high land encompassed with fens that were formerly overflowed with water. A monastery was founded here about 670. In 870, it was pillaged and destroyed by the Danes, and was not rebuilt till about a century later, when a charter was granted by Edgar, which was confirmed by Canute and Edward the Confessor, and subsequently by the Pope. The isle was gallantly defended against William the Conqueror; but, after repeated attacks, the inhabitants were obliged to surrender. In 1107, Ely was erected into a bishopric by Henry I. After the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII. converted the conventual church into a cathedral. This building displays a singular mixture of various styles of architecture; but, taken as a whole, it is a noble structure. The interior, which is exceedingly beautiful, contains many interesting monuments. The stalls are beautiful specimens of wood carving. The whole length of the edifice is 517 feet. The Church of St Mary's is a handsome building, partly in the Norman, and partly in the early English style of architecture. The Church of the Holy Trinity, which is attached to the cathedral, was commenced in the reign of Edward II., and is one of the most perfect buildings of that age. Here are also several meeting-houses, a grammar-school, founded by Henry VIII., a national school, charity school, &c. Ely has a considerable manufactory for earthenware and tobacco pipes, and there are several mills in the isle for the preparation of oil from flax, hemp, and cole seed. The Bishop of Ely has considerable patronage at Cambridge. LYNN or LYNN REGIS, a place of considerable antiquity, is situated on the It is divided right bank of the Ouse, about eight or nine miles from the sea. into several parts by four small rivers, called Fleets, and was formerly encompassed on the land side by a foss, defended by a wall and bastions. The harbour is capable of receiving 300 sail of vessels. There is a large quantity of wine imported from Portugal and Spain, and of hemp, wood, and flax, and other articles from the Baltic. The market-place is very extensive and handsome, and the quays for landing wine are convenient. The principal church St Margaret's, is one of the largest parochial churches in England. It was erected in 1160, and repaired and enlarged in 1741. There are two other churches or chapels, various meeting-houses, a guild-hall, custom-house, theatre, hospital, a free grammar-school, at which Eugene Aram was usher, St Ann's Fort, the promenade called the Mall, the ruins of the Grey Friars' Church, a mechanics' institute, &c. There is communication by steam between Lynn and Hull. Two M. P. Pop. 10,639.

CASTLE RISING, five miles north-west of Lynn, and two miles from the Wash on the Rising river, is a place of great antiquity. Some have supposed that Alfred the Great built a castle here. At any rate, a castle enclosing a fragment of a more ancient building was erected here by William de Albini, before 1176. Of this fortress there are considerable remains. Here Isabella, Queen of Edward II. was kept in confinement by her son Edward III. from 1330 till her

death in 1368. The church is an ancient structure, and contains a highly ornamented font. There is a national school and a hospital, with a chapel, built by the Earl of Northampton in 1613. Castle Rising formerly returned two M. P., but was disfranchised by the Reform Bill. Pop. 378.

FLITCHAM was formerly called Felixham and St Mary de Fontibus, from the numerous springs in the vicinity. Four miles distant is Houghton Hall, (Marquis of Cholmondeley,) a stately fabric erected by the celebrated Sir Robert Walpole, who was interred in the church. The famous gallery of paintings which this mansion once contained, was sold by the late Lord Orford in 1779 to Catherine II. of Russia for L.40,000, and now decorate the palace of St Petersburgh.

CXXXI. LONDON TO LYNN THROUGH ROYSTON, CAMBRIDGE, ST IVES, CHATTERIS, MARCH, AND WISBEACH, 1074 Miles.

cr. the river Cam.

Lolworth.

Fenny Stanton,
Huntingdonshire.

St Neots, 17 miles.

56

ST IVES.
Somersham.

62

Chatteris Ferry.

cr. the river Nen

and enter the Isle of
Ely, Camb.

Chatteris.

Carter's Bridge,*

68

ST IVES, a small town, pleasantly situated on the 603 Ouse, over which is a curious and ancient stone bridge, and a modern arched causeway. This town was nearly destroyed by fire in 1689. It carries on a considerable trade in malt and coal, and its market is noted for the sale of cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry, &c. The church, a light, neat structure, with a handsome tower, contains numerous sepulchral monuments. Here are several meeting-houses, and some remains of an ancient priory. Slepe 75 Hall, at St Ives, was the residence of Oliver Cromwell when he rented Wood

73

* About 7 miles distant is RAMSEY, formerly containing a rich Benedictine abbey, founded by Duke Aylwin in the reign of Edgar, but a ruined gateway is the only portion of it now remaining. The church is an elegant and spacious structure. In the vicinity are several lakes and meres, one of which, called Ramsey Mere, has fertile and beautiful banks, and abounds with pike, perch, and eels. Near the town is Ramsey Abbey, the beautiful seat of E. Fellowes, Esq. M. P. Eight miles from Ramsey is WHITTLESEA, possessing two churches, a charity school, and alms-houses. Whittlesea Mere produces excellent fish, and is much frequented by parties of pleasure.

cr. the Vermuden's
Drain.

CXXXII. LONDON TO LYNN BY EPPING, NEWMARKET, AND BRANDON

CXXXIII. LONDON TO WELLS BY NEWMARKET, BRANDON, SWAFFHAM,

Dunham Lodge, Sir C.

M. Clarke, Bart.

22 Castle Acre, Guide Post. 95 To Castle Acre, 1 mile.

Keppel, Esq.

FAKENHAM is situated

near the river Wensom,]

High House, A. Hammond, Esq., and Narford Hall, A. Fountaine, Esq. 97 Near the above is Narborough Hall, S. Tyssen, Esq., and, at West Acre, the remains of the Abbey.

on a pleasant declivity. It 16 Weasenham, St Peter's. 102

has a handsome church, an ancient market cross, and one of the largest cornmarkets in the county.

Rainham Ha., (Marquis of Townsend,) erected in 1636, contains among other 106 paintings the famous one of Belisarius, by Salvator Rosa.

To Lynn, 21 miles,

To Norwich, 27 miles.
Walsingham Abbey, H.

L. Warner, Esq.

5 Houghton-in-the-Dale. 1123

NEW WALSINGHAM. 113

To Docking, 11 miles; Burnham Thorpe, 6 m.; thence to Burnham Westgate, 1 miles.

118 Holkham House, Earl 2 of Leicester.

SWAFFHAM is situated on an eminence, and consists of four principal streets. It is noted for its butter-market. The church, which is the finest parish church in the neighbourhood, is a large edifice in the form of a cross, and consists of a nave with two aisles, a chancel, and two transept chapels. It contains several monuments, a roof of finely carved oak, and a library. Here are also several meeting-houses, an assembly room, theatre, house of correction, &c. Races are held annually on an extensive heath to the south of the town, and coursingmatches are also frequent on the same ground. Pop. 3858.

CASTLE ACRE is supposed to have been a Roman station, as several coins and a tesselated pavement have been dug up here. A castle was erected at this place by William Earl of Warren and Surrey, to whom the lordship had been granted by William the Conqueror. The earth-works and some fragments of the building still remain. The principal street of the present village passes through one of the main entrances of the castle. There are also considerable remains of a priory of Cluniac monks, founded by Earl Warren, near the castle.

NEW WALSINGHAM is situated near the river Stiffkey. A monastery for Black Canons was founded here in the reign of William the Conqueror; and pilgrimages were made to the chapel or shrine of " Our Lady of Walsingham,"