year 1534. In the isles lie buried several of the earls and dukes of Norfolk. The body of the church is 64 feet long, 50 wide and 44 high, and the chancel 61 feet in length and about 68 in width including the side aisles, and 37 in height. The roof of the nave is of oak curiously carved and supported by 8 octagon pillars 4 in a row, and 4 demi-ones since added, and painted and veined in imitation of white marble. There is a curious monument for Thomas Howard, the third duke of Norfolk, who died in 1554; in whose collar of SS, is this inscription, Gratia dei sum quod sum. Another monument for Henry Fitzroy, duke of Richmond and Somerset, natural son of Henry VIII. who married lady Mary, daughter of Thomas Howard duke of Norfolk, and died in 1536. And another magnificent monument of black and white marble, to Henry Howard earl of Surrey, and Francis his wife (a daughter of John de Vere, earl of Oxford), who was beheaded 19 January 1546. the steeple is 98 feet high containing a clock and 8 bells. Here are two Alms-houses in this town; one founded in pursuance of the will of sir Robert Hitcham, for twelve of the poorest persons in Framlingham, each of whom is allowed two shillings every week, and forty shillings a year for a gown and firing, this allowance has since increased to four shillings a week, and each person receives an additional chaldron and half of coals. These are to attend prayers morning aud evening at church; and sir Robert left moreover, £20. a year to a clergyman to read prayers, and £5. by the year for the clerk and sexton. The other alms-house was founded by one Thomas Mills. This man was a wheel-wright by trade; but being a gifted brother in the times of disorder in the last century, he turned preacher among the Anabaptists, at Saxtead, near this town; and throve so well in this business as to be enabled, about the year 1703, (until which time he lived,) to found this house. Accordingly soon after that, his trustees built this alms house for eight poor persons, who are allowed half a crown a week, and yearly an outward garment, and thirty shillings each for firing. But one William Mayhew, a servant of this man's, built two of the apartments at his own expence. These eight persons enjoy the benefaction for life; unless, for any misdemeanor, they are turned out by the trustees. Sir Robert Hitcham founded also a free school with a salary of £40. a year to the master, to teach forty of the poorest children of this town, to read, write, and cast accounts; and when they are perfect in them, he gave each £10. to bind them apprentice. It is said, and with some probability, that this was a town of the Britons; and conquered by the Romans, when they defeated Boadicea. |