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THE MOUNDEFORDS OF FELTWELL.
(article two in the Moundeford Loop sequence)

The family of Moundeford, which plays an important part in the history of Feltwell, was a junior branch of the Moundefords of Hockwold. There were six generations of them at Feltwell, the first being Adam, second son of Osbert Moundeford of Hockwold. This Osbert, an old Calais Officer, was beheaded 26th June, 1460, for aiding and abetting the Duke of Somerset who had revolted against the Crown. Adam Moundeford of Feltwell married Esselina, whose surname is not forthcoming, and by her had a son named Osbert, an old English name used frequently in the Moundeford family. Osbert had a son named Francis, who was a Steward of Norwich. Francis had a son named Osbert, and this Osbert died in 1580, leaving behind him a son named Edmund who was knighted in 1603. Sir Edmund had a son named Edmund, who also was knighted, and four daughters. This last Sir Edmund Moundeford, M.P. for Norfolk, died without issue and the Feltwell branch of the Moundeford family ceased to exist. They were a fine old family who did well by Feltwell; and as we think of them and their charitable bequests to the parish, some pious thought possibly may arise in our minds, such as-

"Their swords are rust, their bones are dust;"
"Their souls are with the saints, we trust."

At Feltwell St. Mary's Church there are tablets and brasses to the memory of various members of the family; the most conspicuous being the tablet on the south wall of the chancel with the effigies of Osbert Moundeford, who died in 1580, and his two wives Margaret and Bridget. All three of them are on their knees; Margaret the first wife kneels behind her husband, while Bridget the second wife kneels facing him. There she kneels, looking at her husband, as though reminding him of the children she had borne him; nine sons to carry on his name and five daughters; whereas Margaret had had one child only, and that not a. son and heir, but a daughter. The Moundefords originate from the parish of Mundford close by; the first recorded member of the family being Adam de Moundeford, i.e., Adam of Mundford, in the year 1208. Several Feltwell families bear the name of the parish, or place, from which they originate. The name Daubeney was originally written D'Aubigny, i.e., of Aubigny, an ancient town of Normandy. Feltwell names such as Willingham, Ketteringham, Morley, Banham, Shelton, Lindsay, Fincharn, Dennington, Saxby, Langley, Walden, Wortley, are names of parishes, mostly in East Anglia, from which these families originate. In the middle of the 17th century, i.e., 1600 to 1700, the Bull Inn at Litcham, Norfolk, was kept by Thomas Feltwell, whose name clearly indicates the parish from which the family originated. He issued a Trade Token bearing the inscription "Thomas Feltwell in Licham at ye Bull." These Trade Tokens were issued owing to the scarcity of national coinage. Surnames in England are not of great antiquity and were derived often from the place where a man dwelt; or from his occupation in life; or from some personal peculiarity. To this day nicknames given-because of some personal peculiarity, are common among us.

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