Cransford Parish

Cransford or Cranesforda

The lordship of Visdelieu, in this parish, was anciently held by Thomas Visdelieu; and in the time of King Richard II., Robert de Rendlesham paid Castle-guard-rent to Framlingham Castle, for the said manor. In the 11th of King Henry VI., Theophilus Shardelow did the same; and in the 28th of King Henry VIII., Thomas Rous; in 1588, the 30th of Queen Elizabeth, Thomas Riekthorn; and Francis Warner, Gent., in the 6th of Charles I., 1631. It was reckoned at half a Knight's fee.

The above Thomas Rous appears to have resided in this place, and married Margaret, daughter of Robert Kemp, of Gissing, in Norfolk, Esq., by Elizabeth his first wife.

The manor lately belonged to ______ Moore, Esq. The church was appropriated to Sibton Abbey; and at the dissolution of Monasteries, was granted to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk. Visdelieu Hall was vested in the Rev. Dr. Kilderbee.

Anne, daughter of Richard Gardiner, of this parish, Esq., married Roger Castell, jun. She died in 1697, aged 21 years, and was buried at Raveningham, in Norfolk.

"In this parish, about a mile and an half up the Saxmundham road, is a spot which has always been called ' bloody Queen Mary's lane,' at the entrance to which there is a pack-gate still kept up, though not used, to denote the spot. The tradition is, that she used to walk there; but -for the few days she remained in Framlingham this is not to be credited; the greater probability is, that on leaving the castle, she proceeded in this direction, with her train of adherents, and men at arms, for the Metropolis. Another opinion has been advanced, that it was a road expressly formed to facilitate her escape eastward, towards the sea, in the event of her flight from the castle becoming necessary: this might not be improbable." Greens Framlingham.

County of Suffolk

Topographical and Genealogical, The County of Suffolk, 1844, Augustine Page

British Isles Genealogy

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