Clavering Hundred: Geldeston
GELDESTON.
This town is not mentioned in the book of Domesday, being included and accounted for under the great lordship of Stockton, of which Archbishop Stigand was deprived, and William de Noiers was the Conqueror's steward of it at the survey. It remained in the Crown till King Stephen granted it to Hugh Bigod, on his being created Earl of Norfolk. Roger Bigod his son, being Earl, enfeoffed Sir Ralph Bigod, his brother, of this town, and of Stockton, and was lord of both in the 24th of Henry III. and dying s. p. Sir John Bigot was lord in the 15th of Edward I. In this family it remained, till Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir Ralph Bigot, brought it by marriage, to William Garneys, Esq. who died lord in the 8 of Henry V. from that family it came to the De La Poles, Earls and Dukes of Norfolk; after this, by a grant of the Crown, to Charles Brandon Duke of Suffolk, &c.
In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, it was again in the Crown, and so continues, as may be seen at large in Stockton.
The tenths were 3l. 10s. Deducted 20s. The temporalities of the chamberlain of Bury were 5s
The Church is a rectory dedicated to St. Michael; in the reign of Edward I. valued at 10 marks, Peter-pence, 8d. carvage 5d. ob. and the Earl of Norfolk was patron; and the rector had a manse with 30 acres of land.
In 1307, Rich. Abel instituted, presented by Lady Isabel Bygod.
1318, Jeffrey de Settrington, by Sir John Bygod.
1330, Mr. John Frank, by Sir John Bygod, lord of Setrington in Yorkshire.
1340 William de Aldeby, by Sir Roger Bygod.
1342, William de Rougham. Ditto.
1349, John Southgate, by Sir John Bygod.
1368, John de Weston. Ditto.
1371, Thomas Stoner. Ditto.
1393, John Barrell, by Sir Ralph Bigod, who also presented in 1400, 1409, and 1416.
In 1418, William Garneys, presented, in 1421, and 1427.
Nicholas Lost, occurs rector in 1603, and returned 64 communicants; and the patronage was in the Crown.
John Alting, rector, alias Pudding.
Ralph Warde, rector.
1732, Francis Fayerman, by the King.
1754, John Faermann. Ditto.
In the church was the guild of the Holy Ghost.
The present valor is 6l. and is discharged; the patronage is in the Crown.
Sir Ralph Bygot was buried in the chancel of St. Michael's church, of Geldeston, in 1415.
In the east window of the chancel, Orate pro a'ia Radulphi Garneys, armigeri, quondam dni. de Stockton.