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him with materials for the remainder of the volume; for, with the exception of the few scattered notices contained in GILLINGWATER'S LOWESTOFT, and the still more cursory descriptions of KIRBY, the editor of the little volume now before the reader, is not aware that any detailed topographical account of that district has ever been submitted to the public.

In performing this part of the work, his plan has uniformly been to survey each of the villages as they presented themselves; and in his descriptions, he has not scrupled to avail himself of every reputable authority that came under his notice.

The manorial descents, where such have been given, have been compiled from extracts chiefly collected from the court books, dependant to a certain extent, as they all are, upon the paramount manor of Somerleyton.

To the genealogical parts, much attention has been paid, and he trusts they will be found correct.-The arms, monuments, and heraldical devices have been carefully noted; and in these also, he ventures to hope, no material inaccuracy will be discovered. Literal errors

and imperfections (and the editor is conscious there may be many) it is hoped the candid reader will excuse.

To those gentlemen who have kindly assisted him with their communications, he begs to be allowed generally to return his thanks,to the public, they are not the less due, for the liberal and handsome manner in which they have contributed to the support of his undertaking.

GORLESTON,

The Eve of the Ascension, 1826.

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GREAT YARMOUTH.

AT the eastern extremity of Norfolk, in the hundred of East Flegg, is the town of GREAT YARMOUTH, built upon the banks of the Yare and Bure, from the former of which it received its name. The word Yare is derived from the Celtic of Iar, dark, supposed to have been given to this River from the turgid appearance and dark hue of its waters.

An estuary, in early times, evidently dissociated the eastern coast of the Iceni, extending itself on the north to Caister, Reedham, and Strumpshaw; and on the south to Gorleston, Burgh Castle, and Haddiscoe; and terminating at Norwich. It began to disappear early in the fifth century, and the sand collecting near its entrance, was, by the action of the waters, formed into a bank, which, in process of time, enlarged itself, and became dry land above the reach of the tides. this time two channels communicated with the ocean, one running near Caister, and the other passing by Gorleston: that at Caister, the principal, (and probably the only navigable river) was called

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