*THETFORD, (Norfolk and Suffolk) divided by the r. Ouse, in a pleasant open country, 10 m. from Bury, 70 cm. 80 mm. from London. stnds on 2 navigable rs. Thet and Ouse, the first of which runs through it. In 672, the Abp. of Canterbury held a synod here. The Saxon Ks. made it the metropolis of the Km. of the East-Angles; but 'twas three times ruined by the Danes. In the 12th century 'twas the See of a Bp. and then a place of great note; but declined on the translation of it to Norwich; yet in the R. of Hen. VIII. it was of such consequence as to be made a suffragan See to Norwich, but was so only in that R. It had formerly also a mint. It was incorporated by Q. Eliz, with a mayor, recorder, 10 ald. 20 C. C. (two of whom are generally chamberlains) a tcwn-clerk, sword-bearer, and two sergeants at mace. The Lent assizes for Norfolk are always held in its guild-hall. 'Tis a pretty large T. but not so populous as in the R. of Edward III. when it had 20 Chs. 6 hoss. and 8 mons. most of which are now in ruins; and all the Chs. left are only one on the Suffolk and two on the Norfolk side of the T. Its chief mf. is woollen cloth. In the R. of James I. an act of Pt. passed for founding an hos. and a grammar-sc. and for maintaining a preacher in this T. four days in the year, for ever, pursuant to the will of Sir Richard Fulmerston; and Sir Joseph Williamson, secretary of state to Charles II. built a council-house, here, and gave the corp. a mace and a sword. The manor is in the crown, as part of the duchy of Lancaster. The Mt. is on S. and Fairs on May 3, June 22, and September 14. The chief magistrate found here at the Conquest, was stiled a consul; from whence it is supposed to have been a Roman T. In the R. of Charles II. this T. gave the title of Visc. to Sir Henry Bennet, (whom he created Earl of Arlington) as it does now, as well as Ipswich, to the Duke of Grafton. There is a large mount here, called Castlehill, thrown up to a great height, and fortified with a double rampire, which Sir Hen. Spelman thinks was a Danish camp. The site of it is the D. of Norfolk's. Its Mt. and the Fair of St. Mary Magdalen's, were granted by Q. Elizabeth. Here are a common gaol, a Bridewell, and a workhouse, as also an hos. for 6 poor men, built and endowed by Sir Cha. Harbord and his son William, for 99 years. The Ouse is navigable hither from Lynn, by lighters or barges. This place has been honoured with the presence of many of our sovereigns, particularly Henry I. and II. Q. Eliz. and K. James I. of whom the two last made it one of their hunting-seats; and K. James gave his palace here, which is still called the K's.-house, to Sir Philip Woodhouse, from whom 'tis descended to Sir John, the present recorder.