One of the largest Norman landowners in these parts was Hugo de Montfort. He appears to have been connected with the sea when in Normandy, for it is said that he supplied William with 60 ships to carry his men over to England. Whether Hugo was very fond of herrings, or because he wished to encourage the herring fishery we know not, but it appears that when he had turned out the English landowner Burchard, and taken possession of his farms, he not only raised the money rents, but he required many of the tenants to supply him with herrings in addition. In Kessingland he became the landlord of a small estate held by four freeman, which had been valued at 10s., but from which Hugo demanded a rent of 22,000 herrings. {17} In Rushmere he had a farm which paid him as rent 700 herrings. In Gisleham he had two small farms, from one of which he got 2s. 6d. and 200 herrings, and from the other 5s. and 300 herrings. In Carlton he had one farm from which he got 3s. as rent and 400 herrings, and from another 5s. and 300 herrings. In Kirkley he had a farm from which he got 3s. and 200 herrings. He also got herring rents from farms in Worlingham, Weston, Wangford, and some other places which I cannot identify. This Norman Baron doubtless desired to encourage the herring fishery, and so imposed these herring rents on his tenants who occupied farms near the coast, where herrings could easily be obtained. Had he possessed any land in Lowestoft I have no doubt that we should read in Domesday of herring rents being paid from this parish. The large number demanded from the four freemen in Kessingland is good evidence, I think, of the herring fishery being carried on there at this time to a considerable extent. Kessingland was a large village at this time, with a haven in the little river which now separates it from Benacre. Although Domesday makes no mention of any fishermen, or fishing trade, in the returns for these parishes, the herring rents are conclusive evidence that herrings were caught off this coast it large quantities at this time. Sea-fishing was probably carried on also by the inhabitants of Pakefield and Kirkley at this time. Kirkley does not appear to have ever been more than a small village, although it gave its name to the Roads off this coast.