A CHRONOLOGY OF MEDIEVAL HORSEY

Before the Norman Conquest, Eadric (de Laxfield) held Horsey with 4 freemen who had 50 acres of land, 1 plough and 6 acres of meadow. Bishop Aelmer of Thetford had the patronage of 1 feeman with 42 acres of land, 3 smallholders, 0.5 ploughs and 10 acres of meadow (1).

After the Conquest Horsey was given to Ralph, Earl of Norfolk but after he rebelled against King William it was given to Roger Bigot who held it at the time of the Domesday Survey. He held 5 freeman with 62 acres of land, 1 plough and 6 acres of meadow. Bishop William de Noyers of Thetford had the patronage of 1 freeman with 17 acres of land and 5 acres of meadow. The King had the patronage of 2 freemen in Horsey (one possibly called Ralph) holding 48 acres of land and 0.5 ploughs plus 3 smallholders with 0.5 ploughs and 4.5 acres of meadow. The most interesting item listed in the Survey is that Horsey had Beruits (annexed lands not physically connected to Horsey). Unfortunately, where these were are unknown but may possibly be connected with peat extraction (1).

The base of the church tower is round, which suggests an early construction date. Stone quoins (corners) and the pattern of flintwork possibly suggests a Saxon date (3), although there is no church noted in the Domesday Survey. There is a single window within the south wall of the chancel and the north nave doorway appear to be alterations dated in the 1200s (3). There is no Hall at Horsey shown on William Faden's map of 1797 and manorial records for Horsey come under Little Waxham (4).

THE ARMS OF THE DE INGHAM FAMILY (5). THE ARMS OF THE STAPLETON FAMILY (6).

In 1214, Peter Bardulph was Rector of the church and had been present by Godwin de Horsey. Afterwards, Adam, the son of Godwin gave the rectory to Hickling Priory (2). Sometime before 1272, an undated deed states that Thomas de Thurne granted to Joseph and Hellen, son and niece of Bond de Horsey, all the land that Bond originally held in Horsey. Thomas also grants to Reginald de Gelham (son of Walter de Gelham) all the lands of the fee of Joseph de Horsey, which Bond held. This deed is witnessed by Sir Jeffery de Hickling, Sir Warrin de Rolesby, Sir Warrin de Waxham and William de Colekirk (2). During the reign of Edward I [1272 to 1307] the rectory was valued at 2 Marks and the Vicar had no manse (house) as the Sacrist of Hickling Priory occupied it (2). The Peter-pence was 8d suggesting that there were just 8 houses in Horsey at this time. In 1282, Sir Oliver de Ingham rented a messuage (house) with 40 acres of land and 10 acres of meadow from Thomas de Horsey for one rose per year (2). Obviously there was more to this arrangement than just one rose! The widow of Sir Oliver de Ingham, Elizabeth, held Horsey in 1287 and in 1316 Mary, the widow of Sir John de Ingham held Horsey (2).

In around 1304, the people of West Somerton partitioned the King stating that Thomas Osberne was indicted for harboring his three sons, who were indicted of homicide and was then himself indicted of the deaths of Peter 'le Neveu le Prestre' (the Priest's Nephew) and of Thomas Staye of Horsey, whereupon he fled. The Sheriff then had his goods taken into the King's hand, valued, and delivered to the people of West Somerton until the King should order otherwise; but Matthew de Castre and Thomas de Rollesby falsely claimed that Thomas was indicted only for harboring his sons, who were later acquitted, and falsely claimed that he was dead and falsely claimed had a writ from the Coroner to deliver his goods to his executors. Robert Edmund requested that a writ be issued to William de Carlton and to the Sheriff to inquire and determine how much Matthew de Castre and Thomas de Rollesby took from the people of West Somerton and they requested that this situation be remedied (7). In 1315, John de Limpenhawe was Vicar presented by the Prior (of St Benet's Abbey?). In 1349 Alexander Dever was Vicar and in 1361 Adam de Limpenhawe was Vicar. From the De Ingham family, Horsey came into the possession of the Stapleton family by marriage (2), probably between Joan de Ingham and Sir Miles Stapleton around 1360. In 1393, Adam Sheve was Vicar followed by John Water in 1401 (2). In 1406, Richard de Auburn was Vicar followed by John Smith in 1427 (2).

References:

1. Domesday Survey of Norfolk, fols: 180a, 187b, 196b & 272b.

2. Bloomfield F, "An essay towards a topographical history of Norfolk, volume 9", 1808: 315.

3. Horsey church guide.

4. Web site: www.hmc.gov.uk/mdr.

5. Bloomfield F, 'An essay towards a topographical History of Norfolk', volume 9, 1808, London: 330.

6. Bloomfield F, 'An essay towards a topographical History of Norfolk', volume 9, 1808, London: 320.

7. Public Record Office reference: SC8/148/738.

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