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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.
but for because the case appears not cleer
my name is Downes I hold of thee by right
a manoure heer whose name is Earlham hight

"In seriantine the tenure therof stand
and by the grant a Basilisco due
By petit seriantine likewise my land
must yeald, my leig, a payr of spurs to you
Therby in proofe my homage to declare
so oft, as please you, hither to repayr.

"Likewise to me if old reports be true
is service signd w'n I, to doe, am prest
That is while time your maiestie is heer
I am to be pfer'd before the rest
Lieutenant to Blanchlowes castle old.

And high constable heere the place to hold.

"In lieu therof there should redound to me
the palfrey w'h thy maiestie doe beare
my spurrs, O Queen, I render unto thee
and for the Crown I pay 3 pounds a year
lo, thus to thee his whole estate is known
whos hart and land and goods are all thy own."
Harl. 980, f. 282.

1 Sergantine.

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