SPORLE, a parish in the southern division of the
hundred of GREENHOE, county of NORFOLK, 2 miles
(N. E. by E.) from Swaffham, containing, with the hamlet
of Palgrave, 706 inhabitants. The living is a vicarage,
in the archdeaconry of Norfolk, and diocese of Norwich'
rated in the king's books at £10. 3. 6., and in the
patronage of the Provost and Fellows of Eton College.
The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient and
spacious building of flint, with a western tower, quoined
and embattled with freestone, annexed to which is a
large porch, also embattled, with a dilapidated room
over it, supposed to have been once inhabited by a recluse.
In the chancel are many old gravestones, stripped
of their brasses, and on the north side a small chapel,
separated from the aisle by screen-work. A priory of
Black monks, a cell to the abbey of Saumers in Anjou,
was founded here, as it is thought, by Henry II., in honour
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and at the suppression
was granted, by Henry VI., towards the endowment of
Eton College. Eight children are instructed for a small
snm arising from the rent of certain land bequeathed
by Sir Matthew Colworthy.