Having already noticed Roughton, we proceed without anything particular to observe, till we are within a short distance of Erpingham, when we pass, on the left, the rectory-house of Hanworth, which is very delightfully situated on the verge of Gunton-park, about two miles from Erpingham, which place lies to the right.

To those versed in chivalric lore, this village will be interesting;—Sir Thomas de Erpingham, the gallant favourite of the renowned John of Gaunt, and one of the sharers of the glories of the field of Agincourt, taking his name from this place, of which he and his predecessors were lords of the manor. The church and tower were begun in his time, but finished some years after his death. It contains inscriptions to the memory of the family, and a very perfect brass of Sir John Erpingham, whose son, Sir John, lies buried under a large stone at the east end of the south aisle: the arms are lost, but his effigy in armour remains, as standing on a lion: at each corner of the stone is the emblem of one of the Evangelists. The church, dedicated to St. Mary, has a tall square tower, on the summit of which were the effigies of four confessors, in their habits, carved in free-stone, three only of which are remaining, the fourth having been struck down by a violent tempest, which occurred during divine service, and killed one of the congregation. This happened about a century ago. The living, which is a rectory, is in the gift of the Dowager Lady Suffield.

At a short distance further, we pass on the left, the remains (for it can scarcely be called otherwise) of the ancient church of Ingworth, which appears to be of the age of William Rufus. It is dedicated to St. Lawrence, and had formerly a round tower, which fell down in the year 1812. The rectory is in the gift of W. H. Windham, Esq.

The whole of the drive lies through a richly wooded and fertile country, which as Blickling is approached, becomes more beautiful. The first sight of the Hall is very striking and imposing, and the general view of it gives an excellent idea of the grandeur and regularity of the buildings of former ages.

Blickling Hall, the seat of the Dowager Lady Suffield, is a large quadrangular mansion of brick, and forms a perfect specimen of architectural taste in the reign of James I., in which reign it was commenced, but not finished till that of Charles I. It has two open courts in the centre, with turrets at the angles, and a large clock-tower over the entrance, standing in a beautiful park of seven hundred acres [46] well stocked with deer, and extending into the adjacent parishes of Oulton, and Itteringham. The entrance from the court in front, formed by the offices and stables, is over a bridge of two arches, across the moat. On an ancient oak door in the front is the date, Anno Domini, 1620. This is within an arch, the key-stone of which bears a grotesque figure, and over the entablature is a rich compartment, bearing the arms and quarterings of Sir Henry Hobart, Bart. The entrance-hall measures forty-two feet, by thirty-three, and is thirty-three feet in height, opening to the great staircase of oak: this is ornamented with various figures, carved in wood, and conducts to a grand gallery, containing statues of Anne Boleyn and Queen Elizabeth. The apartments, which are spacious, are adorned with rich chimney-pieces, ceilings, wainscots, &c., but the paintings are not very numerous or very valuable. The most remarkable room is the library, which is one hundred and twenty-seven feet in length, by twenty-one in breadth, and consequently rather offends the eye, as not being well-proportioned. The ceiling is divided into compartments, containing figures emblematical of the five senses, with others in relief, many of which are not a little grotesque. The library contains upwards of ten thousand volumes, amongst which are some very scarce and valuable works.

The grounds are very beautiful. A lake, one of the finest pieces of water in the kingdom, forms the principal ornament of the park and gardens. This extends in the form of a crescent, about a mile in length, and four hundred yards in its greatest breadth, and is skirted by verdant lawns and thickly wooded hills, which give a most charming effect. The conduit and statues are those which formerly adorned the platform of Oxnead Hall, one of the residences of the Earl of Yarmouth, two miles and a half from Aylsham, of which the sole remains are one wing, occupied by a farmer.

About a mile from the Hall is a stone mausoleum, built in the form of a pyramid, upon a base of forty-five feet, in which are deposited the remains of the late Earl of Buckinghamshire and his two wives; but the remains of nineteen of his ancestors and relations are deposited in a vault, the coffins standing in an upright position, under the north aisle of the church.

There are many circumstances connected with Blickling which render it exceedingly interesting. The manor was held by Harold, the unfortunate competitor of the crown with the Norman William. The Conqueror settled the whole manor and advowson on the see of Thetford; afterwards, on the foundation of Norwich Cathedral, the Bishops of Norwich held the demesne in their own hands, and had here a palace with a fine park adjoining. In 1431, Blickling became the property of Sir Thomas Erpingham, and having passed though several hands it came into the possession of Sir Thomas Boleyn, the father of the beautiful and unfortunate Anne Boleyn, who was married from this place, Henry VIII. having come to Blickling personally to wed her. Nor was this the only royal visit paid to it; Charles II. and his amiable consort having visited it in his progress through the county, in 1671.

Blickling passed from the Boleyns to the Hobarts, ancestors of the Earl of Buckinghamshire, when the old mansion was pulled down, and the present rebuilt by Sir John Hobart, which was completed in 1628. The second Earl rebuilt the west front in 1769, when his countess, as appears by an inscription over the door of this part, bequeathed her jewels towards defraying the expenses.

The church, dedicated to St. Andrew, stands on an eminence near the Hall, and contains many inscriptions to the former lords of the manor, with a few small effigies and brasses; one of these is for Anne Boleyn, the aunt of the unhappy queen, which exhibits the first example of a necklace.

A mile and a half from Blickling, is the neat and well built market-town of Aylsham, which for beauty of situation is not exceeded by any in the county. It has a very flourishing appearance, and several excellent houses are built in or near it. The Bure, which runs at the foot of the town, is navigable to Yarmouth, for boats of forty tons burthen. During the reigns of Edward II. and III., it was celebrated for a manufacture of linen, then called “Aylsham webs,”—“Cloth of Aylsham.” This was superseded by the woollen manufacture, and in the time of James I., the inhabitants were chiefly employed in knitting worsted stockings, waistcoats, &c.; the introduction of frame-work knitting has destroyed this branch of trade likewise. The court of the Duchy of Lancaster was formerly held here. It was once noted for its Spa, the water of which was esteemed efficacious in cases of asthma, and other chronic diseases. The spring is about half a mile south of the town.

The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a handsome Gothic structure, situated on the summit of an abrupt acclivity, commanding a very fine view of the surrounding country. It is said to have been built by John of Gaunt, whose arms appear in various parts of the walls. It contains many monumental inscriptions and brasses, among which is one to Thomas Wymes, who is represented in his winding-sheet. He caused the screens and roof to be painted with saints, martyrs, &c. Part of this work has lately been discovered, and is in good preservation. The fount has basso-relievos of the four emblems of the evangelists, the instruments of the Passion, and the arms of Gaunt. The interior of the church is very handsome; but is much injured in appearance by the irregularity of the pews, if not by the introduction of pews altogether. The benches, no doubt, were formerly much ornamented with carving, many rich specimens of which are remaining. The most beautiful of these have been collected, and with admirable taste arranged for a screen for the altar. The patronage of the living, which is a vicarage, is vested in the dean and chapter of Canterbury.

Aylsham enjoys the advantage of a free-school. Archbishop Parker also founded two fellowships in Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and appropriated them to this and Wymondham school. One of the scholars must be born in Aylsham; but it is requisite for the other to be educated only at the free-school there.

Blickling is eleven miles from Cromer. Aylsham, by the direct road, is the same distance.