Caister, Norfolk

Description
Caistor-next-Yarmouth, a village and a parish in Norfolk. The village stands on the coast, near the river Bure, 2 1/2 miles N of Yarmouth, is supposed by some antiquaries to occupy the site of the Roman Garianonum; has a post and money order office of the name of Caistor, under Yarmouth, which is the telegraph office, and is a coastguard station. The parish comprises 2831 acres; population, 1488. A strong moated castle was built about a mile from the village in the 15th century, by Sir John Fastolf a native, the capturer of John II. of France, sometimes mistaken for the Falstaff of Shakespeare; and a lofty round tower and part of the north and west walls are still standing. An ancient free chapel stood on the manor as early as the time of Edward I., and was erected into a college for seven monks or priests, either by Sir John Fastolf or by one of his successors, and. some remains of it exist near the castle ruins. The living is a rectory in the diocese of Norwich; net yearly value, £526 with residence. The church is an ancient building of stone in the Early English and Perpendicular styles, and has a lofty square tower. There is a chapel of ease at West Caistor, and there are also Primitive Methodist and Wesleyan chapels.