Norfolk: Tittleshall cum Godwick

William White's History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Norfolk 1883

[Transcription copyright © David E.A. Matthews]

TITTLESHALL-CUM-GODWICK forms a parish, with a neat village of the former name, 2 miles N. of Litcham, and 6 miles S. by W. of Fakenham. The parish is in Mitford union, East Dereham county court district, Norwich bankruptcy district, Launditch hundred, Mitford and Loddon petty sessional division, Litcham polling district of West Norfolk, Brisley rural deanery, and Norwich archdeaconry.

It had 514 inhabitants in 1881, living on 3364 acres, and had a rateable value of £4366. Nearly all the parish, which includes about 300 acres of woods and wastes, belong to the Earl of Leicester, and forms the manors of Greynstones, or Caley, Coxford, Godwick hall, Peekhall, and Newhall, and part of the manors of Whissonsett and Burghwoodhall. Sir William Foster, Bart., is steward for these manors, and holds the court leet and baron in October; but here are only few copyholders, and their fines are certain.

The CHURCH (St. Mary) is a neat structure of Perpendicular architecture, comprising nave, chancel, south porch, and square tower with four bells, and in 1853 was furnished with new open seats, pulpit, and reading-desk. The ancient screen still remains, and at the north side of the chancel is the vault of the Coke family. Here is a splendid marble monument to Sir Edward Coke (see page 328 [which is the entry for Holkham]) with his effigy in full length, erected at a cost of upwards of £400. Here are likewise several other handsome monuments to the Coke family, one of which has effigies of Sir Edward's wife and eight children. The late venerable Earl of Leicester was interred in 1842 in this church, where there is a monument in memory of his first wife (Mrs. Coke), which cost 3000 guineas, and was executed by Nollekens.

The rectory, valued in the King's Book at £9 12s. 8d., was consolidated with those of Godwick and Wellingham, in 1630, and is in the patronage of the Earl of Leicester, and incumbency of the Hon. and Rev. Kenelm Henry Digby, M.A., who has about 53 acres of glebe, a yearly tithe rent-charge of £947, and a good residence, which he has considerably enlarged.

The National School was built in 1836 by the rector, who in 1863 also erected an Infants' School, which is used as a reading-room every evening.

The Baptists and Primitive Methodists have each a chapel here.

GODWICK, now only one farm, 1 mile N. of Tittleshall, was anciently a separate parish, but its church, of which the ruined tower still remains, was dilapidated more than two centuries ago. The old Hall, now in ruins, was built by Sir Edward Coke.

The Fuel Allotment, awarded more than 120 years ago, consists of 40 acres, on which all the parishioners, except the farmers, are allowed to turn cattle, for the yearly payment of 21s. per head. The money thus received (about £20 per annum) is distributed in coals among the poor. The Poor's Wood is held by the Earl of Leicester, who in 1877 transferred £70 consols to the official trustees of charitable funds, in lieu of the £2 2s. formerly paid by him, and his estate is released from all further liability in respect to the sum in question, viz., £2 2s. The poor have also the interest of £10, left by Mr. William Haylett.

POST OFFICE at Mr. Robert Kerrison's. Arrive at 7.15 a.m., despatched at 5.35 p.m. No Sunday's delivery. Letters via Swaffham (through Litcham.) Litcham is the nearest Money Order and Telegraph Office.

         Betts      Mrs Marianne        farmer
         Branford   Womack              frmr. Godwick hall
         Burcham    James               farmer, woodman to the Earl of Leicester
         Crowe      Henry               farmer, High house
         Deek       Rev. Francis E.,    curate, Woodford lodge
                      B.A.
         Digby      Hon. & Rev. Kenelm  (Hon. Canon of Norwich and Rural
                      Henry, M.A.         Dean), Rectory
         Forby      Miss Ann
         Hooks      Alfred              builder
         Hooks      -                   builders and contractors
         Hooks      George              builder
         Hooks      Jno.                vict. Ostrich; & blacksmith
         Hooks      Mitchell            builder
         Kerrison   Robert              grocer, draper, and post office agent to
                                          the Accidental Assurance Co. (lim.)
         Moore      John                baker
         Moulton    James William       boot and shoe maker; and shopkeeper
         Palmer     John                fish dealer
         Palmer     Mrs Sarah Ann
         Payne      Robert Bacon        grocer & draper
         Riches     Edmund              shoemaker
         Roberson   John                butcher
         Sizeland   Mrs Sarah Ann       farmer
         Swann      Rev. Johnson        curate, The Curacy
                      Fowell, B.A.
         Travis     Thomas              farmer, Wicken
         Webster    Wm.                 butcher and beerhouse
 

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See also the Tittleshall cum Godwick parish page.

Copyright © Pat Newby.
January 2001