About Swanton Morley 

​​​​​​​​​

The village has a long history; it was documented in the 11th-century Domesday Book, and was home to the ancestors of Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.

It has links to the armed forces through the nearby Robertson Barracks.

​

The village has won several awards including the Calor Village of the Year award 2009/10 for the East of England, and became the first 'Mindful Village in 2022.

​​

Key Historical Aspects of Swanton Morley:

• Village Origins & Name: Mentioned in the 1086 Domesday Book, the village was under the lordship of the de Rye family. It was later known as Swanton "Morley" due to its association with the de Morley family.

• Abraham Lincoln Connection: Richard Lincoln, ancestor of Abraham Lincoln, was a churchwarden at All Saints Church from 1599–1620. A family dispute over his will potentially forced his son to leave the area, eventually leading to the family moving to America.

• RAF Swanton Morley (World War II): Established in 1940, it was a major bomber station.

  • First US Raid: On July 4, 1942, the first combined US and British bombing raid was launched from here.

  • Notable Leaders: Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower were present during the war.

  • Aircraft: It was home to Blenheims, Bostons, and Mitchell bombers, and was where the Mosquito first entered service.

• Post-War and Army Transition: The station became an air signallers' school and later a glider school before closing in 1995. It was subsequently renamed Robertson Barracks, becoming home to the Light Dragoons and later the 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards.

• Industrial Heritage: The area included a watermill that evolved into a paper mill, producing paper for the local textile trade in the late 18th century.

• All Saints Church: A prominent 14th-century church, featuring a distinctive hammerbeam roof and a tower with bells dating back to 1623.

​

The first part of the village's name "Swanton" is derived from the Old English for herdsman's enclosure. The second part, "Morley", refers to Robert de Morli, who held the lordship of the manor in 1346. The village was the home of Richard Lincoln (1550–1620), a local churchwarden who built the building which is today The Angel public house.

Lincoln was the wealthy grandfather of Samuel Lincoln, and Richard's coat-of-arms can be seen today in the east window of All Saints' Church in Swanton Morley. Richard Lincoln disinherited Samuel's father Edward from his will in favour of his fourth wife, thus throwing the Lincoln family into penury and forcing young Samuel to flee to Hingham, Massachusetts. His great-great-great-great-grandson was Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States.

Richard Lincoln is buried under the centre aisle of St Andrew's Church in Hingham, Norfolk, a privilege reserved for the gentry