"In 1485 Sir Ralph was knighted, and in 1488 was named Knight of the Garter. He was High Sheriff of Norfolk County in England. He inherited from his uncle William Shelton, 18th Lord of Shelton, Shelton in Norfolk County, Hardwick, Netherhall, Overhall, Great Snoring, Thursford and Burgulion in Kerdeston and Brent Elleigh and Stradbrooke in ? Suffolk County. He also had a grant from Henry VII of "The Custody and Marriage of the Body and Lands of Ralph, Brother and Heir of Robert Berney, Esq. of Gunton."

"It was this Sir Ralph and his wife, Margaret Clere, who built the Shelton Church of 1480 in Norfolk. The same Sir Ralph built the Shelton Hall, half a mile from the church, of which nothing remained in 1925 but the deep shaded moat.

"In the will of Ralph's widow, Margaret, proved the 5th of December 1500, it is expressed that she "wills to be buried in the chancel of Shelton Church by her husband in a tomb which is ordained to that intent."