Erpingham

It is famous for its links with Sir Thomas Erpingham (c.1355-1428) who led the English archers at the battle of Agincourt in 1415. Erpingham is immortalised in Shakespeare's Henry V.

Henry:
Good morrow, old Sir Thomas Erpingham;
A good soft pillow for that good white head
Were better than a churlish turf of France.

Erpingham:
Not so, my liege; this lodging likes me better,
Since I may say "Now lie I like a king."

On the night before the battle Sir Thomas visits Henry in his tent and gives him his cloak because it is a cold evening. The king then sets off to tour the camp.

The victory at Agincourt - where the English were heavily outnumbered - was largely due to the effectiveness of the English longbowmen.

Sir Thomas, once the owner of Blickling Hall, was a supporter of John of Gaunt (see Aylsham). He was also responsible for building the Erpingham Gate at Norwich Cathedral between 1416-25. There is a statue of him on the gable of the gate - kneeling and praying.

Statue of Sir Thomas Erpingham, Norwich

His tomb lies inside the cathedral - on the north side of the presbytery - but some believe that he is actually buried at Erpingham.

Sir Thomas had a manor house at Erpingham and is also thought to have contructed the church. The name 'Erpingham' is spelt out around the tower of the church.

More photographs of Erpingham

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