1567 WILLIAM NORRICE,
(182)
(Tanner).
Son of John Norris or Norrice of Leic. and descended from AId. John Norris, mayor in 1503 ; a native of All Saints' parish, born 1520 but not enrolled a freeman until 1553,4, was a tanner and had an interest in a local brewery. He filled various corporate offices and was again mayor 1579. A man of a charitable disposition and good to the poor of his parish. There are reasons for believing that he was the donor of the curious All Saints' church clock. He married three times and died leaving issue, 8 January 1615,6, at the advanced age of ninety-six. He was buried in All Saints' churchyard on Friday, 18 January 1615,6. M.I. formerly to be seen there. His will, in which he signs himself as William "Norrice," dated 28 December 1610, was proved in the P.C.C., London, 7 May 1616.
Arms of Norris or Norrice :-Per pale, argent and gules, a fesse azure. Plate 1.
Inscription formerly to be seen on a large wooden framed tablet in All Saints' church, Leic.
"In this church-yard doth lye the corps Of William Norrice, dead and gone ; Whose grave from all the rest is knowne By finding out the greatest stone :
A homely tomb, yet grac'd with fame
Of worthy works which he hath done:
A monument which he did choose, Before his hour-glass was runn, Thrice fifteen groats he did bestow, Which yearly ever shall renew, And to be given to All Saints' poore, On the feast-day of Barthol'mew : o happy All Saints ; that hath bredd
Such saints on earth to feed thy poore ; Let saints in Heaven and earth below
Give prayses to the Lord therefore.
Five marks he gave unto the schoole, An annuall stipend for to bee:
And that it shall be yearly payd
To the second master of the three.
Twice was he grac'd with serving twice The office of the maioraltye :
Three wives he had, and had his will
To be entomb'd amongst them three:
But death, the end of flesh and blood,
Did wound to death the good old man.
Though ninety-six years liv'd on earth, Yet was his life in length a spann
He departed this life January the 8th 1615."
A piece of rough forest granite, about half a hundred~ weight, without inscription, formerly marked the grave of this alderman in the churchyard.
1579 WILLIAM NORRICE. (2)
