GRESHAM, a parish in the northern division of
the hundred of ERPINGHAM, county of NORFOLK, 4
miles (S.W. byW.) from Cromer, containing 351 inhabitants.
The living is a discharged rectory, in the
archdeaconry of Norfolk, and diocese of Norwich, rated
in the king's books at £6.18. 9., and in the patronage
of the Rev. John Spurgin. The church, dedicated to All
Saints, has portions in the decorated style of English
architecture. There are foundations of a large castellated
building, which, it is said, Sir Edmund Bacon obtained
license from Edward II. to embattle: it is of a quadrilateral
form, with a semicircular projection at each angle,
probably the remains of towers or turrets, and is surrounded
by a deep fosse. Gresham gave name to the
family of which Sir Thomas, the founder of the Royal
Exchange and of Gresham college, was a descendant.