MASSINGHAM (GREAT), a parish in the Lynn division
of the hundred of FREEBRIDGE, county of NORFOLK,
9 miles (N. by W.) from Swaifham, containing 738
inhabitants. The living consists of two consolidated rectories,
in the archdeaconry and diocese of Norwich, rated
jointly in the king's books at £33. 6. 8. The Marquis of
Cholmondeley was patron in 1816. The church is dedicated
to St. Mary; that of All Saints has been demolished.
A free school here is endowed with a rent-charge of
£20, by Charles Calthorpe. A priory of the order of
St. Augustine, dedicated to St. Mary and St. Nicholas,
was founded here before 1260, by Nicholas le Syre, the
buildings of which having fallen to decay, and the estate
wasted; in 1475, it was united to the priory of Westacre,
and became a cell to that house.