Broomholm
Early-attested site in the Parish of Bacton
Historical Forms
- Bromholm' 1229 Cl 1242 P
- Bromholm 1234,1396 Pat 1236 Fees 1251,1317 FF 1257,1286 Ass 1275 RH 1316,1346 FA 1332 Cl 1396 Pat 1419 Fine 1452 Past
- Bromholme 1269,1286 Ass 1350 Pat 1425 Past
- Bromeholme 1376–7 PiersPl 1535 B
- Broomholm 1428 FA
- Bromholm Cros 1275 RH
- þe Rode of bromeholme 1377 PiersPl
- holy croys of Bromeholm c.1390 Chaucer:Reeve'sTale
Etymology
'Broom-covered island', v. OE brōm and OScand holmr, holmi .Schram (197) notes that, in the 18th cent., Broomholm was “vulgarly called Bromwell ”. This is the site of Bromholme Priory, founded as a Cluniac house by William de Glanville in 1113 (Blomefield XI21). In the year 1223 or shortly afterwards a supposed relic of the true cross was brought here (v. cros and rōd 2 ) and made Broomholm a great pilgrimage-place, for the curative power of this cross is said to have been considerable (v. for instance John de Oxenedes 150, VH Nf II 46). At the Dissolution the priory was given to the Crown by an Act of Parliament but was bought, together with most of its revenues, by Sir Thomas Woodhouse of Waxham in 1546 (Norris III 349 f.). Three manors had been united by 1603. The court rolls of Bacton manor are entitled Bacton cum Bromholm and Caswick (Blomefield XI27). Pevsner (80) finds the ruins impressive.