A Harford Bridges. PAPER READ AT A QUARTERLY MEETING BY THE REV. JAMES BULWER, M. A. In a letter still preserved of the late Miss Anna Gurney to Mr. Woodward, dated 1824, on the subject of the Norwich estuary, it is remarked that "she had no idea of the extent and importance of ancient Norwich until she read Mr. Woodward's observations." She then mentions that with regard to what he said about the width of the river, she had heard of an anchor being found on this side of the town, i.e., the Keswick side. She then goes on to say that "Yare" means the "Ar," i.e., the river par eminence, and that the name is traced in Harford Bridge, which she also says settles the name of the Keswick branch as the Yare, and not the Wensum as some have supposed. Mr. Woodward in his map has adopted Miss Gurney's etymology, and calls the site of Harford Bridge "Yare-ford." The bridge existed in Queen Elizabeth's time, for here the mayor and corporation met Her Majesty, as at the city bounds, on her progress into the county. Blomefield gives in extenso many of the orations, but it seems they were somewhat curtailed by a shower of rain. I do not purpose to add now these rather lengthy effusions of congratulation, but would ask permission to read a few lines, not in print, shewing the tenure of the Manor of Earlham, which I met with in a volume of the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum. "Wm. Downes, Lord of the Manoure of Erlham neere Norwich, when Queen Eliz. came to Norwich, at Harflet Bridg, there delivered thes verses w't a payr of gold spurs. 66 Resplendant Queen my Soveraing Lady deere my hart would yeald to thee what is my own. "In seriantine the tenure therof stand "Likewise to me if old reports be true And high constable heere the place to hold. "In lieu therof there should redound to me 1 Sergantine. |