Congham
Encyclopedia
Congham is a village
and civil parish
in the English
county
of Norfolk
. It is situated some 10 km west of the town of King's Lynn
and 55 km west of the city of Norwich
.
The civil parish has an area of 11.7 km2 and in the 2001 census
had a population of 227 in 97 households. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district
of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
.
Sir Henry Spelman
, the noted 17th century antiquary, was born in Congham. He is best known for his detailed collections of medieval records, in particular of church councils. His brother Erasmus also lived in Congham, and his son Henry Spelman was an early settler and explorer of Virginia.
A river rises close to the village at Pond Farm. It is called the river Cong
and is a tributary of the river Babingley
.
There was a Roman Villa at Congham, and some painted plaster from it is preserved in King's Lynn Museum.
There were at one time three parish churches, St.Mary's, All Hallows and St.Andrew's, sited in a perfectly straight line. Only St.Andrew's now stands. One Rector was Edmund Nelson, first cousin of Admiral Nelson's father also called Edmund Nelson. The church dates to the 13th century but was much restored
in the 19th century.[www.congham.churchnorfolk.com]
Congham Oil Mill, now known as Congham Lodge, stood on the river and was built for the use of processing whales transported from King's Lynn
docks.
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
and civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county
County
A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain modern nations. Historically in mainland Europe, the original French term, comté, and its equivalents in other languages denoted a jurisdiction under the sovereignty of a count A county is a jurisdiction of local government in certain...
of Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
. It is situated some 10 km west of the town of King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
and 55 km west of the city of Norwich
Norwich
Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...
.
The civil parish has an area of 11.7 km2 and in the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
had a population of 227 in 97 households. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district
Non-metropolitan district
Non-metropolitan districts, or colloquially shire districts, are a type of local government district in England. As created, they are sub-divisions of non-metropolitan counties in a so-called "two-tier" arrangement...
of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk
King's Lynn and West Norfolk is a local government district and borough in Norfolk, England. Its council is based in the town of King's Lynn.-History:...
.
Sir Henry Spelman
Henry Spelman
Sir Henry Spelman was an English antiquary, noted for his detailed collections of medieval records, in particular of church councils.-Life:...
, the noted 17th century antiquary, was born in Congham. He is best known for his detailed collections of medieval records, in particular of church councils. His brother Erasmus also lived in Congham, and his son Henry Spelman was an early settler and explorer of Virginia.
A river rises close to the village at Pond Farm. It is called the river Cong
River Cong (Norfolk)
The River Cong is in the west of the county of Norfolk. Its is a tributary of the River Babingley. The spring rises in a meadow pool on the Hillington side of Manor Farm, Congham...
and is a tributary of the river Babingley
River Babingley
The Babingley is a minor river in the northwest of the county Norfolk in England. It runs from its source at the village of Flitcham to the River Great Ouse at Wootton Marshes were it terminates....
.
There was a Roman Villa at Congham, and some painted plaster from it is preserved in King's Lynn Museum.
There were at one time three parish churches, St.Mary's, All Hallows and St.Andrew's, sited in a perfectly straight line. Only St.Andrew's now stands. One Rector was Edmund Nelson, first cousin of Admiral Nelson's father also called Edmund Nelson. The church dates to the 13th century but was much restored
Victorian restoration
Victorian restoration is the term commonly used to refer to the widespread and extensive refurbishment and rebuilding of Church of England churches and cathedrals that took place in England and Wales during the 19th-century reign of Queen Victoria...
in the 19th century.[www.congham.churchnorfolk.com]
Congham Oil Mill, now known as Congham Lodge, stood on the river and was built for the use of processing whales transported from King's Lynn
King's Lynn
King's Lynn is a sea port and market town in the ceremonial county of Norfolk in the East of England. It is situated north of London and west of Norwich. The population of the town is 42,800....
docks.
External links
.- Information from Genuki Norfolk on Congham.