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Norfolk: Kenninghall
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William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1845
[Transcription copyright © Pat Newby]KENNINGHALL, a small improving market town, on the eastern banks of a rivulet, 3 miles E. by S. of East Harling, and 4 miles S.W. of New Buckenham, has in its parish 1389 inhabitants, and 3524 acres of land, belonging to the Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Albemarle, N. Cooke, the Calver family, and many smaller proprietors. The Duke is lord of the manor, which is an ancient demesne, and held by the office of King's (now Queen's) butler. The copyholds are on fine certain for the land, and arbitrary for the buildings, and descend to the youngest son.
Kenninghall had anciently a large weekly MARKET, held every Monday, and it was revived about twelve years ago, for the sale of stock, &c., now exposed for sale (toll free) in the large yard at the Crown Inn. Here are also two annual FAIRS for cattle, on July 18th, and sheep, on Sept 30th.
Mr. T.J. Humphrey has an extensive brick and tile yard here, and near the town is Guiltcross Union Workhouse, already noticed at page 421 [which is the entry for Guiltcross Hundred].
In this manor was a seat of the East Anglian kings, from which it derived the name of King's Hall, afterwards corrupted to Kenninghall. The site of the Royal Castle, in which the valiant British Queen Boadicea held her court, is an area of nearly four acres, encompassed with a large foss, and having at each corner an artificial mount. The Conqueror conferred the manor on William de Albini, to be held by the service of chief butler to the kings of England at their coronation. From them, through the Montalts and Mowbrays, it descended to the Howards, Dukes of Norfolk, and possessed free warren, view of frank-pledge, waif, market, fair, assize of bread and ale, a pillory, ducking-stool, and gallows.
On the site of the castle, a mansion, called East Hall, continued to be the residence of the lords of the manor, till it was taken down by Thomas, Duke of Norfolk, who erected, about a furlong to the north-east, a larger and more stately mansion, which, after his attainder, was called Kenninghall Palace, being conferred by Henry VIII. on his daughter, the Princess Mary. This lady often resided here, and Queen Elizabeth also made it one of her summer seats.
It was subsequently restored to the Howard family, and continued to be their chief residence in this county till about the middle of the 17th century, when it was pulled down, and the materials sold. Its site and park are now in two farms, called Kenninghall Place, and still belong to the Duke of Norfolk.
The Church (St. Mary,) has a nave, chancel, north aisle, south porch, and a large square tower at the west end, containing eight bells, and having the crest of Norfolk upon the buttresses. The vicarage, valued in the King's Book at £5. 17s. 1d., and in 1831, at £250, is enjoyed by the Rev. Wm. Killett, B.A., with 10A. 3R. 26P. of glebe, and a small portion of the rectorial tithes, most of which are in the appropriation of the patron, the Bishop of Ely, but leased to Mrs. and Miss Pope and Charles Wright, Esq. The Church Land is 7A., let for £17 a year.
Here is a Particular Baptist Chapel, erected in 1807, and a Wesleyan Chapel, built in 1835. The former was built by Mr. T.J. Humphrey, who settled it in trust for the use of the congregation, which was formed in 1799, under the ministry of the Rev. Thos. Smith, of Shelfanger. The Rev. Henry Howell is its present pastor.
The town has a good fire-engine, purchased in 1843.
The poor have £2. 10s. yearly from Bowle's Charity, as noticed with Banham, and a yearly rent-charge of 20s., left by Dorothy Gawdy, in 1616. The Fuel Allotments, awarded at the enclosure in 1799, consist of 24A. 35P. of fen, and 26A. 3R. 34P. of heath, on which a barn was built in 1802, at the cost of £120. The poor cut fuel on the fen, but the herbage is let with the heath land, at rents amounting to about £50 a year, which is distributed in coals.
The POST OFFICE is at Mr. Samuel Wells'. Letters are received from East Harling, at 9 morning, and despatched at 4 afternoon.
Barham Eliz. and Dinah milliners
Bond Wm. poulterer
Briggs John gardener
Calver Danl. (Executors of) solicitor
Carter Wm. gent
Cook Mrs Hanh
Clarke Saml. turner & patten mkr
Davy Robert watchmaker
Dent Peter surgeon
Dixon Zach. brazier & ironmonger
Hewel Rev Henry (Baptist min.)
Humphrey John gentleman
Humphrey Theophilus John brick and tile manufacturer,
and agent for Suffolk Amicable
Ins. office
Kent Geo. regr. & relieving officer
Killett Rev Wm., B.A. Vicarage
Linstead George saddler, &c
Morley James parish clerk
Rackham Thos. master of Guiltcross Union Workhouse,
and registrar of marriages
Sayer George cabinet maker
Reeve Mrs Ann
Turner Mr Charles
Turner Thos. superintendent registr
Wade John whitesmith
Wells Samuel brewer and maltster
INNS AND TAVERNS.
Collings James Crown
Wilde Matthew George (& painter, plumber, and glazier)
Crook Robert Red Lion
Mills Robert White Horse
Academies.
Bailey Hy. Fdk.
Ellis Thirsa
Harvey Robt. (& bookbinder)
Horne Miss
Bakers. Beer Houses.
Long Zachariah Jackson Robert
Mason John Mallett Henry
Wells Samuel
Blacksmiths. Boot & Shoe Mkrs.
Barker Thomas Horne John
Collings James Horne J. jun. (& currier)
Wade Nathaniel Moyse George
Smith Robert
Smith Thomas
Bricklayers. Butchers.
Barham Robert Beales John
Osborne George Huggins Wm.
Carpenters. Coopers.
Avis E. Daines Robert
Bailey Charles Davy Robert
Corn Millers.
Crook Robert
Garrod Wm.
Long Henry
Reeve James
Wells Wm.
FARMERS.
Avis Ann Humphrey T.J.
Bilham Stephen Reeve Samuel
Burlingham Jas. Ruffle Fdk. John, (agent to
Cooke Natl. Esq. Farmers' Fire Office)
Grange Spurling Daniel
Coulson John Wells John
Cracknell Wm. West Wm.
Fincham and Weston John
Everett Wretham John
Green John Youels James
Harvey George Youels Robert
Holmes Richard
Grocers & Dprs.
Betts Charles (& wine merchant)
Bryant Richd. (& merchant)
Rivett Robert (& brush maker)
Wells Samuel
Tailors. Wheelwrights.
Buxton James Clarke Thos. sen. and junior
Coe Robert Garrett Benj.
Cooke Thomas Lawrence Steph.
Thurlow John Napthen Robert
Turner James
COACH to Norwich, from the Crown, Sat. 7½ mg. & Carriers to Norwich, Bury, &c. Tue. and Friday
See also the Kenninghall parish page.
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Copyright © Pat Newby.
September 2009