BLICKLING, a parish in the southern division
of the hundred of ERPINGHAM, county of NORFOLK, 1J
mile (N.W.byN.) from Aylsham, containing 359 inhabitants.
The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry and
diocese of Norwich, rated in the king's books at £10.13.4.,
and in the patronage of Lord Suffield. The church is
dedicated to St. Andrew. In the time of the Confessor,
this ancient manor was in the possession of Harold, afterwards
king of England, and, although subsequently
divided, it continued exempt from the hundred, and
enjoyed all the privileges of royal demesne: it was
afterwards held by the bishops of Norwich, who had
a palace here. Blickling Hall was built by Sir John
Hobart, Knt., in 1628, at which time the domestic
chapel was consecrated. The previous edifice, with the
estate, was in the possession of the family of Boleyne,
and in it was born Anne Boleyne, afterwards queen of
Henry VIII.; this monarch is stated to have been
here on a visit. Blickling was subsequently visited by
Charles II. and his queen.