DISS, a market-town and parish in the hundred
of DISS, county of NORFOLK, 22 miles (S. S.W.) from
Norwich, and 92 (N. B.) from London, containing 2764
inhabitants. This place, formerly Disce or Dice, was held
in royal demesne in the reign of Henry I., and in that of
Edward I. became the property of Robert Fitzwalter,
who obtained for it the privilege of a market. The town
is pleasantly situated near the river Waveney, by which it
is separated on the south from the county of Suifolk,
and consists of several streets, of which the principal
are spacious and well paved; the houses are in general
well built, and have a neat and handsome appearance;
the "inhabitants are amply supplied with water; and at
the extremity of the town, and nearly in the centre of
the parish, is a mere of seven acres in extent, which
abounds with eels. The principal branch of manufacture
is that of hempen cloth. The market is on Friday, which
is also for the sale of yarn and linen cloth; the fair is
on the 8th of November, for cattle and toys. The living
is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Norfolk, and diocese
of Norwich, rated in the king's books at £33. 6. 8., and
in the patronage of the Rev. W. Manning. The church,
dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient structure in the
early and decorated styles of English architecture, with a
square embattled tower: the nave is lighted by a fine
range of double clerestory windows; and the south
porch has a semicircular-headed door-way, over which
is a large window of seven lights: it was probably
erected by some of the Fitz-Walters, about the close of
the thirteenth or fourteenth century. There are places
of worship for the Society of Friends and Independents.
A charity school, originally endowed at Palgrave, in the
county of Suffolk, was, in 1713, removed to this town,
and kept in a building which was formerly the townhall.
Ralph de Diceto, Dean of St. Paul's in the reign
of Henry II.; Walter, a Carmelite friar of Norwich, confessor
to John of Gaunt, were natives of this parish; of
which also, John Skelton, poet-laureat to Henry VIII.,
and styled by Erasmus " the light and ornament of
English scholars," was rector.