FAKENHAM, a market-town and parish in the
hundred of GALLOW, county of NORFOLK, 25 miles
(N.W.) from.Norwich, and 109 (N.N.E.) from London,
containing, with the hamlet of Alethorpe, 1635 inhabitants.
Its ancient name was Fakenham-Lancaster, but
the adjunct is not used. The town is pleasantly situated
on a. declivity north of the river Tare; the .streets are
paved with flint-stone, and partially lighted with oil;
the inhabitants are .plentifully supplied with water
from springs. Here were formerly a manufactory for
crape and bombazine, and some celebrated salt pits,
but they have all been discontinued. The .market is on
Thursday, for corn and cattle, and is well attended by
dealers from a considerable distance: two . fairs, on
Whit-Tu,esday and November 22nd, principally for cattle,
are held on Hampton Green, about one mile from
the town. The county magistrates hold here a session
for the hundred every month; and courts leet and
baron for the manor are held annually. The quarter
sessions for this district were formerly held at Faken-;
ham andWalsingham alternately; but they have been
transferred hence to Holt, and the sessions-house has
been converted into a school-room: there is a court-house
for transacting parochial business. The inhabitants are
exempted from serving on juries, &c. The living is a
rectory, in the archdeaconry of Norfolk, and diocese of
Norwich, rated in the king's books at £35, 6, 8., andjn
the patronage of the Master and Fellows of Trinity College,
Cambridge. The church, dedicated to St. Peter, is
a handsome and commodious edifice, consisting of a nave,
aisles, chancel, and south porch, with a stately tower of
stone at the west end, where is a noble dpor-way surmounted
by a lofty .window divided into six compartments,
and sub-divided by horizontal mullions and
tracery mouldings; on each side of the door is a
canopied niche, the buttresses of which are adorned
with panelling: the font is octangular, and richly
embellished with carvings of the arms of the duchy of
Lancaster. An organ has been recently presented by
the rector, to whom the parishioners are likewise indebted
for some emblematical designs in stained glass which
decorate the chancel window. There are places of
worship for Baptists, Independents, and Primitive and
Wesleyan Methodists. A Lancasterian school for boys
is supported by voluntary contributions, and there is a
National school for girls. Lady Mary Townshend bequeathed
a house and land in 1672, directing the proceeds
to be applied in apprenticing poor children.