The "Hethel Thorn," so well known to many Norfolk people, is on a farm
now the property of that munificent patron of historical literature, Mr.
Hudson Gurney, by whom it was purchased from Sir Thomas Beevor. The
first Sir Thomas always said it was mentioned in a deed of 1200 and odd,
as a boundary, under the appellation of "the Old Thorn." It is stated,
also, that it is mentioned in some chronicle as _the thorn_ round which
a meeting of insurgent peasantry was held during the reign of King John
(can any readers of "NOTES AND QUERIES" give a reference to the precise
passage?). An etching of this interesting relic has been made by Mr.
Ninham. The involution of its branches, which are all hollow tubes, as
heavy as iron, is most curious; and although the tree is certainly
diminished of late years, it still puts out leaves and berries
vigorously.