NARBURGH, a parish in the southern division of the
hundred of GREENHOE, county of NORFOLK, 5 miles
(N.W.by W.) from Swaffham, containing 294 inhabitants.
The living is a vicarage, with which that of Narford is
united, in the archdeaconry of Norfolk, and diocese of
Norwich, rated in the king's books at £9. 10. The Rev.
H. Spelman was patron in 1799. The church, dedicated
to All Saints, originally an ancient structure, has at
various times received more modern additions and improvements;
it contains some ancient monuments to the
family of Spelman. Narburgh, so called by the Saxons,
from the river Nar, was a British city in the fifth century,
and subsequently, when governed by Earl Okenard,
it endured a long siege by Waldy, a neighbouring
chieftain, who took it and razed it to the ground. There
are several earth-works and intrenchments denoting its
antiquity, particularly a large fosse and rampart running
hence, from an artificial eminence called the Burgh, to
Eastmore Feii, which completely defended the western
boundary of the hundred; human bones, pieces of armour,
&c.j have been found here.