Part 4 - Folder Content #3 - History of Properties

2 pages; typescript

XEA11

RCDEA Archive

"A BACKGROUND HISTORY OF THE PROPERTIES ON OFFER
The opportunity to secure property in the medieval centre of Walsingham ('Little Walsingham' on O.S. maps) described in these particulars is one which has probably not been available on this scale for generations. Most of the property on offer is in itself of medieval origin, the major portion having been part of 'The Falcon', one of the score or so pilgrim hostelries which in the Middle Ages accommodated some twenty kings and queens and countless thousands of their subjects who came to the world famous shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham (1061 A.D.) until 1538.

Once again a world-renowned place of pilgrimage, it is estimated that Walsingham attracts half a million pilgrims and others each year. Among those who lodged in 'The Falcon', tradition has it that Erasmus, world-known Dutch scholar, came in 1511 and 1514. And Walsingham owes to him the story of much of its comings and goings.

Today, part of the front of The Falcon' is the house of the Marist Fathers. Alongside stands Walsingham's 'Old Bakehouse', now a restaurant, embodying at least in part, the southern section of the front. Behind these buildings stand various properties which appear to have formed the hostelry's south wing, of considerable length. Parts of this form Lots 3 and 4.

Adjoining Lot 4 and with its East front facing what was probably 'The Falcon's' spacious courtyard, around three sides of which the hostelry was built, is 'The Cottage' (Lot 5). Now a thoroughly modernised home it seems clear from the thickness of its wall and a remaining stone-framed window (N.B. This calls for expert verification) that this formed the rear portion of 'The Falcon'. West of "The Cottage' is its attractive old-world garden of manageable size.

North of the 'courtyard' runs "Almonry Lane", which connects the High Street with all these properties and at one time linked them with the public road, "Coker's Hill". The lane's name reveals its purpose, a way for the poor living west of the village to seek alms from the Augustinian Priory which with other religious houses of its day were the sole source of relief for the poverty-stricken,

The old barn at the west end of the lane was probably also Falcon property and has been converted into an attractive modernised Youth Hostel (Lot 2). It has proved for several years one of the most popular of the many hostels affiliated to the YHA (Easter Region). Its adjoining well equipped kitchen was a cart shed and later a stable. Because of its unusual charm, many of the 2,000 and over hostellers who have used it annually for over twelve years will greatly regret its transfer to the Friday Market Place.

In 'Station Road', leading out of the Friday Market are the adjoining sites of two demolished cottages (Lot 1) named by some wag 'the secret garden' which back on to the site of the former workhouse, a disgrace to humanity and which like the cottages was in use the first half of this century. The cottage sites are near to a driveway to 'The Cottage' (Lot 5). By its gateway, is the site of the 'cock fighting pit' used against the law' within local memory.

WSHR

A4