Nether Hall

'Nether' refers to the Hall's 'lower' position in the village, compared to a superior Pakenham Hall that previously stood near Pakenham Wind Mill. Pakenham Hall was occupied by the Lord of the Manor of Pakenham - firstly the Abbot of Bury St Edmunds and then the Spring family - while Nether Hall was originally the seat of the de Pakenham family, ancestors of the Earl of Longford. Nether Hall passed to Edmund de Pakenham in 1292, and when he died in 1332 to his widow, Rohais, or Rosia de Pakenham. After her death in 1352 it passed to her son, Edmund, and thence to his widow, Mary de Pakenham in 1360. The Manor of Nether Hall remained in the possession of the de Pakenham's for about six…