KIMBERLEY, a parish in the hundred of FOREHOE,
county of NORFOLK, 3 miles (N.W.) from Wymondham,
containing 145 inhabitants. The living is a discharged
vicarage, with the rectory of Barnham-Broom,
in the archdeaconry of Norfolk, and diocese of Norwich,
rated in the king's books at £6. 12. 3., endowed
with £200 private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty.
Lord Wodehouse was patron in 1820. The church is
dedicated to St. Peter. There is a place of worship for
Wesleyan Methodists. In the time of Henry III. there
was a chapel in the church-yard, the ruins of which are
still visible. Kimberley hall formerly belonged to the
family of Fastolf, but in the reign of Henry IV. it came
into the possession of Sir John Wodehouse, who took it
down and erected a noble mansion upon its site. Subsequently
he was appointed gentleman of the .privy
chamber to Henry V., attended that monarch into
France, and conducted himself in the field with so much
bravery, that the king granted an augmentation to his
arms, with leave to bear the motto "AGINCOURT."
Here the family resided till 1659, when they removed to
the present seat, in which are preserved the fragments of
a large old sword and a poniard, used by their ancestor
at the battle of Agincourt; also a costly pair of necklaces
of coral and gold, the gift of Catherine, Queen of
Henry V.