Cranglegate

HOUSE: c1740. Red brick; roof of black-glazed pantiles.
EXTERIOR: 2 storeys and dormer attic. 9-window range
Grade II listed

The name Cranglegate appears to have been born in the 1920s or 30s, according to extant documents.

The house is much older than this, however, and occupants can be traced back to early 18th century. For many years this house was a house with no name, and at least until 1938 was always described on legal documents as “formerly known by the name of the Maid’s Head”. When it ceased to be a public house is not known but it must have been before 1788.

The name itself transferred later to what was the Queen’s Head and now the Market Cross Café.

Thomas Mason, a merchant grocer lived here (or in a house on this site) in 1729. This was the same family as the Masons of Necton and the family became entwined with the Marcons of Swaffham.

In 1788 John Horatio Bayly set up here as a surgeon and apothecary. He died in 1826 and his place was taken by Edward Seppings who first farmed in Sporle and then Great Thorn(e)s before becoming an auctioneer and estate agent.

By then that part of the road, with the house, was known as the Terrace. The house was sold after Seppings was declared bankrupt in 1846/7 and purchased by James Morse of the Swaffham brewing family in 1847 and then by Thomas Cotman in 1860.

We find the medical doctor Robert Buchanan Marriott living here in 1861. He and Caleb Burrell Rose were partners, which has led to the suggestion that Caleb Burrell, and possibly his son Caleb, also a surgeon, at least practised there.

Caleb Burrell can be placed on the west side of the Marketplace in 1845 and also his son in 1851. We find another doctor here in 1921 – Dr. Douglas Laughlin – and in 1927 Dr. Cotton Grinley Tenison Mosse lived at the now named Cranglegate between then and 1945.

We find that he shared a medical practice with Dr. Townend until 1933. He was followed by Dr. O’Shaughnessy who was a doctor here until her retirement and death in 1963. Dr. John Smith followed in 1963 and in 1967 formed a partnership with Drs. Valentine Barker and D.G. Belasco.

The house changed out of medical hands in 1971 and again in 1972. The present owners are Keith and Rosalind Buckie who converted it into an Antiques and Art Centre in 1973 but are now retired. Many thanks to them for information on the history of the house.