. Michael Coslany, R. 1365 Kidd R. H. 1867 600

St. Michael at Plea, R. 379 Morse C. 1839 200

St. Michael at Thorn. 2121 Davies A. 1865 379

St. Paul, R. 2907 1826 430

St. Peter Hungate, R. 399 Titlow S. 1839 200

St. Peter Mancroft, V. 2575 Turner C. 1848 Ram E. 1000

St. Peter per Mountergate, V. 2868 Durst J. 1862 Hull B. 400

St. Peter Southgate, R. 457 Bishop W. 1865 120

St. Saviour, V. 1532 Cooke W. H. 1856 400

St. Simon & St. Jude, R. 283 Osborne J. F. 450

St. Stephen, V. 4191 Baldwin C. 1863 700

St. Swithin, R. 699 Slipper W. A. 1865 350

The following are the clergy of the Hamlets not included in the Deanery of Norwich.

Benefice. Pop. Incumbent. Wh. Inst. Curate. Ch. Acc.

Earlham, V. with Bowthorpe (no church) 195 Payne J. H. 1849 120

Eaton, V. 930 Weston F. 1865 200

Heigham, R. 13894 Dixon J. G. 1868 Rust J. C. Sharley G. 250

,, Holy Trinity, R. Rust C. T. 1865 1100

,, St. Philip, V. Nash T. A. 1868

Hellesdon, R. 496 Howell H. 1855 Cornford J. 100

Lakenham St. Mark, V. 3808 Garry N. T. 1861 Morse A. S. Leach J. 840

Thorpe St. Matthew, V. 2388 Owen J. S. 1869 518

Trowse, V. 1404 Pownall A. 1860 300

with Lakenham, V. 2079 200

Nonconformists.

Baptist. Acc.

Rev. Geo. Gould St. Mary’s Chapel 900

Rev. Thos. Foston St. Clement’s Chapel 900

Rev. R. B. Clare Priory Yard Chapel 400

Rev. C. H. Hosken Gildencroft Chapel 500

Rev. W. Hawkins Cherry Lane Chapel 250

Rev. J. Brunt Orford Hill Chapel 500

Rev. R. Govett Surrey Road Chapel 1100

Rev. H. Trevor Pottergate Street Chapel 100

Independent.

Rev. J. Hallett Old Meeting Chapel 700

Rev. Philip Colborne Chapel in the Field 900

Rev. G. S. Barrett Prince’s Street Chapel 1000

Countess of Huntingdon’s Connexion.

Rev. Burford Hooke The Tabernacle Chapel 1000

Rev. J. J. J. Kempster Dereham Road Chapel 100

Wesleyan Methodist.

Rev. Hugh Jones Rev. Wesley Butters Rev. George Boggis Lady’s Lane Chapel 1000

Methodist Free Church.

Rev. J. Schofield Calvert Street and New City Chapel 1200

Rev. R. Abercrombie, M.A. 900

Primitive Methodist.

Rev. J. Scott St. Catherine’s Plain Chapel 600

Rev. R. Betts Cowgate Street Chapel 300

Rev. B. Bell Dereham Road Chapel 700

Free Church.

Rev. J. Crompton Dutch Church 600

Unitarian.

Rev. J. D. H. Smyth Octagon Chapel 750

Presbyterian.

Rev. W. A. Mc Allan St. Peter’s Hall 800

Catholic Apostolic Church.

Rev. A. Inglis, B.A. Clement Court, Redwell Street 200

Roman Catholics.

Rev. P. Costello / Rev. R. Sumner Willow Lane Chapel 400

Rev. Canon Dalton St. John’s Chapel 600

Jews.

Rev. S. Caro The Synagogue, St. Faith’s Lane 150