Sotterly, Norfolk, England

There are three families in particular that we purpose to give some account of, although their connection with the parent stem which we have been following has not yet been made out. The first of these to attract our attention is the family of Earles whose home was in Norfolk.

Blomefield, in his history of Norfolk County, under the head of “Heydon,” says: “The family of the Earles, who are now, and for several generations have been, lords of this place, is of great antiquity, and had for its origin the adjacent town of Salle, which is very re¬ markable for its giving rise to three of the ancient families of this county (Norfolk), viz., Fountaine, Briggs, and Erie.

About 1350 it seems as if the family divided, for Alexander le Erie owned an estate at Willingham and Sotterly in Suffolk, and was settled there.