The year 1698 saw an event which is featured in many guide books and
directories, when on August 20th the last duel fought
in Norfolk took place on Cawston Heath.
The contestants were Sir Henry Hobart MP of Blickling Hall and
Oliver Le Neve, a lawyer from Great Witchingham. The two had been engaged in a
bitter dispute as a result of Sir Henry being accused of cowardice when
fighting in support of William 111 at the Battle of the Boyne in Ireland in
1690. At the same time Sir Henry lost his seat in Parliament, and
denounced Oliver Le Neve as the cause of his troubles. Further altercations
followed, and Le Neve reluctantly accepted Sir Henry's challenger to a dual,
which was not illegal then, provided that seconds and witnesses were in
attendance. It appears there were none present on this occasion. It was said
that Le Neve described as a great
sportsman and a great drinker, fought left-handed and was soon
wounded in the arm by Sir Henry who had a reputation as a
swordsman.
However, Le Neve, who lacked the skill of Sir Henry as a swordsman then struck back
and either by luck or in desperation he thrust his sword into Sir Henry's
belly. He fell, fatally wounded; servants took him home to Blickling Hall,
where died next day.
As there
appear to have been no seconds or witnesses, the duel was illegal.
Le Neve fled to Holland but returned to Norfolk two years later where he had
many friends, and soon he was " triumphantly acquitted of any
blame in Sir Henry Hobart's death". He died in 1711. His monument may be seen in Great Witchingham Church.
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It is said locally that details of the duel came from a young lady named
Nelly, who is said to be hiding and watched the dual from the blackberry bushes on the heath. Captain's Cottage, which stands near Cawston Park has been associated with Captain Le Neve, and a belt of trees
nearby was known as "Nelly's Folly". Tales are still
told or this unfortunate event which is commemorated by the
Duel Stone which stands in a small plot that must be the smallest National Trust
properties near the
Woodrow Garage, Norwich Road, Cawston which was erected in 1770 by W.W. Bulwer
of Wood Dalling.
The Dual Stone features on our Village Sign
and
below the figure of St. Agnes. (Church)
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