Page:History of Norfolk 1.djvu/509

 ROCKLAND-TOFT===

Rokelunt, Rochelunt, or [roc-land], as it is now called, signifies the hilly land, which answers very well to the situation of these parishes, as well as the other Rockland in Hensted hundred, which is situate on the declivity of a hill, joining to a large marsh, through which the Waveny passes, in its course to Yarmouth. That this place was of special note in early times, is evident from its being the residence of the deans of so large a deanery as this, having no less than three parishes in its own bounds, besides thirty other rectors and vicars under its jurisdiction, it containing all the parishes in Giltcross and Shropham hundred; the parishes here are called St. Andrew's, AllSaints, and St. Peter's, the two first of which were lately consolidated, the church of St. Andrew falling into decay, and standing not above a furlong eastward from All-Saints, was suffered to dilapidate; the tower is square, and is still standing, its three bells being stolen out of it some years since, were never heard of. This town is called, to distinguish it from the other Rockland, Rockland-Tofts, and St. Andrew's parish, is often named in evidences, about Edward the Third's time, Toft, without any other addition. Here is a meeting of people on Midsummer Day, in a nature of a small country fair, which they call the Gild, the remains, without all doubt, of the gild of St. John Baptist, which was held in St. Peter's church before the Reformation. The parishes of All-Saints and St. Andrew's are assessed together at 518l. 15s. to the land tax, as in Shropham hundred, and the parish of St. Peter by itself at 230l. as in Wayland hundred, though I do not find it ever said to be in that hundred, till about 90 years since, at which time it was laid to Wayland, and the constables and surveyors are the same with Little Ellingham, their presentments running, EllinghamParva, cum Rockland-Tofts St. Peter. The whole was taxed together in Shropham hundred to the tenths, to which it paid 4l. 3s. 4d.; there are now about 300 inhabitants.

This and all the other deaneries were in the Bishop's collation, and had peculiar seals appropriated to them, several of which I have seen, but never met with that of this deanery; the deans here follow in their order.

Deans of Rockland
Peter the dean.
 * 1315, 6 kal. April, Robert de Stokeneyland, accolite; he was rector of a mediety in Denevere.
 * 1338, 24 Sept. John de North-Kellesey, accolite, he resigned in
 * 1341, 15 March, and Peter de Normandeby, accolite, succeeded.
 * 1345, 20 Febr. Adam de Sudbury, priest.
 * 1348, 22 Dec. Lawrence de Littelton, shaveling, who was afterwards rector of Great Massingham.
 * 1350, 19 Sept. John de Breydeston, at Littelton's resignation.