LUDHAM, a parish in the hundred of HAPPING,
county of NORFOLK, 7 miles (N.) from Acle, containing
780 inhabitants. The living is a discharged vicarage,
in the archdeaconry of Norfolk, and diocese of
Norwich, rated in the king's books at £5. 6. S.} and in
the patronage of the Bishop of Norwich. The church,
dedicated to St. Catherine, has a richly-carved font,
representing various animals and other figures. There
are places of worship for Baptists and Wesleyan Methodists.
Here was formerly a Grange belonging to the
abbey of St. Bene't, the house connected with which,
after the reign of Mary, became the residence of the
diocesans, who considerably enlarged it. In Bishop
Jegon's time, the greater part of the house, with many
valuable books, manuscripts, and rolls, relating to the
see, was destroyed by an accidental fire, which broke out
August 10th, 1611. Bishop Harsnet, who afterwards
resided here, built a chapel of brick; and Bishop Redman,
in the reign of Elizabeth, obtained grants for a
market and a fair, which have long been discontinued.