Records, historical and antiquarian, of Parishes Round Horncastle, by J. Conway Walter

Transcribed from the 1904 W. K. Morton edition, by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org

Records,
HISTORICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN,
OF
Parishes Round Horncastle.

Author of “Records of Woodhall Spa,” “The Ayscoughs,”
“Literæ Laureatæ,” &c.

p. vPREFACE.

In perusing the following pages, readers, who may be specially interested in some one particular parish with which they are connected, may in certain cases be disappointed on not finding such parish here described, as they have previously seen it, along with the others, in the columns of the “Horncastle News,” where these ‘Records’ first appeared. This may arise from one of two causes:—

(1) The volume published in 1899, entitled “Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood” (which was very favourably received), contained accounts of parishes extending from Somersby and Harrington in the east of the district, to Horsington and Bucknall in the west, with others between; as being likely to interest visitors to that growing health resort. These, therefore, do not find a place in this volume.

(2) Further it is proposed that in the near future this volume shall be followed by a “History of Horncastle,” already approaching completion, and with it accounts of the fourteen parishes within its “soke.” These, again, are, consequently, not here given.

The Records of all these different parishes will be found in the volumes to which they respectively belong.

In again submitting a work of this character to the many friends whom his former volume has gained for him, the author wishes to say that he is himself fully alive to its imperfections; none could be more so. In not a few instances it has, almost perforce, come short of his own aim and aspirations; the material available in connection with some of the parishes described having proved meagre beyond expectation. In many chains links have been lost; there are gaps—in some cases a yawning hiatus—which it has been found impossible to fill.

p. viFurther, as the account of each parish was intended originally to be complete in itself, and several parishes have, at different periods, had the same owners, there will be found, of necessity, some cases of repetition as to individuals, their character, or incidents connected with them.

Anyone who reads the book will see that it has involved no small amount of labour; whether in visiting (always on foot) the many localities described (in all more than 70 parishes having been visited); or in the careful search and research, necessary in many directions, for the information required.

In both these respects, however, the task has been a congenial one, and of more or less engrossing interest, thus bringing its own reward.

It has been said by a thoughtful writer that no one can enjoy the country so thoroughly as the pedestrian who passes through it leisurely.

We all, instinctively (if not vitiated), have a love of the country. As Cowper has said:—

It is not, however, the cyclist, who rushes through our rural charms with head in the position of a battering ram, and frame quivering with the vibration engendered of his vehicle, who can dwell on these attractions with full appreciation. Nor is it his more reckless brother, the motorist, who crashes along our country roads, with powers of observation narrowed by hideous binocular vizor, and at a speed whose centrifugal force drives in terror every other wayfarer—chicken, child, woman, or man—to fly like sparks from anvil in all directions, if haply they may even so escape destruction. For him, we might suppose, the fascination must be to outstrip the thunderbolt, not to linger over mundane scenery. But to the man who walks deliberately, and with an observant eye for all about him, to him indeed nature unfolds her choicest treasures. Not only antiquities such as the British, Roman, or Danish camps on the hill sides above him have their special attractions; but the very hedge-rows and banks, with their wealth of flower and of insect life, the quarries with their different fossils, the ice-borne boulders scattered about, and even the local, and often quaint, human p. viicharacters, whom he may meet and chat with. All these afford him sources of varied interest as well as instruction.

The process, again, of antiquarian investigation is absorbing and recuperative, alike to man and matter, bringing to life, as it were, habits and customs long buried in the “limbo” of the past, re-clothing dry bones with flesh, uniting those no longer articulate; like the kilted warriors springing to their feet, on all sides, from the heather, at the signal of some Rhoderick Dhu. Here also, albeit, the recording MSS and folios may be “fusty,” knights of old are summoned up, as by a long forgotten roll-call, to fight their battles over again; or high-born dames and “ladyes fayre,” may unfold anew unknown romances.

With our span-new Rural, Urban and County Councils, we are apt to fancy that only now, in this twentieth century, is our little world awakening to real activity; but the antiquary, as by a magician’s wand, can conjure up scenes dispelling such illusions; and anyone, who reads the following pages, may see that the humblest of our rural villages may have had a past of stirring incident, which must be little short of a revelation to most of its present occupants, “not dreamt of in their simple philosophy.”

Among the calls of other duties, to one whose occupations are by no means limited to this particular field of labour, the work had often, of necessity, to be suspended, and so its continuity was liable to be broken into a collection of disjecta corporis membra. Such, however, as they are, the author submits these ‘Records’ to future generous readers, in the confident hope that they will make due allowance for the varied difficulties with which he has had to contend.

He could wish the results attained were more worthy of their acceptance; but he has some satisfaction in the feeling that, in his humble degree, he has opened up, as it were, a new world (though still an old one) for their contemplation.

A popular writer has said: “To realise the charm and wealth of interest of a country side, even in one’s armchair, is an intellectual pleasure of no mean order.” If the old-time incidents found in the following pages enliven some of our modern “ingle neuks,” the author will, in some degree, have gained his reward.

p. viiiCORRIGENDA. [0]

p. 1NOTES ON PARISHES ROUND HORNCASTLE.

Ashby Puerorum

is situated about five miles from Horncastle in an eastern direction, lying between Somersby on the north-east, Greetham nearly west, and Hagworthingham almost south. It includes the hamlets of Stainsby and Holbeck. The register dates from 1627. Letters, via Horncastle, arrive at 10 a.m. At Tetford is the nearest money order and telegraph office, although there is in the village an office where postal orders and stamps can be obtained. The principal owners of land are Earl Manvers, the representatives of the late Mr. Pocklington Coltman, of Hagnaby Priory, and F. W. S. Heywood, Esq., of Holbeck Hall. The antiquity of the parish is implied in its name. “Ash” is the Danish “esshe” (the pronunciation still locally used), and “by” is Danish for “farmstead.” Indeed, the whole of the neighbourhood was overrun by the Danish Vikings, as is shewn by the termination “by,” which is almost universal, as in Stainsby, Somersby, three Enderbys, Spilsby, etc. The ash was probably the “moot” tree of the village, beneath whose spreading shade the elders sat in council. This tree was formerly held sacred. The “world-tree,” or “holy ash” of the Danish mythology (called by the p. 2Druids “Yggdrasil”) was supposed to have its top in heaven and its roots in hell [2a] (“Asgard and the Gods,” by Wagner). I am aware that another derivation has been suggested, viz., that “ash” represents the Norse “is,” “use,” “uisge” (compare river Ouse), all of which mean “water,” as in Ashbourne, where the latter syllable is only a later translation of the former, both meaning water. But I cannot see that water is so prominent a local feature as to give a name to this parish, nor to the other Ashbys in the neighbourhood. [2b]

The oldest official notice of the parish is in Domesday Book, where it is stated that “in Aschebi, Odincarle (Wodin’s churl) and Chilbert had 4 carucates (i.e., 480 acres) rateable” to the tax called “gelt,” their whole land being 5 carucates or 600 acres. This was in Saxon times. When William the Conqueror took possession these were deprived of their property, and he bestowed the manor on Odo, Bishop of Baieux, who was his half-brother on the mother’s side. On the bishop coming to England, William created him Earl of Kent, and also Count Palatine, and “Justitiarius Angliæ.” He was so powerful that historians of the day described him as “Totius Angliæ Vice-dominus sub rege,” second only to the King. He held, of the King’s gift, 76 manors in Lincolnshire, besides 463 in other parts. This greatness, however, was his ruin, for, from his pride and arrogancy, he incurred the Conqueror’s displeasure and was sent to prison in Normandy. On the Conqueror’s death, in 1084, King Rufus restored him to his honours, but, finding his power not so great as formerly, he headed a conspiracy against Rufus in favour of Robert, Duke of Normandy, and, failing in it, he fled to the Duke, who p. 3made him governor of that Province, where he died in 1097. Ashby Puerorum was thus again “in the market.”

The subsequent history of Ashby is more or less enveloped in the folding mists of antiquity. The clouds, however, do here and there lift a little, and we get a glimpse into the past which enables us to form a shrewd guess as to its early proprietors. Among the list of noble soldiers contained in the famous “Battle Roll” of the Conqueror, as coming over with him to England and fighting for him at Hastings, is the name of Creuquere, or Creveceur, Latinized as “De corde Crepito,” which some have rendered “of the craven heart,” not a very likely attribute of a brave soldier. We prefer another rendering, “of the tender heart,” and connect it with the legend of his rescuing a “ladye fayre” at the risk of his own life, who was kept “in durance vile” by a knight of ill repute, in his castle, situated in a lonesome forest. The name also took the alternative form of De Curcy. A de Curcy was seneschal, or High Steward, to Henry I., and it is a name which ranks high still. This Creveceur (we are not sure of his Christian name) was one of a doughty race. Giraldus Kambrensis tells us of one of them, who conquered the Irish kingdom of Ulster in 1177 (Hibernia Expugnata, lib. ii., c. 16, 17), and was created Earl of Ulster. He was of gigantic stature, and in a dispute between Kings Philip of France and John of England, the former sent one of his most redoubted knights to maintain his cause, but, the Creveceur being appointed champion for John, the Frenchman thought it best to show a clean pair of heels and shun the combat. In recognition of his valour this Knight was allowed by King John to wear his hat in the King’s presence, a privilege still enjoyed by Lord Kinsale, the present representative of the family. Lord Forester had the same privilege granted by Henry VIII.

Now the Creveceurs were lords of considerable territory in the neighbourhood of Ashby; for instance, at Bag Enderby, Somersby, Tetford, etc., and in the document “Testa de Nevill” (circa 1215) it is stated that Hugh Fitz Ralph is tenant, under the Barony of Cecilia de Creveceur, of lands in Ashby, Tetford, etc. Other documents lead us back a little further, as an “Assize Roll,” of date A.D. 1202, says that the property came from Matilda de Creveceur, who was the daughter and heir of Gislebert Fitz Gozelin, who held lands at p. 4Bag Enderby, etc., and this last is named as owner in Domesday Book.

Another name now appears. By an Assize Roll of 9 Edw. I. (A.D. 1280), Thomas de Houton claims of Robert de Kirketon, and Beatrix his wife, certain “rents and appurtenances in Ashby next Greetham (i.e., Ashby Puerorum), Stainsby,” etc.

The Kirketon family would seem eventually to have acquired a part of the manor of Ashby Puerorum, and from them it passed to Lord Cromwell of Tattershall. A Chancery Inquisition, held at Horncastle in 1453, shews that the College at Tattershall held the advowsons of Ashby Puerorum, Wood Enderby, Moorby, and several other benefices. By an Inquisition of the same date and place, the Jurors state that the Manors of Ashby Puerorum and certain other places belong to the Earl of Albemarle. After that, at the Dissolution of Religious Houses (Tattershall College being one), the King granted to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, most of their lands in the neighbourhood, including those in Ashby Puerorum. This brings us down to 1539. In course of time a general process of dissolution also took place in ownership of land. The lands owned in this parish by the Brandons, were sold (22 Elizabeth, i.e., in 1580) to James Prescott, gentleman, who married a daughter of Sir Richard Molineux, Knight. He had a son, John, whose widow married Lord Willoughby of Parham (Architect. S. Journal vol. xxiii., pp. 128, 9). By a Feet of Fines, held at Lincoln, of the same date, it is shewn that George Gedney, Esq., and his descendents, also had lands in this parish in 20 Henry VII. (A.D. 1504), etc. (Ibidem. p. 27.) All these lands ultimately passed to Tattershall College. But even before that date it would appear, by a Chancery Inquisition, held at Lincoln, A.D. 1504, that Joan Eland, [4] the widow of Thomas Gedney, held lands in Ashby Puerorum, Somersby, and other near places.

p. 5Another prominent family now appears as owning the manor of, or at least considerable lands in, Ashby Puerorum, viz., the Wentworths. A tradition remains that Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, in the reign of Charles I., and one of his Sovereign’s most faithful adherents, owned the manor of Greetham. I have not been able fully to verify this, but a lease of that parish was granted in 1685 (see my account of Greetham) to Sir William Wentworth, Knight, of Ashby Puerorum, who was son of Sir William Wentworth, who fell at the battle of Marston Moor, fighting for Charles I. The Parish Award shows that Thomas, Earl of Strafford, was Lord of the Manor in 1705. (“Architect. Soc. Journal,” 1891.)

The succession of the Wentworths to this property probably came about in this wise. We have seen that it passed from the Kirketons [5] to Lord Cromwell, and the Cromwells were succeeded, through a marriage on the female side, by the Fortescues; and Camden (“Britannia,” p. 266, ed. 1695) tells us that a daughter of Sir Adrian Fortescue (who was attainted) being heiress of her mother, married the first Baron Wentworth.

The Wentworths were a very ancient family. They are now represented by the Earls Fitzwilliam, one of whose names is Wentworth, and they own the princely residence of Wentworth Castle, near Rotherham. They trace their descent from Saxon Royalty, in the person of their ancestor, Sir William Fitz Godric, cousin to King Edward the Confessor. (“Beauties of England. Yorkshire,” p. 838.)

It is worthy of note that one of this family, accompanying William the Conqueror to England, fought so valiantly at the battle of Hastings that William gave him a scarf from his own arm (presumably), to stanch a wound. Drake, the historian, in his “Eboracensis,” gives plates of the Wentworth monuments in York Cathedral. The Barony of Wentworth still survives in the present Lord Wentworth, of Wentworth House, Chelsea, its creation dating from 1529.

We have now done with the Wentworths. Their property at Ashby descended, towards the end of the p. 618th century, to Mr. Stevens Dineley Totton, from whom it passed to Earl Manvers and the Coltman family.

We now take the hamlet of Stainsby, which lies to the north-east, distant about a mile, on the right of the road to Somersby. This was formerly the chief seat, in this neighbourhood, of the Littlebury family. We mention them in our Records of various other parishes. There are mural monuments of them in both Somersby Church and that of Ashby Puerorum; the former is a small brass, about 10in, broad by 14in. high, having a kneeling figure of George Littlebury, with the inscription, “Here lyeth George Littleburie of Somersbie, 7th sonne of Thomas Littleburie of Stainsbie, who died the 13th daye of October, in ye yeare of our Lord 1612, being about the age of 73 yeares.” The Littleburys were a very old family, coming originally from Littlebury Manor, near Saffron Walden, in the county of Essex, A.D. 1138. One of them was Chief Justice of England. Subsequently they had a fine residence at Holbeach Hurn, in South Lincolnshire, and large property in many other places. We have spoken already of the Kirketons, as connected with Ashby Puerorum and Sir Humphrey Littlebury, Knight, whose name appears in the Sheriffs List, in 1324, married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir John Kirkton (or Kirton), and so became Lord of Holbeach. Sir John Littlebury [6a] married a daughter of Thomas Meeres, an old and wealthy family, also of Kirton, [6b] and it would seem that it was through this marriage with the Kirtons of Kirton the Littleburys came to Stainsby. Sir Humphrey was buried in Holbeach Church, where there is a very fine tomb of him, now in the north aisle, but formerly “before the altar.” The effigy is that of a knight, encased in armour, the hands joined in prayer, the head resting on a woman’s head, which is enclosed in a net, the feet being supported by a lion. The sides are covered with roses, and there are four niches, with canopies, which probably held figures on a smaller scale. Two views of it are given by C. A. Stoddard, in his “Monumental Effigies of Great Britain” (London, 4to., 1817). The actual date of the p. 7Littleburys coming to Stainsby cannot be exactly ascertained, but they were there in the reign of Henry VIII.

A small proprietor in Stainsby is named in a Chancery Inquisition, 19 Henry VII., No. 20 (i.e., A.D. 1503), viz., John H. Etton, who, besides several other lands, held “one messuage and four cottages in Bag Enderby, Stanesby and Someresby,” which lands also passed to Tattershall College. (“Architect. Soc. Journal,” xxiii., p. 21.)

Stainsby (let not my readers be alarmed, for witches and warlocks are out of fashion in this unimaginative, or sceptical, age) has not been without its supernatural associations. I here give a colloquy held, not many months ago, with a quondam resident. (J. C. W. loquitur. F. C. respondet). “Well, C., did you ever hear of a ghost at Stainsby?” “Aye, that I did, mony a year sin’. When I were young, I lived i’ them parts, and I heard o’ one oftens.” “Did you ever see it yourself?” “Noa, I never seed it me-sen, but I knowed several as did.” “Where was it seen?” “Why, i’ mony places.” “Tell me one or two.” “Well, it were seen about Stayensby, haaf a mile afore ye come to Somersby, and it were seen about the esh-planting (notice the ‘esh,’ the old Danish pronunciation still surviving, the Danish for Ashby being Eshe-by), just afore ye go down to the brig o’er the beck.” “Can you name anyone who saw it?” “O, many on ’em, specially gean the brig.” “Name someone.” “Well, a waggoner living at Bag Enderby.” “What was it like?” “Well, a misty kin’ o’ thing. Ye could make nayther heead nor taal on it, only ye knew it was there, and it flitted unaccountable.” [7]

p. 8I will here give a few extracts from old documents connected with former owners, which may be of interest from their peculiarity, or otherwise.

John Gedney, of Bag Enderby, in his will, dated 14 June, 1535, mentions his lands in Ashby Puerorum and other parishes.

Margaret Littlebury, widow of Thos. Littlebury, Esq., of Stainsby, by her will, of date 2 January, 1582, requests that she may be buried in the Church of Ashby Puerorum, “near unto my husband.” She bequeaths to the poor of the parish, as also of Greetham, Salmonby, Somersby, Bag Enderby, and Hagg, the lease of the Parsonage of Maidenwell; a sheepwalk there to her sons George and Edward; to her daughter Anne, wife of Thomas Grantham, £10 (N.B.—The Granthams still survive); to her daughter, Elizabeth Fitzwilliam (a good family), £10; to her daughter, Katherine Wythornwyke, £5; to Thomas Dighton, son of Christopher Dighton, deceased (a family connected with several parishes), £10; “to Francis Atkinson, my warrener, 20s.” (“warrener” probably equivalent to gamekeeper). She refers to a schedule of plate, etc., bequeathed by her late husband to his deceased son, Humphrey, to be handed over to his son Thomas. She was a daughter of John St. Paul, of Snarford.

Thomas Littlebury, of Ashby, by will, proved June 10th, 1590, bequeathed to his wife Katherine £100, and “one goblett with gylte cover, two ‘tunnes’ (i.e., cups) parcel gilte, 6 silver spoons of the best, my gylte salte I bought of my uncle Kelke, with a cover.” (The Kelkes were related to the Kirtons of Kirkton). Then follow a number of bequests of property in various parts of the county. The husband makes his executors “my father-in-law, Charles Dymoke, my cousins Andrew Gedney and Thomas Copledike.” (N.B.—These are the Copledikes, of whom so many monuments exist in Harrington Church.)

George Littlebury, of Somersby, by will, dated 10 Sept., 1612, requests to be buried “in the Queare of Somersby Church,” and leaves 2s. to it, and 1s. to Ashby Church, and 1s. to Lincoln Cathedral. He wishes a stone to be placed over his grave, and his arms set in the wall, as his father’s were at Ashby. (N.B.—Both these stones and brasses still exist.)

When the Spanish Armada was expected, among the p. 9gentry who contributed to the defence of the country, at the Horncastle Sessions, 1586–7, was “John Littlebury of Hagworthingham Esq. ij. light horse.” At the same time “Thomas Littlebery of Staynsby Esq. [furnished] j. launce [and] j. light horse.” At the “Rising” in Lincolnshire (1536) against Henry VIII., on the Dissolution of the Monasteries, a previous John Littlebury was just deceased, but his son Humphrey took part in it, as also did Robert Littlebury, who was probably a son of Thomas Littlebury, of Stainsby.

The Littleburys and the Langtons of Langton intermarried more than once. In the reign of Henry VIII., Rose, daughter of John Littlebury of Hagworthingham, married John Langton, and in the next century (about 1620) Troth. daughter of Thomas Littlebury of Ashby Puerorum, married a son of Sir John Langton, Knt., High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. (“Architect. Soc. Journal,” vol. xxii., pp. 166–7). Probably it was owing to this connection that we find that Sir John Langton, of Langton, by his will, dated 25 Sept., 1616, leaves 20s. to the poor of Ashby, Langton, and several other places. (N.B.—I am indebted for these particulars to “Lincolnshire Wills,” edited by Canon Maddison of Lincoln.)

The second half of the name of this parish of Ashby Puerorum is derived from the fact that the rent of certain lands in the parish were assigned towards the support of the choristers of Lincoln Cathedral, which is now raised by a general rate of the parish, and, accordingly, the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln are patrons of the benefice, a vicarage [9] which is now held by the Rev. Robert Ward, who resides at Hagworthingham.

One of the early Norman Barons, probably Gislebert Fitz Gozelin, erected here a gallows (Hundred Rolls, A.D. 1275). The site of this is not now known, unless it may be traced in a part of the parish lying in an easterly direction from the village, and named “Knowles,” possibly a corruption for “Knoll Hill,” a rising ground on which a gallows might well be placed as a conspicuous warning p. 10for future would-be offenders. A lane in the parish is called Galley Lane, which again may point to the former gallows.

Another field-name in the parish is not without interest, viz., Peaseholme. We have Peasedale gate (i.e., road) in Hameringham, Peasegate Lane at Spilsby, Peasewang (i.e., field) in High Toynton, and similar names in Louth and elsewhere. All these are indicating the general use of pulse as an article of diet in those early times.

Near the western end of the village is a farm named “Clapgate,” so called because the fugitive Royalists, after the battle of Winceby (Oct. 11, 1643), kept a neighbouring gate clapping all night in their haste to escape. Near this is a footpath across the fields, which leads to Holbeck Lodge, and here again, till recently, survived the same name, “Clapgate,” because there was formerly a gate near Holbeck Lodge, on the now high road to Salmonby, which was also kept in motion by other fugitives, to the disturbance of the slumbers of those living near. And this brings us to Holbeck, the other hamlet comprised in the parish of Ashby Puerorum, commonly described as “an extra-parochial liberty.”

The name Holbeck contains two Danish, or Norse, elements. “Hol” implies a hollow, connected with our word “hole.” We have it in the German Swiss Eulenthal, or hollow dale. “Beck” is Norse, corresponding to the German “bach,” as in Schwabach, Staubbach, Reichenbach, etc. Thus Holbech means a beck or stream running through a hollow. [10] The name Holbeck still exists in Denmark. Thus we have a name, like so many (as already remarked) in the vicinity, shewing the great immigration of Danes in this neighbourhood. There is also a Holbeck near Leeds, to which the Danes, who came up the Humber, extended their settlements. At the back, to the north of the present Holbeck Hall, is the rising ground named “Hoe Hill.” This again indicates the same. p. 11The How, or Hoe, is probably the Norse “Hof,” a holy place (found in such names as Ivanhoe, Ivinghoe, Piddinghoe, etc.), or it may have been the Norse “Haughr,” a burial place. In that case it may have been held sacred as the burial place of some Viking chief, who led his followers in their invasion of the district. It may be described as a truncated, and rather obtuse, cone, with a dyke, or scarpment, running round it, like a collar round the neck. There is a How Hill near Harrogate. We have also Silver-how, Bull-how, and Scale-how, which were probably the burial places of the chiefs Solvar, Boll, and Skall. But whether or not it once served these purposes, there can be little doubt that it has been a Danish encampment, and probably a stronghold of the Briton at a still earlier period. The dyke would form the outer defence of the height above, from which to charge down upon an enemy, laboriously breasting the hill, with overwhelming advantage to the defenders. Geologically, Hoe Hill is interesting, the ironstone, of which it is composed, being so totally different from the sandstone of Holbeck below. These lower rocks are said to be still the haunt of that much-baited, but harmless animal, the badger.

As to former owners of Holbeck, old title deeds show that it was formerly the property of Augusta Ann Hatfield Kaye, sister of Frederick Thomas, Earl of Stafford, who also, as we have seen, was lord of the manor of Ashby. She died at Wentworth Castle, and was buried at St. John’s Church, Wakefield, May 4, 1802, as I am informed by the present owner, F. W. S. Heywood, Esq. Old documents, still existing, show that the house at Holbeck was formerly called “The Grange,” and from this we may fairly infer that, before the Dissolution of the Monasteries, it was a “Grange,” or dependency, of Tattershall College, which owned other lands in Ashby. The site was well adapted for a monastic house, as they invariably chose a position near water, this being necessary for the supply of fish, which formed so large a portion of their diet when fasting days were so many.

Like some other parts of this parish, Holbeck also passed, at a later period, into the ownership of Mr. Stevens Dineley Totton, from whom Mr. John Fardell, of the Chantry, Lincoln, and formerly M.P. for that city, purchased this manor, about 1830. He took down the old p. 12residence, then a farmhouse, occupied by a Mr. Hewson, several of whose family are buried in the churchyard at Ashby, and built Holbeck Lodge, forming also the three lakes out of an extent of morass traversed by a brook, or beck. Portions of the old stables and outhouses still remain, but an interesting old circular dovecote [12a] was removed. There was, at that time, a watermill and cottage at the lower end of the lake. [12b]

The Lodge was subsequently bought by a Mr. Betts, but, through mortgages, it became the inheritance of a Miss Cunliffe, from whom Mr. Heywood recently bought it. This gentleman has made considerable improvements and additions to the residence, and one or two interesting discoveries have been made. In sinking a well there was found, at a depth of 20ft., an old key; also, as workmen were trying to trace a drain under the lawn, one of them dropped into a hollow below, where arches were found, apparently of ancient vaults. [12c] The monks of old knew what was meant by a good cellar, and these probably formed a part of the original monastic institution.

I now proceed to a description of the church of Ashby in the words of the late learned Precentor Venables, who gave it, on the visit of the Architectural Society in 1894 (which I conducted). “The chancel was restored in 1869 by the Patrons, the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln. The rest was restored in 1877. The fabric consists of nave, north aisle chancel, porch, and western tower, having 2 bells. The main building is of the Early English style. A lancet window still remains in the south wall, and at the west end of the aisle. The other windows of the nave are mostly Perpendicular. On the south side of the chancel is a two-light square-headed window of the Decorated period. The arcade has two chamfered arches, on low cylindrical p. 13piers. The tower is low, of Perpendicular style, the green sandstone, picturesquely patched with brick, giving a mellowed tint to the whole. The west doorway is well proportioned, and the three-light Perpendicular window above it, and the tower arch are plain, but good. The font is plain octagonal. On the south wall is a brass to Richard Littlebury, of Stainsby, who died A.D. 1521, also his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Edmund Jenny, died in 1523, and their ten children. [13] Haines says that this brass was not cut till 1560, at the same time with another of a knight in armour, without inscription, probably one of the six sons. In the pavement is a very fine incised slab of blue marble, representing a priest in Eucharistic vestments, with chalice on his breast. The head, hands, chalice, and other portions were of brass, but have disappeared.” An interesting discovery was made in this parish rather more than 100 years ago, a description of which I here give in the words of Saunders (“Hist. County Lincoln,” vol. ii., p. 170, 1), who gives particulars more fully than any other authority I have been able to consult. “On the 26th of October, 1794, a labourer, cutting a ditch (the actual site is not given) discovered at a depth of three feet below the surface a Roman sepulchre, consisting of a stone chest, in which was deposited an urn of strong glass, well manufactured, but of a greenish hue; the chest was of freestone, such as is found in abundance on Lincoln heath. When found the urn was perfect and had not suffered any of that decay which generally renders the surface of Roman glass of a pearly or opaline hue, for the surface was as smooth as if it had newly come from the fire. This receptacle was nearly filled with small pieces of bone, many of which, from the effects of ignition, were white through their whole substance; and among the fragments was a small lacrymatory of very thin, and very green, glass, which had probably been broken through the curiosity of the finder, as he acknowledged his having poured out the contents upon the grass in the hope of finding money, before he took it to his employer. The circumstances attending this sepulchre clearly prove it to have been Roman. It is, however, singular that the place chosen was not, as was p. 14customary with that people, near to a highway, and that it does not appear to have been the burial place of a family, since, although the trench was dug quite across the field, no traces of a body having been buried in any other part of it were observed. . . . No traces of the Romans have been observed here . . . except that some coins of brass or copper were dug up in an orchard at Stainsby, said to have been Roman, but as they were not preserved this must remain doubtful. . . . The locality, however, is so adapted, for various reasons, to the Roman villa, that Sir Joseph Banks, in an article communicated to ‘Archæologia,’ vol. xii., p. 36, thought it ‘not improbable that such a residence might some day be discovered, the Roman town of Banovallum being so near, with a number of Roman roads branching through the country.’”

The name of Stainsby itself indicates a considerable antiquity, meaning the stones-farm. This may have been from stepping-stones over the Somersby beck, near at hand or from some quarry of the sandstone in the vicinity, still so largely used. The stones were evidently the distinguishing feature of the locality.

P.S.—The writer is requested to say that he is in error in connecting the family of Coltman of Ashby with that of the Pocklington Coltman of Hagnaby, the two being quite distinct.

Asterby.

Asterby is situated about 6½ miles from Horncastle in a north-easterly direction, being approached by the road to Scamblesby and Louth, but diverging from that road northward shortly before reaching Scamblesby. The Rector is the Rev. J. Graham, J.P., who has a substantial residence, erected at a cost of £1,200 in 1863, and standing on the slope of a hill in good grounds. Letters, viâ Lincoln, arrive at 10 a.m.

Not much can be gathered of the early history of this parish. It is named in Domesday Book Estreby; this may mean the “buy,” byre, or farmstead, of the Saxon Thane Estori. But, according to another interpretation, the three elements of the name are As, or Aes, tre and by; p. 15the first of these implying “water,” the second “a way” or “passage,” the third a “homestead,” the whole thus meaning the Homestead by the water-way; and so probably referring to the river Bain, which forms the boundary between this parish and Ranby; its breed of trout being not unknown to anglers of our own day.

According to the Domesday survey this manor belonged to the Norman noble Ivo Taillebois, doubtless through his marriage with the Saxon heiress of the Thorolds, the Lady Lucia. And she conveyed to the Priory of Spalding certain “temporalities,” i.e., rents of lands, here, as well as at Scamblesby; her uncle Thorold, Vice-Comes, or Sheriff, of Lincolnshire, being the founder of that institution, and she herself one of its chief benefactors. In the Priory Charters this parish is also called Esterby.

Ivo, however, was only this lady’s first husband, and, as is mentioned in the “Notes” on various other parishes with which he was connected, he died without issue; and on her re-marrying, [15a] her great possessions passed to the Romara family, subsequently to the Gaunts, and were then gradually broken up, and dispersed among their various descendants. Only a few fragmentary records of former owners can now be found.

By Will dated 31st July, 1585, Edmund Dighton, of Little Sturton, leaves lands in Asterby and elsewhere to his son Robert, and also his leases of land held by grant of the late Abbot of Kirkstead, and a house called Beadway Hall. The Dighton’s were a wealthy family, originally engaged in commerce in Lincoln, but afterwards acquiring considerable property in various parts of the county, and taking a good position. The headquarters of the family were at the Old Hall, of which traces still remain, in Little Stourton; a daughter of Thomas Dighton “of that ilk” married Edward, 2nd son of the 1st Earl of Lincoln, of that line, temp. Elizabeth; she eventually, on the death of his eldest brother, becoming Countess of Lincoln. [15b]

Elizabeth Hansard, of Gayton-le-Wold, widow, by her Will, dated 17th March, 1591, makes her father, John Jackson, of Asterby, executor, and the guardian of her children, Edward, Margaret, and Mary Hansard; and leaves all her property to them, except 20s. each to her p. 16brother Thomas Jackson, and her brother-in-law William Hansard. These Hansards, a knightly family located in this county at South Kelsey (also of Beesthorpe and Thornton), were of very old extraction; tracing their descent from Ughtred, Earl of Northumberland in the reign of Edmund Ironsides, who came to the throne A.D. 016. [16] South Kelsey, their chief seat, passed to the old family of the Ayscoughs, by the marriage of Sir Francis Ayscough to the Hansard heiress, Elizabeth, in the middle of the 16th century. Both Hansards and Ayscoughs were connected with many of the leading county families.

John Guevera, of Stenigot, by Will dated 18th March, 1607, leaves his manor of Stenigot and all his premises in Asterby (certain portions being excepted) to his “Sonne Francis, his heir apparent, on his coming of age,” and specifies that “till then he be held content by Sir Nicholas Saunderson, knight, of Fillingham, and Captaine Henrie Guevera, of Barwick.” These Gueveras were of Spanish origin, probably coming to England in the train of Catharine of Arragon, or in attendance on King Philip of Spain, Queen Mary’s husband. Spain was then a flourishing country, and they soon acquired property, and took their position among the landed gentry, Francis Guevera being named among the Herald’s List of Gentry in 1634. Sir Nicholas Saunderson, here named, of Fillingham, was grandson of Nicholas Saunderson, of Reasby, in the parish of Stainton-by-Langworth. He was made a baronet in 1612, and Viscount Castleton in 1628. The family was involved in the Lincolnshire Rebellion of 1536. The manor, and greater part of the parish, are now in the hands of trustees of the Trafford family, who are also patrons of the benefice. Messrs. W. Pinning and Benjamin Harrison are also landowners, and Mr. James Walter has a large and picturesque farmhouse with good grounds and surroundings.

The church, dedicated to St. Peter, was for some years in an unsatisfactory condition, but during recent years it has been gradually undergoing restoration. It was formerly larger than it is now, having had a north aisle. The tower was half taken down towards the close of the 18th century, and rebuilt, the plinth of the tower buttress on the south side of the west door being said to be the original one of the p. 1712th century. There are three bells. In 1896 the chancel was taken down and extended about 6ft. in length, the interior face of the walls being constructed of rubbed sandstone, in courses obtained from a quarry in the parish. The exterior character of the old work was carefully preserved, and a dressed stone plinth-course inserted. The old east window with wooden framework was removed and a stone traceried window introduced, filled with tinted glass. The floor was paved with encaustic tiles in place of ordinary bricks, and the communion table raised 18 inches above the body of the church, by three steps. A new altar rail of oak, with standard of wrought-iron and brass, was put up, and the roof was made of open timbers covered with match boards and slates. This work was done by Mr. R. Mawer, builder, of Louth, under the direction of Messrs. Mortimer and Son, architects, of Lincoln. The entire cost was defrayed by the present rector. Since then other improvements have been effected. The tower, in a dangerous condition, was partly taken down in 1898, and the bells rehung in new oak framework. A handsome altar cloth was presented by Lady Wigan. The nave floor has now boards in place of the old damp and unsightly bricks. It has been supplied with new seating of pitchpine. This work was entrusted to Messrs. Thompson & Sons, of Louth, and is thoroughly satisfactory. Inspired by these efforts, a generous donor, Mrs. Woodall, presented a massive oak lectern in memory of her parents who for many years worshipped in this church, and the whole fabric is now at length, through the exertions of the rector, liberally seconded by Mrs. Graham, a credit to the parish. Old features of interest in the church are the chancel arch, which is Early English; and in the south chancel wall, near the reading desk, is also a three-light Early English window, containing some fragments of very old glass, the new east window being a copy of this. In the north wall of the nave are two bays of the former aisle blocked up, with a grinning figurehead between the arches. In a frame affixed to the north wall is the text, from Eccl. v., 1, “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear than to give the sacrifice of fools.” The font is old, having an octagonal bowl, with plain shields on each face, the shaft also being p. 18octagonal and standing on a pediment of three steps. In the south wall of the chancel, outside, is a mutilated slab bearing an inscription in memory of “Samson Meanwell, who departed this life Feb. 17, 1744, in ye 63 yeare of his age.” Nearly opposite the west door is a very old yew-tree, which may well have supplied the village archers with their bows in the days of Crecy, Poictiers, and Agincourt. The benefice is now held jointly with that of Goulceby. It was formerly in the gift of the Dymokes. Dame Jane Dymoke presented in 1711 and 1725. She also gave church plate. The patronage then passed to the Crown, who presented in 1771 and 1784, after which the Trafford Southwell family acquired it, with the manor, and presented in 1807.

Near the church is a field named Hall Close, where there are traces of a large residence; and here, about the year 1821, were dug up three human skeletons and an ancient dagger.

The poor of the parish have the benefit of a bequest made by Anthony Acham, for them, and for those of Goulceby; who also, in 1638, founded a school for the two parishes, with Stenigot.

We have only to add that the pilgrim to Asterby, who has an eye for rural scenery, will be gratified on his way thither by an extent of view not often to be found. He can take in, at one and the same moment, a prospect reaching almost 30 miles, including Lincoln Cathedral and miles beyond it to the north-west; and embracing Heckington and other fine church spires, with Tattershall Castle to the south-west, and extensive woods, corn fields, and meads to vary the scenes between.

Baumber.

Baumber, or Bamburgh, lies on the old Roman road, from Horncastle to Lincoln, about 4 miles to the north-west from the former place, and half-a-mile from the point where another Roman road furcates northward for Caistor; it is thus somewhat interestingly connected with the three ancient Roman stations, Lindum, Banovallum, and Caistor (Castrum). Its own name, in the older form, Bam-burg doubtless means the “Burg,” or fort, on the Bain; as it p. 19stands on high ground above the valley of the Bain, and commands what would formerly be a ford of that river at Hemingby, through which there passes a branch line of road, running due east from Baumber, and stretching into the wold hills, being doubtless also a Roman structure.

Baumber has had some interesting associations in the past. In Domesday Book it is reckoned among the possessions of the Norman Ivo Tayle-bois, nephew of William the Conqueror, Earl of Anjou, and chief of the Angevin auxiliaries of William’s army. Through his wife, the Lady Lucia, the Saxon heiress of Earl Alf-gar, who was given to him in marriage by the Conqueror, he acquired very large possessions in Lincolnshire and elsewhere. He was of a very tyrannical disposition; his chief residence being near Croyland Abbey. The Historian Ingulphus records of him, that he “tortured, harrassed, annoyed, and imprisoned their people”; that “he chased their cattle with his dogs, driving them into the marsh pools, where they were drowned; cut off their ears, or their tails; broke their backs, or their legs; and made them useless.” When the world was relieved of him by an early death, he was not mourned by his Saxon wife, or anyone else. Another historian, Peter de Blois, says, “Hardly had one month elapsed after his death, when the Lady Lucia married that illustrious young man, Roger de Romara, and entirely lost all recollection of Ivo Tayle-bois”; and he bursts into a volley of imprecations, to this effect:—“What does it now profit thee, O Ivo! ever most blood-thirsty, thus to have risen against the Lord? Unto the earth hast thou fallen, numbered with the dead; in a moment of time thou hast descended to hell, a successor of the old Adam, a frail potsherd, a heap of ashes, a hide of carrion, a vessel of putrefaction, the food of worms, the laughing-stock of those who survive, the refuse of the inhabitants of heaven, the avowed enemy of the servants of God; and now, as we have reason to suppose, an alien and exile from the congregations of saints, and for thine innumerable misdeeds, worthy to be sent into outer darkness.” [19]

p. 20Such was one of the proprietors of Baumber, but he was not the only one; as Domesday mentions another, and larger, and more worthy, land owner in the person of Gilbert de Gaunt, who succeeded, “by right,” or, more strictly speaking, by confiscation, to all the property of the Saxon Tonna; while another Saxon, Ulf, had also an estate in the parish. This Gilbert de Gaunt founded Bardney Abbey; and, when he died, was buried there.

The Lady Lucia was Countess of Chester and Lincoln; and at a later period, Baumber, including the hamlet of Sturton Parva, would seem to have been mainly divided between the family of the Earls of Lincoln, more recently created Dukes of Newcastle, and the wealthy family of the Dightons. Both had residences in or near this parish. A daughter of Thomas Dighton, and his heiress married Edward Clinton, second son of the first Earl of Lincoln of that line (temp. Elizabeth), and on failure of issue to the elder brother, this Edward succeeded to the Earldom. Many generations of the Clintons were buried here; but towards the end of the 18th century, the Clinton property was sold by the third Duke to Mr. Thomas Livesey, of Blackburn, Lancashire, [20] whose son, the late Joseph Livesey, Esq. erected a large mansion in 1810, which again was almost rebuilt, and considerably enlarged in 1873–5. A large part of the parish now belongs to the Vyner family of Gautby. The Baumber register dates from 1691. One entry is “June 20th, 1730, the Corpse of the Right Honourable, the Right Noble, Lord George Clinton, Earl of Lincoln, was interred.”

The Church is dedicated to St. Swithun. The west door is a good specimen of Norman work, with dog-tooth pattern running round the semi-circular arch, in bass relief; the capital of its south pillar has a head, with serpents whispering into each ear. The north capital is a conventional acanthus. The inner eastern door of the tower is also Norman, but plain. The Nave has north and south aisles of three bays; the eastern-most column of the north arcade, under the removable flooring of the Vicar’s seat, has the original round Norman plinth, the only one preserved. The Church of stone was cased in brick, in the early part of the eighteenth century (1736), when p. 21the present large, perpendicular windows were placed in the north and south walls, three in each. Placed against the west wall, south of the west entrance, is a large slab, commemorating John Ealand, who died in 1463, and his wives Alice and Elizabeth. This was formerly in the floor of the north aisle. Above is a tablet in memory of members of the family of J. Bainbridge Smith, D.D., formerly Vicar, as well as Rector of Sotby, and of Martin, and Headmaster of the Horncastle Grammar School. The Font is octagonal and massive, but plain. There is a handsome oak lectern with eagle on swivels, the gift of Mrs. Taylor Sharpe, of Baumber Park, in memory of her eldest son, who died in 1891. The pose of the eagle is very natural.

In the chancel, the east window is blocked up; there are two windows in the north wall, one in the south wall, the second having been removed when a vestry was erected, and it now forms the vestry window. On each side, east of the chancel arch, are remains of massive early English pillars. South of communion table are three plain sedilia of wood. North of the table, a blue slate slab in the floor, with the Clinton arms, covers the vault, in which sixteen of the Clinton family are interred. Another slab close by, commemorates “Francis Clinton, alias Fynes, Esq., grandson of Henry Lord Clinton, Earl of Lincoln, who departed this life, February 5th, A.D. 1681.” On the south, a slab commemorates his wife, “who died, February 15th, A.D. 1679.” A communion chair, of very solid construction, was carved out of a beam formerly in Tattershall Castle. There are some remains of a former rood screen, “Arch. Journ.,” 1890, p. 206.

Mr. Weir, in his History of Lincolnshire (vol. I., p. 299, Ed., 1828), says that portions of the former residence of the Earls of Lincoln were at that date still standing, near the modern mansion of the Liveseys. Then the latter was re-constructed in 1873–5, the furniture and other arrangements, were of a very costly character. The present writer, with an acquaintance of the family, had the privilege of being shewn over the whole house, by the lady of the house, shortly after its completion. It might be called a repertoire of valuable works of art and vertu, in furniture, books, paintings, stuffed birds, and animals, p. 22among the latter being the famous lion “Nero,” from the Zoo. The owner, being devoted to engineering and mechanical operations, had one room, of which the walls were covered with clocks, of endless kinds, with various elaborate mechanism, such as cocks crowing, horns blowing, etc., etc., for chiming the hours. All these came to the hammer in 1891. Even the economy of the farm yard was elaborate. To give one instance:—At the back of the cattle sheds, ran a tramway of small trucks; doors opened at the back of the crib of each stall, and the trucks conveyed the exact modicum of provender, and it was injected into each separate crib, periodically, for the animals which were there fed. The lake in the park was formed from a small stream running through the grounds, it is well stocked with fish of various kinds, especially affording sport to the troller by the abundance of fine pike. It was originally stocked, as tradition avers, from the Moat of Langton Rectory, now no longer existing, but formerly of considerable size, and connected with a large pond, where fish of many kinds abounded. The vicarage is a substantial residence, with good garden, erected in 1857, on a site presented by Robert Vyner, Esq.

Belchford.

Belchford is one of our largest villages, lying at a distance of about 5 miles from Horncastle, in a north-east direction, and buried in a valley among the wolds. It was anciently among the possessions of the Conqueror’s nephew, Ivo Tailebois, which he acquired by his marriage with the Lady Lucia, the wealthy heiress of the Thorolds. Tithes and territory here were assigned by her to the Abbey of Croyland, as well as to its cell, the branch Priory of Spalding. There were two mills here, valued in Domesday book, at 18s. 8d. yearly. The acreage is large; Ivo had five carucates in demesne, or some 600 acres, while villeins, bordars, and soc-men, occupied nine carucates, or about 1080 acres; there were 360 acres of meadows, and six carucates (720 acres) reateable to gelt. The arable land was a mile long, and a mile broad, which was a large proportion. The acreage is now 2480, the population p. 23more than 400. By an indenture, 28th October, 1641, we find Sir Thomas Glemham owning lands in Belchford and Oxcombe, as well as other places, which he sold to Sir Matthew Lister, and his brother Martin Lister, subsequently the Listers of Burwell Park. The Listers, however, sold the Belchford lands again to Sir Thomas Hartopp, about 20 years later. Mr. Robert Charles de Grey Vyner is now Lord of the Manor, but much of the land belongs to the Epton, Reed, and other families. At the inclosure, land left by Henry Neave to the poor, was exchanged for two acres, now let for £5 15s., which is distributed among the poor at Christmas, as well as a rent charge of 4s., left by Mrs. Douglas Tyrwhitt. Letters, via Horncastle, arrive at 9.30 a.m. The nearest telegraph office is at Tetford.

Of the church of St. Peter and St. Paul, little can be said which is satisfactory, at the present time. It was rebuilt in 1781, in the characteristic poor style of that period. Some years ago it became almost unsafe, and the walls were strengthened to prevent their falling. The chancel was rebuilt in 1859–60; and in 1884–5, the church was reseated, the plaster ceiling removed, a new floor supplied, and fresh windows inserted; but once more it is in a bad and unsightly condition, gaps and fissures appear in the walls, the tower is much out of the perpendicular, and only kept together by bands of iron. The north wall is only relieved by one very plain Georgian window. The east window, a triplet in the early English style, is perhaps the best feature in the church. It was put in by a former Rector, Rev. W. Anthony Fitzhugh. The font, which is octagonal and perpendicular, formerly stood in St. Mary’s Church, Horncastle. The pulpit, of old oak, came from the private chapel of Lord Brougham, who was a relative of the late Rector; it has some quaintly-carved panels, and other portions in the same style lie unused in the church. The baptismal register has an entry of a baptism performed by Dr. Tennyson, father of the Poet Laureate. The register dates from 1698.

Some embellishments have been introduced in the chancel of late by the present Rector. An Italian crucifix, behind the Communion table, with devices representing the keys of St. Peter, and sword of St. Paul, the patron saints, with vine leaves and grapes, and a central chalice. There is a scroll below these, bearing the words, “Ecce panis p. 24Angelorum Factus cibus Viatorum.” The church ornaments include a processional cross of 18th century foreign work. An effort is now being made to accomplish a thorough restoration of the church. A flint implement was found in the parish in the year 1851, and fossils of the Echinus and other kinds have been found. The name of Belchford may be British; Bel (Baal) being the Druid name of the Sun-God and “fford,” is Welsh (or British), for road; a more pleasing, if more fanciful, derivation, has been suggested, viz.: that the prefix is connected with the words “bellow” and “bell,” and refers to the tinkling music of the ford on the brook, which passes through the valley.

In an ancient register of Spalding Priory, of date 1659, is an extract from a charter of the foundation of the Priory, in which it is stated that one Thorold, ancestor of Lucia, Countess of Lincoln and Chester, and wife of Ivo Tailebois, gave the Tithes of Belchford, Scamblesby, etc., to the Priory. The name is there spelt Beltisford, which would seem to favour the former of these two derivations. In Domesday Book it is Beltisford, further confirmatory of the same.

A former Rector of this Benefice was somewhat of a “character.” He was a bon vivant, though not of an objectionable kind. He was popular among his clerical brethren, and, like several others, gave an annual clerical dinner, which was attended by them from considerable distances. One of the special features of the repast, was a leg of mutton, with port wine sauce, which, as well as the wine, might be said to be “old.” The cellars of the rectory were very cool, and he usually had a leg which had been hanging for a quarter of a year, half a year, or more. At one of the last of his dinners, the joint had been in the cellar, specially preserved, for more than twelve months, but, served as it was, with a good surrounding, it was unanimously declared to be excellent.

The Rev. Egremont Richardson was long remembered by many friends, for his kindly, genial qualities.

Since the above remarks on the church were written, the fabric has, in a great measure, been worthily restored. The architect, Mr. Townsend, of Peterborough, employed Messrs. Thompson, of Peterborough (who have restored Peterborough Cathedral), and they have done the work thoroughly. The tower, in a dangerous condition, has been taken down, and will not be rebuilt until funds allow it, p. 25but otherwise the restoration is complete. Five decorated windows have been introduced into the former dark walls, a vestry has been added, and the walls of the nave have been beautifully decorated. The chancel walls are relieved with terra cotta, of the 17th century style, the roof having black and white arrow-head work. The choir stalls are stained green, and decorated in harmony with the walls. There is a new altar-table of oak, its panels being richly painted. The nave is furnished with chairs, in place of the old pews. The church is heated with the Radiator system, on the Italian principle, supplied by Messrs. J. Ward & Co., of Horncastle, being the first church in the neighbourhood furnished with this apparatus. In the porch is preserved a relic of the past, an old stoup, or holy water vessel, found in the Churchwarden’s yard. This has been done at a cost of about £900, and a further sum of £700 or £800 will be needed to restore the tower. The chief donors to the work have been the Rawnsley family, and Lord Heneage.

Bolingbroke, Old.

Bolingbroke, to which is now added the epithet “old,” to distinguish it from the modern creation, New Bolingbroke, near Revesby, lies distant about seven miles, in an easterly direction from Horncastle, and about four miles westward from Spilsby, in a kind of cul-de-sac, formed by steep hills on three sides. As to the meaning of the name, whether its commonly accepted derivation from the brook, the spring-head of which, as Camden says (Britannia, p. 471), is in low ground hard by, be correct, we must leave to full-fledged etymologists to decide; but the small streamlet, as it exists at present, in no way answers to the ideal of a bowling brook, sufficient to be a distinguishing feature of the place. We would venture to suggest, as a fair subject for their enquiry, that, as “bullen” is Danish for “swollen,” and “brock” is only another form of “burgh” (and common enough in Scotland), meaning a fort (as we have a few miles away, near Hallington station, Bully-hill, near an ancient encampment), there may have been an older fort, swelling out like an excrescence at the mouth of this valley; and so a “bollen” (or bulging) p. 26“broc,” providing a fitting site on which the later castle was also erected. It might, too, seem some confirmation of this, that, in Domesday Book, the name is given as Bolin broc. Be this as it may, however, the place itself is one of unusual interest to the archæologist. It is a town in decadence. Possessed of a market-place, and a number of good houses, some paved streets, a fine church, the site of a castle, and that rare distinction an “Honour,” it is yet but a village, with little to stir its “sleepy hollow” into social life or animation. The visitor may, perhaps, meet there (as the writer has done), one who has retired from her Majesty’s service; who has weilded his cutlass on quarterdeck, or carried his rifle through stockade or over battlement; the said individual may long, on the settle by the snug hostel fire, to fight his battles over again, in converse with some kindred spirit; but there is now no tread of sentinel on castle-wall, no warder now blows his bugle at castle gate. The castle itself is but a phantom of the past, only to be now seen in imagination. He would, perhaps, fain know something of its bygone history; but he finds no one to tell it. Ichabod echoes through the silent streets, and he can only murmur in the words of an ancient lament (for, is it not written in the book of Jasher?) “How are the mighty fallen and the weapons of war perished.” The County Directory tells him (as would also Domesday Book) that Bolingbroke had a weekly market [26a]; from a like authority he may learn that the soke, or Honour, of Bolingbroke embraced nearly 30 parishes, Spilsby amongst them. [26b] Yet he goes to Spilsby on a Monday and finds it crowded with traffickers, while, from week’s end to week’s end, the market place of Bolingbroke does not see a merchant or a huckster. Sooth to say, the secluded nature of the locality, which of old commended it as a fitting position for a strongly-protected castle, embedded in hills, save on one side, served really to isolate it from the outer world, and hindred, and ultimately p. 27destroyed, the traffic, which became gradually transferred to other towns more easy of access. And so the once busy market is grass grown, and the buzz of its barter would not awaken a baby. The sole sound, indeed, of any volume, to break the moribund monotony—and this only one of recent creation—is the peal of fine bells with which the church is now furnished, and instead of soliloquising further we will now proceed to describe these, and then unfold the fine features of the church, of which they form so melodious an appurtenance. There are six larger bells and the old sanctus bell. Of the larger bells, one is old, and five were presented in 1897, by Miss Maria Wingate, whose family, formerly resided at Hareby House, which small parish and benefice were annexed to Bolingbroke in 1739. [27] The five new bells were cast by Messrs. Taylor, of Loughborough, a well-known firm of bell-founders. These were consecrated by Bishop King, of Lincoln, soon after they were hung. On one of them, the treble bell, is the inscription, “God save the Queen, a thank-offering in commemoration of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee, 1897.” The peculiar appropriateness of this inscription will be the more manifest, when the singular fact is remembered (as will be fully explained hereafter), that, as Duchess of Lancaster, the Queen was Lady of the Manor of Bolingbroke. The old bell bears the date 1604, and has the inscription—

This old bell is a very fine one, and is named among the “Bells of Lincolnshire.”

Of the church itself, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, it may be said that it has had its peculiar vicissitudes. It was built probably by John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster; as the flamboyant style of its architecture indicates a late 14th century erection; and he was granted the manor in that century (1363). Many of our finest churches, such as those of Boston, Grantham, Heckington, &c., were built in that century. This of Bolingbroke is one of the latest of them, corresponding most closely in style and date to the Church of Kyme Priory; but it is certainly not one of the least striking. We now see in it only a portion of the original, namely, the south aisle, porch, p. 28and tower. It was occupied as head quarters by the Parliamentary troops in 1643, while they were laying siege to the castle, which was held for the King; and, with their usual puritan hatred of holy places, they destroyed the beautiful stained glass which adorned the windows; while, further, their presence there drew upon the building heavy bombardment by the King’s men, no less destructive to the edifice itself. Since that time, the original south aisle has been used as the main body of the church; and until recently, the arches of the arcade, formerly dividing it from the original nave, were distinctly visible, built up in the (later) north wall; while the tower, originally standing at the west end of the nave, became (in consequence of the destruction of the latter, semi-detached from the later south aisle) church, at its north-west angle. The church was restored in 1889, through the munificence of Mr. C. S. Dickinson, of Lincoln, at a cost of £3,000; the architect being the late Mr. James Fowler; and it was re-opened by the Bishop on Oct. 10th of that year; the old disfiguring galleries having been removed, and new battlements and pinnacles being added to the tower; and a new north aisle being erected, extending eastward from the tower; the original south aisle being still retained as a modern nave, re-seated, and re-furnished in every respect; and a new organ added, with various improvements. As to the result, we cannot do better than quote some of the observations of the late Precentor Venables, made by him on the visit of the Lincolnshire Architectural Society in 1894. [28] He described it as “a building of great stateliness, the proportions being excellent, and in its general design and architectural details, presenting a specimen of the decorated style in its greatest purity and beauty; the windows are almost faultless examples of flowing tracery in its early purity. The east window has five lights, with quatrefoil window in the gable above; the west window four lights; and the side windows three lights each; all excellent. The south porch has a well-proportioned inner door with good moulding; there being an open quatrefoil over the door. In its east corner there is a very sumptuous holy water stoup of unusual design, surmounted by a tall canopy of great richness. There is a statue p. 29bracket over the door, and one at the side. The recently opened arcade on the north side of nave is composed of fine equilateral arches, with mouldings continuous from their bases, without the intervention of capitals. On the south wall of the present chancel is a range of three rich, though rather heavy, stone sedilia, with projecting canopies over-braided with wall-flowers, and groined within Traces of canopied niches of similar design to the sedilia, are visible on each side of the east window. The piscina, with projecting basin, is plain.”

In the middle of the south wall of the nave there is also an old piscina, with aumbrey above it, which would indicate that, in the original church, there was here a chantry. [29] The present pulpit, and the choir seats in the chancel, are of modern oak richly carved; and the vestry, at the back of the organ, is screened off by similar rich modern oak carving. The tower has a west door, with a four-light window over it; a two-light window above this, with corresponding ones in the north and south faces. Within the tower, over an ancient fireplace, is embedded in the wall, 4ft. from the ground, a curious old gurgoyle head of peculiar hideousness, which doubtless, at one time, grinned down from the original roof. Over the said fireplace there is this inscription graven in a stone:—“Sixpence in bread every Sunday for ever for the poore women present at divine service, given by John Andred, M.A., rector of Bolingbroke, Anno Domini MDCLXXX.”

In the churchyard is a tall monument, surmounted by a cherub with expanded wings, in memory of Edward Stanley Bosanquet, who died July 16th, 1886, formerly vicar; also of his wife Emmeline, and three children, who died at different dates. Outside the north wall are some stone ends of seats, formerly in the tower.

It may here be worthy of remark that Chancellor Massingberd, in his account of the battle of Winceby mentions that “among the slain on the side of the King was a Lincolnshire gentleman of the name of Hallam, the immediate ancestor of the Historian of the Middle Ages,” Henry Hallam. The name is not a common one; and on a broken stone slab, lying behind the N.E. buttress, under p. 30the N.E. window, is the fragmentary inscription, “Body of Henry Hallam, who dyed January The 6, 1687.” [30a]

We conclude our notice of this church with the words of the Precentor:—“We may realize the magnitude, and the beauty of the (former) entire church, when we bear in mind that, besides what we now see, there was a wide nave, a north aisle, doubtless equal in dimensions and style to that now standing, and a long chancel reaching to the limits of the churchyard.” A building so fine would attest the former importance of the place; and we now proceed to consider other proofs of that importance which we know to have existed.

Bolingbroke is, indeed, a place of no mushroom growth. The Castle was built in the reign of Henry I. by William de Romara, Earl of Lincoln, who also founded the Abbey of Revesby about 1143. But history carries us back to a still earlier date, and to an older, and even more interesting, and more important family than that of Romara. The mother of William de Romara (or, according to others, his grandmother) was Lucia, a Saxon heiress [30b]; sister of the powerful Morcar, Earl of Northumberland, who for some time withstood the Conqueror, and daughter of Algar, Earl of Mercia, who was the brother of Edgiva, King Harold’s Queen (others making Edgiva the sister of Lucia). She was also a near relative of the renowned “Hereward the Wake,” the stubborn champion of Saxon freedom. There was an earlier Algar, Earl of Mercia, who, 200 years before, fell in the famous fight of Threckingham (between Sleaford and Folkingham) against the Danes, about A.D. 865. He was the son of another Algar, and grandson of Leofric, both successively Earls of Mercia; the wife of the last-named being the Lady Godiva (or God’s gift, “Deodata”), renowned for her purity and good works. This Lady Godiva was the sister of Turold, or Thorold, of Bukenale (Bucknall), [30c] p. 31Lord of Spalding, and Vice-Count, or Sheriff of the County of Lincoln. And these Thorolds, father and son, were among the chief benefactors of the famous Monastery of St. Guthlac, at Croyland; a similar good work being also performed, in her own day, by the aforesaid Lady Lucia, who was chief patroness of the Priory of Spalding [31a] an offshoot of the greater Croyland Abbey. Thus William of Romara was not only a Norman “of high degree,” on his father’s side, but, through his mother, he came of a race of Saxons, powerful, brave, and distinguished for their services to their country and religion. It has been frequently observed that, although the Normans conquered and subjugated Saxon England, the stubborn Saxon eventually absorbed, or prevailed over, his Norman master; and we have an illustration of it here, not uninteresting to men of Lincolnshire. The name of Romara has long been gone, in our country and elsewhere, beyond recall; but the old Saxon name of Thorold yet stands high in the roll of our county families. There is probably no older name in the shire; none that has so completely maintained its good position and succession, in unbroken descent. [31b]

Now the Lady Lucia inherited many of the lands of her Saxon ancestors; and among those which passed to her Son William of Romara, was Bolingbroke. He was a man of many, and wide domains, but of them all he selected this, as the place for erecting a stronghold, capable of defence in those troublous times. The castle is described by Holles (temp. Charles I) as “surrounded by a moat fed by streams, and as covering about an acre and half; built in a square, with four strong forts,” probably at the corners; and “containing many rooms, which were connected by passages along the embattled walls and capable to receyve a very great prince with all his trayne.” The entrance was “very stately, over a fair draw bridge; the gate-house uniforme, and strong.” The gateway, of which the crumbling ruins were engraved by Stukeley in the first half of the l8th century, finally fell in 1815; and nothing now remains p. 32above ground. The whole structure was of the sandstone of the neighbourhood, which, as Holles observes, will crumble away when the wet once penetrates it. The moat is still visible; and further, in the rear of it, to the south, beyond the immediate precincts, there is another moated enclosure, still to be seen, the residence doubtless of dependants under the shelter of the castle; or these may have been earthworks excavated by the forces besieging the castle. We cannot here give in detail the long and varied history of the great owners of Bolingbroke. But, omitting minor particulars:—“A Gilbert de Gaunt by marrying a Romara heiress, obtained the estate. One of his successors of the same name, joining the Barons against King John and Henry III., forfeited it. It was then granted to Ranulph, Earl of Chester. It afterwards passed to the de Lacy family, earls in their turn, of Lincoln; and by marriage with Alicia de Lacy, Thomas Plantagenet, grandson of Henry III. obtained it, with the title. A later Gaunt, the famous John, Duke of Lancaster, married the heiress of this branch of the Plantagenets, and so in turn became Earl of Lincoln and Lord of Bolingbroke, and their son Henry, born here April 3, 1366, became Henry IV. As being the birthplace of a sovereign, the estate, instead of remaining an ordinary manor, was elevated to the rank of an ‘Honour’” (Camden’s Britannia, p. 471) and is entitled, in all legal documents “the Honour of Bolingbroke.” Since the accession of Henry IV. it has remained an appanage of the Crown; and as Duke of Lancaster, King Edward is “Lord of the Honour,” at the present day. Gervase Holles states that Queen Elizabeth made sundry improvements in the interior of the castle, adding “a fayre great chamber with other lodgings.” The Constable of the Castle was (in his day) “Sir William Mounson, Lord Castlemayne, who received a revenue out of the Dutchy lands of £500 per annum; in part payment of £1,000 yearly, given by the King to the Countess of Nottingham his lady.” He also says “In a roome in one of the towers they kept their audit for the whole Dutchy of Lancaster, Bolingbroke having ever been the prime seat thereof, where the Recordes for the whole country are kept.” [32]

p. 33And he then gives a detailed account of the following supernatural occurrence, as being beyond controversy authenticated:—Which is, that the castle is haunted by a certain spirit in the likeness of a hare; which, “att the meeting of the auditors doth runne betweene their legs, and sometimes overthrows them, and soe passes away. They have pursued it downe into the castleyard, and seen it take in att a grate, into a low cellar; and have followed it thither with a light, where, notwithstanding they did most narrowly observe it, and there was no other passage out, but by the doore or windowe, the roome being all close-framed of stones within, not having the least chinke or crevice, they could never finde it. Att other times it hath been seen to run in at the iron grates below into other of the grotto’s (as their be many of them), and they have watched the place, and sent for hounds, and put in after it; but aftar a while they came crying out.” (Harleian M.S.S. No. 6829, p. 162). The explanation of this hare-brained story we leave to others more versed in the doings of the spirit world; merely observing that such an apparition has not been entirely confined to Bolingbroke Castle.

The town of Bolingbroke confers the title of Viscount on the family of St.-John of Lydiard Tregoze, Co. Wilts. The career, the abilities, the accomplishments, the vicissitudes, and the writings, of the great statesman, author and adventurer, Henry St.-John, Viscount Bolingbroke, during the reigns of Anne, William and Mary, and George I. are too well-known, to need further mention here.

Saunders in his History of Lincolnshire (Vol. ii., p. 101, 1834) says that there was then still in the church the remains of an altar cloth, beautifully embroidered, and traditionally said to have been the work of Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster, wife of John of Gaunt, and mother of Henry IV., who is celebrated in Chaucer’s poem “the Dream.” Chancellor Massingberd, however, writing his account of Bolingbroke Castle in 1858 (“Architect Soc. Journ.” vol. iv. p. ii.) says that it had then disappeared, and not been seen for some 20 years, having probably been disgracefully purloined.

The parish register dates from 1538; a rather unusual occurrence, as the keeping of registers was only enforced 1530–8 by Act of 27 Henry VIII., and the order was in few cases observed till a later period.

p. 34Edlington.

This is a pleasant, small village, about 2½ miles from Horncastle, the chief approach to it being by the so-called “Ramper,” the great Roman road, connecting the two Roman fortresses, Lindum and Banovallum (Lincoln and Horncastle), and still one of the best roads in the county. The Park of Edlington, now the property of the Hassard Short family, is a pleasantly undulating enclosure, adorned with some very fine trees; although of late some £3,000 worth, chiefly of outlying timber, has been converted into cash. The ground is varied by small copses, which afford excellent pheasant and rabbit shooting; as also do two covers, about two miles from the Park, called Edlington Scrubs; and there are also some very gamey plantations, belonging to the estate, situated about two miles north-west from Woodhall Spa. The estate comprises about 2,700 acres, and is fully five miles long from one end to the other, being intersected by portions of other parishes. There was formerly a substantial residence, with stew ponds and extensive gardens, at the upper or northern end of the park, [34a] with the parish road running behind it, covered by lofty trees. Here, it may interest the botanist to know that the plant “Butcher’s Broom” (Ruscus Aculeatus) grew plentifully, although it now seems to be extinct, having been improved away. From this position there is a very fine view, extending many miles to the south and west, over very varied country. While the late Mr. Hassard Short himself resided here, he had frequently coursing parties, hares being then very plentiful, to which, among others, the present writer, as a boy, and his father, were always invited. This residence was, however, pulled down sometime “in the fifties,” the owner, for the sake of his health, preferring to reside in the south. It was for a time, however, occupied by a Mrs. Heald, [34b] and her nephew George Heald, Esq., a fine-looking young fellow, who held a commission in the Guards. And hereby hangs a tale. p. 35In riding in the Park, in London, he made the acquaintance of the famous coquette, and adventuress, Lola Montez, created Countess of Landsfeldt by the King of Hanover, whose mistress she was. Being a mixture of Spanish and Irish blood, she possessed all the vivacity of both those races, with a gay dash in her manners, and considerable beauty, along with an extremely outré style of dress. Thus she fascinated the young man, as she previously had done her late Royal Master. He married her, although she was said to have been already married to a Captain James. The charm soon lost its power, and as a means of ridding himself of her, his friends prosecuted her for bigamy. Sergeant Ballantine in his autobiography gives the whole particulars (vol. II., p. 106), but he does not remember the result of this action. She was of a temper so violent, that she commonly carried arms, and was almost reckless of what she did. Young Heald came at length to live in almost hourly fear for his life. I well remember his coming down to a hotel at Horncastle, to receive rents; when he sat at table, with a loaded pistol at each side of him. I knew him and his aunt well, and from the latter I received many kindnesses. The poor persecuted young man soon passed from mortal ken; but the lady migrated to America, to seek higher game once more; but a fracas having occurred, in which she shot someone in a railway carriage, her career also was brought to a close.

The earliest mention which we have of this part of the Manor of Edlington, is as being part of the Barony of Gilbert de Gaunt (some of that name, still residing as farmers in the parish). He probably, or his ancestors, acquired the property, from what was a common source, in that day, viz., from the great Norman Baron, Ivo Taillebois, on whom William the Conqueror bestowed the rich Saxon heiress, the Lady Lucia, the representative of the wealthy family of the Thorolds, and near relative of King Harold (see my records of Old Bolingbroke). He held this Manor till about the year 35 Ed. I., or A.D. 1307. It then passed to the Barkeworthes; Robert de Barkeworthe being the first of them to reside in the parish, as owner of Poolham. They were a family of wealth and position in the neighbourhood at that period. There is a legal document called Feet of Fines (file 98 [39]), of date A.D. 1329, in which William de Barkeworthe, and ffloriana his wife, on p. 36the one part, and Robert de Haney and Alice his wife, on the other part, lay claim to considerable property, in Claxby, Normanby and Ussylby, in which the former establish their claim. In 1351, William de Barkeworthe presented to a moiety of the chapelry of Polum. But in 1369, Thomas de Thymbelby presented. This marks the period when the property passed from the Barkeworthes to the Thimblebys. A Walter de Barkeworthe died in 1347, and was buried in the Cloister of Lincoln Cathedral. At the period of this transition (1369), another Feet of Fines exists, between Thomas, son of Nicholas de Thymelby, with several others, on the one part, and Richard, “son of Simon atte See,” on the other part, by which the said Richard surrenders lands in Claxby, Normanby, Tetford, and other property, to the said Thomas, son of Nicholas de Thymelby and his friends (“Architectural Soc. Journ.,” vol. XXIII., p. 255). There is another Feet of Fines, in 1374, between Thomas de Themelby, John de Themelby, Parson, and others, on the one part, and John de Toutheby, and his wife Alianora, on the other part, which assigns the Manor of Tetford, and advowson of the church, to the Thymelbys. In 1388, John, son of Thomas de Thymelby, presented to Tetford. The Thimbleby pedigree is given in the Herald’s Visitation of 1562.

In 1333, at a Chancery Inquisition, held at Haltham, “on Friday next, after the feast of St. Matthew,” the Jurors declare, that Nicholas de Thymelby, and his wife Matilda, hold land in Haltham, of the right of the said Matilda, under the Lord the King, as parcel of the Manor of Scrivelsby; also that the said Nicholas held land in Stikeswold, of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, by the service of paying them ij^s and vi^d yearly; and also that he held lands in Thymelby, under the Bishop of Carlisle. Further inquisitions show that Nicholas de Thymelby, and John, his brother, also held lands in Horncastle and over (i.e. High) Toynton, under the said Bishop of Carlisle; that Thomas de Thymelby presented to the Church of Ruckland in 1381; and that John, his son, presented to the Church of Tetford, April 4th, 1388. In 1427, it was found that the heirs of John de Thymelby, held by their trustees, lands “in Polum and Edlynton.”

In 1439, William Thymelby, Esq., Lord of Polum, presented to the Benefice of Somersby, having already presented to Tetford. He seems to have married Joan, p. 37daughter of Sir Walter Tailboys, a descendant of the same family, from which sprang Ivo Taillebois, the great Norman Baron, previously mentioned, from whom Gilbert de Gaunt probably acquired his land in Edlington. [37a] Richard Thimbleby, in 1474, obtained the Beelsby estates, through marriage with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Sir Thomas Beelsby, knight, and widow of Sir John Pygot, Knt. He died (1522) possessed (in right of his wife, who was coheir of Godfrey Hilton), of the Manors of Beelsby, Holton-le-Moor, Horsington, Harpswell, Harleston, Thorgansby; and a share of the advowson of Horsington; John Thymelby, his son, succeeded him (Escheator’s Inquisitions, 14 H.S., No. 24). To show the religious fanaticism in the reign of Elizabeth, even among Protestants, note the following:—A Thimbleby of Poolham, A.D. 1581, was thrown into prison by the Bishop of Lincoln (T. Cowper), for refusing to attend Protestant services. His wife was near her confinement, but she begged to see her husband, she was treated so roughly that the pains of labour seized her in her husband’s dungeon. She was nevertheless detained in prison without any nurse or assistant, and a speedy death followed; her husband also dying soon afterwards in prison from the rough treatment which he underwent there. (“The Church under Queen Elizabeth,” by F. G. Lee, II. p. 60). I have given these details to show the importance of the family of Thimbleby.

After another generation or two, Matthew Thymbleby’s widow of Poolham, married Sir Robert Saville, Knt., who, through her, died possessed of the Manors of Poolham, Edlington, and several more. Confining ourselves here to Poolham, we find the Saviles, who were members of the Saviles of Howley, co. York (now represented by Lord Mexborough, of Methley, co. York, etc., etc., and the Saviles, of Rufford Abbey, co. Notts.), continuing to own Poolham until 1600, when Sir John Saville, Knt., sold it to George Bolles, Esq., citizen of London, whose descendant, Sir John Bolles, [37b] Bart., sold it to Sir Edmund Turnor, of Stoke p. 38Rochford. It has recently been sold to Dr. Byron, residing in London.

As we have, thus far, chiefly confined ourselves to the owners of the hamlet of Poolham, we will now make some rather interesting remarks upon the old Poolham Hall, and matters connected with it. The old mansion was probably built originally on a larger scale than the present farm house. It is enclosed by a moat, in the south-west angle of which stand the remains of a chapel, or oratory, now in the kitchen garden; they consist of an end wall and part of a side wall, each with a narrow window. The font, a few years ago, was taken away, and in order to preserve it from destruction, it was placed, some twenty years ago, in the garden of Wispington Vicarage, by the Vicar (the late Rev. C. P. Terrot), a great ecclesiastical antiquarian. It has further again been removed by the present writer, and, on the restoration of the Church of St. Margaret, at Woodhall, in 1893, it was once more restored to its original purpose, as font in that Church, being further adorned by four handsome columns of serpentine, the gift of the Rev. J. A. Penny, the present Vicar of Wispington. Near the chapel, there was till recently, a tombstone, bearing date 1527. This stone was a few years ago removed, and now forms the sill of a cottage doorway in Stixwould. The writer should here add that, on the moat of this old Hall being cleaned out a few years ago, there was found in the mud, beneath the chapel ruins, a curious object, which at once passed into his possession. It proved to be an ancient chrismatory, of which there has never been found the like. The material is terra cotta, with peculiar primitive ornamentation, of a pale stone colour, containing two divisions, or wells, with spouts at each end, each having been covered with a roof, although one of them is now broken off, curiously carved. The use of the chrismatory, was, in mediæval times, connected with baptism; as the child was brought into the church, it was sprinkled with salt, and at the font it was anointed with oil. The two wells were meant to hold the salt and oil. As I have said, it is unique. Its use was first explained to me, by Sir Augustus Franks, of the British Museum. It has been exhibited among the p. 39ecclesiastical objects of art at the Church Congresses, at Norwich, London, Newcastle, Northampton, and other places. It has created very great interest, and has been noticed in various publications. According to Ecton’s “Thesaurus,” this chapel was connected with Bardney Abbey, but it is now a ruin, and unused. The population is limited to three houses, and the most convenient place of worship is Woodhall, St. Margaret’s.

We will now revert more especially to Edlington. We have mentioned Gilbert de Gaunt as among the first owners, but this applies, more strictly to the hamlet Poolham. Edlington proper, is evidently a place of great antiquity, the name is derived from “Eiddeleg,” a deity in the Bardic Mythology (Dr. Oliver’s “Religious Houses on the Witham”); the whole name meaning the town of Eiddeleg. In connection with this, we may mention that, until about three years ago, when it was destroyed by dynamite, there existed an enormous boulder, standing on a rising ground, about sixty yards from the present highway, on the farm of Mr. Robert Searby, which weighed about 10 tons, its height being about 10ft., width 4ft. 6in., and its thickness about 3ft. This would be just the Druidic altar, at which the Bardic mysteries, in the British period, might be celebrated. In 1819, while digging a field in Edlington, some men found several heaps of ox bones, and with each heap an urn of baked clay. Unfortunately none of these urns were preserved, so that we are unable to say whether they were of Roman make, or of earlier date. They imply heathen sacrifice of some kind, and were close to a Roman road; still the existence, already mentioned, of an earlier Bardic worship, would favour for them, an earlier origin.

From Domesday Book (completed circa 1086), we gather (1st) that among the possessions of the King (William the Conqueror), there were 4 carucates, i.e. 480 acres of land, with proportionate sokemen, villeins, and bordars. The whole land of the parish being reckoned at 6,960 acres. Of this extent, the Saxon Ulf, so often mentioned as an owner in this neighbourhood, had 10 carucates (or 1,200 acres). Egbert, the vassal of Gilbert de Gaunt had 480 acres, a mill, always a valuable possession, as all dependants were bound to have their grain ground there; 90 acres of meadow, and 210 acres of wood land, in all 780 acres. A Jury of the wapentake of Horncastle, declared that the powerful noble Robert Despenser, wrongfully disputed the p. 40claim of Gilbert de Gaunt, to half a carucate, or 60 acres, in Edlington, which in the time of Edward the Confessor had been formerly held by one Saxon, Tonna.

Edlington was one of the 222 parishes in the county which had churches before the Norman conquest, but as the number of priests serving these churches was only 131, it is doubtful whether it had a resident minister, it being more probably that it was served by a Monk of Bardney Abbey, to which (according to Liber Regis) it was attached. Here again we have a trace of Gilbert de Gaunt being Lord of the Manor of Edlington, as well as of the subdivision of Poolham. The Monastery of Bardney was originally one of the few Saxon foundations, and established before the year 697. It was however reduced to great poverty by the Danes, under Inguar and Hubba, in 870, 300 monks being slain. It remained in ruins some 200 years, when it was restored by Gilbert de Gaunt, who succeeded to some of the property of Ulf, the Saxon Thane, already named. Gilbert de Gaunt had 54 Manors conferred upon him; being nephew of the Conqueror, and among the several which he bestowed on Bardney, was Edlington. At the dissolution, it would revert to the King, and (as we are here reduced to conjecture), we may well suppose that it was one of the many Manors in this district conferred by Henry VIII., on Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, among whose descendants these vast possessions were subsequently divided. In Dr. Oliver’s learned book on the “Religious Houses on the Witham,” it is stated that Bardney had land in Edlington, that the abbot had the advowson of the benefice, and that before the King’s Justices, in the reign of Ed. I., the abbot proved his right, by act of Henry I., confirmed by Henry III. to the exercise of “Infangthef, pit, and gallows at Bardney.”

In “Placito de Warranto,” p. 409, he claimed, and proved his right, also to a gallows at Edlington (as well as at Hagworthingham, and Steeping, and Candlesby); and in connection with this, it is interesting to note that, as at Bardney, there is a field called “Coney Garth” (Konig Garth), or King enclosure, where the abbot’s gallows stood; so at Edlington there is a field (the grass field, in the angle, as you pass from the village road to the high road, leading northward), which is still called “Coney Green,” which name moderns of small education, suppose p. 41to be derived from the numbers of conies, i.e. rabbits, which abound there; but in which the antiquarian sees the old Konig-field, the King’s enclosure; and in that field, doubtless, stood the abbot of Bardney’s gallows; [41] just as the Abbots of Kirkstead had a gallows in Thimbleby. On this Edlington Coney Green, I have found bricks of an early style, with various mounds and hollows, indicating buildings of some extent, and probably belonging to the King.

In the year 1897, the Rev. J. A. Penny, Vicar of Wispington, discovered and published in “Linc. N. and Q.,” some very interesting Bardney charters of the 13th century, which make many mentions of Edlington. In one case they record the gift of a bondman, and his progeny to Thomas de Thorley, living in Gautby, the slave being William, son of Peter Hardigrey, of Edlington; among the witnesses to the deed of gift being Master Robert, of Poolham, Simon, the Chamberlain of Edlington, and others. Date, 22nd May, 1281.

Another is a declaration of Thomas de Thorley, living in Gautby, that he grants to Master William Hardegrey, Rector of Mareham, all the lands and tenements which he owns in the village and fields of Edlington; among the witnesses being Simon, son of John, the Chamberlain of Edlington; Richard King of the same, Simon the Francis of Edlington, and others.

Another charter states that, “I, William, son of William of Wispington, have granted, and by this deed confirmed, the gift, to William Hardigrey, of Edlington, clerk, all my toft, with its buildings, lying in the parish of Edlington, which is situate between the public highway, and the croft of Richard, son of Henry King, for ever. Among the witnesses being Simon, the Chamberlain of Edlington, John, his son, Alured of Woodhall, and others. Given at Edlington, the Wednesday after Michaelmas, A.D. 1285. (30th Sep., 1285), and 13th year of the reign of King Edward I.”

We further get disconnected notices of various owners of, or in, Edlington, but I can not make out a connected series.

For instance, in a Chancery Inquisition, 13. Ed. I. (12th p. 42May, 1285), held by order of the King, among the jurors are Henry of Horsington, Robert, son of the Parson of Horsington, Hugh Fraunklyn, of Langton, William de Wodehall, of Edlington, and others. Thus the William de Woodhall, already named, was a proprietor in Edlington, as early as 1285.

We find, in a Final Concord, Nov. 22nd, 1208 (three-quarters of a century earlier than the preceding), between Andrew, of Edlington, plaintiff, and Alice, daughter of Elvina, who acted for her, the said Andrew acknowledged the said Alice to be free (he had probably claimed her as a bond-slave, in his house, or on his land, at Edlington), for which Alice gave him one mark. It was only in the reign of Henry VI. that a servant was permitted, after giving due notice to leave his place, and take the services of another (23. Hen. VI. c. 13). Before that, all were the property of their owners, unless given their freedom for some special reason. Here is another proprietor in a dispute, on 10th Nov., 1208, between Thorold, of Horsington on the one part, and John, son of Simon, of Edlington. The said Thorold surrendered for ever, certain lands in Edlington, to John and his heirs, another family of proprietors, at the same date as the previous.

In November, 1218, in a Final Concord, between John, of Edlington, and Hugh, his tenant, as to the right to certain lands in Edlington, it was agreed that John was the rightful owner, and for this, John granted Hugh certain other lands, but in case Hugh died without issue, they were to revert to John, of Edlington. He would seem, therefore, to have been rather a large proprietor.

The will of Richard Evington, of Halsteade Hall, was made, on 22nd January, 1612, by which he leaves his lands in Edlington, and other places, to his two sons, Maurice and Nicholas Evington.

On 23rd December, 1616, Edward Turnor, clerk, of Edlington, made his will, the details of which do not here concern us, beyond showing that he was Vicar.

The parish register dates from 1562, beginning with Thomas fforeman, the sonne of William fforeman, christened 2nd February, 1562. This register is very peculiar, as it gives the baptisms down to 1700, then the marriages from and to the same dates, then the burials from and to the same dates. This is very unusual, the common arrangement, in those times, being to give the baptisms, marriages, p. 43and burials under the same dates all together. The present book is the copy on paper, of the original on parchment or vellum. Among some of the surnames are Billinghay, Padison, Melborn, fford, Hollywell, Kaksby, Stanley, Gunby, Brinkels (Brinkhills), William, son of Thomas Bounsayne, gent., bap. Jan^y. 12th, 1605. Margaret, daughter of John Elton, gent. (and a sister), baptized October 29th, 1611; and Siorach Edmonds, Vicar, 1617. Mary, the daughter of Robert Brookley, gent., bapt. Nov. 2nd, 1652; with others.

This list shews a considerable number of landed proprietors in the parish; there being no one pre-eminent landowner.

Among the Christian names, which occur in the oldest register, are Bridgett, Muriall, Rowland, Judith, Dorothie, Anthony, Hamond, Cicilie, and others.

George Hamerton, gent., and Sarah Hussey, were married June 21st, 1699. [These Hamertons were a wealthy family in Horncastle, owning a large block of houses at the junction of the east and south streets. The initials of John Hamerton and his wife, remain there, over the fire-place, in an oak-pannelled room. I believe they were connected with the Hamertons, of Hamerton, co. York.]

John Corbet and Isabell Thylley were married, December 6th, 1660. [The Corbets have been a long-established family in Lincolnshire, and also taking a leading position in Shropshire, in Sir Andrew Corbett, Bart]. In register III., is a note, “Thomas Barnett, of Thimbelby, found dead in Edlington parish, and was buried Sep. 6th, 1798”; also, “Deborah Bell, aged 95, buried November 7th, 1804.”

In the 2nd register book, among other entries are these:—The Rev. Tristram Sturdivant, Vicar, buried August 3rd, 1755. (The clerk, William Blow, had died 2 years before). Belmirah, daughter of Thos. Clarke of Horncastle, and Mary, his wife, buried Feb. 23rd, 1773.

The 3rd register has the following:—Mr. Wells’ youngest child (of Poolham), christened by me, William Wells, at Poolham, baptized by Mr. L’Oste (then Vicar), at Woodhall Church, named Charles, Aug. 11, 1794. [The Wells’ resided at Poolham down to about 1850. They were wealthy gentlemen farmers, and were most generous to the poor, and supported the church in every possible way, as I know from my own experience, and that of my father].

p. 44Margaret Spencer, a traveller, commonly called “Scotch Peg,” she being a Scotch woman, was buried (at Edlington), Sept. 2, 1789. In the 2nd Register again we have, among the surnames, Greenland, Walesby, Bouchier, Soulby, Bates, Longstaffe, Falkner, Bullifant, Gaunt, Elsey, Sturdivant, Bontoft, Darwin, and others.

We have just mentioned the name of Soulby. I find from the returns made by Government, that Charles Soulby, and his brother Edward, both payed the tax for male servants, the former for 2, the latter for 1, in the year 1780.

Among the Gentry of Lincolnshire, a list of whom was made by the Royal Heralds in the year 1634, is Thomas Tokyng, of Edlington, with Ambrose Sheppard, of Hemingby, Robert and John Sherard, of Gautby, Thomas Morgan, Esq., of Scrivelsby, &c., &c. John Rolt, of Edlington, declined the honour, there being some slight “duty” chargeable on the distinction.

Ralph Palframan, clerk, was presented to the Benefice of Edlington, by his brother Anthony, merchant of the staple, at Lincoln, by an assignment of the advowson made for this turn by the late Abbot of Bardney. William Palfreyman was Mayor of Lincoln in 1536, probably the father. He was instituted A.D. 1569, on the demise of Leonard Nurse. “Architect, Soc. Journ.,” vol. xxiv., p. 15.

The Church of Edlington is dedicated to St. Helen, the mother of the Emperor Constantine, who was, by birth, a Yorkshire woman. The edifice was re-built, with the exception of the lowest part of the tower, in 1859–60, at a cost of £1146. It consists of a nave, south aisle, chancel, and substantial tower of 3 tiers, with 3 bells. The font is square at the base, octagonal above. The tower arch at the west end is the original Norman, and the only part remaining of the original building. The upper part of the tower is in the Early English style. The windows in the tower are copies of the former Early English ones, the south arcade is perpendicular, with windows in the same style, and consisting of 3 bays, with octagonal columns. The Chancel Arch is of good Early English style. There is a good coloured two-light window, near the pulpit, in memory of Margaret, the wife of J. Hassard Short, Esq., who died Feb. 2nd, 1881. The subject of this window is the three Maries, and the Angel, at p. 45the Sepulchre; combined with his wife, he also by the same window, commemorated his daughter, Agnes Margarette, who died 17th Dec., 1867. Another coloured window was placed in the Church in December, 1900, in memory of the late Squire, the subject being the Saviour appearing to Mary Magdalene, at the Sepulchre. Both figures are of life-size, the countenances being full of expression. It was designed by Messrs. Heaton and Butler, and placed in position by Mr. C. Hensman, of Horncastle; and forms a fitting companion to the window in memory of his wife. It bears the inscription, “To the glory of God, in loving memory of John Hassard Short, Esq., who died Dec. 4, 1893, this window is erected by his daughter Marian.” The Shorts have held this estate for four generations. The flooring is laid with Minton tiles, the church is fitted with open benches, and pulpit of oak, with reading desk and lectern of the same. These were the gift of the Lay Impropriators of the Benefice, the Trustees of Oakham and Uppingham Schools. The organ is by Stephenson, of Lincoln. The inscription on the 3 bells (according to North, in his “Lincolnshire Bells”), 2 Royal Heads on each, Edwd. I., and Queen Eleanor; Edwd. III. and Queen Philippa; Henry VI. and Margaret of Anjou. Further details are given, as that Edlington had, in 1553, “three big bells and a Priest’s bell.” Inscriptions now, on 1st bell “1824,” 2nd bell “I.H.S. Sancte Peter,” with diameter of 34 inches; 3rd bell “I.H.S., Sancte Paule”; Priest’s bell, “T.L. TFCW., 1670,” with diameter 11½ inches.

There have been at least 5 Vicars within the last 50 years. The present Vicar, is the Rev. E. H. Bree, formerly Curate of Belchford, who has a good and commodious residence and premises, recently enlarged, and good garden, pleasantly situated close to the Park.

We have said that the former old Residence of the Shorts was pulled down several years ago; no building has been erected on the same scale or site since, but a farm house was adopted as a shooting box, for members of the family; and for the last three or four years this has been occupied by J. R. Hatfeild, Esq., who rents the shooting. The Benefice is in the gift of the Lord Chancellor, as representing the former Patron, the King.

Small as is the parish of Edlington, it has seen some stirring scenes. On the day before the Battle of Winceby, p. 46near Horncastle, where the Royalists were defeated by Cromwell, viz., on the Evening of Tuesday, Oct. 10, 1643, a troop of Parliamentary Horse, commanded by Capt. Samuel Moody, were surprised at Edlington, by the King’s forces, under the command of Sir John Henderson and Lord Widdrington, of Blankney, and there befell a rather sharp skirmish, in which the Parliamentary troops had to fall back. Such was one violation of the quietude of the little village. In older times, lying as it did, between the two Roman forts of Banovallum (or Cornucastrum) and the ancient Lindum (or Lincoln), it would often, in the time of the Roman occupation of the country, be disturbed by the heavy tread of Roman Legions, and the accompanying music of Roman Clarions.

History also tells us that “in the year of our Lord, 1406, Sept. 12, King Henry IV. made a Royal procession from the town of Horncastle, with a great and honourable company, to the Abbey of Bardney, where the Abbot and Monastery came out, in ecclesiastical state, to meet him,” [Leland’s “Collectanea”]. As by-roads did not exist, as they do now, we can hardly doubt, that his line of route would be by the King’s highway, through Edlington.

Surely, even in these days of easy locomotion, it can have fallen to the lot of few villages, large or small, to have given to the gaze of their rustic wondering inhabitants, such varied, and unusual scenes as these.

Mavis Enderby.

Mavis Enderby is nearly 8 miles from Horncastle, in an easterly direction, the road passing through High Toynton, skirting Scrafield, and through Winceby, and Lusby, and being part of the old Roman road from Doncaster to Wainfleet. It is about 3 miles west by north of Spilsby, where is the nearest telegraph office; the nearest money order office being at Raithby. Letters, via Spilsby, arrive at 7.30 a.m. The village is prettily situated on a slope of the wolds, the houses clustering about the church, except solitary farm residences of a substantial kind; the parish is roughly divided into Northfield and Southfield. To the north formerly stood a religious house, a dependency of p. 47Revesby Abbey. It was last occupied by C. J. H. Massingberd Mundy, Esq. It fell into decay some years ago, and nothing now remains of it, beyond the turf-covered foundations and some fine yew-trees, apparently survivals of a former avenue leading to it. A varied view is seen to the north-east, towards Aswardby and Langton, including the wooded height of Harrington Hill, and other elevated ground, with the graceful spire of Sausethorpe church conspicuous in the intervening valley, one of the most successful creations of the Architect, Stephen Lewin, who, fifty years ago, did some good work among our Lincolnshire churches, notably in his restoration of Swineshead, and his re-building of Brothertoft. The stranger might, by the name of this parish, be reminded of the lines of Sir Walter Scott. [47a]

But no groves or hedgerows vocal with their songsters, gave the parish its name. The Lord of the Manor, in the 12th century was Richard de Malbyse, or Malbishe, a large proprietor, and exercising considerable influence in this neighbourhood, and elsewhere. The epithet has been retained to distinguish this from Bag Enderby, and Wood Enderby; one of which is near and the other not far away. The name Malbyse or Malbishe, means, in old Norman French, an evil beast (compare Bis-on); and the arms of the family, as still preserved at Acaster Malbis, near York, once belonging to a member of the family, are a chevron, with three wild stags heads “erased,” i.e., raggedly severed from the body.

Domesday Book, however, tells us of owners of land before the Malbyshes, in pre-Norman times. The Saxon, Thane Elnod, held land in Mavis Enderby and Raithby and East Keal, in the reign of Edward the Confessor (p. 31) [47c]; while another Saxon, Godwin, whose name appears in connection with several other parishes, had the Manor of Mavis Enderby (p. 159) [47c] The old hereditary p. 48owners of the lands met with no mercy from the Conqueror, who had to provide for his Norman followers. The historian records that as William passed along the ranks of his army before the great Battle of Hastings, he addressed them in a loud voice thus, “Remember to fight well, if we conquer we shall be rich, if I take this land, you will have it among you,” and the promise then held out, was amply fulfilled; the vanquished Saxons were robbed of their lands, to reward William’s favorites who had capacious maws. Among those rewarded extensively with plundered territory, was William de Karilepho, consecrated Bishop of Durham in 1082, and also made Chief Justice of England; he received grants of land in Mavis Enderby, Raithby, Spilsby, Hundleby, Grebby, and many other places. Ivo Taillebois (equivalent to the modern Underwood), who was then leader of the Angevin Auxiliaries of the Conqueror, also received very extensive grants; among them being lands in Mavis Enderby, Raithby, Hareby, Halton Holgate, Asgarby, Miningsby and many other demesnes. About the same time also (1070), another of the Conqueror’s favourites Eudo—son of Spirewic, subsequently the founder of the Tattershall family, received very extensive domains, among them being the Manor of Mavis Enderby, a Berewick (or smaller outlying portion) in Raithby, another in Hundleby, and in the two Keals, Hagnaby, and endless more possessions, his head-quarters being at Tattershall, all of which he held “in capite” or directly of the King. But, as we have repeatedly observed in these notes, these early Norman tenures were precarious, they were acquired by violence, and when the hand that held them waxed feeble, a stronger hand, in turn, took possession. Mavis Enderby, like very many other parishes, became an appurtenance of the Manor, or Honor, of Bolingbroke, and throughout that great appanage of the Crown there were many changes in the Lords of demesnes.

The first of the Malbishes, whose name is recorded, is Osbert Malbishe, who, with others, is witness to a charter of Revesby Abbey, of date 1173; this probably is accounted for by the fact of there being a cell of Revesby Abbey at Mavis Enderby. Another Malbishe, William, also witnesses another Revesby charter in 1216. Both these lived before the Richard Malbishe who is generally referred to as being the Lord of the Manor, whose name became attached to the parish.

p. 49Among the “Final Concords” (p. 162), we find it recorded, that in a deed, dated 5th June, 1222, Matilda, wife of the above William Malebisse, claimed certain lands in Enderby (not yet specially designated “Mavis”), as her dower, but that through the agency of Robert de Wion, she quit-claimed all her rights to that particular portion in favour of one Nicholas and his heirs, for which the said Nicholas gave her 20s.

In a Chancery Inquisition, 4 Edw. III., 1330, it is shown that the heirs of Alan Malbish hold certain lands in Sausthorpe and Langton; and another Inquisition in 1352, mentions ¼ fee held in Sauzethorpe and Langton, which the heirs of Alan Malbish hold. (“Archit. S. Journ.,” 1894, p. 170.)

After this we hear nothing more of the Malbishe family. But in a Chancery Inquisition post-mortem, 18 Henry VII., No. 34, taken at “Est Rasen, 26th October, 1502, after the death of Thomas Fitzwilliam, heir of Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam, Knight, lately deceased,” it is stated that John Vere, Earl of Oxford, Sir Robert Dymmok, Knight, Robert Rede, Justice of the Lord the King, Thomas Chaloner, and others, were seized of the fee of the Manors of Malburssh Enderby, Maydinwell, Malberthorp, etc., with their appurtenances (which are described as extensive) to the use of the heirs male of the said Sir Thomas Fitzwilliam lawfully begotten, and the Jurors further say, that the Manor of Malburssh Enderby, with appurtenances, etc., are held of the Lord the King, of the Duchy of Lancaster, as of his Manor of Bolingbroke, and that certain lands are held of Sir George Taylboys (doubtless a descendent of Ivo Taillebois, owner in the days of the Conqueror), but by what services they do not know. (“Architect. Soc. Journ.” 1895, p. 14).

The Fitzwilliams still held lands in Mablethorp in the reign of Henry VIII. One of the family, Sir William Fitzwilliam was Lord High Admiral, and a staunch supporter of the King in the rebellion of 1536. Only two years later, in an Inquisition, 20 Henry VII., No. 14 (January 31, 1504–5). After the death of George Gedney, it is stated that a certain John Billesby (of Billesby) [49] and Nicholas Eland were seized of the Manor of p. 50Mabysshenderby, with appurtenances, as well as lands in Hagworthynham, Bag Enderby, Holbeche, Fleet, and Swaby, and that they enfeoffed the said George Gedney and Anne his wife of the aforesaid Manors, to them and their heirs for ever. The Gedneys continued for many generations an influential family in the neighbourhood. Andrew Gedney, of Bag Enderby, married Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Skipwith, of South Ormsby, 1536; and within recent years Arthur P. Gedney, Esq. (a cousin of the writer of these notes), owned the Manor of Candlesby, and resided at Candlesby Hall. (“Arch. S. Journ.,” 1895, page 27.)

In an Inquisition p.m. in the same year No. 52, after the death of the said Anne, wife of George Gedney, much of this is repeated, but it is further specified that the property in Hagworthingham is held of the Abbot of Bardney; some in Bag Enderby is held of the Warden of Tateshale, some in Holbeche of the Lady Dacre de la South, and some in Flete of the Lord Fitz Water; that the said Anne died on the Saturday after the feast of the Holy Trinity, and that John Gedney is son and next heir. In a deed of 14 June, 1535, John Gedney, of Bag Enderby, refers to his wife’s jointure of lands in Mavis Enderby and other parishes; the said wife being Isabel, heiress of the Enderbies of Bag Enderby.

In the register of Mavis Enderby, one book of which extends from 1579 to 1772, an entry shows that George Lilbourne was Rector from 1522 to 1588, or 66 years. He was a relative of the Smyths of Elkington, near Louth, who are still represented in the two parishes of North and South Elkington, as is shown by his will, dated 5th July, 1587 (Lincolnshire Wills), in which he requests that he may be buried on the north side of the chancel, bequeathing “to my niece Lacon, my niece Hansard, and my niece Simpson, an old English crown apiece; to Sir Edward Hustwaite, all the books he hath of mine, and a great book of St. Gregory’s works, in the hands of Sir Robert Welles, Parson of Howell; to my servant Agnes Cressie, a silver spoon with akorne at the end of it; to George Smithe 3^li.; to Dorothy and Susan Smyth, 10^s. apiece; to my nephew Herbert Lacon, a macer (mazer or drinking bowl), lined with silver and gilt; to my cousins Thomas Smithe and Anthony Smithe, and my nephew Tristram Smithe a little silver salt (cellar). I make my nephew Herbert p. 51Lacon, and Mr. Thomas Taylor, supervisors.” (Prob., 8 May, 1588).

It would appear that he was more generous in lending his books than his friends were careful in returning them, the latter, a failing not unknown in our own day, and even St. Paul could write to Timothy (2 T. iv. 13), “Bring with thee the books, but especially the parchments.”

Among Lincolnshire Wills is one of Roger Metcalf, clerk of Mavis Enderby, dated 18 July, 1606, in which he desires to be buried in the chancel, John Downes of Lusby, clerk, being left executor, and George Littlebury of Somersby, Gent., and John Salmon of Haltham-on-Bain, clerk, supervisors. We thus see that in Saxon times, lands in Mavis Enderby and Raithby were held by the same owner, and that in early Norman times, lands in the two parishes were held more than once by the same Lord. In a Feet of Fines, Lincoln, file 68 (32), 30 Ed. I., there was a dispute between John Beck (of the ancient family of Bec, of Eresby, Lusby, etc.) and Robert de Wylgheby (ancestor of the Lords Willoughby) about the Manors and advowsons of Enderby Malbys, and Ratheby, as well as other properties, in which the said Robert granted to the said John the said lands and advowsons. “Architect. S. Journal,” 1897, p. 56. And in the present day the two benefices are held together by the Rev. George Ward, who is himself patron of Mavis Enderby, Raithby being in the gift of the crown.

Early in the seventeenth century, the benefice was held by the Rev. James Forrester, who was chaplain to Anne, Queen of James I., and wrote a curious book, entitled “The Marrowe Juice of 260 Scriptures, or Monas-Tessera-Graphica”; printed at the signe of the crowne, in Paul’s churchyard, 1611.

The head of one of our old and distinguished Lincolnshire families, Sir Edward Ascough, presented to the benefice in 1679 and 1685. In 1734, Decimus Reynolds presented, and in 1782 Henry Best, Esq., presented. “Liber Regis.,” s.v., Malvis, alias Maurice, Enderby.

The present owners of the parish are Mrs. Rashdall of London, Mrs. Coltman of Hagnaby, Mr. Holmes of Eastville, and the Rector.

It need hardly be said that the poem, by Miss Ingelow, of Boston, called “The Brides of Mavis Enderby,” has no connection with this parish, being entirely imaginary, p. 52except that it is founded on the fact of a high tide on the Lincolnshire coast. It was published in 1849, and Tennyson, the Laureate, much admired it. “Life of Lord Tennyson,” Vol. I., p. 287. The name was chosen as being euphonious.

The Church, dedicated to St. Michael, consists of tower, nave with south aisle, and chancel. The tower is of three stories. In the western wall, above the west door, is a three-light trefoiled perpendicular window, above this a clock, above that a smaller three-light window, similar windows being in all four faces. The sill of the west door is an ancient stone, with the “Runic involuted knot” pattern, which, however, is almost obliterated by the tread of worshippers entering by the door. It is similar to the Runic stone at Miningsby. The church has been restored or rebuilt at various periods. The tower, originally a lofty one, but a large part of which, through decay of the sandstone, had fallen down, was partly rebuilt in 1684, and a lower bell-chamber provided. In 1894 it was again restored, and carried up to its original height. The chancel also was rebuilt to its original length in 1871, and the nave, aisle, and porch were handsomely restored in 1878. There are three bells. On the south interior wall of the tower is an inscription on a tablet, recording that the tower was restored and clock set up in 1894, in memory of four generations of the Ward family, “who were married in 1704, 1728, 1783, 1836, G. Ward, F.S.A. (Rector), W. Sharpe (Churchwarden), their 23rd year of office together, C. Hodgson Fowler (Architect), Edwd. Bowman and Sons (Contractors).”

In the north wall of the nave is a door, two three-light trefoiled windows, with two quatrefoils above. The south aisle consists of three bays, one of the original sandstone pillars still remains in the north corner of the west end, next to the tower wall, where there is also a two-light window behind the font. In the south wall, east of the porch, are two windows of three lights, one of the decorated style, the other perpendicular, both square-headed. The eastern one has coloured glass, by Clayton and Bell, the subjects being—in the centre the annunciation, to the east the angel appearing to Zacharias, to the west the visitation, adapted from the famous picture by Mariotto Albertinelli, in the Academy Gallery, at Florence. The seats are of modern oak, with carved poppy-heads, except one or two ancient ones preserved from an older structure near the tower, and p. 53the roof throughout is of red deal. There is a modern oak rood screen, with rood-loft, having standing figures of angels, one on each side, as well as one over the pulpit. These were originally in Louth church. The pulpit and reading desk are of modern oak. The font is octagonal, decorated with plain Ogee arch on each face. The south porch is modern, but having a curious old stoup, the pedestal being a cluster of early English columns, the bowl of a rather later date, in keeping with the carving round the doorway; these have probably been imported from elsewhere. The chancel, entirely modern, has a three-light east window, both the tracery and coloured glass being adapted from a window in Louth church (where the Rector was formerly Curate), the glass being by Clayton and Bell, the tracery by the late Mr. James Fowler of Louth. The subjects are—below, the agony, crucifixion and entombment, and above, the annunciation, with six-winged cherubim on either side. In the south wall are two windows of two lights, with quatrefoil above. On the north is an organ chamber, with low wide arch, and a modern piscina and aumbrey in the wall. The altar cloths are very handsome, the upper cover being crimson plush, decorated with shields, and the cross and scales; the frontals are gifts of various persons, one of Algerian red silk and gold work in three compartments; a second of white silk, worked by Mrs. Clarke, late of Stainsby House, with the Agnus Dei in the centre; the third is of green silk, with very rich embroidery; the fourth, of plain purple velvet, with four bands of darker purple, for the Lent season.

The churchyard cross has been recently restored after the fashion of the Somersby cross, a portion of the shaft being old. There is also a modern sun dial, erected by the present Rector. Fragments of the old tower, and of the Norman sandstone pillars, form ornaments in the Rectory garden.

The present Rectory was built in 1871, the architect being the late Mr. James Fowler, of Louth, it has been added to since that date, and now forms a commodious residence in pretty grounds, and a picturesque situation.

It may be added, as an incident of special interest, that the father of the late Sir John Franklin, the arctic explorer, on retiring from business in Spilsby, bought a portion of ground in this parish, in south field, and built a house, now occupied by Mr. W. R. Cartwright, in p. 54which he resided for some years, and in which Sir John Franklin spent his youth.

Some years ago, the Rector found in his garden a silver groat of Philip and Mary, two Nuremberg tokens, and a half-penny of William III.

The church and parish, in their past and present history, are among the most interesting in the neighbourhood.

Fulletby.

Fulletby lies about 3½ miles from Horncastle, in a north-east by north direction, on the road to Belchford. Letters, via Horncastle, arrive at 10 a.m. The nearest Money Order Office is at Belchford, the nearest Telegraph Office at Tetford, or Horncastle. We do not know very much of the ancient history of this parish. In Domesday Book it is stated (“Lands of the Bishop of Durham”) that the Saxons, Siward and Edric, had there two carucates (or about 240 acres) and six oxgangs of land, rateable to gelt. William, a vassal of the Bishop [54] had also there two carucates (or 240 acres) and five villeins and 19 socmen, who had two carucates and two oxgangs. In Hearne’s “Liber Niger” (vol. ii) Ranulph, Bishop of Durham, is said to have “in Fuletebi and Oxcum 4 carucates and 6 oxgangs which Pinson holds” (Circa A.D. 1114). Pinson was a Norman soldier, Dapifer, or Steward of the Durham Bishops, and held many lands in this neighbourhood under them for the service of acting as their bailiff; the Bishop holding, “in chief,” direct from the sovereign. Pinson thus became (deputy) Lord of Eresby, and other Episcopal Lordships, and by the marriage of Walter de Beck, with Agnes, a daughter of Hugh Pinson, several of these lands passed to the family of Bec, or Bek; one of the family, Anthony de Bec, himself became Bishop of Durham. In 1214 the p. 55Bishop of Durham’s land in Fulletby and Oxcomb was held under him by Henry Bec, and in the reign of Ed. I. John Beck and John de Harington held a Fee (doubtless the same property in Fulletby and Oxcombe). At another date, temp King Henry II., a certain “Count Richard,” probably the Earl of Chester, had “in Fulledebi 2 carucates.” By the marriage of Sir William Willoughby with a daughter of Baron Bec, of Eresby, several of these Lordships passed to the Willoughby d’ Eresby family; and among them (“Testa de Nevill,” page 318) were lands in “ffotby”; and in Feet of Fines, Lincoln, (file 69, 31, Ed. I. A.D. 1303) it is stated that Robert de Wylgheby held “rent of 6 quarters of salt in ffoletby, Beltefford, Golkesby, &c.” While Gervase Holles says (“Collectanea,” Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 770) that in the reign of Elizabeth, “Carolus, Dominus Willoughby de Parham,” was Lord of the Manor of Fulletby (“Old Lincolnshire,” vol. i., pp. 213–214). The lands have passed from these old owners many years ago, and are now the property of the Elmhirst, Booth, Riggall, and other families.

In the rebellion, called “the Lincolnshire Rising,” in 1536, Robert Leech, of Fulletby, joined with the insurgents, and, although his brother, Nicholas Leech, parson of Belchford, escaped trial, Robert was put to death with Thomas Kendall, vicar of Louth, the Abbots (Matthew Mackerell) of Barlings, and (Richard Harrison) of Kirkstead, and many others. Their names were included in a “List of Lincolnshire Martyrs,” sent to the Apostolic See, who were “first made Venerable, then Blessed, and lastly Canonised,” by his holiness, for their steadfastness in the Papal cause. Other persons, known by name, connected with the parish as patrons of the benefice, have been the heirs of Nicholas Shepley in 1701; George Lascells, Esq., in 1741; Thomas Rockliffe, Esq., in 1782; Francis Rockliffe, clerk, in 1784; Mrs. A. R. Rockliffe, 1826; Rev. J. Jackson in 1863. F. Charsley, Esq., is the present patron; and Rev. R. Barker is rector, who has a substantial residence in the parish. The benefice was formerly charged with a pension of 6s. 8d. to Bullington Priory.

The Church, St. Andrews, is a modern edifice, almost entirely rebuilt in 1857 by Messrs Maughan and Fowler, of Louth; a previous larger church having been erected in 1705, on the site of a Saxon church, mentioned by p. 56Archdeacon Churton, in his “English Church,” as one of the two hundred and twenty-two churches in Lincolnshire existing before the Norman conquest. No traces of the original Saxon church remain. The fabric, 400 years ago, is said to have been considerably longer, to have had a tower, and north and south aisles. In the later fabric, the aisles had disappeared, as shewn in an old print, and the tower which partly fell, in 1799, was then cut down to the level of the nave roof, with a small wooden bell-turret above it.

The Land Revenue Records (bundle 1392) state that there were “iij bells and a lytel bell.” In 1566 the Churchwardens reported a “sacringe bell” as still remaining (Peacock’s “Church Furniture” p. 81.) There are now only two bells; and a tradition still lingers, that the largest of the former bells now hangs in the belfry of Tetford church. In 1834, the Church, like several others in the neighbourhood, was thatched; at that date the roof was repaired, and covered with tiles.

The east window is a good triplet, in early English style. The present pulpit was put up by the late Rector, the Rev. G. E. Frewer; and, along with the Reredos, was carved by Mr. Winn, living in the parish. The reading desk was carved by a former Rector, Rev. J. Jackson, but has of late years, been altered. There is a handsome brass lectern given by the present Rector, Rev. R. Barker. In the floor of the chancel is a slab, with this inscription, “Depositum Ricardi Dugard qui obiit anno ætatis 68, salutis 1653, Januarii 28.” He is supposed to have been a nephew of William Dugard, who printed the original edition of “Ikon Basilike,” in his own house. The two present bells are inscribed “Warner and Sons, 1857.” All the registers previous to 1750 have been lost. Of the communion plate, the chalice and paten are dated 1688; the flagon is modern.

In 1566 there was in the church “one alb, one cope, a crosse, super altaire, ij images, a mass, a piece of wood, whereon stood xxiv candels.” George Monson, the royal commissioner, ordered that “they must awaie with (these) this side the first of Maie, and certifie.”

In 1846 six Roman urns, containing calcined bones, were dug up in this parish in an abandoned brickyard; and, about 5 years afterwards, another similar urn was found near the same place. There are still found there a p. 57considerable quantity of fossils, ammonites, gryphæa, &c.; and the writer of these notes possesses a vertebra of a large saurian, one of several which have quite recently been found at the same place.

Fulletby School was rebuilt in 1849. The 1st stone being laid in the last week in August, to contain 60 children, by Dr. Spranger, Rector of Low Toynton, who gave handsomely, besides building at his own expense and endowing a School at New York. The Rev. W. M. Pierce, Rector, contributed, also Mrs. Elmhirst, of Yorkshire; the Lady of the Manor, the Queen Dowager giving £10. (“Lincolnshire Chronicle,” August 28th, 1849).

Goulceby.

Goulceby lies in a northerly direction, about 7 miles from Horncastle, some two miles further on than Scamblesby, and barely a mile west of Asterby, to which parish it is now ecclesiastically annexed; the joint value of the two benefices, the former a vicarage and the latter a rectory, being about £380 a year, now held by the Rev. J. Graham, J.P., who resides at Asterby. Goulceby was probably, in Saxon times, the more important of the two places, since it was one of the 222 parishes in the county (according to Sir Henry Ellis) which possessed a church before the Norman Conquest, and one of the 131 which had a resident priest.

Letters arrive via Lincoln at 10 am., and are despatched at 3.55 p.m. The nearest money order office is at Scamblesby, the nearest telegraph office at Baumber; but, by arrangement, telegrams can be sent from the Donington-on-Bain station, on the Lincoln and Louth railway, which is distant about 2 miles.

The village lies in a valley which is watered by a branch of the river Bain. The patronage of the benefice has been in various hands. In pre-reformation times it belonged to the Preceptory of the Knights Templars at Willoughton; in 1605 it was held by Christopher Pickering (“Liber Regis”), later by a Mr. Hatley (Ecton’s “Thesaurus”); then by the Listers of Burwell Park, who presented as late as 1837; from whom the patronage, with the manor, was acquired by the Bagnell family; whose representative now p. 58presents to the united benefice, alternately with the Traffords, as Lords of the Manor of Asterby. At what period the original church perished does not appear to be recorded; but, according to Weir (“History of Lincolnshire,” ed. 1828) there was in 1821 only a small modern church, dedicated to all Saints. This fell into decay, and in 1855 was succeeded by a small brick and stone structure; which, in turn, has more recently been taken down; and the church at Asterby now serves for the two parishes.

Historic references to this parish are “few and far between,” yet by bringing them together, with a moderate degree of assumption from given premises, we can make out a fairly connected catena of its ownership. The name itself can hardly be said to give a certain sound. It has been variously spelt, as Golsby, Goldesby, Gouthesby, Golksby, Colceby, and, in Domesday Book, Colchesbi. We can only conjecture that it may have been the “Buy,” i.e., Byre, or farmstead of a Saxon Thane, named Col, Kol, or Golk, the two former being common as contractions of Colswen, or Colegrim, and not uncommon in the neighbourhood. [58]

According to Domesday Book, this, like many other parishes in the neighbourhood, was among the possessions of the Norman noble, Ivo Taillebois, acquired through his marriage with the Lady Lucia, the wealthy Saxon heiress of the Thorolds, and connected with the Royal line of King Harold. He (or she), had here 3 carucates of land (or 360 acres), rateable to gelt; with 16 socmen and 2 villeins, occupying 6 carucates (or 720 acres); a mill worth 4s. yearly; a church and priest, and 120 acres of meadow. As I mention in notices of other parishes (Bolingbroke, Scamblesby &c.), the tenure of these demesnes was not of long duration, and in a few years they were dispersed among the descendants of the Saxon heiress. Goulceby would seem to have become an appurtenance, with Belchford, Donington and several others, of the superior manor of Burwell. It would thus be granted, originally, by Henry I. to the Norman family of De la Haye, one of whom, in the 13th century, founded the Benedictine Alien Priory of Burwell, as a dependency p. 59of the Abbey of S. Mary Silvæ Majoris, near Bourdeaux, and endowed it with some of his own demesnes. This family held these possessions for 150 years. The last of them, John De la Haye, in the reign of Edward I., having enfeoffed Philip de Kyme of the same, continued for the remainder of his life to hold the lands, under the said Philip, by the peculiar (nominal) “service of one rose.” (Chancery Inquis., post mortem, 21, Edward I., No. 33). For some years the Kymes held the property, being called to Parliament as Barons, and doing other service for their sovereigns; until in 12 Edward III. (Dugdale’s “Baronage,” i., 621) William of that name died without issue; and his widow married as her second husband, Nicholas de Cantelupe (whose ancestors had been Earls of Abergavenny), who thus succeeded to these demesnes. He dying also without issue, on the subsequent death of his widow, the property reverted to Gilbert de Umfraville, Earl of Angus, who had been enfeoffed of it by his uncle, the above William. Gilbert, again, died without issue, and his widow married Henry Percy, created at the coronation of Richard II., the 1st Earl of Northumberland, who thus in turn acquired the property. He, however, rebelled against Henry IV. (Camden’s “Britannia,” p. 547); and on his attainder that sovereign granted the manors to his son John, afterward. Duke of Bedford (Patent Rolls, 6, H. iv., p. 2., m. 16s) He dying without issue, the property reverted to the crown, and Henry VI. granted it to Ralph, Lord Treasurer Cromwell. (Patent Roll 18, H. vi., pt. 2, m. 19).

Before this period, however, the Cromwells were connected with Goulceby, since it is shewn, by an Inquisition in the reign of Henry V. (post mortem, No. 72, A.D. 1419), that Matilda, the wife of Sir Ralph Cromwell, Knight, held lands in Roughton, Wodehall, Langton, Golseby, Belcheford, Donington, etc., [59] and that Sir Ralph Cromwell her son was the next heir. When the Lord Treasurer founded at Tattershall, the College of the Holy Trinity, on the 17th Henry VI. (1439), he endowed p. 60it with portions of many of these manors, as had also been done in the case of Burwell Priory, centuries before; Goulceby doubtless being one of them. On the dissolution of Religious Houses by Henry VIII. a great number of the lands connected with them in this neighbourhood were bestowed by that sovereign on Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, among these being Goulceby, Belchford, ffulletsbye, etc. [60a] He died 24 August, 1545, leaving two sons, Henry and Charles, by his wife Catherine, daughter and heiress of William Lord Willoughby de Eresby. They, while at St. John’s College, Cambridge, died of the epidemic, called “the sweating sickness,” 16 July, 1551 (Cooper’s “Athenæ Cantabridgenses,” i., 105); whereupon the descendants of the daughters of their great grandfather, Sir William Brandon, were declared the rightful heirs. One of these, Eleanor, had married John Glemham, of Glemham Parva, Suffolk, and their great grandson succeeded Thomas Glemham, Burwell, and a considerable portion of these demesnes. [60b] He died about the 14 year of Queen Elizabeth, and was succeeded by his son Henry, afterwards Sir Henry Glemham, Knight, who married Lady Anne Sackville, daughter of the Earl of Dorset. [60c] He settled upon his wife, Burwell, with appurtenances; and documents connected with the Lister family (subsequently owners of Burwell, etc.), now in the possession of Porter Wilson, Esq., shew that, in 1602, the farm rents included those from “Goulsby, Belchforde, Donington super bayne,” etc. We now proceed a step further to another change of ownership:—In 1641, Sir Thomas Glemham, of Burwell, was a strong supporter of Charles I., being Colonel of the King’s 4th Regiment, and successively, Governor of York, Carlisle, and Oxford. [60d] He, probably in order to raise funds for his royal master, sold for £15,000, the Burwell estate and its many appurtenances, to Sir Matthew Lister, Knight, of St. Martin in the Fields, co. Middlesex, and Martin Lister, of Thorpe Arnold, co. Leicester, his brother. It is somewhat curious that in the p. 61list of manors, which then changed hands, although Belchford, Oxcombe, ffaireforth (i.e. Farforth), and Walmesgate, all in the near neighbourhood of Goulceby, are named, no mention is made of Goulceby itself, yet down to as recently as 1863 the patronage of the benefice was vested in them (Morris’s “Gazetteer,” 1863). It appears, however, from a deed of settlement, dated 10 Jan. 1656–7 (or about 15 years after the sale), that Sir Martin Lister, of Thorpe Arnold, was possessed of Belchford, Colceby, &c.; and after his death, his children were to divide his property, and the trustees were “empowered to sell, if necessary, Belchford, Colceby,” &c. It is possible that by this “Colceby,” Calceby may be intended, which was annexed to Driby and Ormsby; but it certainly looks as if Goulceby formed a part of the share of the property originally bought by Sir Matthew Lister’s brother Martin. The Listers continued to be owners of Burwell, doubtless at different periods parting with various of the subsidiary “appurtenances” down to a few years ago; intermarrying with the Dymokes, Alingtons, Gregorys of Harlaxton, Lord Deloraine, members of the families of Sir Robt. Barkham, Knollys, Sir Edward Boughton, and forming other good connections. Only in 1883, was the property finally parted with by the late Matthew Henry Lister, eldest son of Matthew Bancroft Lister, High Sheriff in 1800, to the present owner, William Hornsby, Esq., High Sheriff in 1898. We may add that Matthew Bancroft Lister claimed descent from Philip of Kyme; whose family, we have seen, were owners of Goulceby, in the reign of Edward I., and in 1840 he petitioned the Queen for a revival in his person of the Barony of Kyme; but that dignity still remains in abeyance. Of the Matthew Lister who married Eleanor, daughter of the Hon. Sir Charles Dymoke, Knight, champion of James II. (Circa 1683), it is recorded that he had a son “Martin, baptized 1 October, buried in woollen 30 Nov., 1693.” [61] For these particulars as to the ownership of Goulceby in the past, I am largely indebted to a paper in the “Architectural Society’s Journal” for 1897, by Mr. R. W. Goulding, entitled “Notes on the Lords of the Manor of Burwell.”

p. 62The present owners of Goulceby are Colonel Bagnell, Lord of the Manor, Earl Manvers, Thomas Falkner Alison, and various small proprietors.

The following particulars of the Listers are worthy of mention.—Sir Matthew Lister, M.D., was fellow of Oriel College, Oxford; Physician to Queen Anne, Consort of James I.; and Physician in Ordinary to Charles I., by whom he was knighted in 1636 (Woods’ “Fasti Oxon.,” 3rd ed., 1815, i., 307–8), he died at the age of 92. The entry of his burial is as follows, “Matthew Lyster, Kt. & cheefe lord of Burwell, &c., was buried December the 19th, 1657.” Among the bequests in his will, dated 18th August, 1656, are the following:—To his wife all his household stuff . . ., all “the jewells she usually weareth, and hath in her custodie”; also his “coach and coach-horses, if he should have any at his death.” “Item, I give to be divided between her and my neece, Sir Martin Lister’s wife, all that poure remnant of Plate which is left me since these troubles.” To his “son in law George Banfield, and to his sister, the Ladie Cobham, £10 for a remembrance.” To his “servant John Mitchele, £50 . . ., and if he bee with me at my death all my wearing apparel, except one fringed sattin gown lyned with furre called ffitches (i.e., Marten skins), which I desire my wife may have.” We may assume that this was some official, or court, robe worn by Sir Matthew on occasions of ceremony. He was President of the London College of Physicians, and even in our own day, members of a College wear the “gowns” of their degree or office.

Another member of the family, Martin Lister, M.D., F.R.S., was one of Queen Anne’s Physicians, an eminent zoologist, and author of books on various branches of Natural History. His most important work was his “Historia sive, synopsis Methodica Conchyliorum.” Various plants and animals have been named after him.

Two or three other documents connected with Goulceby, may be here briefly referred to:—

By a Final Concord, dated 20 June, 1202, an agreement was made between Holda, daughter of Geoffrey, on the one hand, and certain Monks of Minting Priory, who were tenants of an oxgang of land in Goutheby, by which she surrendered all claim to the land, in favour of the Monks and their successors for ever. In return for which the Monks gave her one mark.

p. 63On July 28, 1231, an agreement was made between the Master of the Knights Templars in England, and William Moysaunt and Amice his wife, by which the said William and Amice acknowledged a certain meadow in Golkesby to be the right of the said Master “to have and to hold, to him and his successors, in free, pure, and perpetual alms”; and for this the said Master gave them 2s.

By will, dated 30 May, 1617, Adam Henneage of Donynton Super Bane, Gent, left to Frances his wife “all my messuage in Goulcebie, wherein John Clarke now dwelleth”; and to his “sonne James his copyhold land in Goulcebie, in tenure of Peter Pindar and John Tomson.” Proved at Horncastle, 28 June, 1617. By will, dated 23 July, 1623, Thomas Kent, of Scamblesby, Clerk, left “to the poor people of the parish of Goulceby, 20s.,” with similar bequests to the poor of Donington and Scamblesby. Proved at Lincoln, 15 Nov., 1623.

The will of Timothy Kent, of Donington, Clerk, dated 13 Feb., 1623–4, mentions lands in Goulceby and Asterby, and leaves bequests to various relations and servants, and to the Cathedral Church, Lincoln, 2s., and to the poor of Donington, 20s. Proved at Lincoln, 28 May, 1624. Elias Kent, of Scamblesby, Gent., by will, dated 13 Feb., 1625, leaves various bequests to relatives and friends, and “to the poorest people of Goulceby 10^s., to those of Donington 10^s., to those Scamblesby 40^s.” Proved at Lincoln, 20 Dec., 1628. (“Lincs. N. & Q.,” Vol. III., pp. 205–207).

The poor of Goulceby have an annual rent charge of £2 10s., left by Anthony Acham, which is distributed in bread. He also in 1638 founded, and endowed with £10 yearly, a school here; which was re-built in 1865, with accommodation for 130 children; the original endowment is now supplemented from other sources, and the school serves for the parishes of Goulceby, Asterby, and Stenigot.

Greetham.

Greetham is distant about 3½ miles from Horncastle, in an easterly direction, lying just beyond the parish of High Toynton, south of Fulletby, west of Ashby Puerorum and north of Winceby. The village is chiefly situated on a cross-road running north and south (and probably Roman) p. 64which unites the road from Horncastle to Tetford with that from Horncastle to Hagworthingham and Spilsby. The nearest money order and telegraph office is at Horncastle, whence the letters arrive at 9.20. a.m. The population of this village is now just over 130; but, as Isaac Taylor says (“Words and Places,” p. 1), “local names are records of the past,” and Greetham, as its name implies, was at one time a place of considerably more importance than at present. The Saxons named it Greetham, or the great village; which, as Mr. Streatfeild suggests (“Lincolnshire and the Danes,” p. 18), the Normans translated into “Grandham,” or “Granham,” as we find it in the Conqueror’s survey in Domesday Book; and which was sometimes further curtailed into “Graham,” as we find a field in High Toynton described as the “24 acres towards Graham.” (Feet of Fines, Lincoln, 9, Henry III., No. 52, A.D. 1224–25, quoted “Linc. N. & Q,” vol. iii., pp. 245–6). And not only was Greetham (or Grandham) held in demesne, i.e., as a manor, but, like the neighbouring Bolingbroke, being connected with Royalty, it became also designated an “Honour.”

In a Chancery Inquisition post mortem (21 Henry VII., No. 122) taken after the death of Henry Dawson, it is stated that “4 messuages, &c., in Tetney are held of the Lord the King, as of his Honour of Bullingbroke”; and in almost similar terms, in a Chancery Inquisition post mortem, of the same King, No. 124, taken after the death of William Quadring, Esq., it is stated that he “held a messuage in Irby, of the Lord the King, as of his Manor of Greetham, parcel of his Duchy of Lancaster.” In Domesday Book it is stated that certain lands in the Manor of Bilsby, near Alford, are “held of the Manor of Grandham”; Greetham apparently not in either of these cases being regarded as an Honour. But in an Inquisition post mortem, of John Asfordby, A.D. 1499, it is stated that the manor of this same Bilsby, with Westhalgarth, is “held of the Lord the King, as of the Honour of Greetham.” But, even as early as Domesday (1080), lands are enumerated as belonging to “Grandham,” lying in Langtune (by Spilsby), Hacberdineham (Hagworthingham), Salmundby, Tedforde, Brinkhill, Wingsby, and Clachesby Pluckacre, in all amounting to 33 carucates, or close upon 4,000 acres (3960). And, to shew the wealth of the manor at that date, p. 65compared with some others in the neighbourhood, while Scrivelsby is given in Domesday as of the value of £14, and Horncastle at £44, Bolingbroke is put at £40, but Greetham at £60, and it is further tallaged, i.e., taxed at £70. It was the “caput Honoris,” or head, of the Lincolnshire Barony of Hugh de Abrincis, or Avranches, the Conqueror’s nephew, surnamed Lupus, or The Wolf, from his many deeds of violence. He was Earl of Chester, having the whole of Cheshire assigned to him, except a small portion belonging to the Bishop; and his royal uncle further granted to him, nine manors in Berkshire, seven in Yorkshire, ten in Dorset, thirty-two in Suffolk, and twelve in Norfolk, twenty-two in Leicester, and about a score in Lincolnshire, besides smaller numbers in other counties, and sokes and berewicks beyond counting. Earl Lupus in his later years, attempted to atone for the irregularities of his early life, by becoming monk in his own Abbey of St. Werburg, at Chester. Later, the estates which he held, reverted to the crown, and were, in part, granted to the Earl of Lincoln, who was created Duke of Lancaster. His daughter and heiress, married the 4th son of King Edwd. III., who also, through his wife, became Duke of Lancaster, and was father of Henry of Bolinbroke, afterwards Henry IV. After various vicissitudes, the Honour and much of the very extensive soke of Bolingbroke, became merged in the Crown; and, in part, still remains the property of the Sovereign, the King having among his titles still the Palatine Dukedom of Lancaster. The fortunes of Greetham were more varied. It is impossible, from the sources of information available for these notes to give all the successive steps in the tenure of this manor, and of its numerous and valuable appurtenances; or to give the connection, if any, between successive owners. Fixity of tenure was by no means a feature of those times, the power of the Sovereign was almost absolute, and demesnes were seized by him, forfeited, retained, granted anew, or disposed of for money, according to the royal caprice, or the exigencies of his purse, in a most arbitrary fashion. To show the precarious nature of tenures held “in capite,” or “in chief” from the Sovereign, we will mention one or two cases, taken haphazard:—Edmund of Woodstock, 2nd son of Edwd. I., was beheaded by Edward III., in the 4th year of his reign. He had been granted the manor p. 66of Greetham only 3 years before (Dugdale’s “Baronage,” vol. ii., p. 93). At a previous period, Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, died seised of the manor of Greetham. In the ordinary course of events, the manor would have remained a possession of his daughter, Alice, countess of Lincoln. Yet a Lancaster Record (class xxv. R. 8), shows that Alice granted the manor to Hugh Dispenser, 16 Ed. II., and, he being a favourite of that King, we can hardly doubt that the grant was a forced one. The historian Speed informs us that, the Earl of Lancaster being attainted, the elder Dispenser obtained a grant of some of the Lancaster property in Lincolnshire. But in 1327, the younger Dispenser, the Hugh above-named, the favourite of the King (Edward II.), fell into disfavour, and a commission was appointed to enquire what goods and chattels he possessed at the time of his banishment, in his manors of Greetham, Thorley, Wainfleet and Brattleby. He also held at that time, as shown by other records, lands in Thornton, Roughton, Wilksby, Wood Enderby, Partney, Mareham-le-Fen, &c., and a manor in Scrivelsby. But he, in his turn being banished, the attainder of the Earl of Lancaster was revoked, and the property once more reverted to the Lancaster family, in the person of his brother and successor, Henry of Lancaster.

Truly the history of many a noble family of those times was a moving and vivid commentary on the words of Holy Writ, “Put not your confidence in Princes!”

In a list of military tenures (temp. Henry II.), while Norman d’Arcy, the Earl of Britanny, Alan de Percy, Stephen of Albemarle, and several others, are named as holding various of the manors in the neighbourhood, the Duke of Lancaster is given as “Lord” of Greetham, Winceby and Hameringham (“Old Lincolnshire,” by G. H. Burton, 1885, vol. i. pp. 214–215). These, as we have seen, had been very extensively added to, and further additions are named in various records, some of which we will here give, as they show the importance of Greetham. We should, however, observe that because a great Baron held the manor of a demesne, it did not at all follow that he owned the whole parish. This applies to Greetham, as follows:—In an Assize Roll, at Lincoln, of 9 Edward I. (A.D. 1280), a certain Robert de Kyrketon, and his wife Beatrix, demand (and their claim is admitted), certain rents of lands in “Askeby next Gretham (i.e., p. 67Ashby Puerorum), Stavenesby (i.e., Stainsby), Bag-endreby and Little Gretham,” at a time when the Earl of Lancaster was lord of the manor. An Inquisition of the Earls of Kent (2nd son of Edwd. I., beheaded. 4 Edward III. and at that time, as we have already stated, holding the manor of Greetham), shows that lands in Huttoft, Theddlethorpe, Wainfleet and Thoresby, as well as in Bratoft and Mablethorpe (the two latter also given in Domesday), were held under the manor of Greetham in addition to those already named in the more immediate neighbourhood, of Bratoft and Mablethorpe, appurtenances of Greetham at the time of Domesday (1080) and continued to be so as late as 1552 (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. iv. p. 122).

We will now look at the evidence of Greetham being an “Honour” as well as a manor. The two properties of Bolingbroke and Greetham, eventually, after various changes, passed under the same ownership; both forming parts of the Duchy of Lancaster. The Honour of Bolingbroke, was also called the Honour of Richmond, from the Earl and Countess of that name, the parents of the future Henry IV. of England, the only Sovereign of England born in Lincolnshire. The manor of Greetham is sometimes called the “Honour of Lancaster,” par excellence, but it is quite clear that Greetham is then intended, and though united, even under one common management, they were legally regarded and treated as distinct “Honours.” In a bailiff’s account of Rents of Assize, and of Court Perquisites (now in the possession of John Sykes, Esq., F.S.A., of Doncaster, quoted “Linc. N. & Q.” iii. p. 82), it is specified, that beside the Bolingbroke Rents, there “is nothing, because the others are given in the accounts of the Honour of Lancaster,” i.e. of Greetham; and the same distinction is observed in the “Perquisites of Courts,” where we find, “13s. 6d. from two views and Courts of the Honour of Bolingbroke, and one view and Court of Honour of Lancaster” (Greetham). Although the two accounts were thus kept distinct, the Court Rolls of the year (10 Richard II), show that the Court of both Honours were at that time “holden together by order of Thomas Hungerforde, Knight, Chief Steward.” In the earlier of these Records, Greetham was necessarily described merely as a manor, because it was not yet connected with royalty, and therefore was not then an Honour. But in later documents it is frequently referred p. 68to as such; for instance, in a Chancery Inquisition post mortem taken at Alford, 22 July A.D. 1506 (21 Henry VII. No. 121), we find it stated that “Thomas Rygge Gentylman, held certain lands, with their appurtenances, in Westyrkele and Langton, of the lord the King, of his Honour of Greteham” (“Journal of Architect. Society,” 1895, pp. 42–3). It is further stated that “John Afforby held the manor of Bilsby, of the Lord the King, as of the Honor of Gretham, of his Duchy of Lancaster” (quoted “Lincs. N. & Q.” iv. p. 108).

Besides the places already named as belonging to the demesne, or soke, of Greetham, I find “Lecheburne” (i.e. Legbourne), Swaby, Elgelo (i.e., Belleau), Claythorpe, Totele (i.e., Tothill), Withern, Haugh, Calceby, Dalby, Dexthorpe, and many more.

Enough has, however, been said to shew the extent of the soke, or jurisdiction, of the lords of Greetham, and its rank as an “Honour” connected at different periods with royalty.

Its subsequent history, down to the present century, is almost a blank. The Manor, although still, in our Directories (see Weir, Kelly, etc.), styled “a parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster,” has dwindled much in importance; and the inhabitants are apparently becoming fewer. In 1821 they numbered 148, in 1843 they were 152, in 1883 they were 147, in 1891 they had dropped to 131. The total acreage is 1250. A few stray notices, connected with by-gone Greetham, are the following:—In Gibbon’s “Early Lincoln Wills” (p. 67), Richard de Ravenser, Archdeacon of Lincoln, by Will, dated “15 May, 1385,” bequeaths a legacy to Walter de Gretham. Who the latter was, we have no means of learning. The Ravensers were of a good family. In Maddison’s “Wills of Lincolnshire” (1500–1600), p. 26, No. 68, we find that Richard Newcomen, of Nether Toynton, by will, dated “3 Sep., 1540, left xx pence to the poor of Greetham.” The Newcomens were among our oldest families, originally seated at Saltfleetby, where their names appear in the registers, for many generations. One of them, John Newcomen, “of Sallaby,” was involved in the Lincolnshire Rebellion of 1536, along with Monsons, Massingberds, Heneages, Maddisons, and many other members of leading families. This Richard, above-named, settled at Low Toynton early in the 16th century, and his grandson Samuel, p. 69“of Nether Toynton,” married Frances, daughter of Thomas Massingberd, of Bratoft Hall, Esq., M.P. Several of them are mentioned in the Herald’s “Lists of Gentry” in 1634 and 1666, as residing at Hagnaby, Withern, Bag Enderby, &c. They have now disappeared from Saltfleetby and “their place knoweth them no more.” Their pedigree is given in the “Architectural Society’s Journal” for 1897. Another old record (from the same source) is “John Dighton of Minting, by Will dated 17 December, 1606, leaves to Thomas Page of Greetham vj £.” Who Thomas Page was is unknown; but the Dightons were a well known family, of mercantile origin at Lincoln; the founder having served as Mayor and Sheriff; one of them, Thomas resided at Waddingworth, another at Minting; the chief member, Robert, owned and occupied the Hall at Stourton Magna, of which traces still remain in mounds and moats. He also was involved in the Lincolnshire rebellion. A daughter of Dighton of Stourton married Edward Clinton, Esq., of Baumber, who afterwards became Earl of Lincoln, and his descendants Dukes of Newcastle, whose burial place, for some generations, was at Baumber. “The fashion of the world changeth” the Dightons are gone, the Clintons, renovated in blood, remain.

A tradition remains to this day, that Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Stratford, in the reign of Charles I., and one of his Sovereign’s most faithful adherents, owned the manor of Greetham. I cannot find any positive proof of this; but it seems not at all unlikely, since a lease dated 14 Nov., 1685, was granted to Sir William Wentworth, Knight, of Ashby Puerorum, who was a son of Sir William Wentworth, who fell at Marston Moor, fighting for Charles I; and from him descended the first Earl of Stafford, of the second creation. [69] It is proved by the award that Thomas, Earl of Stafford was Lord of the Manor in 1785.

p. 70We pass on to the present century. About the year 1830, John Fardell, Esq., of Lincoln (who represented that City in Parliament for a brief period, being unseated on petition) became owner, by purchase, of the Manor of Greetham, the rest of the parish, except the Rectory farm of 48 acres, being purchased by the late Mr. Robert Dennis, who built in 1830, a commodious residence, Greetham House, where his two daughters now reside. The manor, and about half the parish, was sold by the Fardell Trustees to F. Wormall, Esq., whose present representative is his grand-daughter, Lady Garden of Templemore Abbey, co. Tipperary; whose father was Colonel Valentine Baker, one of a family distinguished as sportsmen, travellers, and soldiers. We have said that the road, or street, on which the village houses cluster, was probably originally Roman; and some years ago, the neck of a Roman urn was found near it. Along this road, to the North is a quarry in which many ammonites and other fossils are found, in the gravel lying above the white clay. The age of “Praise God Barebones” and his Puritanical allies, has long since passed away; but something of the Puritan Spirit seems to survive in the names of the villagers, given in the registers, which date from 1653. My informant had herself known, within recent years, the names Mordecai, Naomi, Keziah, Solomon, and Bridget shortened into Briggy. There are also some curious field names. A boggy field is called the “Waddles”; a similar field in the almost adjoining parish of Salmonby is called “Wallows,” both probably referring to a slough of mire, and the awkward ducklike gait involved in traversing it. A grass field is named “Thunker,” as locally pronounced, which may embody the Norse Thing-garth, or Council enclosure of the great hamlet. Another meadow is named “Kirtle,” probably the Kirk-dale; while two fields, one ploughed and the other meadow, are called “the Gousles,” which Mr. Streatfeild (“Lincolnshire and the Danes,” p. 174.) considers to mean the first slopes of the Wolds. “Gaut,” or “gout” (go-out) means an outlet from a drain; and throughout the whole range of the Wolds, there are numerous springs, issuing from their base, not uncommonly possessing medicinal properties. Greetham is situated on the first spur or projection, of the Wolds in this locality, and these gousles may have been the p. 71goutsleys, or meadows, in which were the sources of local springs.

There is also a field, named “Cross Close,” from which the poor receive a yearly dole of 10s., bequeathed by Elizabeth Somersby, in 1733. Here is a name which would seem to embody ancient history. We can picture to ourselves, the Saxon “rude forefathers of the (great) hamlet,” gathered round that sacred symbol, the village cross, before a church existed, to listen to the itinerant man of God, awakening in their hearts a simple faith in a welcome Saviour. These fields all, or most, of them lie in the western part of the parish, the property of the Misses Dennis.

Of the Church, dedicated to All Saints, little can be said. It is a poor fabric, of Spilsby sandstone, with square wood-framed windows, one in each side and end. A “three-decker” pulpit, reading desk, and clerk’s seat, square pews, a west singing gallery, a very meagre rood screen of apparently modern poor carving, all painted wainscot colour. The roof a flat, white-washed ceiling inside, is covered externally over the nave with lead, which, from the decay of the supporting timbers is now almost flat, and probably not in a very safe condition. The chancel roof is slated and pointed. The font is plain octagonal, with octagonal shaft, and square basin, within the bowl being a pewter christening basin, with date “1821.” The single bell hangs in a shabby bell turret, surmounted by a cross. A slab records the death of a former Rector, the Rev. Thomas Jesset, in 1837. The inscriptions on the grave-stones in the churchyard would imply that the inhabitants are long-lived, and the place healthy, as it should be, from its elevated and well-drained position. The Rector has a good residence, built in 1852.

Addendum.—The above remarks on the Church were written in the year 1900. We have much pleasure in adding, in the year 1903, that the present Rector, the Rev. T. Hoole, has succeeded in effecting a thorough restoration of the old fabric, at a cost of about £1,650, towards which sum, the Misses Dennis, of Greetham House, contributed £500 each. The Architect was Mr. Hodgson Fowler, of Durham; the contractors for the p. 72work were Messrs. Bowman & Co., of Stamford. The only features of interest in the former mean structure were a 13th century cross, and doorway, and the south respond of the chancel arch. The restored fabric has been constructed in harmony with this respond. It is throughout of a simple, but effective, late 15th century design. The chancel, vestry, bell-turret, and porch are new, and the screen has been restored; the nave has new windows, a well-repaired roof, and new flooring, all the internal fittings being of oak.

In the course of the work, other features of interest were discovered, namely, the responds of a south aisle, a north door, and a Norman entrance into a former tower. All these were effectively utilised by the architect, with his accustomed skill, and now the Church, though small, is large enough for the parish, and a worthy edifice for divine worship, a result which must be gratifying to all concerned.

Hagworthingham.

Hagworthingham is a considerable village, at a distance of 6 miles east of Horncastle, and 4½ north-west of Spilsby, on the road from Horncastle, via High Toynton and Greetham, to Partney. Letters via Spilsby, arrive about 9 a.m. It has its own Post Office, Money Order Office, and Savings Bank; the nearest telegraph office being at Spilsby. Of this parish there are several notices in Domesday Book. It is described as comprising six manors. These were owned, at the date of the Norman Conquest, by Thanes named Sivert, Elric, Swen, Swave, Holinchetel, and Adestan. The Conqueror apparently removed all these original proprietors, to provide for his own followers. Few places shew to a greater degree than this parish the insecurity of tenure which marked those times of trouble, transition, and lawlessness, when might was right. The survey of the country, made by order of the Conqueror, in Lincolnshire in 1085, was called by the Saxons “Domesday Book,” because it recorded their “doom,” or their almost universal expropriation from their rights, in favour of the Normans, who flocked into the country with William. But the “doom” was not confined to the Saxon. The Norman intruder, in many cases, found his possessions even less secure than had been that of those p. 73whom he superseded, and the Norman Lords of these demesnes succeeded each other with such rapidity, that, at this distance of time, it is beyond our power to trace their connection, in every case, with each other, or the causes of the changes. Doubtless, in many instances, having acquired possession through violence to others, violence again led to the confiscation of what they had acquired. The first-named of these is Alan, Earl of Britanny, on whom the Conqueror had conferred his daughter Constance in marriage. Famed for his valour and martial spirit, he had held an important command at the Battle of Hastings; and for his services the Conqueror conferred upon him, firstly, all the lands in the North Riding of Yorkshire, forming the district called Richmondshire, which had belonged to the powerful Saxon Earl Edwin, who was now dispossessed. From this gift he derived the title of Earl of Richmond, as well as of Britanny. Dugdale tells us that, altogether he held, by grant from the Conqueror, 450 Manors, 101 of these being in Lincolnshire. He seems however, in himself, to have been not unworthy of so great a position; since, though so great a warrior, the Chronicler, Ordericus Vitalis, states, that he was “ever studious for peace, a great lover of the poor, an especial honourer of the religious”; and that “his death, without issue created no little sorrow to all good people.” Such was one of the first Norman Lords of Hagworthingham. He was succeeded by his brother, also named Alan. His chief residence, probably, being in Yorkshire, when not in attendance on the King, he was represented at Hagworthingham, by his vassal, Eudo, who occupied his land here, to the extent of 3 carucates (or 360 acres), with dependents, in whose hands were 5 carucates (or 600 acres) more. Before proceeding to speak of other Norman Lords connected with this place, let us notice the name itself of the parish. It has 3 elements: “Haugh,” (says Streatfeild, “Lincolnshire and the Danes”), “is low, meadow land, bordering on a stream, and frequently overflowed”; a kindred form, “Hagi” he says also means a meadow. [73] Anyone standing in p. 74the churchyard at Hagworthingham will see below him westward, just such a low-lying meadow, traversed by a beck. The second element in the name is “Worthing.” Here we seem to have the Saxon “Weorthig,” which enters into many a place-name as “Worth”; (compare Waddingworth, and Benniworth in the neighbourhood); which is derived from the old Saxon “Warian,” to ward or protect. Hence these two elements mean the warded, or fenced, meadow, and “Ham,” the last element, also is Saxon, and means a place hemmed in; but especially the residence, the “home,” or the collection gathered round the one house, now forming the “hamlet.” What could give a more speaking description of the locality? It is the homestead, and afterwards the residences of the villagers gathered round it, whose position was on the higher ground, because they wished to be above the low-lying enclosed meadow, liable to be flooded by the brook, which runs through it, when swollen by the rain. Even in these days of drainage universal, the fox-hunter, in crossing that grassy valley, may still find his steed “boggled” in the slough of quagmire. In connection with this we may mention, that even in modern times, this dampness has not been forgotten.

In a note to Chap. ii. vol. i. of Smiles’ “Lives of Engineers,” it is stated that, when Dr. Whalley was appointed to the Rectory of this parish, it was with the singular proviso, that he should not reside in it, as the air was fatal to any but a native (Letters and Correspondence of T. S. Whalley, D.D.)

Another Norman soldier, named in Domesday as having a grant of land in Hagworthingham from the Conqueror was Drogo de Bevere. He was a Fleming by birth, and for his services in the cause of the King had many lordships given him in Lincolnshire and other counties. Among others, he had the lordship of all Holderness, in which was Beverley, whence he had the title of “Terrius de Bevere.” He was however of a very grasping and overbearing disposition. Not content with the lordship of Holderness, he wished further to seize lands given by the King to the Church of St. John at Beverley. Camden says that, as a mark of royal favour, he received in marriage the Conqueror’s niece; but that he got rid of her by poison; and then fled the country to escape the punishment he deserved. p. 75He was succeeded (his estates being probably confiscated) by Odo, Lord of Albemarle, in Normandy (Camden “Britannia” p. 742, Ed. 1695.)

To this Drogo was granted all the land in Hagworthingham, which at the conquest had belonged to the Saxon Thane, Adestan, including “a hall, with sac and soke” (or the right to hold a court of justice for the trial of misdemeanours), with 8 villeins occupying considerable lands under him, and a mill of the value of 18d. yearly. As his chief residence, when not in attendance on the King, would probably be in Holderness, he was here represented by one Robert, who was his vassal.

Another name mentioned as having property in this parish, is Gozlin, son of Lambert, of whom little is known. This was one of the 222 parishes in the county which had a church before the Conquest; and Domesday Book states that he had the church here, as well as a mill; but as it is added that “the soke” (or jurisdiction) belonged to Gilbert de Gaunt, the latter was evidently the superior lord. Gozlin had lands in 39 parishes in Lincolnshire, besides those in other counties; but Gilbert de Gaunt had 113 Manors in this county, besides 41 in other counties.

It has been mentioned that, on the flight of Drogo de Bevere, after poisoning the Conqueror’s niece, his estates were transferred to Odo, Earl of Albemarle. [75] Accordingly we find the old record, Testa de Nevill, p. 336. (Circa 1213), stating, “the Earl of Albemarle” holds of the King (land) in Hagworthingham, which Gilbert de Langton holds, as his vassal.

About the same time the same old record states that the Earl of Chester, besides other neighbouring possessions, held land of the King in Hagworthingham, which the same Gilbert de Langton held under him, as his vassal. This Earl was the only son of Hugh d’Abrincis (or Avranches), one of the most important among the followers of the Conqueror, who was his uncle. William gave to him numerous manors in this and other counties, and especially the earldom of Chester. He was surnamed Lupus, or the Wolf, for his daring deeds. It was supposed that he was granted the county of Chester, that he might restrain the p. 76incursions of the neighbouring Welsh people, the stubborn descendants of the old Britons; and this he did with a vengeance, for, in conjunction with Hugh Montgomery, Earl of Shrewsbury, he took the Isle of Anglesey from the Welsh. Later in life, to make up for his tyrannous proceedings, he became a monk of the Abbey of St. Werberg, of his own establishment in Chester, and died there, in 1101. The Earl of Chester held in Lincolnshire about a score of manors, besides more than that number in Leicester, 32 in Suffolk, many in other counties, and the whole of Cheshire. At this stage the successive, or contemporary Lords of these manors become too complicated a tissue to unravel here. Some of the manors became merged in the superior manor of Richmond or Bolingbroke; some, in that of Greetham. The Earl of Chester enfeoffed before his death, William de Hardyshall, of certain land in Hagworthingham, where his descendant resided in the 14th century. A Gilbert de Langton held land here as a vassal of Alan de Mumby; his son John, held the same lands under a de Quincy. Hawise de Quincy, Countess of Lincoln in her own right, had a daughter Margaret, who married John de Lacy, and the de Lacies thus became Earls of Lincoln. At one period, members of two different families were at the same time Earls of Lincoln. After a succession of steps, John of Gaunt became Earl of Lincoln, and ultimately Duke of Lancaster, and held many of these manors.

Walter de Gant gave land in Hagworthingham to Bardney Abbey. The Abbot of Bardney (“Placito de Warranto,” p. 409), claimed the right to have a gallows in Hagworthingham, as well as in Edlington and other places. Other owners were Laurence de Dikeby, who died 1270, Robert de Altomonte, 1274, William de Saxill, in 1280. Gilbert de Hagworthingham is named in an Assize Roll (No. 478, John A.D. 1202), Walter de Hagworthingham and his son Philip, are named in an Assize Roll, 5 Ed. III. 1331. In the 14th century the Cupledyke family had land in Hagworthingham, viz., Roger de Cupledyke, who died 1324, and Alexander who died, 1335. In the 15 century, Thomas Blunt held a manor here, of the Duchy of Lancaster, dying in 1468. [76] The great family of Welles, p. 77also connected with the Dymokes, acquired lands here, which were forfeited after the battle of Loose-coat field, when Sir Robert Welles was attainted and executed at Doncaster, for espousing the Lancastrian cause, 1470. In the next century the old county family of the Hansards held a manor here, by Knight’s service, of the Honour of Bolingbroke. Sir William Hansard died 1520, leaving as his heir his granddaughter Elizabeth. Robert Marbury, in 1545 died, seized of a third part of a manor in this parish, which he left to his son William. Humphrey Littlebury, of East Kirkby, died Nov. 3rd, 1558, seized of a manor here, which was connected with the superior manor of Herby (probably Hareby, and equivalent to the Honour of Bolingbroke), which he held of the Queen (Elizabeth) by fealty. He also held another manor here, of the Queen’s manor of Greenwich, which had belonged to Bardney Abbey; the gift, as stated above, of Walter de Gaunt.

John Littlebury, of Hagworthingham, Esq., by will, dated 20 June, 1535, requests that he may be buried in the parish Church “before our Lady of the Rood.” He seems to have been a man of large property, for he bequeaths “to my wife £40, due to me from Mr. John Hercy; £4 of land in Somersby, Tetford, Skegness and Orby, to bring up my children in their nonage.” This she is to have for life; and then Somersby and Tetford are to go to his son George and his heirs male; Skegness and Orby to his son Peter and heirs male, and failing them, to his son Humphrey, and his heirs. “My sheep gate called Thorpe in the Mires (I leave) to my wife for her life, and then to my son Humphrey and Ursulay his wife, according to the indenture between me and Mr. Hercy. To my three daughters, my brother Humphrey Myssendyne 10s. a year for life, out of my copyhold held of Lord Willoughby.” His wife is to have the “putting in of the priests at Langton,” i.e., the presentation to the benefice for her life, and after her death, the “first avoidence of one priest” is to go to his son Humphrey, the other to his p. 78son Thomas. To his son Thomas his lands in Kealcotes. To his wife he leaves “my copyholds held of Lord Willoughby; and the farm of my son Langton, as long as the lease lasteth.” Also “if my wife be in decay in her widowhood, I will that she give no peny to her daughters, of the £40 that is appointed to every of them, and if they be not rewled by her in their marriage they are to have nothing. Item. I will all my children be contente with the lands which was assigned to me by my brother, and the feoffe of my father’s purchased lands; and if they, or any of them, be interrupted of the parts assygned to them by my neve Thomas, or his heires, I wyll they restate their tytyll of Richmonde fee, wych is the moyty of 360 akers, as it apperyth by a customar booke remaynyng with my wyfe, and a crosse set at the hede of it by Sir John Lyttlebury my grandfader’s fader. I appoint my brother John Eland supervisior, and my wyfe ex’x.” Witnesses, William Langton Gent, Sir Malmaduke Myssendyne and Sir Richard Cheles, of Ashby Puerorum. Various other wills show that Thomas Littlebury had lands at Hagworthingham in 1589, that Humphrey, of East Kirkby, held land in Hagg in 1568, and that Margaret Littlebury, of Stainsby, held land there in 1582.

The will of John Gedney, of Bag Enderby, mentions his lands in Hagg in 1535. The Gedneys were an old family in this neighbourhood. In the church at Bag Enderby, there is a stone mural monument, commemorating Andrew Gedney and Dorothy his wife, with their two sons and two daughters kneeling before prayer desks, date 1591. There is a slab of John Gedney in the floor, date 1535. [78] Andrew Gedney married Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Skipwith, of South Ormsby, in 1536. Within recent years Arthur P. H. Gedney, a cousin of the writer, owned Candlesby Hall, near here.

The will of John Gannock, of Boston, shews that he also was a landowner here, in 1583.

In 1572, Francis Bountague, died seized of a manor in Hagworthingham, which he held of the King, as of the manor of Greetham, of the Duchy of Lancaster.

p. 79John Littlebury, gent., of Hagworthingham, by will dated 27th March, 1594, bequeaths to Mr. William Wray, “the ring that it pleased my lady, his mother, to give me.” The Lady Wray, would be the wife of Lord Chief Justice Wray (temp. Elizabeth), whose residence was at Glentworth—he died in 1592; they were an old Durham family. The fine house at Glentworth continued to be the family residence of the Wrays, until Sir Cecil Wray, Bart., erected “Summer Castle” at Fillingham, in 1760, so called from Esther Summers, Lady Wray. Mr. John Littlebury also leaves to Sir George St. Poll, “my half part of the hawks,” with bequests to other relatives. Sir G. St. Poll or St. Paul, or Simpole, was a member of a good Lincolnshire family, their chief residence being at Snarford. Mr. John Saintpole was compulsively mixed up with the Lincolnshire Rising in 1536. The grandson, George, was created a Baronet in 1611. They were connected with the Hansards, already mentioned as having land in Hagworthingham.

Yet one more will of a Littlebury concerns us. John Littleburye (28 Sep. 1611), requests to be buried in Hag church. He leaves to the poor 20s.; to his son John, his land in Raithbye, for his life, and for his “bringing up in learning.” £100 to his daughter Bridgett, “soe that shee be ruled by mye wief her mother in marriage,” with £200 to be paid her when married. “To my wief Anne the lease of Orbye from Mr Massingberd, alsoe my stocke and cattle, with all my plate and furniture.” As the children are young he confirms an indenture previously made with Richard Gedney, and others, to act as trustees.

Sir John Langton, of Langton, by will dated 25 Sep. 1616, also left to the poor of Hagworthingham 10s., and like bequests to other places.

Among “Final Concords,” there are agreements about lands in Hagworthingham, under date 26 Oct. 1208, between Thomas de Winceby and Gilbert and Osbert of Hag, under date 20 Jan. 1213–14, between Mary, the wife of Hugh, son of Robert, Ernald de Dunham acting for her and Hugh de Harrington, appertaining to her “reasonable dowery;” and under the same date between the same Mary, and John de Bardney, as to land called “Sigwardes Croft,” in “Hacworthingeham, which Mary surrenders to p. 80John de Bardney and his heirs,” he for this giving her 2 marks.

We have already mentioned that in the 14th century, Roger de Cupledyke who died 1324, and Alexander, who died in 1335 had land in Hagworthingham. We also find that John Copledyke of Harrington, by will dated Palm Sunday, 1408, left to his sons lands in Hagworthingham, and other places.

In the reigns of Elizabeth and James I. a certain John Parker of this place became somewhat notorious as a religious and political turncoat. He made a public declaration “of the manner in which he had been drawn from the service of God to become a Papist,” dated 12 December, 1580; but in 1605, evidence was taken against him at Enderby, as to his making certain seditious speeches, and he was pronounced to be a Recusant (“Domestic State Papers” James I. vol. xv. “Architect. S. Journal” 1865 p. 55).

At the present day the only one of the old families of proprietors in this parish is the Rev. Alan Cheales above named, descended from Sir Richard Cheales who lived as far back as 1535. At the present time Earl Manvers is Lord of the Manor; Sir Henry D. Ingelby, Bart., the trustees of the late Rev. W. A. Bathurst, and the Wingate family are the principal landowners, the larger portion belonging to Mr. Cheales. We now proceed to the Church. It is beautifully situated on the slope of a steep hill commanding a view along a deep valley to the west, of fertile soil varied by copse and whin; and it is surrounded by a beautifully kept God’s acre. The Church, dedicated to the Holy Trinity, consists of tower, nave, south aisle and chancel. In the tower are 8 melodious bells. The Church was carefully restored and largely rebuilt in 1859; but still retains several of its original Early English features. The tower, of green sandstone, being much decayed, had new belfry windows inserted, but still retains its patched appearance by a mixture of brick: the green and red tints blending harmoniously. Towards the west end of the north wall is one of the old Early English pilaster buttresses; and at the east bay of the same wall is an original low-side window. Within, the aisle arcade of four bays is supported by circular-shafted pillars, having rudely-designed caps; the arches above being not p. 81sufficiently massive to correspond, and their junction clumsy. These low arches produce a sort of “dim religious light.” The aisle itself is entirely new; as are also the seats and fittings generally. The early English font has a plain octagonal bowl, supported upon a central shaft, and unengaged subsidiary shaftlets. The east windows are modern, but may be reproductions of the old. That in the east end (of three lights) is filled with coloured glass by Wailes, in memory of the Cheales family. There is a modern brass on the north side of the chancel, commemorating the Rev. Henry Cheales sometime Vicar of Burton Pedwardine, “and for sixty-six years a landowner of this parish,” 1870.

N.B.—The Parish Registers contain a large numbers of names of this family. The earliest mention of them is in the Church Book Topographical Collection of Sir Joseph Banks, 1786, where Hugh Cheales is given as one of the Churchwardens, 25 Henry VIII. (1534).

The window in the north wall is by Clayton and Bell, that in the south wall by Powell. They commemorate the families of the late Rector the Rev. F. Pickford, and his wife’s relatives, the Listers of Burwell Park; one also being in memory of the late Prince Consort. “The whole effect,” says the late Bishop Suffragan, Dr. E. Trollope, one of our greatest authorities, “is most pleasing and appropriate.” Gervase Holles the antiquarian says that, when he visited the Church (temp. Chas. I.) there was in the Chancel this fragmentary inscription, “Hic jacet . . . Redilston quondam Rector istius Ecclesiæ.” He says also, “on a gravestone of blue marble in ye body of ye Church is pourtrayed in brasse one in compleate armour, bearing upon ye manches of his coate of arms, on either side, 2 crescents. Between his feet a right hand couped. The rest is defaced.” (Harleian MSS., No. 6829.) The benefice was formerly in the gift of the Bishop of Ely (see Ecton’s “Thesaurus” p. 188); the patron is now the Bishop of Lincoln.

In the Registers were formerly some curious entries of “Briefs,” or Royal Letters, issued for various charitable objects, among 65 which were publicly read in Church in the 14 years from 1653 to 1667, 24 were for relief in cases of loss by fire; others were for various purposes; one p. 82being “For the Church of Lithuania being under persecution” (1661). [82]

Walter de Gaunt gave the manor, benefice, and six oxgangs of land, and “a view of frankpledge” in this parish to Bardney Abbey (Dugdale’s “Monasticon,” 1682, p. 143).

In sinking a well in 1897, on the property of Mr. Cheales in this parish, there were found at a depth of about 45ft. fragments of “Brinkhill gold” and fossilized wood. The gold has also been found in the churchyard. It is pronounced, chemically, to be a form of silicate of aluminia. Iron pyrite is also found, abounding in small fossils. The rectory is now held by the Rev. G. R. Ekins. The rectory house was built in 1841, a very commodious residence, at a cost of about £2000, by the late Rector the Rev. F. Pickford, the memory of whose family still remains in the parish, and many miles round it, as “a sweet smelling savour.”

There is a rent charge of £8 for the poor paid out of the estate, about 700 acres, of the Cheales family.

The Rev. William Dales also in 1667 left land, the rent of which was for the poor and the bell-ringers.

Hameringham.

Hameringham is about 4 miles from Horncastle, in a south-east direction, the road passing through Mareham-on-the-Hill. The marriage register dates from 1744, those for burials and baptisms from 1777. Letters, via Horncastle, arrive at 10 a.m.

p. 83We know little of the early history of this village; it is not named in Domesday Book, but in a list of military tenures, of the reign of Henry I. about A.D. 1108, the “Hundred of Hamringeheim” is mentioned, and “Count Richard,” probably the Norman Earl of Chester, is said to hold there eleven carucates and four oxgangs, or nearly 1400 acres, and Gilbert Fitz Gocelin had four oxgangs, or about 60 acres (“Old Lincolnshire,” vol. i. pp. 213, 214).

In the year 1208 Henry, son of Geoffrey, granted to Ralph, Abbot of Revesby, and his successors, an oxgang of land and a messuage in Hameringham; the said Ralph giving to the said Henry 20s., in consideration thereof.

In the year 1529, Jane Sheffield, widow, of Croxby, in her will dated 7 January, refers to a deed of feoffment, dated 4 June, 8 Henry VIII., whereby Sir John Sheffield, Parson of Hameringham, and others are feoffed of certain lands, for her life; Sir John Sheffield and Alexander Amcotts, Gent., being supervisors. (“Lincolnshire Wills,” page 6, No. 14).

In 1540 John Angevin of Ashby by Horncastle, by will, dated 10 Oct. makes his wife Margaret, executrix, and confirms to her lands in Ashby and Hameringham, to remain in her hands “unto suche tyme, as all suche goods as I am bownden, and myne heyres, in covenants by indenture to Sir Rycherde Warde, and to Sir Robert, be fully paid.” To which is added, in a different hand, “I Robert Awngeven agreed to this wyll.” The Angevins disappear in the 17th century; but one of the family held land in Hameringham in the reign of Henry VIII. (“Lincolnshire Wills,” p. 28, No. 72). By will, dated 20 April, 1545, Robert Angevin, of Langton by Horncastle, leaves his land in Hameringham to his son William. (Ibidem p. 36, No. 96). [83]

By will, dated 10 Sept. 1612, George Litilburie, of Somersby, leaves to his nephew Jeffery Litelburie all his apparell, and lands in Winceby and Hameringham. p. 84He wishes his armes to be “sette in the walle (of the church) as my grandfather’s was at Ashby (Puerorum).”

Among the Revesby charters is one, of date 1198, whereby Richard I. grants and confirms to the monks of Revesby certain lands in Hameringham, Enderby, and elsewhere (Dugdale v. 456).

By a deed in the reign of Richard I., or John, William, son of Gaufrid, clerk, of Hameringham, gives to the monks of Revesby 9 acres of arable land in Hameringham, a meadow called “Baldvinegaire [84a] and pasture near the 9 acres, and other lands; free of all service,” save that the monks are to pay to the donor annually “two spurs of the cost of one nummus,” at Michaelmas.

By a deed early in the 13th century Symon, son of Hugo, of Dunsthorpe, gives to the monks one toft in Hameringham, and 10 acres, and one selion in a place called Thyrne, and 2 selions in Pesedalegate, [84b] free from all claims.

In the reign of Henry III. Juetta, daughter of Alan, of Hameringham, gave to the Abbey of Revesby, 4 acres of arable land, for the purpose of gate-alms. In the reign of Edwd. I. Robert Cressaunt of Tuluse gave his rights and claims on lands in Tuluse, Hameringham, and elsewhere, to the monks of Revesby, on condition that they pay to him and his heirs annually 8s. Alicia the daughter of William, son of Alward of Hameringham, in the same reign, gave a half toft for the Revesby almsbox; with pasturage rights for 26 sheep and 4 cattle and 4 pigs in Hameringham; the monks to pay to her 6d. annually.

Sir Lionel Dymoke, by will, dated 15 Ap. 1512, bequeathed “for churche walke in hameringham xx^d. to John Sheffield parsone of hameringham, . . . to pray for me, my wyf Anne, and my wyf Jane deceased, and for all christen soules.” “Linc. N. & Q.” iv. p. 12.

On the dissolution of the monasteries by Henry VIII. that sovereign granted to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, p. 85in consideration of his “acceptable and long service,” “all manner of houses, messuages, &c.,” along with the lands, hitherto belonging to the monastery of Revesby, including property in Hameringham, and nearly 50 other parishes, to be held of the crown, on payment of the fifth part of one soldier’s service, and an annual payment of £28 to the Court of Augmentations every Michaelmas, the duke’s title to date “from March 1, in the 29th year of our reign (1538).”

[These different documents are among the Revesby charters, printed by the late Right Honble. E. Stanhope, M.P.]

The benefice of Hameringham was formerly charged with a pension of 6s. to the Prior of Bullington. In the early part of the 18th century, the Chaplin family would seem to have been proprietors here, as Mr. Thomas Chaplin presented to the benefice in 1712 and 1720. The manor now belongs to the Coltman family, who are also patrons of the benefice; and there are several smaller proprietors.

Scrafield, which has now no church, is united to Hameringham. Some of the communion plate is ancient, being Elizabethan, the rest is modern, being presented by the late Rector, Rev. Joseph Coltman.

Hameringham church, All Saints, stands appropriately on almost the highest ground in the vicinity, so that the parishioners may look, and wend, upward to it. It was restored by the present Rector, the Rev. Brice Smith, in 1894, the architect being Mr. Hodgson Fowler. It now consists of nave, chancel, and south aisle. It has, doubtless, gone through vicissitudes at various periods, as is evidenced by remains and records. In 1800 there was no chancel in existence. In 1820 a chancel was built by the then Rector, the Rev. Joseph Coltman. There was at one time a much larger edifice, of which the foundations were discovered by the present Rector, in preparing for the restoration. The chancel arch is Early English. The west window is modern, perpendicular in style. In the north wall of the nave is one window, perpendicular, of three lights, near the pulpit. The pulpit is of plain oak, with the old hour glass frame still affixed to it, and containing an ancient hour glass, recovered from a villager. These remnants of the days of long discourses are now very rare. There is still one in the church at Cowden, near p. 86Edenbridge, Kent. The arcade of the south aisle is of the 13th century, renewed in the 14th century with Lincoln stone. It consists of three bays, with two octagonal pillars having carved capitals; the eastern-most support is a circular, single, small shaft, apparently Norman, with carved capital, different from the others; where the moulding of the two eastern arches meet, the corbel is a King’s head; these two arches are considerably broader than the western one, which is pointed. This western pillar is the original 13th century one. The south wall is of the late 12th century, and the south porch arch is the original. In the south wall are two windows east of the porch, and one west of it, each having two lights, and a quatrefoil above, style perpendicular. There is a piscina near the door. The roof of the restored nave is of modern pitch pine. The chancel roof is considerably below the chancel arch. It is apparently of wood, and has formerly been divided into panels. The chancel is so long, that the communion table is placed 7 or 8 feet west of the east wall, and the space behind, shut off by drapery, forms a vestry. The east window, in perpendicular style, is of 3 lights, with six smaller lights above, within the arch. The font is a very old and interesting one, octagonal, on an octagonal shaft; the devices, quatrefoils, &c., on the faces of the bowl are much mutilated, those on the shaft are perpendicular mouldings on 5 sides, and on the three other sides are grotesque figures, much mutilated, the centre one being winged, and supposed to represent St. Michael. It stands on a plain oblong slab. There is one good medieval bell, the other being the “Sanctus bell,” re-cast in the Jubilee year 1887, as it had become cracked. The entire church is built of Spilsby green sandstone, faced in the porch with red Dumfries stone.

The visitor to Hameringham from Horncastle, looking south and westward, will see some beautifully wooded scenery, around Scrivelsby Park, Haltham, and beyond towards Revesby, Tattershall, &c. the view extending even beyond the Fens; with the spires of Heckington and other churches towering up in the dim distance, twenty miles or more away, a most delightful prospect. Conspicuous among these objects is the magnificent tower, with its lantern, of what is commonly called Boston Stump.

p. 87Hareby.

Hareby is situated about 7 miles, in an easterly direction from Horncastle, is about 1 mile west of Bolingbroke, and 4½ miles from Spilsby. From the first place it is approached by the old Roman road from Horncastle to Waynflete, as far as the cross-roads at Lusby, turning to the right for half-a-mile and then to the left. It is a small parish, of less than 40 inhabitants, and comprising about 740 acres. Letters, via Spilsby, arrive at 8.30 a.m. The nearest money order office is at Bolingbroke, the nearest telegraph office at Spilsby. Hareby Manor House, the property of Messrs. Ramsden and Taylor, stands on a steep hill-side, commanding extensive views over Bolingbroke, West Keal, and southward, far away to the waters of “The Wash.” It has been said that the name of Hareby, and probably also that of Eresby—the older name of Spilsby—is derived from the hares, which formerly abounded on these hills and valleys of the Wolds, the “South Wolds,” as we might here call them, of Lincolnshire. [87] We are only able to recover fragmentary particulars, “disjecta membra,” of the past history of this parish. From Domesday Book we gather, that, like Miningsby, Bolingbroke, and many other neighbouring parishes, it was once the property of Ivo Taillebois, through his marriage with the Lady Lucia, heiress of the Saxon princely family of the Thorolds, whom the Conqueror bestowed upon him. They were married in A.D. 1072, and on his death, without male issue, in 1114, the Lady Lucia married Roger de Romara, who thus, through her, became Lord of Bolingbroke, with other manors in the p. 88soke of that demesne. At that period the parish would seem to have been more populous than it is at the present day; the Domesday survey, giving the acreage as four carucates (or 480 acres), rateable to gelt; adds, that thirty-three socmen, five villeins and five bordars had another four carucates, and 100 acres of meadow.

The Lady Lucia, marrying as her 3rd husband the Norman noble, Ranulph, he delivered some of her estates to the King, Henry I., in return for the dignity of the Earldom of Chester. Against this, William de Romara, her son by her late husband, Roger de Romara, protested, but in vain. Some years later, however, Henry I. restored to him some of his mother’s property, and made him Earl of Lincoln; and later still, by the exchange of some lands in Normandy with Robert de Tillot, he acquired the lordships of Hareby, Hundleby and Mavis Enderby. By his wife Maud, daughter of Richard de Redver, he had a son William, who married Hawise, daughter of Stephen, Earl of Albemarle. The last of the Romaras dying without male issue, the property passed to Gilbert de Gaunt, who married his daughter, who also succeeded to the Earldom of Lincoln. Robert de Gaunt forfeited the property by rebelling against King John, and the estates were conferred upon Ranulph de Meschines, surnamed de Blundeville (i.e., of Oswestry), Earl of Chester, A.D. 1100–1120. He died with issue, but assigned to Hawise, one of his sisters, the Earldom and manors. She married Robert de Quincy, son of the Earl of Winchester, whose daughter Margaret, married John de Lacy, a descendant of the Barons of Pontefract. His son Edmund, left issue Henry (and others), who, dying without surviving issue, bequeathed his property to the heirs of Edmund Plantagenet; after various changes the property again came to a Gaunt, John, afterwards Duke of Lancaster, and father of Henry of Bolingbroke, who later on succeeded to the throne as Henry IV. [88] In the course, however, of the these changes, Hareby, and some other manors, had become separated from Bolingbroke, and had passed to the Willoughby family, since we find that in the time of Edw. III., father of Henry of Bolingbroke, John Willoughby, held “the p. 89manors of Wester Kele with Hareby, Lusby, Easter Kele, &c.” (Chancery Inquisition, 46 Ed. III. No. 78). The family of Willoughby, although originally holding lands under the Becs, who were lords of Spilsby, Eresby, &c., &c., subsequently inter-married with that family, and thus succeeded to some of their property, and were the ancestors of the family of the present Lords Willoughby d’Eresby, and eventually acquired very large possessions in these parts, much of which they still retain.

We find, however, at different periods, various other parties holding lands in, or connected with, Hareby.

In a Revesby Charter (No. 28, collection of the late Right Hon. E. Stanhope), conveying the right of lands in East Kirkby to Revesby Abbey (temp. Henry II. or Richard I.) the first witness is Alan, Dean of Hareby, others being, Aschetill, priest of Keal, Alan, priest of Asgarby, &c.

By another Charter (No. 53 temp. Richard I. or John), Henry Smerehorn of East Kirkby, gives his home-born (“nativum”) servant, Robert, son of Colvan, with all his chattells to Revesby Abbey, and receives in return “one silver mark from Peter, the monk of Hareby.” This monk of Hareby would therefore seem to be a nominee of the Abbot of Revesby.

And this connection is confirmed by another charter (No. 92, temp. Henry III.), by which the Abbot and monks of Revesby lease certain lands in Stickney to Bricius, son of Roger, clerk of Stickney, to which deed the witnesses are Walter of Hareby, at that time Prior of Revesby; Reginald the cellarer, John of Moorby, Alan of Horncastle, &c., so that it would seem the former priest, or dean, of Hareby, was promoted to the Priorate of Revesby.

By another charter (No. 129, temp. Ed. I.), Alan son of Richard atte Grene (or, as we should now say, Richard Green) gives certain lands in East Kirkby to the Abbey, the monks paying in return, “one farthing a year” to Alan, son of William, son of Roger Palmer, of Hareby, and his heirs, at the feast of St. Botolph, for all claims on the land.

By another charter (150 B.), lands in Hareby, Bolingbroke, West Keale, &c., formerly belonging to Revesby Abbey, are conveyed by Henry VIII., on the dissolution of the monasteries, to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk.

p. 90Another name, once well-known in the neighbourhood, is found connected with Hareby, in the 15th century. In a Chancery Inquisition, 32 Henry VI., 1453, taken at Horncastle, the witnesses on oath are Walter Tailbois, Esq., William Dalison, of Hareby, and others. The Dalisons (doubtless originally d’Alencon), were a very old Lincolnshire family, seated at Laughton, probably of Norman extraction. In the 16th century Sir Francis Ayscoughe a member of another very old county family [90a] married, as his 2nd wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Robert Dighton, Esq., of Stourton, and widow of Sir William Dalyson.

In 1635 Robert Bryan died, at Bolingbroke (March 7th) seized of lands in Bolingbroke and Hareby, which he held of the Crown, a captain Bryan being governor of the Castle in the time of the Commonwealth, and a few years later, (1663), a grant of leases in reversion of demesne land was made in favour of the widow of Thomas Blagge, groom of the bedchamber [90b] (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1865, p. 57).

We have mentioned this manor as formerly being the property of the Plantagenets. Of this there exists a curious piece of evidence. One Alan de Cuppledyke, [90c] was appointed by Edward II. governor of Bolingbroke castle, and his steward’s accounts still exist. In one passage he says that “the open woods of Hundleby, Kirkby and Hareby Thorns cannot be agisted (modern Linc. ‘gisted,’ i.e., let to be stocked with cattle), on account of the new coppice, planted by the late Earl,” i.e., Thomas Plantagenet, the recent owner, the King’s cousin, but who had forfeited his property, by stirring up a rebellion. This probably may be said to be the only wood in England which can be proved to have been planted by a Plantagenet (“Arch. S. Journ.” 1865, p. 43).

The Littleburies, whose chief residence in this neighbourhood was Stainsby House, in the parish of Ashby p. 91Puerorum, formerly owned land in Hareby. Humphrey Littlebury, of East Kirkby, in his will, dated 1 Sep., 1568, among other property mentions land in Hareby. [91]

Another old family connected with Hareby was that of the Skynners. Henry Skynner of Bolingbroke, by his will of date 29 May, 1612, leaves to his daughter Judith, all his copyholds in Harebie, and £100 when she is married, or 21 years of age; to his brother, Sir Vincent Skynner, knight, and his heirs, he bequeaths certain lands in Harebie, and other places, with the advowson of the parsonage of Harebie, “all of which I lately purchased of him, on condition that he pay to my executor the sum of £60, within six months of my decease, which sum I have already paid for my said brother, unto Margery Neale of Horncastle, deceased, or else this gift is utterly void, and I give it to my daughters . . . I have made surrender of all my customary messuages, lands, &c., in Bullenbroke and Harebie, into his Majestie’s hands by Vincent, in the name of one Grave, in the presence of Richard Smyth, gent., and others.” This testator was the son of John Skynner, and brother of Sir Vincent Skinner, of Thornton Curtis.

Mention has been made of Robert Bryan as owning land in Hareby, in 1635. Members of the same family would seem to have had property there nearly a century later, as John Bryan was patron of the benefice in 1754, and united it to that of Bolingbroke. In 1555 King Philip and Queen Mary presented Gilbert Skroweston to Hareby; but in 1779 the patronage of the united benefice had passed to Matthew Wildbore, Esq. In 1834 the patron was Earl Brownlow; in 1836, C. Bosanquet, Esq.; and in 1863, Sir John W. Smith, Bart.; after him the trustees of the late G. Bainbridge, Esq., held the patronage, which now has passed to C. S. Dickinson, Esq. The owners of the estate are now Messrs. Ramden and Taylor, and it is managed for them by their relative, G. Mariner, Esq.

The church, dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, was rebuilt in 1857–8, at a cost of about £450. It consists of nave and chancel, with belfry, having one bell, the p. 92fabric being constructed of brick. Sir J. W. Smith, the then patron, built the nave, and the chancel was built by the then Rector, the Rev. E. Stanley Bosanquet. The east widow, of coloured glass, with the crucifixion, was erected in memory of William Bernard Wingate, a late owner, by members of his family. There is another coloured window in the south wall of the chancel, without inscription, but probably erected by the Wingate family; and there is a marble tablet in the north wall of the nave, in memory of the late owner of the estate, Frederick Tooth, Esq., of Sevenoaks, Kent. The register dates from 1567.

Hareby Manor House is a handsome, substantial structure, standing on a slope, looking towards Old Bolingbroke, and surrounded by extensive gardens and good farm buildings.

Hatton.

Hatton lies about 7½ miles from Horncastle, to the north-west, and about 4 miles south-east of Wragby; being about ½ a mile eastward of the high road between those two places. Letters, via Wragby, the nearest money order and telegraph office, arrive at 10 a.m. The register dates from 1552. There are also entries relating to this parish, from 1695 to 1799, in the Baumber register. The name Hatton, as a parallel to Hatcliffe, Hatfield, Hatfield Chase, &c., doubtless means a “ton,” i.e., “town,” or protected enclosure, on an open “heath”: pointing to a time when the neighbourhood was more or less a wild tract; and when the neighbouring Wragby (from Vargr, a wolf, or outlaw), was the haunt of wild beasts, or the no less dangerous human robber.

The Church, dedicated to St. Stephen, described by Weir in his “History of Lincolnshire” (vol. i. p. 296, Ed. 1828), as a small building, possessing no claim to attention, and by Saunders (vol. ii. p. 71, Ed. 1834) in nearly the same terms, was at that time in the gift of the well-known, somewhat eccentric, but popular member for Lincoln, Colonel Sibthorpe; the Rev. H. W. Sibthorpe being Rector. In 1863 it was in the gift of G. W. Sibthorpe, Esq., and in 1869 in that of Coningsby C. Sibthorpe, Esq., being p. 93then held by the Rev. C. E. Jarvis. The latter resigned in 1891, since which time it has been held by the Rev. W. T. Beaty-Pownall, who has a good rectory house, built in 1871, at a cost of £1,300 the late Mr. James Fowler being the Architect. It does not appear to have been long in the patronage of the Sibthorpe family, as in 1711 the patrons were Sir Richard Wynch, Bart., and Rebecca Wynch, widow; while in 1750, and again 1780 Sir Robert Lawley, Bart, presented. The trustees of W. H. Sibthorpe, Esq., are first-named as patrons in 1824. In the calendar (No. 1), of Institutions to Benefices, from 1540 to 1570 preserved in the Alnwick Tower, Old Palace, Lincoln (“Architect. Soc. Journal,” 1897) fol. 22b. 176, we find “William Mershall, clerk, pres. by W. Dighton of the City of Lincoln, gent., to the church of Hattone, vac. by the resignation of Sir William Smith; inst. Vicar, A.D. 1550.” [93] The Dightons were originally a mercantile family, of Lincoln, who filled the offices of Mayor and Sheriff, and amassed fortunes. One of them, Robert, became owner of Old Stourton Magna Hall, the moated remains of which can still be traced in a field about a mile to the west beyond the Stourton Parva plantations. A daughter of Thomas Dighton of that place, married Edward Clinton of Baumber, who afterwards became Earl of Lincoln. In the parish Register of Stourton Magna is the entry “Alice ye wife of Rob Diton was buried ye 14 Jany. 1688,” and as there are no later entries of the name, this Robert was probably the last to reside there. There were other p. 94Dightons at Waddingworth and Horkstow. We find, however, earlier notices of Dightons residing in Hatton. In 1544 by his will, dated 1 May, “John Dighton of Hatton” requests to be “buried in the churchyard of St. Elwold in Hatton.” He leaves a bequest for his brother, “Robert Dighton, parson of Haltham,” and the residue to his wife, Agnes, his executrix; his two fathers-in-law, Thomas Dighton and William Chatterton, being “supervisors.” He evidently died early in life. As to the expression “the churchyard of St. Elwold,” there seems to be no explanation forthcoming. Possibly there was a chapelry in the parish, with separate burial grounds. In 1606 we find another John Dighton, residing at Minting, who, by his will, dated 28 Dec. of that year, leaves 40s. to the poor of Baumber, Minting, and Hatton. Other names in connection with this parish are as follows:—Among Lincoln Wills is one made by “Roger Holmes, of Hatton, gent.” dated 15 May, 1611, in which he makes various bequests of no particular interest. In 1613 John Wharfe of Wickenby, by will dated 18 Sept., leaves to his sons lands in Hatton, which he had on a mortgage, from his father-in-law Smythe. And in 1616, by will dated 12 November, “Heneage Smith of Hatton,” leaves “lands in Hatton for a schoolmaster.” He says that he received nothing from his son-in-law, J. Wharfe, for the mortgage, but that, nevertheless, he leaves certain moneys for his (J. Wharfe’s) sons, because they are his grandsons.

The Church of Hatton was re-built in 1871; entirely of brick, except the stone facings. It consists of a nave, chancel, and small spire on the south side of the chancel, containing one bell. Its chief features are as follows:—the east window, of coloured glass, has three separate trefoiled lights, in memory of Waldo Sibthorpe, Rector, who died, 14 Nov. 1865, the subjects are, in the centre, the Crucifixion; in the northern light, the Agony in the Garden; in the south light, the Resurrection, “Noli me tangere.” In the north chancel wall are two brass tablets, one recording that £100 was left by Mary Esther Waldo Sibthorpe in trust to the Rector, for the poor of the parish; the other, that £100 was given by Charles Edward Jarvis, in trust to the Rector, for the benefit of the parish. In the north wall is one two-light Early p. 95English window, and one single-light window in the same style. In the south wall is one single-light window, the vestry door, and organ chamber, over which stands the tower and spire. In the north wall also is a credence table of stone, with trefoiled arch. The east end is in the form of an apse. The chancel arch, and that of the organ chamber, terminate in elaborately foliated finials. In the nave, the pulpit is of Caen stone, a device in one panel being a cross within a quatrefoil, surrounded by a circular moulding. In the nave north wall, near the pulpit are a pair of two-light windows, with trefoils above; and westward is a three-light window with quatrefoil above. In the south wall of the nave is one two-light window, with two trefoils, and a circle above; and one three-light window corresponding to that in the north wall. The lectern is of oak. The font is of Caen stone, with fluted bowl in eight partitions, and supported by eight round columns. The sittings, for fifty, and the roof throughout, are of pitch-pine.

The Rectory, close by, is a commodious and substantial residence in good grounds. In a field to the south of the gardens are remains of former stews, or fishponds, and two rather large boulders, [95] which have evidently been ice-borne, and like many others in the neighbourhood, are of carboniferous “Spilsby” sandstone of the Neocomian period. The soil of the parish generally, is a heavy clay; and in a brickyard adjoining the Horncastle and Wragby road, are numerous ammonites and other fossils.

There is a yearly rent charge of £6 left by Heneage Smith, in 1616, for the education of poor children, which is paid out of the estate of Coningsby C. Sibthorpe, Esq.; 14s. 2d. was left by William Marshall, in 1557, for poor parishioners, to be paid out of land at Minting, but this has fallen into abeyance. Edmund Turnor, Esq., is lord of the manor but C. C. Sibthorpe, Esq., owns the greater part of the soil. “Midge Inn,” which has the reputation of formerly being the haunt of the highwayman, who lightened the pocket of many a traveller on the King’s highway, is on the Horncastle and Wragby road in this parish, which is in the soke of Wragby.

p. 96Hemingby.

This parish lies 4 miles north by west from Horncastle, on the river Bain. Letters, via Horncastle, which is the nearest money order office, arrive at 9.30. The Incumbent is the Rev. E. S. Bengough, who has a commodious Rectory. The register dates from 1579.

The Church is dedicated to St. Margaret. A previous structure, erected in nondescript, “Grecian,” style, in 1771 (a period when so many of the churches in the neighbourhood were re-modelled in the worst taste), consisting of nave, chancel, and low tower, with three bells, was re-seated in 1856, when additional accommodation was provided. A west door, made of bog oak, from a large tree dug up, when the railway line was made between Boston and Lincoln, was presented by the Rev. E. Walter, Rector of Langton. The entire fabric was restored in 1896, at a cost of £1450, and re-opened in January of that year, through the liberality and exertions of the Rector, Rev. E. S. Bengough, aided by handsome donations from Earl Manvers, the family of the late Rector, Rev. G. Thackeray, and others. The tower was entirely re-built and the chancel enlarged. A relic of a former medieval church was found in the pavement of the nave, consisting of a slab, carved with two quatrefoils, with shields in the centre of each. This was placed in the wall of the chancel, above the east window. The pulpit, of carved oak, was the gift of the family of the Rev. G. Thackeray, the late Rector. The architect was Mr. W. Scorer, of Lincoln. The bells, of the 18th century, bear the names of the founders, Mears and Stainbanks, of London.

At the date of Domesday Book, the great Norman Baron, Ivo Taylebois, owned land in this parish, as Earl Harold had done before him. Baldric, one of the Earl’s vassals, had there one carucate, and two villeins, and two bordars, and seven sokemen, who had two carucates, and half a mill, worth 7s. yearly, and 30 acres of meadow. There were three carucates, rateable to gelt. The manor, held by Edric, had six oxgangs, also rateable to gelt. Its value, temp. Edwd. the Confessor, was 60s., in Domesday 100s.

Among the gentry of Lincolnshire, enrolled in the List made by the King’s Heralds, at their visitation in 1634, was Ambrose Shepard of this parish (Everard Green, F.S.A., “Lincs. N. & Q.,” p. 105).

p. 97In Liber Regis, the living was valued at £17 8s. 6½d., now at £500; 423 acres being allotted at the enclosure in lieu of tithes and the old glebe. In 1722 the benefice was in the gift of the Rev. Mr. Carr of Newcastle-on-Tyne; after that the patronage was vested in King’s College, Cambridge.

There is an endowed School, for master and mistress, founded by Jane Dymoke, widow of the champion, in 1727, and endowed by her in 1736, for teaching the children of the poor of the parish, “to read, write, spin, and card wool.” Commodious schoolrooms for boys and girls have been erected in late years. Lands in Woodhall yield an income of about £110 a year. There is a rent charge of £5 on a farm in Asterby, and £568 in consols. The whole yearly income is about £130, besides residence and 20 acres of land for the master. Four almswomen receive 2s. 3d. weekly, with an allowance of fuel. Four apprentices are provided for with a premium of £10, and £3 a year for clothing, during the 7 years of their service. The late Mrs. Baker, in 1848, also left the interest of £500 to be distributed in coals among the poor of the parish. The living is now in the gift of King’s College, Cambridge; but by an Inquisition held at Boston, 12 Henry VII. (A.D. 1497) it was found that Sir John Ratclyff, knight, besides considerable other property in the county, was seised of the advowson of Hemingby, and alternate advowson of Skyrbeck, but he being attainted, in the 11th year of that King, his property passed to Andrew Dymmock, as the Kings “Solidat” (soldier). (“Linc. N. & Q.,” iv., p. 11.) In 1711 Leonard Smelt, Esq., presented to this benefice; in 1722 the Rev. Mr. Carr, of Newcastle, gent.; and King’s College for the first time in 1768.

Kirkby-on-Bain.

Kirkby-on-Bain is a village larger than most of those in the immediate neighbourhood, situated on the river Bain, between 4 and 5 miles from Horncastle, in a southerly direction, about 4 miles north-east of Tattershall, and rather less south-east of Woodhall Spa, where are p. 98the nearest railway station, money order, and telegraph office, there being a post office in the village.

It was a saying of one of our chief archæologists, that “anciently every local name had its meaning”; and we may extract more than conjectural history from the name, Kirkby-on-Bain. The first syllable carries us back into a distant past, earlier than the date of most of our written records. As a rule, when the word “Kirk” forms part of a place-name, it implies, not only the former existence of a church in the locality (the name in Domesday is “Chirchebi,”) but also of a still earlier, and probably Druid, temple. The syllable “Kir,” or “Ker,” [98a] with its plural Kerrog, Kerig, or Curig (hence “Church”) means a sacred circle, which was the form of the ancient British, or Druid, place of worship, such as are still to be seen, on a large scale, in the megalithic remains of Stonehenge near Salisbury, and at Avebury near Marlborough, in Wiltshire; and, on a smaller scale, in many a lonely spot among the hills in Wales and Scotland, and on the continent, as far Palestine. These remarks apply to many places in our own neighbourhood, as Kirkstead, Kirkby Green, beyond the once sacred stream of the Druids, the Witham, or Rhe, East Kirkby beyond Revesby, &c. We have 5 Kirkbys, and 2 Kirtons (Kirk-ton), in the county. Thus we get a British origin for this parish; while the name of the river, on which it is situate, is also British; the word “Ban,” meaning “bright,” or “clear,” is found not only in the river Bain, but in several other streams. [98b]

p. 99The second syllable of the name Kirkby yields further information. While the two contiguous parishes of Kirk-stead and Kirk-by have the first syllable in common, in their suffix, they differ, since “stead,” connected with our word “steady,” is Saxon, meaning a settled domicile; and “by,” is an old Danish word, (still surviving in Scotland as “byre”) meaning the same. [99a]

The Britons, therefore, have left their mark in the first half of both these names, but from the second halves we gather that the Saxons made their permanent residence in Kirkstead, whereas in Kirkby, although they doubtless there also succeeded the Britons, they were, in turn, supplanted by the Danes, who made this place their “byre,” or “by,” with three “by-roads,” or village roads, branching from it.

In this connection we may also note, that “Toft,” which is a farm name in the parish, is also a Danish word, and this is another of their “footprints on the sands of time”; while further we may observe, that those roving invaders were called “Vikings,” because they first frequented our “viks,” “wicks,” or creeks; and there are geological indications, in the beds of sand and gravel, in this parish, that the river Bain was, at one time, much wider and deeper than it is in the present day [99b]; and so, we may well suppose, that, up this “ancient river,” the river Bain, those Danish marauders steered their way, from its mouth at “Dog-dyke,” originally Dock-dyke, because there was a Dock, or Haven, for shipping there (as the present Langrick was a long-creek of the sea, a few miles beyond; the sea then coming up from Waynfleet); and made their settlement here, from which they ousted the Saxons, whose presence is implied in the name of the hamlet Tumby, originally Tunne-by, which is, in part, a Saxon appellation.

Thus, by the analysis of a name we are brought down from those far-off, dark ages to within the range of historic times. Kirkby is stated to be in “the soke of p. 100Horncastle,” in a document of date 1327–8 (“Lincolnshire N & Q.” vol. v., No. 44., p. 248), but the local historian, Mr. Weir (“Hist. Horncastle,” p. 310, Ed. 1828) says, that it had a jurisdiction of its own, including Kirkstead, and even more distant parishes, as Wispington, and Waddingworth. [100a]

The Domesday survey of this county, made in 1089, by order of William the Conqueror, and so named by the Saxons, because it recorded the doom of many a Saxon Thane, ejected from his possessions by Norman warriors, contains several notices of this parish; and although at first sight they appear somewhat conflicting, yet a careful study of them enables us to put together something like a connected account of some of its former proprietors.

First we may mention the Saxon owners, who were dispossessed of their lands by the Normans.

One of these was Ulmar, who had 150 acres, charged with the land tax, called “gelt,” which was about 2s. to the carucate (or 120 acres); besides which he had 1½ carucates (180 acres), sub-let to smaller bond tenants, making in all 330 acres. He had also in the adjoining parish of Tattershall Thorpe, 240 acres, “in demesne,” i.e., in his own occupation, as Lord of the Manor, besides 360 acres sub-let to dependents. Ulmar was therefore what we should call, “well to do,” a Saxon yeoman of substance.

There were also two other Saxon owners in the parish, who would seem, to some extent, to have been partners. Godwin and Gonewate had between them 60 acres in Kirkby, charged with the aforesaid payment of “gelt,” and 75 acres exempt from it. They had also 360 acres in Tattershall Thorpe; and separately, or together, they had lands in several other parishes. Especially in Tumby, they owned 300 acres rateable to “gelt,” and 360 acres more sub-let to dependents.

Another part of this parish would seem to have been a separate demesne, Fulsby, probably a contraction of Fugels-by, or the homestead of Fugel. [100b] Here, at a later p. 101period, there was a large residence, named “Fulsby Hall” of which possibly there may be still some traces in ponds and mounds, in a field in the middle of what is still called “Fulsby Wood.”

Toft Grange also would seem to have been another distinct property; and was at a later date (as will be shown hereafter), owned or occupied by a Dymoke. The term “Grange” would imply that it was an appendage of some Religious House; and an old charter of Richard I., now in the Library of Revesby Abbey, shows that that Sovereign granted to the Monks of St. Lawrence at Revesby, the Grange of Toft, [101a] with its appurtenances, a mill at Fulsby, with lands in Tumby, Coningsby, &c.

The greater part of Tumby was, as it is still, woodland, and formed “Tumby Forest,” or “Tumby Chase,” of which old maps still show the trees. [101b]

In a Close Roll, 5 Ed. IV. (1466), there is a reference to the great wood, called “Tumbi Wode,” or “Tumbi Chase” (“Ibiden,” p. 131).

We have, thus far, three Saxon proprietors in this parish, who were, in their day, men of substance; but the incoming of the Norman was the Saxon’s doom; and while Domesday Book says, with pregnant brevity, that Ulmar, Godwin, and Gonewate “had,” i.e. formerly owned, such and such lands, it names the Normans alone as present proprietors.

In the case of Kirkby the accounts also of these Norman Lords might seem, at first sight, somewhat conflicting. For instance, Domesday Book gives Odo, Bishop of Baieux as owner of this parish, or a large portion of it; but we turn over only a few pages, and find it referred to as among the possessions of William de Karilepho, Bishop of Durham. But “hereby hangs a tale.” Odo of Baieux was half brother of William the Conqueror; being the son of Arlette, the concubine of his father, Robert, Duke of Normandy, by a Norman p. 102Noble, Herluin de Contaville. Odo’s brother was created Earl of Moretaine, his sister was the Countess d’ Aumale (which in later times became Albemarle), and he was given by the Duke, in 1049, the high position of Bishop of Baieux, in the now department of Calvados, in Lower Normandy. [102a] On coming to England in the train of the Conqueror, he was created Earl of Kent, Count Palatine, and “Justiciarius Angliœ,” and no less than 439 manors were bestowed upon him, 76 of these being in Lincolnshire. He was thus among the most powerful of the Normans in this country; he was styled “Vice-Lord of the whole of England,” and was said to be “second only to the King.” But his greatness was his ruin. Elated by his vast wealth, he aspired to the Papacy, and collecting a great amount of treasure, he was about to set sail for Rome, when William seized him and his treasure, and sent him to prison in Normandy, confiscating his estate. [102b] Thus Odo’s tenure of his lands in Kirkby and elsewhere, was only brief; and there were other grasping Norman followers of the Conqueror ready to step into his shoes. One of these was the aforenamed William de Karilepho, Bishop of Durham; who had been Abbot of St. Karilepho in Normandy, but, coming over to England, was consecrated to that Palatine See in 1082. Thus Kirkby again became the property of a scarcely less powerful prelate than Odo; for the Bishops of Durham have ranked high in the episcopate down to quite recent times; but in early days they were not only bishops, but princely nobles, whose influence almost rivalled that of the Sovereign; and this prelate again was Chief Justice of England. An indirect evidence of the Bishop of Durham’s influence in Kirkby is seen in the following circumstance. Both Ecton’s “Thesaurus,” and “Liber Regis,” state that the benefice of Kirkby formerly paid a “pension of 40s. to the Priory of St. Leonard at Stamford.” This would appear to have come about in the following manner. Oswy, the Saxon King of Northumbria, in the middle of p. 103the 7th century of the Christian era, having conquered the pagan King of Mercia, of which Lincolnshire formed a part, as a thank-offering to God, gave to Wilfred, the friend and instructor of his son Alchfrid, certain lands in Stamford, for the maintenance of 100 Monks. Accordingly Wilfred, who afterwards became Bishop of York, founded the Priory of St. Leonard at Stamford; and, having received his own education at the Monastery of Lindisfarne, in Holy Island, he gave the Priory to that Religious House. At the time of the Conquest, the Monks of Lindisfarne, were attached to the See of Durham, and thus their dependency at Stamford came under the cognizance of William de Karilepho; and as Lord of the Manor of Kirkby, he charged this benefice with this contribution to the Priory. Had the Monks of Lindisfarne not been plundered by the Danes, and so driven to Durham, Kirkby would not have had this payment to make; “40s” was, in those days a considerable sum, the whole tithes of the benefice being only £1 7s. 4¼d. The buildings of the Priory at Stamford, were plundered by the Danish rovers, but were rebuilt by William de Karilepho, partly doubtless with money from Kirkby, about the year 1082. On the dissolution of the Monasteries, in the reign of Henry VIII. that King, who was generally in need of cash, appropriated the temporalities of the benefice of Kirkby, and so became patron of the living, which is still in the gift of the Sovereign.

We now get another name of rank among the Normans connected with Kirkby. Domesday Book says, “Ilbert has here 1 caracate (120 acres), with 10 villeins (the lowest class of bondmen), and 4 bordars (the higher class of bondmen), who hold under him another carucate; also the site of a mill (a valuable possession in those times), 12 acres of meadow (probably rich grass land watered by the Bain), and 160 acres of woodland interspersed with pasture,” where the serfs would tend the lord’s herds of swine, which fattened on the acorns in their season, and where he would harbour his deer, and other animals of the chase.

In those times even a powerful noble did not disdain to be the vassal of such a princely prelate as the great Bishop of Durham, at the head of one of the three palatine counties in England; and such was this Ilbert, or, as he was otherwise called, Hildebert de Lacy.

p. 104Coming to England with the Conqueror, he was granted by William the manor of Pontefract, and 150 other lordships in Yorkshire, 10 in Nottinghamshire, and 4 in Lincolnshire. In several other parishes, [104a] Kirkby being among them, he also held lands, not absolutely “in demesne,” as his own, but under the absentee Bishop of Durham as lord paramount, to whom he paid a small yearly rent, which was exacted from his Saxon dependents. This Ilbert, or Hildebert, built the castle of Pontefract, [104b] and was one of the most powerful nobles in Yorkshire. Another of his family, also Ilbert, was a witness to the Charter of King Stephen, which secured the ecclesiastical liberties of England; and another, John de Lacy, became Earl of Lincoln, by marrying Margaret, daughter of Hawise de Quincy, sister of Ranulph, Earl of Lincoln and Chester (A.D. 1232). Their son, Henry de Lacy, held the same honours in the reigns of Henry III. and Ed. I. [104c] A John de Lacy was among the signatories of the Magna Charta, and we may add that it is not a little remarkable that, in this 20th century, the name of Ilbert is yet to the fore, Sir Courtenay Peregrine Ilbert, K.C.S.I., C.I.E., &c., being now Clerk of the House of Commons, and a distinguished lawyer and scholar.

By a curious coincidence, Pontefract was in Saxon times known by the name of Kirkby, and this name continued even in later times; a charter of Ilbert’s son, Robert, conveying lands to the Priory of St. John at Pontefract, mentions them as being “de dominio de Kirkby,” while another charter gives them as “de Pontefract” (Camden’s “Britannia,” p. 729.) Thus Ilbert, Lord of Kirkby-on-Bain, held two lordships in different counties, of the same name.

p. 105We have yet another landowner named as connected with this parish, of scarcely less note than Ilbert de Lacy.

As we have observed in our “Records” of other parishes, Eudo, son of Spirewic, and Pinso, were two Norman sworn brothers in arms, who came over with the Conqueror, and did him such good service that William granted them “the manor of Tattershall with the hamlet of Thorpe and the towne of Kirkeby,” beside some 24 other lordships; Eudo to have tenure directly from the King, and Pinso under St. Cuthbert of Durham. They subsequently divided these possessions between them, Pinso taking those further away, while Eudo seated himself at Tattershall. On his death there, he was succeeded by his son, Hugh Fitz Eudo, commonly called “Brito,” or “The Breton,” who founded the neighbouring abbey of Kirkstead, A.D. 1139. He had in Kirkby 1 carucate (120 acres) of land “in demesne,” with 8 acres of meadow and 80 acres of woodland interspersed with pasture, very much as “Kirkby Moor” is still. He had also in Tumby another carucate, in his own occupation, with villeins and bordars, and two soc-men, i.e., free tenants, on 75 acres; also 20 acres of meadow, one fishery and a half, two mills, and 370 acres of woodland, forming the “Tumby chase.” He had also lands in Waddingworth and Wispington, which were within the jurisdiction of Kirkby; in the latter two parishes he halved the land with the Bishop of Durham, who also (as we have seen) had a slice of Kirkby.

With these several important personages connected with this parish, it naturally also acquired a more important position than the villages around, justifying the term “town of Kirkby,” given to it in old records (Dugdale’s “Baronage” vol. i., p. 439).

Of subsequent owners of Kirkby, and its appurtenances, Tumby, Fulsby, and Toft, we are not able to give a connected series, but there is evidence enough to enable us to form fairly safe conjectures, concerning several of them.

The ownership of the de Lacys continued, with one brief interruption, for some generations. Hildebert was succeeded by his son Robert Henry, but he, as Camden relates (“Britannia,” p. 712), taking part in the battle of Tinchebray, Sep. 28, 1106, against Henry I., in favour of Robert, Duke of Normandy, on the victory of Henry, was deprived of his possessions, which were given to p. 106another Norman, Henry Travers (Dugdale’s “Baronage” vol. i. p. 99), and afterwards to Wido de Laval, who held them till the reign of Stephen; when that King restored to the said Henry his possessions once more. His two sons Henry and Ilbert dying without issue, the estates in 1193 passed to their half sister, on the mother’s side, Albreda de Lisours. She married Richard Fitzeustache, Constable of Chester; which family subsequently took the name of de Lacy, and (as has been already stated) became Earls of Lincoln. The estates continued in this line till 1310; when Henry de Lacy, having no male issue, left his property to his daughter Alice, who married Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. He joined a conspiracy against Edward II., and being defeated in the battle of Boroughbridge, in the West Riding of Yorkshire (March 16, 1322), was beheaded on a hill near his Castle of Pontefract [106]; being, it is said, led out to the spot, by way of disgrace, “on a lean horse,” by an official, named Gasgoyne; which name also, somewhat curiously (as will be seen hereafter), is connected with Kirkby. A change in ownership now appears; in the family of Bec, or Beke. In the 13th century one of them Walter Bec was Constable of Lincoln Castle, under Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, A.D., 1275 (“Hundred Rolls,” vol. i. p. 312). But 80 years before this, a Final Concord, of 27 Nov. 1197, gives the following agreement, “on the 2nd day after the feast of St. Katharine” between Walter, son of Walter Bec, plaintiff, and Richard, Abbot of Kirkstead, as to a wood called Langhace, and other land “in the field of Kirkebi which is upon Bayne,” within the Court of the said Abbot, whereby Walter “quitclaims all his rights to the Abbot and Convent” for which they give him 4 marks (£21 13s. 4d).

By another Concord, on the octave of St. Michael (Oct. 6, 1226), between William Bec, plaintiff, and Henry, Abbot of Kirkstead, tenant of certain lands, in Kirkby, the Abbot acknowledges the lands to be “of the right of the said William, which his father also had, to have and to p. 107hold (them) to him and his heirs for ever, of the Abbot, and his successors, rendering to them 6d. by the year, for all service”; and for this William quitclaims all his rights to the Abbot, and his successors.

Another Concord (p. 220), shows that in 1227, Walter Bec had lands in Kirkeby, Tattershale, and Thorpe, which he granted to Robert de Tateshale; for which the latter was to “render £20 13s. 4d. yearly, at Kirkby upon Bayne, and to do the service of one knight” (“Architect S. Journal” xxiv. p. 34).

By another deed, in the same year, 1227, “three weeks from Easter day” (May 1st), between Walter Bec, plaintiff, and Robert de Tateshale, touching right of warren on the lands of the said Walter, in Kirkby, Tateshale, and Thorpe, concerning which Walter complained, that Robert unjustly, and without warrant, caused warren in the said lands, which rightly are of the fee of the Bishop of Durham, an agreement is made that Robert shall give an exchange of lands: whereupon Walter grants to Robert “all his lands in Kirkeby, Tateshale, and Thorpe, in demesnes, homages, rents, an services of free men, within the said manor, rendering £21 13s. 4d., by the year, at Kirkeby on Bayne, and the service of one knight’s fee”; and for this Robert gives him 10 marks (£6 13s. 4d.) The head quarters of the Becs were at Lusby; Henry Bec, of Lusby, being father of the Walter Bec, already named as Constable of Lincoln Castle. They were strong in church influence; Thomas Bec, son of the said Walter Bec, being Bishop of Lincoln, 1342–1346; while another Thomas Bec, a cousin, had been Bishop of St. David’s, 1280–1293; and another cousin, Anthony Bec, was Bishop of Durham, and so connected with Kirkby, as Lord Superior, 1283–1310.

In a Harleyan charter (45 H. 12) in the British Museum we find the following, “To all sons of Holy Church, Walter Bec, son of Henry Bec, greeting. Know that I have granted and quitclaimed to the monks of Kirkstead, the manure of their 300 sheep of their fold of Kirkby. Also I quitclaimed to the same the toll of my corn, which now they are accustomed to grind, according to the tenor of their charter &c.” Witnesses, Richard, Dean of Horncastr, Henry de Langton, Nicholas Bec, Henry Bec, and others.

p. 108Another name now appears among owners of Kirkby. The Willoughbys and the Becs inter-married, and by a Feet of Fines (Lincoln file 68, 32; 30 Ed. I.) Robert de Wilgeby grants to John Bec, for life only, certain lands in “Kirkeby next Bayne,” and 37 other parishes, with mills, advowson of benefices, 9 fees of knights, &c.; after his decease the said properties to revert to the said Robert and his heirs, quit of the heirs of the said John.

By an inquisition ad quod damnum (17 Ed. II., 1323), it was shewn that this manor was charged with a payment of £21 13s. 4d. to John son and heir of this Robert de Wilgeby (Willoughby).

Some of the Lords of Kirkby and Tumby seem to have treated the Abbots of Kirkstead with considerable liberality; for which, doubtless, they would receive an equivalent in prayers, if not “indulgences,” granted in their favour. In a cartulary of the Abbey (Vespasian, E., xviii.), now in the British Museum, is a charter running as follows:—“I, Robert, son of Simon de Tumby, have granted to the Church of St. Mary of Kirkstead half the fishery of Troholm, and 5 acres of land in the field of Tumby, and common pasture through all the fields and territory within the bounds of Tumby.” This was early in the 12th century. The witnesses to this deed, it is to be noticed, are his nephew Richard, and Gilbert, “clerk,” i.e., parson, “of Driebe”; hence we should infer that the “de Tumby” and “de Driby” families were one and the same; and this is proved to have been the case by a Final Concord of 12 John (A.D. 1211), which mentions the above grant of “5 acres in Tumby” to Simon de Driby and his heirs. [108] The grant to the Abbots of Kirkstead was confirmed, some years later, by Robert, son of Hugh de Tateshale, who “put his hand to the altar” in testimony of the same (charter of same cartulary, quoted “Architect. Journ.,” xxiii., p. 107).

By a Chancery Inquisition p.m., 8 Ed. III. (1335), and by a similar document, 41 Ed. III., it is shown that John de Kirketon (Kirton) held for life the manor of Tumby, with that of Tateshale. The Kirktons of Kirton, near p. 109Boston, were probably kinsmen of the Dribys, as this transfer was made by John de Driby, and the Driby armorial bearings were formerly in the windows of Kirton Church, along with those of the Earls of Lincoln (connected, as we have seen, with Kirkby) and others (“Lincolnshire Churches,” by Stephen Lewin). This local connection may, in aftertimes, have led to the marriage alliance of the D’Eyncourts, who held the manor of Kirton, with the next family whom we shall mention, the Cromwells. [109a] The above Robert, son of Simon de Driby (or de Tumby), had to wife Joan, co-heiress of the Barons of Tattershall; and somehow that connection seems to have brought the Cromwells into possession of the manor of Kirkby. In an Inquisition p.m., 22 Rich. II. (1399), Ralph de Cromwell is described as owning the manor of Kirkby, with that of Tattershall, through his wife Matilda, or Maud de Bernak, sister and sole heir of William de Bernak, Lord of Tattershall. He had lands in 14 parishes in this county, 1 in Derbyshire, and 6 in Notts. [109b] His grandson, Ralph, married Margaret, sister and co-heir of the 5th and last Baron D’Eyncourt. His granddaughter, Maud, married Sir Richard Stanhope, of Rampton, knight. Their daughter, Maud, married Sir Gervase Clifton, of Clifton, knight, “The gentle Sir Gervase,” who was killed at the battle of Tewkesbury, May 4, 1471; and afterwards married Sir Thomas Neville, and then the 6th Baron Willoughby d’ Eresby. Thus we have a number of p. 110important alliances of this family of Kirkby proprietors (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1858, p. 228).

At the time when Gervase Holles, in 1630, made his peregrinations round this county, he says that there were in the windows of the rectory house, of Kirkby, the armorial bearings, in coloured glass, of some 20 leading county families, including—Becs, Willoughbys, Percys, Tyrwhitts, Tailbois, Dymokes, &c. These had probably been originally in the windows of the church, and, on the decay of the edifice, had been transferred to the house. Representations of these are given in the Harleyan MS. (6829), now in the British Museum, together with a description of monuments formerly in the church, but now lost. These arms enable us to form an idea of the great families who were connected with this parish. The association with the place of the Tailbois is not quite clear; but Gilbert Tailbois was summoned to Parliament, as Baron Tailbois, in the reign of Henry VIII., when he showed that he was descended from Sir Edward Dymoke, who married Anne Tailbois. This Gilbert was also descended from Henry Tailbois, who married Eleanor Burdon, daughter of Gilbert Burdon, by Elizabeth de Umfraville, sister and heiress of the Earl of Angus (“Dugdale’s Baronage,” vol. i.); who again was related to the de Kymes, kinsmen of the Dymokes; the Kymes also being connected with the old and distinguished county family of the Ayscoughs.

The connection of the Dymokes with Kirkby is seen in the following bequest of “Arthur Dymmocke of Toft Grange, in the p’she of Kyrkebye,” of date May 27, A.D., 1558. “I geve and bequeathe to the Church of the said Kyrkebye one satteyn gown, to make a coope or a vestment. I will that there shall be distributed among the poore people at my buriall xiii^li. xii^s. viii. I give to the poore people of the towneshipp of Kirkebye vi^li., to the poore of Tunbye xl^s.” There are also bequests to “Marum, Willesby, Screuelby, Roughton, Connyngesbye, Tattershall, Haltam,” &c. He adds, “I will that myne executour shall geve to the marriages of poore maydens, at their discretions, xxvj^li. I geve to the repayring of fowle and noysome hie wayes xxvj^li. I geve to my brother Sir Edwarde Dymmocke, Knight, tenne pound, and my best gelding, with the best jewell he will chuse among all my jewells. I geve to my sister his wif one p. 111gold ring w^t a turkey (turquoise). I geve to Sir [111] Thomas Olive, p’sonne of Kirkebye one gold ring enamelled.” These, and many more bequests to poor people in the county of Middlesex, &c., &c., show that Arthur Dymoke of Toft Grange, was a man of substance, as well as of generous mind. (“Linc. N. & Q.” July 1897, vol. v., No. 39).

We now get another family resident in this parish, of some importance. We have mentioned Fulsby Hall, of which nothing certain now remains. This demesne would seem to have belonged to the Nelthorpes of Scawby, N. Lincolnshire, but it was occupied by a family named Cressy. The Cressy pedigree is given in a MS. book of “Lincolnshire Gentry,” written by Thomas Beckwith, F.S.A., 1768, and preserved in the Library of Revesby Abbey (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 166). As far back as A.D., 1216, we find a William de Cressy named, along with Ralph de Haya (an old Norman family), as being “sureties for the faithful service” of Simon de Driby, already named. (Hardy’s “Rolls de oblatis et finibus,” p. 575.) Whether he was of the same family we cannot say, but it is some hundreds of years before the name occurs again.

Also a charter of Hamelin, Count de Warren, and his Countess Isabella, about A.D., 1074, mentions a Roger de Cressy, with whom they unite in granting a wood, and other properties, “to God and the Church of St. Victor, and the Monks thereof,” in Normandy. The same charter also names 3 houses given by Ranulph de Cressy, “for the soul of his brother Hugh,” (“Archæological Journal,” No. 9, 1846.) Thomas Cressy, of Fulsby, is named among the Gentry of Lincolnshire in the “Herald’s Visitation” of 1634, preserved in the Library of the Herald’s College. Canon Maddison in a note to his “Lincolnshire Wills” (p. 141) says that Nicholas Cressy married Frances, daughter of Sir Henry Ayscough, Knight of Blyborough, and left Blyborough for Kirkby-on-Bain, i.e., for Toft Grange. The daughter, Faith, of this Nicholas Cressy, married George Tyrwhitt, a cadet of the Kettleby family of Tyrwhitts; and we have already seen that the Tyrwhitt arms were among those formerly in the Rectory windows. Her sister Jane married Sir Edward Dymoke, p. 112Knight, of Scrivelsby. Her eldest brother was named Brandon, from the connection of the Ayscoughs, with Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. This Faith had a daughter named “Douglas”; the Tyrwhitts being related to the Sheffields, and John, 2nd Lord Sheffield married Douglas, daughter of William, 1st Lord Howard of Effingham. His son, again, Edmund, created Earl of Mulgrave, married about 1590, Ursula, daughter of Sir Robert Tyrwhitt of Kettleby. Faith Tyrwhitt, by will, dated 18 Feb^y, 1669, leaves bequests to Lady Jane Dymoke, to her brother Major Thomas Cressy, to Edward and Charles Dymoke, to Elizabeth Dymoke, her goddaughter; and “to my good child Douglas everything else.” This “Douglas” was baptized at Horncastle, 8 January, 1628–9.

There is some difficulty in connecting the Percy family with Kirkby, beyond the fact that their arms were among those in the rectory windows. But a Chancery Inquisition post mortem of 1381–2 (5 Richard II., No. 47), shows that Mary de Percy, wife of John de Roos, was next heir to Margaret, wife of John de Orby, who was jointly enfeoffed of certain lands in Tattershall, &c.; and that on her decease the Earl of Northumberland (a Percy) held and occupied the same, he having married their daughter Joan, as second wife. The above John de Orby is stated to have been kinsman and heir of Robert de Tateshale, knight. These lands were also held of the Duke of Lancaster, a Gaunt. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. vi., No. 47, p. 73). We further find that after the death of Gilbert de Gaunt, his widow the Countess Roheis, in her own right married one “Robertus, Dapifer” who was steward to the house of Percy (“Topographist and Genealogist” i., 303). If this was, as seems likely, a Robert de Tateshale, he would be a landowner in Tumby, and, as steward, also a vassal of the Percys, Earls of Northumberland. As further connecting the Percy family with this neighbourhood, we may mention, that among the Revesby charters, is one of date about 1142, the witnesses to which are Henry de Perci, Gilbert de Bec, and others. The same Henry de Perci is also witness to another of these charters, of date 1155.

The arms of the Willoughbys have been already mentioned as among those formerly in the Rectory. This may be accounted for by the fact that Matilda, or p. 113Maud, Lady Willoughby, widow of Lord Cromwell, died in 1497, seized of a greater part of the possessions of her late husband, and, among others, “in fee tail of the manor of Kyrkeby upon Bayne” (“Chancery Inquisition” p.m., 13, Henry vii., No. 34. Quoted “Architect S. Journal” xxiii. p. 132.)

We have now shown links connecting this parish, more or less closely, with most of the families whose armorial bearings formerly existed here. There is only one more name not yet accounted for: that of Gasgoyne. We are unable positively to establish any link in this case. Camden tells us (“Britannia,” pp. 714–731), that the Gasgoynes were an “ancient and virtuous family of Yorkshire, seated at Gawthorpe, probably (he says) from Gasgoyne in France,” to which family belonged the famous Judge, Sir William Gasgoyne, who showed his courage by committing to prison the young Prince, who was to be the future King Henry V.

We have already mentioned that the property of the de Lacys (including, probably, Kirkby) passed to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, who was afterwards beheaded for rebellion, being led out for execution by an officer named Gasgoyne. It would appear, therefore, that a Gasgoyne held some official post at Pontefract Castle, and that Lordship (as we have seen), was connected with Kirkby, as belonging to the same noble owners, de Lacys, and others; and hence the Gasgoyne arms appear along with those of the de Lacys, and others. The name of Gasgoyne is found in Stow’s copy of the roll of Battle Abbey, as among the distinguished soldiers who came over with the Conqueror, coupled with Gaunt, Gaunville, and many another good name.

At the dissolution of religious houses by Henry VIII., we find among institutions to benefices, that Robert Brantingham, was presented to Kirkby, in 1565, by Robert Brantingham, of Horncastle, by reason of the advowson, for that turn, being granted to him by “the late Prior and Convent of the Cathedral Church of Durham.” And so ended the connection of Kirkby with the See of the proud Bishops of Durham. On the extinction of the Cromwell line these lands, in Tattershall, Tattershall Thorpe, Kirkby, &c., would revert to the King. Henry VIII. granted Tattershall, and doubtless the other possessions, to his mother Margaret, Countess p. 114of Richmond; and in the following year entailed them on the Duke. On the latter dying without issue, Henry granted a vast number of estates in this, and other localities, to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk. On the death of two infant sons of the Duke, shortly after their father’s decease, Edward VI. granted them to Edward, Lord Clinton, whose arms were also among those formerly in the rectory windows. His descendant Edward Earl of Lincoln, died without issue in 1692, when the properties passed to his cousin Bridget, who married Hugh Fortescue, Esq.; whose son was created Baron Fortescue, and Earl of Lincoln in 1740; and a large portion of Kirkby is still the property of Lord Fortescue, who is Lord of the Manor, other owners being the Clinton, Wilson, Ashton, Lely families, Lockwood trustees, &c.

By a similar process the lands formerly held by the Monks of Revesby, were granted, on the dissolution, by Henry VIII. to his “well beloved and dear kinsman,” the aforesaid Duke of Suffolk, Charles Brandon. Among these are named lands in Tumby, Fulsby, Kirkby-on-Bain, &c., &c. From the Brandons they passed to the great Lord Treasurer Burleigh, and then to the Howards; then to the family of Sir Joseph Banks; and he, dying without issue, left his estates divided among the families of Stanhope, Sir H. Hawley, Bart., and Sir Edward Knatchbull, Bart. The present Sir Henry M. Hawley, of Leybourne, Maidstone, Kent, is lord of the manor of Tumby, including Fulsby, and resides at Tumby Lawn. Some of the land belongs to the representatives of the late Right Honourable E. Stanhope, H. Rogers, Esq., and smaller proprietors. The Fulsby Hall Farm, with the watermill, was given in 1669 to the Grammar School at Brigg, by Sir John Nelthorpe, the then proprietor; but most of this has been purchased in late years by Sir Henry James Hawley; so that there now only remain some 70 acres, and the Fulsby watermill, connected with that school.

Just outside the parish to the south-east is a large wood, now called “Shire Wood”; but in a Revesby charter (No. 29), date Henry II., the name is given as “Skire-wode”; which is Danish, connected with our words “shear” to cut, and “shire” a division, and means the “boundary,” or “dividing” wood. The same syllable occurs in the “Skir-beck” quarter of Boston. In a smaller p. 115wood, in the west of the parish, called “Kirkby Riddings” we have another relic of the Danes, as Mr. Streatfeild, in his work “Lincolnshire and the Danes,” tells us, that in their language “ridja” means to “clear away a wood.” We still speak of “ridding ourselves” of anything, when we clear it away. The Kirkby Riddings, doubtless tell of the “clearings” in those larger woods which we have already mentioned as formerly existing here, wherein the Lords of the demesne found their sport in the chase of the deer, the wild boar, and other animals. [115a] Those “hardy Norsemen” were a tough race, and have thus left their traces behind them.

We have mentioned an Ayscough in connection with Kirkby; a daughter of Sir Henry Ayscough having married Nicholas Cressy of Fulsby Hall. This was a very old family, originally located in Yorkshire; the name having probably been Akes-heugh, or Ake-shaw, i.e., Oak-wood; it afterwards came to be spelt in a variety of ways, as Ayscough, Ayscoghe, Aiscough, Askew, &c.

They claimed descent from a Saxon thane, Thurstan “de Bosco,” and “boscus” is Latin for “wood,” or “coppice.” This confirms the above meaning. The heraldic device of the family was “three asses coughing” (Guillim’s “Heraldry,” 1794), and the name, in some of their branches, is still pronounced like Ass-coff and not Ass-coe. They have been distinguished in church, court, and camp, acquiring large property in Lincolnshire, and allying themselves with some of our oldest families, the Tailbois, Brandons, Hilyards, St. Pauls, Kymes, Clintons, Heneages, Foljambes, Saviles, Boucheretts, &c. They gave to this county, what the county may well be proud of, Anne Askew, who died at the stake, a Martyr for the Protestant faith, at Smithfield, 16 July, 1546. [115b] A Walter Ascoughe, and Henry his son, are named among those who succeeded to parts of the former Revesby Abbey p. 116estates, when the Duke of Suffolk’s family became extinct. (Dugdale’s “Baronage” ii., 300). And this family is still established in various parts of the kingdom, the name surviving in all ranks of life. Few families are without their humbler connections. For instance, in the case of the parish with which we are now concerned, we find in its former records a “Robert de Tumbi” who was a Bec, or a Bernak, or a Cromwell, lord of many a manor, and also a “William de Tumbi” who was a bondman of John Bec, lord of the manor, whose “body and chattels,” the said John reserves to himself, while giving the land on which the said William labours, to the Abbey of Kirkstead. (Charter of John Bec. Harley, MS. 45, H. 13).

So in modern times, the late lord of the manor of Tumby, Sir Henry James Hawley, Bart., married, as his first wife, Miss Elizabeth Askew, in the south of England, while, in a humbler sphere in life, we find a small farmer, in the person of Mr. Thomas Askew, residing in Kirkby-on-Bain; an illustration in a new sense of Shakespeare’s saying, “a touch of nature makes the world akin” (“Troilus and Cressida” act. iii., sc. iii.)

As these notes have now reached a considerable length, we will briefly notice the Church of St. Mary, at Kirkby; and indeed, it barely deserves more than a brief notice, as it has no claims to architectural beauty.

We may well suppose, that, as at that other Kirkby, now known as Pontefract, a fine church was once a feature of the locality, so it was once the same here; but this is no longer the case. If those armorial bearings which Gervase Holles saw in the rectory 250 years ago, were originally in the church, as would seem probable, they would doubtless embellish a fabric of some size and beauty. We can hardly imagine, that the benefice, under the patronage of rich prelates like the Bishop of Durham, in a parish also connected with important monasteries like those of Kirkstead and Revesby, having also powerful landowners such as the Becs, Willoughbys, Cromwells, and other “Lords of Tattershall” (where so fine a collegiate church was provided by them), would have been left with an unworthy church here. But whatever may have been its former merits, of these there are no longer any traces. On the south side lies the square base of a churchyard cross, shorn of its shaft, probably by the reckless Puritans, who may also have demolished, as they often did, the fine p. 117stained-glass windows, of which the armorial bearings, once in the rectory, may likely enough have been remnants. Gervase Holles mentions two monuments which were in the church in his time. Of these one was in the chancel, having a quaint Latin inscription to the following effect:—

Of a later Church, in a state of ruin, there was given an engraving in the “Gentleman’s Magazine” of August 11, 1801, with brief account of the church; a copy of which is in the possession of the present rector, the Rev. R. Gathorne, M.A.; framed, in his study. [117b] In that later edifice, the pulpit is said to have been a massive one, of stone. But this, like the monuments given above, has disappeared. Of the present church, built in 1802, the best we can say is that it is in the style called “Debased p. 118Gothic.” The late rector, the Rev. C. F. R. Baylay, rural dean, &c., put stone mullions, in place of wood, in the windows, in 1879; when the late bishop, Dr. Christopher Wordsworth, performed the ceremony of re-opening the church on November 6th, as is recorded on a brass tablet on the north wall of the nave. The church was, at the same time, re-seated with open sittings of pitch-pine. The western gallery was also then removed. Over the west door is a good painting of the royal arms, of date 1712, with initials “A.R.” (Anne Regina). There is a slab in the pavement of the nave at its east end, in memory of Rev. T. Roe, formerly rector. The font is plain octagonal. The ceiling is flat, of polished pitch-pine. There are three plain windows in the south wall of the nave, and two in the north wall. The chancel is apsidal, with a three-light window in the centre, and a small single-light window on each side. The chancel arch is unusually low, and broad, out of proportion. The only handsome thing in the church is the communion table, which is of old oak, probably of the Caroline period, massive, and richly carved, having a curious cupboard below the upper slab. It is, however, more fit to be a chiffonier or dining room sideboard, than for its present use. The church has accommodation for 212, which is amply sufficient, as the once “Town” of Kirkby has been decreasing in population for many years. The one bell hangs in an external small turret. The registers date from 1562.

The present rectory is a commodious residence, built in 1827, at a cost of £1,800. It stands in almost park-like grounds, with fine timber. The village school was rebuilt in 1870, with residence for the teacher, and was endowed by Richard Brocklesby with 33 acres of land in the parish of Bicker. The poor have an interest in the almshouses of Sir Joseph Banks at Reyesby; also a yearly dole of 5s., left by Martha Chamberlain.

The poet Dyer, who was appointed rector of Coningsby, by Sir John Heathcote in 1752, became rector of Kirkby in 1755, but presently exchanged it for Belchford. He was the author of “Grongar Hill,” “The Fleece,” and other poems of some merit, and was honoured in a complimentary sonnet by Wordsworth, the Laureate.

Another rector, the Rev. Willoughby West, extended his charity beyond his own parish, since by will dated 30 January, 1690, he founded two almshouses, for p. 119deserving poor persons, in the parish of Langton-by-Horncastle, (he being one of the patrons of the benefice), endowed with the rent of land purchased by him “from Geo. Langto of Langto, Esq.” His burial is registered at Kirkby, 29 May, 1691, and that of his wife, Mary Ester, “April ye 8th, 1690.”

At “Leeds Gate,” to the south of this parish, in Coningsby, are two fields, named “Gibbet close,” and “Gibbet nook close,” where probably some offenders formerly expiated their misdeeds, under the stern hand of the lord of the manor. [119] The name “Leeds gate,” given in old maps as “Lidyate,” is probably a corruption of “Our Lady’s gate” (i.e. road); there having been formerly a “Guild of the Virgin Mary,” connected with Coningsby church. There are also two fields called “Over Coney Green,” and “Low Coney Green,” which may have reference to the rabbit warren of Tumby Chase, or to “the King’s Garth,” or inclosure, “Conig,” i.e. King, also forming part of the name Coningsby. These field-names are found in several other parishes. There are fields called “Otter Close,” “Best Moor,” and “Worst Moor,” the not uncommon “Pingle” (or small croft), “North Ings,” and “Tumby Ings,” these meaning well-watered meadows. Another name, not easy to explain, though not uncommon, is “Pry-close.” It occurs also in Woodhall and elsewhere. One interpretation which has been suggested is that it may have marked the place where watch was kept for game, or game-marauders, or like “Toot-hill,” also found in the vicinity, it may have been a look-out for cattle, strayed in the time of Fen floods. But another suggestion is that it is a form of the old Norman “Pre,” a meadow, praie being a kind of coarse grass. Near Northampton, there are “the verdant meads of de la Pre,” and in Normandy there was a monastery of “De la Pre de Rouen,” attached to the abbey of Bec, and the Norman Becs (as we have seen) were connected with Kirkby and Tumby. There is a “Pry-farm,” in Wiltshire. What is now only Fulsby mill, in this parish, was formerly and within living memory also, a public-house, rejoicing in the name of “The Jolly Sailor.” Here, after the murder of Stennet Jeffery, in “the Wilderness” of Whitehall p. 120Wood, on June 22, 1822, the murderers, who belonged to Coningsby Moor, stopped for refreshment. They were said to be “bankers,” i.e. navvies, whose chief employment was digging drains, repairing their banks, &c.; while employed on the Horncastle canal near at hand, they had doubtless frequented the house before. They were usually rough and even violent characters, and it is said that Mrs. Copping, the landlady of the Inn, was aware of their guilt, but too much afraid of them to mention it. After their visit, some blood-stained clothing was found concealed in a hedge hard by. Two of these men were convicted of the murder and transported for life. (See “Records of Woodhall Spa,” by J. Conway Walter, pp. 16, 17.)

Geologically, Kirkby has some interest; parts of the parish are on the blue clay, with ammonites and other fossils, while there is also a stratum of fine gravel, termed the “Bain terraces,” in which teeth of the “elephas primi-genius” have been found. (“Government Geolog. Survey,” Lincoln, 1888, pp. 161, &c.)

To the ornithologist and entomologist its interest would seem to be increasing. The abandonment of the Horncastle canal, which runs through this parish, is making it a sort of sanctuary where the coot, the moorhen, the dab-chick, and the mallard resort; the green sand-piper may be seen, skimming the water, or the king-fisher darting into the shallows, and the heron, which nests in the adjacent woods, stands like a silent sentinel on one leg, by its pools, on the watch for its finny prey. On the reedy banks of the fast silting-up canal, it would hardly be surprising if that rarity among butterflies, the swallow-tail, which over-drainage has driven from its former haunts, should once more re-appear. But we have said enough about Kirkby, and more than exceeded the measure of space allowed us.

Kirkby, East.

East Kirkby is situated just below the steep slope of the Wolds, near their southern extremity, between 7 and 8 miles south south-east of Horncastle, 6 miles south-west from Spilsby, and 9 miles north-east from Tattershall. From Horncastle it is approached viâ Scrivelsby and Moorby. It is contiguous, on the east, to Revesby.

p. 121This in one of the 220 odd parishes in the county which possessed a church before the Norman Conquest. At that period it seems to have been united with Revesby, since in Domesday Book (1080–86) “Cherchebi” and “Resuesbi” are given together, and it is stated that “the whole manor and all that belongs thereto is six miles long, and six miles broad.” There are 12 carucates (or 1440 acres) rateable to gelt (i.e., 2s. to the carucate); and the same extent of arable land (or 2,880 acres in all); with (in Saxon times), 54 socmen, and 14 villeins. The great Norman Noble, Ivo Taillebois, Chief of the Angevine troops of the Conqueror, was lord of this manor, through his marriage with the wealthy Saxon, Lady Lucia, heiress of the Thorolds. On his death early in life—a death not regretted by her, for the marriage had been forced upon her by the Conqueror—she re-married, with hardly a decent delay, Roger de Romara, about 1093; and by him had a son, William de Romara, who was created Earl of Lincoln. This William founded Revesby Abbey in 1142, and, by an interchange of lands, while retaining Revesby, Moorby, Wilksby, &c., as a compact property, he separated East Kirkby as a distinct domain. Among those with whom exchanges were effected was one Ivo, a priest, who held a church at Thoresby, probably standing on the site of the present Revesby church. In lieu of this, the Earl gave to Ivo the church of East Kirkby with its appurtenances, and a toft near the churchyard. In the 13th century, the family of de la Launde (represented, down to recent times, by the Kings, of Ashby de la Laund, near Sleaford) were manorial lords [121] of East Kirkby, while the Earls of Exeter (as shewn in Notes on Revesby, &c.) had the manor of Thoresby and Revesby, &c. East Kirkby, as well as Revesby, was in the soke of Old Bolingbroke, and, as parts of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Sovereign would be the superior lord of the various manors in that soke, or “Honour,” as it was named, as being connected with royalty. Accordingly, in 1604, we find that Sir V. Skinner, of Bolingbroke, was appointed by the crown keeper of Kirkby Park, the site of which is still shown on old maps; and, according to “Liber Regis,” p. 122in 1762 the Sovereign presented to the benefice, although, by some arrangement, William Ellis, Esq., had presented in 1719. The manor now belongs to R. Maidens, Esq., and Dr. T. Robinson, but most of the soil belongs to the Stanhope or Coltman families, the patronage of the benefice being in the hands of the former.

Among the Revesby charters and deeds, printed by the late Rt. Hon. E. Stanhope, is one (No. 27) of Alan Smerehorn, of East Kirkby, dated 1165, by which he gives a watermill and premises to the Abbots of Revesby, with the right to draw water through his land, from Bolingbroke to Kirkby; the Abbey thus being supplied with water. [122] He also, by another deed (No. 28), conveys to the Abbey his rights in certain lands in Kirkby, undertaking all claims and services due to the King, in return for which the Revesby Monks confirm to him certain rights in Hagnaby.

By a deed of the same period, Alan, son of Walter of Kirkby, gives his feudal rights, in certain lands in Kirkby, to the monks, with lands in Hagnaby and Engcroft in Stickford, free of all claims from the King.

A charter of Richard I. (“Dugdale,” v. 456) confirms to the Monks of Revesby, among other possessions, 620 acres of land in E. Kirkby, and part of Kirkby Wood, along the road called “Swinistigate” (No. 40 B). N.B.—There is still a Swinecote in Revesby. Various other deeds assign to the monks lands given by William son of Ivo, of Kirkby (No. 43); by Alan son of Walter of Kirkby (No. 45); by Lucy widow of Walter Faber, of Kirkby (a “Smith?”) a meadow, “to decorate and strew the monk’s choir.” (No. 56). While Henry Smerehorn gives to them his “servant Robert, son of Colsvan, with all his chattels” (No. 53); and Alan Smerehorn, of Kirkby, gives a plot “ad portam josep.” (at the Joseph gate), among several others, taking on himself all claims to the king or others (No. 58). The seal of Smerehorn is a round one with the device, a man blowing a horn. Gaufrid, son of Alan Buche, of Kirkby, gives land in E. Kirkby specially as “gate alms” for the poor (No. 68); the same Gaufrid also confirming the gift made by his brother Walter, of a meadow in Goutscroft (No. 70). N.B.—“Gout,” or, writ fully, “go-out,” means a spring issuing from a hill side, of which there are many on the Wold slopes (Streatfeild, p. 123“Lincolnshire and the Danes,” p. 174). [123a] Alan de Cuilter, of Kirkby, among other lands, gives a place (placeam) called “gayres” (No. 101); gaire meaning a triangular plot which requires ploughing a different way to the rest of the ground. [123b] A meadow in Kirkby is given by Nicholas son of Roger, of Miningsby, towards maintaining “the light before the image of St. Nicholas in Kirkby Church, every St. Nicholas’ day.” (No. 119).

We give here some other records connected with East Kirkby, which are of more or less interest, taken from “Lincolnshire Wills.”

William Saltfletby, alias Massenge [123c] of “Kirkby juxta Bolingbroke,” by his will, dated 3 January, 1443, requests that he may be buried in Kirkby Church; and leaves money to the church, as well as to the Church of St. Peter in Eastgate, Lincoln; also to his daughter, his wife, and her daughter, certain lands in Kirkby, Miningsby, and West Kele; and his house opposite the Church of St. Peter, Eastgate, “called the Gryffin.” The witnesses are Robt. Drydyke, Vicar of Kirkby (N.B.—The place-name Drysykes occurs in Salmonby); John Cokeryll, chaplain of the same; and Hugh Wellys, clerk.

Richard Skepper, of East Kirkby, by will dated 26 May, 1556, requests to be buried in the church; and leaves to his sons, Thomas, George, and Edward, and daughters, Bridget and Anne, his copyholds in Kirkby, Miningsby, Bolingbroke, Waynflete, Irby, Thorpe, and Friskney. N.B.—This was a family from Durham.

John Ballet, parson of Nether Toynton, by his will, of 17 April, 1558, leaves his “gown, that the Bishop of Ely gave him,” to Mr. Goodryke, of Kirkby [123d] and a gold ring; p. 124he also leaves money to repair the roads between Fulletby and Horncastle.

Connected with the Goodricks, by marriage, were the Littleburies, descended as is shown elsewhere [124a] from a very ancient knightly family, originally seated in south Lincolnshire, and hence we find the following will of Humphrey Littlebury, of East Kirkby, dated 1 Sep., 1568, by which he leaves all his lands in Hagworthingham to his son John, who is to pay to his brother Edward xx^li a year “for his exhibition,” [124b] during the widow’s lifetime; the annuity to cease when the said Edward becomes a “counsaler,” and able to provide for himself. He bequeaths his lands in Hareby, East Keal, Keal Cotes, and Raithby, to his daughter Ann, “if she will be ordered by her friends, Sir John Kersey and John Littlebury,” and if she will not, then “never a penny.” It would rather appear, from this testamentary provision, that the said daughter Ann was somewhat of a wilful “hussy.” Sir John Kersey would be one of the family who came in for a share of the Revesby estates after the extinction of the direct line of the Dukes of Suffolk. To his daughter Dorothy he leaves “one hundred marks” with a like proviso. To his son John he leaves a “ring with the seal,” i.e., the family signet; also “one silver salt, vi. silver spoons, 1 silver goblet, gilt, a flat silver piece, and 1 of my silver pots I bought in London.” Reference is then made to an Inventory of Lyon Goodricke, deceased, which was bequeathed to testator’s wife, Winifred, and Edward Goodricke, her son. The testator had married (1) Ursula, p. 125co-heir of Sir John Kersey, k^nt., of Grove, co. Notts, and (2) Winifred, daughter of Henry Sapcote [125a] of Lincoln, and widow of Lyon Goodricke, of East Kirkby.

We have noticed, above, a Richard Skepper, of East Kirkby, whose will was dated 26 May, 1556. We find later, the will of George Skeeper, of Boston, evidently the same name, of date 28 Sep., 1606, in which he desires to be buried “in y^e parish church of East Kirkby.” The name still survives in this neighbourhood.

Another name still occupying a position in the county is that of Booth, and we find that William Booth, of East Kirkby, by will dated 31 Oct., 1584, left property to his brother George’s children in Cheshire, to his brother Edward’s children, of Rand, to George Booth of Thorpe, and to Thomas Booth, his brother’s son; appointing as his executors, Sir Thomas Scales and John Scales, his sons-in-law.

We have named, above, Edward Goodrick, of East Kirkby. He died in 1615, and by his will, of 16 August in that year, he left the bulk of his property to his son Lyon, but £35 from lands in Suffolk to his daughter Washbourne, besides £400, in the hands of Sir Thomas Jenney, as her portion; “a best bed” to another daughter; and “bedsteads of those in Suffolk,” to four other daughters, all married, “2 Jacobuses to each as a token of my love.” Small sums are bequeathed to his cousin, Richard Palfreyman, [125b] and his godson, Nathaniel Palfreyman; to his servant John Tupholme 20^s. besides his wages 13^s. 4^d. His “grandson John Godricke to have the manor of Stickney when 22 years old,” and his cousin Richard p. 126Palfreyman to have it meanwhile; paying “a penny a year to Lyon Godricke.” The will was proved at Horncastle by Lyon Goodrick and Richard Palfreyman, 25 Oct., 1615.

A name which we cannot omit to notice in connection with East Kirkby is that of Silkstone; there being a monumental slab in the parish church of Robert de Silkeston, who died in 1347. Among 14 documents in the possession of Porter Wilson, Esq., of Louth, this Robert is a principal party in 13 of them; by which lands are conveyed to him by Ranulphus, son of Baldwin de Thorpe, in Ireby; by Robert, son of Philip de Kirkeby, in Kirkby; by Walter de Kirkby, in Kirkby; by Hugo de Hatton, lands in Kirkby; by Walter, son of Robert de Langena, lands in Kirkby; Robert, son of Adam Pertrich, of Bolingbroke; Alan, son of Walter de Kirkeby, and William, son of Henry de Kirkeby, give him other lands in Kirkeby; Beatrice, widow of William Wriht, of Miningsby, gives him lands in Miningsby; John de Waynflet gives him lands in that parish; and Robert de Swylington, Thomas de Marketon, Rector of Hareby, and Robert de Miningsby, chaplain, grant to him lands in “Kirkby, Winthorpe, Thorp, Waynflet, Irby, ffriseby (Firsby), Boston, Leek, Wrangel, Stepying, frrisseneye (Friskney), Bolynbrok, and Menyngesby,” by Deed, given at Kirkebi, 26 Dec., 29 Ed. III. (1355). Robert de Silkeston thus became a proprietor of large estates. At a later period Sir Robert Sylkeston had issue Alicia, who was “maryed to Robert Grynne.” [126] A large portion of the property passed to that family, and through them to the Skeppers already mentioned; and from them, by marriage, to the Loddingtons; one of whom, Thomas Loddington, was Vicar of Horncastle in the early years of the 18th century; his name being on one of the church bells with date 1717.

Sir John Browne, knight, resided here for several years, holding lands in East Kirkby, conveyed to him by Lionel Goodrick in 1616, and on a dispute arising between him and the Skeppers, already mentioned, an agreement was made, 20 May, 1619, by which Sir John granted to Richard Skepper certain property, for 2,000 years, at a p. 127peppercorn rent, Richard Skepper in return granting to Sir John, other lands for a like term and consideration. (Mr. R. W. Goulding, “Linc. N & Q.,” vol. v. p. 75).

Some of these lands were known as Bonthelandes, (Boothlands), West-wang, Wayteclif, Bulgaire, Inge-croft, Langemer-dayles, Goutscroft, &c.

Sir John Browne was 2nd son of Sir Valentine Browne, of Croft, “Treasurer and Vittler of Barwicke, and Treasurer of Ireland in ye raigne of Queen Elizabeth,” who married Elizabeth, daughter of Sir John Monson, of South Carlton, ancestor of Lord Oxenbridge. Sir John Browne was “Sergant to King James in his privy chamber.” He married (1) Cicely, daughter of William Kirkman, Esq., of Easter Keale, who only lived 20 weeks after marriage; and (2), Francis, daughter of Richard Herbert, Esq., of Montgomerie Castle. She was youngest sister of George Herbert, who wrote the well-known poem, “The Country Parson,” and of Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, who was so prominent a figure in the time of Charles I. They were nearly related to the Pembroke family, and descended from Sir Richard Herbert of Edwd. IV.’s time. There is an elaborate altar tomb in Croft church, with effigies of Sir Valentine and his lady above; and of their eight sons and seven daughters on the panels below. Beside this is an equally elaborate monument of Sir John and his 2nd wife. (“Arcitect. S. Journal,” vol. viii. pp. 70, 71).

Another family, with a good old Saxon name, connected with East Kirkby, were the Elands (Ea-land or Eyland), representatives of whom have lived in this parish within quite recent times; the last of them being William Fawcett Ealand residing at the High Hall in 1860–70. The name means Island-land, or water land. [127a] Sir William de Eland was constable of Nottingham castle in 1330, and M.P. for the county in 1333 (Baily’s “Annals,” vol. i. p. 223). They possessed the “Honour of Peverel.” In Baumber church there is a slab of John Ealand (obiit 1463) and his two wives, in the north aisle. [127b] A branch of the family resided at Raithby near Louth. p. 128Toward the close of the 16th century, one of them resided at Cawkwell, and had that manor and the advowson of the benefice. [128] Others had estates, and lived at various places in Yorkshire.

In the latter part of the 17th century another family, the Webberley’s of Addlethorpe, resided at East Kirkby. They intermarried with the Amcotts family, now represented by Colonel Cracroft Amcotts, of Hackthorne Hall, Lincoln. John Webberly, who was born here, was a strong partizan of Charles I., in his contentions with the Parliament. He did not die for his King on the field of battle like his compatriot Hallam, possibly of Bolingbroke (see “Notes” on Bolingbroke); but his support of the King, and his religious opinions (Socinian), subjected him to persecution, and, in 1648, to much suffering from imprisonment. He was afterwards expelled from Lincoln College, Oxford. (Weir’s History, Ed. 1828, vol. i. p. 415).

The church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, is pronounced by Mr. Jeans to be “one of the most interesting in this district, though sadly patched with brick, and defaced with ugly windows.” It is no longer used for services, a small modern church having been recently erected more conveniently near the village. The varied colouring of the edifice, from the combination of grey-green crumbling sandstone, with the red tone of the bricks, surrounded as it is also by lofty trees, render it a pleasing study for the artist, but its decayed condition inspires the fear that, unless tenderly dealt with, this interesting relic, may soon go to decay. It is to be hoped in the interest of archæology that this may be averted.

The original Saxon church was mostly replaced by a later fabric, but now ancient, of the 14th century. It consists of nave, aisles, chancel and tower, having two bells; this tower probably dating from early in the 13th century, occupies an unusual position, being attached to the south aisle towards the west end of it. Its lower storey forms a groined porch, having a head of the Saviour, rather rudely carved, as the central top of the vault. It has some early features, especially the window in its eastern face, but, we quote the late Precentor Venables, in p. 129a description given by him on the visit of the Architectural Society in 1894. Like the rest of the fabric, it has been patched and repaired at various periods, and most of the remains are debased. The battlemented upper storey is Perpendicular, the fabric generally being Decorated, of the 14th century. Of the windows, however, there are few surviving of that period, the west being the most noticeable. It is of two lights, beautifully designed, the mask heads of the hood moulding being remnants of an earlier style. The side windows, both of nave and chancel, were square-headed. One remains, to the west of the tower, portions of others remaining among modern degradations. The eastern windows of both aisles have flamboyant tracery, but now blocked and partly destroyed. The blocked arch of an entrance to a north chantry which has been removed, is seen in the north aisle wall. It must have been filled in at an early date, as the window inserted is of the Tudor period. The piscina of this chantry altar, with a square basin, is still to be seen outside the church. In the north wall of the chancel, a small two-light window is worth attention as an excellent example of the purest Decorated. The south chancel wall has three-light windows, with segmental heads and super-mullioned tracery of Perpendicular date; one of these has been removed to form a poor east window, in place of a good 14th century window, destroyed a few years ago. The eastern gable is surmounted by a good cross and saddle stone. The windows of the south aisle are of the meanest type. There is an arcade of four bays, with Decorated arches supported on very slender octagonal piers, which are too tall and slender, and which drive up the arches too high. The moulded brackets which serve as responds, being elaborately moulded, deserve notice. The roofs are very poor, being of a later period; one of the beams bears the date 1583. The chancel arch has been decapitated and blocked by boarding, but the rood-screen below is an unusually good specimen of Perpendicular. It has five bays, the centre being double the width of the others, and having still its panelled doors. It is 12ft. 4in. wide, and nearly 18ft. high. [129] (Dr. Mansel Sympson, “Architect. S. Journ.,” 1890, p. 209).

Parts of the parclose which formerly enclosed the chantries at the ends of the aisles, still remain. The p. 130Silkstone chantry on the south retains its decorated trefoil piscina.

In the floor of the south aisle is an incised slab, commemorative of Sir Robert Silkstone, the builder of the chantry and church. The late Bishop Trollope’s rendering of the Latin inscription, which is somewhat defaced, the slab being broken into four pieces, is as follows:—“Here is buried Sir Robert Silkstone. He erected this church and chantry. He departed hence in 1347, and on the 14th of June lost his life. To whom may God ever grant rest in Heaven. Amen.” The tradition is that he died an untimely death, if not by his own hand. (“Linc. N. & Q.,” 1896, p. 50).

The old oak seating remains at the west end, and there are fragments, scattered about, of other screen-work. In the north wall of the chancel is a narrow trefoil-headed recess, thought by some to be an Easter sepulchre; it has a curious carved panel, with three kneeling figures, supposed to be the three Maries, each holding a heart. The recess is an aumbrey, intended for the Host. The projecting basin, which Mr. Bloxam thought was a receptacle for “creeping silver,” is a piscina and the so-called carved “hearts” are boxes for spice. This portion of the service of the Mass is referred to by Barnaby Googe (1570), in the lines:—

The font is a good sample of Perpendicular, having a panelled octagonal bowl, supported on a panelled shaft, standing on a platform of steps; the panels contain heads and flowers. There are fragments of old stained glass scattered about the windows, and old encaustic tiles in the floor. A St. Edmund’s penny was found some years ago on the north side of the church, which the late Vicar, the Rev. G. Maughan, pronounced to have been issued before A.D. 905. Not far distant, in the year 1899, on some cottages being pulled down, there were found some fragments of dog-tooth pattern, and portions of columns and capitals, which are supposed to have come originally from Revesby; these are now in the garden of Mr. T. Coltman, at Hagnaby Priory.

The chantry on the north side of the church formerly existing, was called the Jesus Chapel. Here was buried William Goodrick, father of the Bishop of Ely, at his own p. 131request, by his will dated 20 March, 1517, to be buried “in the chapell of Jhus in my p’ysh church of Saint Nicholas.” [131] “On the viij. Kal. Nov., 1344, Robert de Silkestone presented” Thomas West, of Mucton, priest, to this chantry (then newly founded), and on Kal. June 1346, he presented “Rob., son of John Fowler, of Mithingsby, priest, to the same chantry.” (“Linc. N. & Q,” 1896, p. 51, note).

Lusby.

Lusby (called in Domesday Book Lodeby and Luzebi), is distant from Horncastle about 6 miles, in an easterly direction, being 1 mile beyond Winceby. Prior to the Norman Conquest, the Saxon Thane, Tonna, held lands here, as well as in other parishes in the neighbourhood, his property here being 3 carucates, or about 360 acres (Domesday). Other owners of land were Almer, and his brother John, and his son Mauger. These, at the Conquest, were mostly superseded by Normans. William the Conqueror gave to his nephew Gilbert de Gaunt, son of Baldwin, Earl of Flanders, whose sister was William’s Consort, 113 Manors in Lincolnshire, besides several in other counties, among them being Lusby, the adjoining Hagworthingham, and Grantham (Greetham), &c. The property would seem, however, to have been only held by the Gaunts for three generations. In 1223 we find Simon de Kyme instituting a suit in the King’s Court to recover p. 132certain lands in Lusby, as being the descendant and lawful representative and heir of the aforesaid Almar. He failed, however, to establish his case. (Curia Regis, Roll No. 82, Hilary, 7 Henry III.) He still, however, held lands in Langton and Sausthorpe; and he must also have had other lands in Lusby, as we find that in the 9th year of King John he granted the fee of 1 knight to Walter de Bec, “to have and to hold of the same Simon and his heirs for ever.”

The superior lord, however, of all these parties, would seem to have been the Bishop of Durham, a powerful and wealthy prelate. Early in the 12th century (circa 1114) we find that Ranulph, Bishop of Durham, held in chief, lands in Lusby, and several other parishes in the neighbourhood, and one Pinson was tenant under him at Lusby, holding by the service of acting as the bishop’s bailiff. Whether this Pinson was the same as Pinso, sworn brother in arms of Eudo, the Norman lord of Tattershall, is not clear; but it seems likely, as the Bishop of Durham, his over-lord, also held lands in Tattershall. (N.B.—The author of “The History of Spilsby,” Rev. H. Cotton-Smith, says that he was; p. 24). But through the Pinsons, Lusby, Winceby, and other manors passed to another family, already named, which for some time held an important position in the county, the Beks or Becs. There is some confusion in the different records of the earlier generations of this family. Walter de Bek was the scion of a family of Norman blood, whose ancestor, according to Sir William Dugdale in his “Baronage,” had “a faire inheritance in Flanders,” but came over with the Conqueror. This Walter de Bec married Agnes, daughter of Hugh Pinson, the steward, and had by her five sons, Hugh, Henry, Walter, John, and Thomas. Of these, Henry succeeded to the manors of Eresby, Spilsby, Scrivelsby, and Wispington; and Walter became “Lord of Lusceby, Wynceby, Neuton (i.e. Wold Newton) and ffoulstow (Fulstow).” (Lansdown MSS. 207, cf., 453). The Becs were a family of great influence. Of two brothers, one, Anthony, was Bishop of Durham, the other, Thomas, was Bishop of St. David’s, and another Anthony, was Bishop of Norwich, his brother being Bishop of Lincoln, in days when Bishops were statesmen and even soldiers, as well as proud prelates. Walter was Constable of the Castle of Lincoln (Harleyan MSS, f. 23).

p. 133In the old documents called “Final Concords,” p. 80., under date “17 May, A.D. 1208,” we find Walter Bec, named as “tenant of one knight’s fee in Lusceby.” In 1300 A.D. Sir John Bek, like his father, was Constable of Lincoln Castle, but also holding the additional office of Constable of Bristol. He made a grant to the Priory of Bullington, near Wragby, which is worthy of notice, as its terms are peculiar. It runs as follows:—“I, John son of Walter Beck, of Lusceby, have granted, &c., for ever to prior and convent of Bolington, for the safety of my soul, and the souls of my ancestors, two selions of land, &c., which formerly, Simon, merchant of Burgh, held of me for one pair of white gloves.” We have mention, in the case of High Toynton, of land, held by the tenure of a pair of spurs, presented annually to the lord, as rent; here we have a no less singular tenure, by the gift of a pair of gloves. The knightly gauntlet was probably in those days a more costly article than a nineteenth or twentieth century glove. In illustration of the above peculiar tenure, we may notice the legacy of Baron Bec’s “gauntlets” to Kirkstead. This John, son of Walter, was created first Baron Bec of Eresby; he obtained a license to fortify his castle at Eresby, 1295. By his will, dated July 20, 1301, he ordered his body to be buried at Kirkstead, whereunto he gives his best horse, his mail coat, “gauntlets,” harness of iron, lance, targe and other accoutrements. His daughter married Sir William Willoughby.

Most of the property of the Lusby Beks passed, a generation or two later, to another branch of the family, the Becks of Eresby; whose descendant, John Willoughby, through the marriage of Baron Bec’s daughter to Sir William Willoughby, in the reign of Edwd. III., held the manors of “Hareby, Lusceby, Ester Kele, Wester Kele,” &c.; and thus the property passed to the ancestors of the present Earl of Ancaster, and Lord Willoughby d’ Eresby. We still, however, find (by Feet of Fines, Lincoln, file 69) that in A.D. 1302, John Bek had “the rent of 6 quarters of salt, [133] in Wispington, Marton next Horncastle, Langtone, Wodehalle, Thymelby, Scrivelsby,” and other parishes, “with advowson of the church of Wispington.” “Henry p. 134Bek, of Pusseby (Lusby), sold to Lord Stephen de Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury, lands and tenement in ffowlestow; which same bishop gave the said manor to Beatrice, his sister, who was married to Alan de Normanby.” (Lansdowne MSS. 207, cf., 453). For these details of the Becks, I am chiefly indebted to a paper, by Rev. W. O. Massingberd, in the “Architect. Soc. Journal,” for 1897.

To show that the Becs were not confined to the neighbourhood of Eresby and Lusby, I may mention that, not only are their armorial quarterings found, as was to be expected, in Spilsby church, but according to Gervase Holles’ “Notes on Churches,” they formerly existed in windows in the churches of Coningsby and Langton-by-Horncastle, and probably many others. (Harleyan MSS., 6829.)

Of later proprietors of Lusby, I am not able to give any, except that, in a List (given in the Melbourne Hall MSS.) of Gentry, of the 16th century, who furnished launces and light horses, when the country was preparing to give a warm reception to the expected Spanish Armada, I find that Mr. Palfreyman of Lusby, gent., attended the muster at the Horncastle Sessions in 1586, and furnished 1 launce and 1 light horse, when his neighbour, Mr. Langton, of Langton, and Augustine Cavendish, of Orby, furnished each 1 light horse, but no lance; John Littlebury of Hagworthingham, furnishing 2 light horses and no lance. Mr. Maddison explains that this Mr. Palfreyman would be a descendant of William Palfreyman, who was Mayor of Lincoln in 1536. (“Arch. Soc. Journ.” 1894, pp. 214, 220).

In Liber Regis we also find the names of those who presented to the benefice, and therefore were in some way connected with the place; George Davenport in 1699, Carr Brackenbury in 1720, and Robert Carr Brackenbury in 1780. In recent times the bishops of Lincoln seem to have inherited the position formerly held by the bishops of Durham, as owners of the soil and lords of the manor; and these are now in the hands of the Ecclesiastical Commissions.

We now come to speak of the church, dedicated to St. Peter. At the date of Domesday Book, this was one of the 222 parishes in the county which possessed a church. A priest is also there named, doubtless one of the 131 only resident presbyters in the county; many of the churches p. 135being served by the “Religious” of the convents. There is also mention of a mill, worth 3s. yearly. [135]

There was thus at Lusby a church at that early period, and it, as well as Winceby, paid a pension to the Bardney Monastery, probably through the connection with Gilbert de Gaunt, that Norman noble being one of Bardney’s most generous patrons, and the re-founder of that institution after it had been in a state of decay for some 200 years. Ecton’s Thesaurus gives the pension as 30s., a fairly large sum in those days.

The present very interesting church is, in parts, so very ancient, that it is more than likely that some portions of the original fabric of that day still remain. Only a few years ago the building was in a state of squalid neglect and architectural disfigurement; but it was restored by the Commissioners in 1892, and re-opened by the Bishop of Lincoln on January 17, 1893, the work having been done with great care and judgment; and the former flat-ceiled, white-washed room has given place to a structure church-like in all its arrangements. It is nevertheless of a somewhat conglomerate character, windows, and other objects, breaking out, as it were, in all sorts of unexpected positions; and thus making it a study of curiosities. We quote here some of the remarks of the late Precentor Venables made on the occasion of the visit of the Architectural Society in 1894, “of the original Norman fabric, itself of more than one date, and which was shortened at the west end, there are several relics, especially in the charming narrow doorway in the north wall of the nave, now built up, the arch of which is surrounded with zigzag moulding; and a very remarkable little ‘key-hole’ window, high up in the north wall of the chancel. An incised line which runs round the head of this ends in volutes, and above it is a small incised cross. Holes in the jamb of the shutter indicate that this widow was originally unglazed. Opposite the north doorway are traces of another Norman doorway in the south wall, also now blocked, having above it a p. 136cross with round medallions.” Eastward in this same south wall of the nave is a two-light early English window with quatrefoil above, in the eastern splay of which, inside the church, is a small, but “singularly fine corbel head, crowned.” Immediately eastward of the chancel arch in the south wall of the chancel is a small square window, possibly a squint; and east of this a very narrow small “lancet window has been opened,” and still east of this, at a different elevation, there is a good two-light decorated window. The chancel arch is round-headed and plain; on either side of it are a pair of Norman pillars, with the capitals hacked away; those on the north side partly retain their rounded columns. There is a perpendicular screen across the chancel arch of three compartments above with ogee arches and richly carved finials, the central compartment being open; and below are two panels on either side the central open compartment, having ogee arches within semi-circular rims. On the north side of the chancel arch is a niche for a figure. In the north wall of the chancel is an aumbrey, and an oblong one above it; and in the south wall a square one corresponding. In the south wall, under the easternmost window, is an easter sepulchre a plain semi-circular arched recess, probably marking the tomb of the founder. In the north wall of the nave is a similar, but rather larger recess. The east window has three lights, quatrefoiled, with trefoiled compartments above, and a quatrefoil above these. The west door is square-headed with a low arch within; over this a three-light quatrefoiled widow with square-headed moulding above; and over this, in the gable, a square, slit widow, above which hangs the one bell in a large turret. The font on the north side of the west door, is modern, circular, massive, of Caen stone. The sittings are of deal; the pulpit, lectern, and chancel sedilia, of modern oak; the roof throughout of pitch pine. There is a small brass tablet of date circa 1600, with eight English rhyming lines, forming a dialogue between a deceased wife and her surviving husband. The stones of the walls are of all sizes and shapes, and the massive western buttresses are 5ft. thick. The benefice, a rectory, is now held with that of Hagworthingham, and is in the incumbency of the Rev. G. R. Ekins, who resides at the latter place.

p. 137Asgarby, which is ecclesiastically annexed to the benefice of Lusby, lies about six miles south-east of Horncastle, being about a mile south by east of Winceby, by which it is reached from Horncastle, and about a mile west of Lusby. Letters, via Spilsby, arrive at 8.30 a.m. The nearest money order office is at Old Bolingbroke, and the nearest telegraph office at East Kirkby, about 5 miles distant. The whole parish comprises about 760 acres, divided into two farms, the property of Ecclesiastical Commissioners, and occupied respectively, Asgarby Hall farm by Mr. M. Dunham, and the Asgarby House farm by Mr. W. H. Robinson, both these residences being substantial structures of considerable age. It has been asked “What’s in a name?” yet the name Asgarby would seem significant. Its elements are “as” (or Aes), “gar” (guard or garth), [137] and “by”; the first of these implying the presence of “water,” the second meaning, “an enclosure”; and the third “a building”; thus we have, as the meaning of the whole, “a water-enclosed building,” or moated residence. The hall stands on an elevation, commanding an extensive view, and there are various hollows and banks still existing, which probably indicate the moat which at one time surrounded a more important building than the present hall. This is confirmed by the stews, or fish-ponds, lying westward below the hall, which imply that the establishment required an extensive fish diet, on the numerous Romish fast days. The demesne is given in Domesday Book, along with Hareby, Mavis Enderby, Raithby, and many others, which became the property of Ivo Taillebois, by his marriage with the Lady Lucia, daughter of the powerful Saxon Earl Alfgar, father-in-law of King Harold. It probably passed at a later period to the Bishops of Durham, who held many lordships in the neighbourhood; and ultimately came to the Bishops of Lincoln, who were lords of the manor, until the transference in 1862, of episcopal property to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who have since that time, owned the estate.

The Benefice, now worth £40 a year, is described in Liber Regis, as a curacy. It, however, gives its name to a prebendal stall in Lincoln Cathedral. The church, p. 138dedicated to St. Swithin, is an unpretending structure, of no architectural merit; but since it was re-seated, with deal fittings, in 1882, it has been kept, to say the least, in a neat condition. It is doubtless one of the smallest parish churches in the kingdom, the nave being slightly over 20ft. in length, and the chancel about 9ft. The east window has two lights, in debased style. There is a three-light debased window in the north wall, and a corresponding one in the south wall. The pulpit is of modern oak. There is a tablet on the south nave wall in memory of Sarah, wife of John Parkinson, “greatly admired for her virtue, frugality, and charity,” who died 17 May, 1816; also in memory of John Parkinson, her husband, who died May 15, 1821.

In the north wall of the chancel is a memorial tablet of the Rev. W. Ward, Incumbent, who died 26 Nov., 1846. The one bell hangs in a turret over the west door. The register dates from 1575. Canon Oldfield, who holds the benefice, with that of Lusby, is also Rector of Hagworthingham, where he resides. Asgarby Benefice is now held with Lusby, by Rev. C. E. Bolam.

Miningsby.

Miningsby is situated about 7 miles from Horncastle in a south-easterly direction, and is approached by way of Mareham-on-the-Hill and Hameringham. It is seven miles from Spilsby westward, and 9 miles north-east of Tattershall Station. Letters, via Boston, arrive at 9 a.m. The nearest money order and telegraph office is at East Kirkby.

In the time of the Conqueror, this manor belonged to his nephew, Ivo Taillebois, through his marriage with the Lady Lucia, the rich heiress of the Saxon Thorolds. It is stated in Domesday Book to comprise 6 carucates of land rateable to gelt (i.e., 720 acres), worked by thirty-six soke-men, eight villeins, and 4 bordars, who had also 40 acres of meadow, [138] which is several acres in excess of the present measurement.

Miningsby was connected with Spalding Priory in the following manner. That monastery was founded by Thorold de Buchenale (i.e., Bucknall, near Horncastle), A.D. 952; p. 139and the Lady Lucia, his niece and heiress, in conjunction with her husband Ivo Taillebois (who was Lord of Spalding), added largely to the original endowment from her uncle. The churches of Bolingbroke, Stickney, and other parishes, with “half the Church of East Keal,” were given to the priory; also tithes from Claxby, Edlington, Minting, Gautby, &c., and “temporalities” from Haltham, Bolingboke, Miningsby, &c., the latter including two carucates (or 240 acres) of land in Miningsby. On the Dissolution of the Monasteries, by Henry VIII., several of these properties passed to the crown, and became connected with the Duchy of Lancaster, and the “Honour of Bolingbroke.” We mention in the Notes on Revesby, and other parishes, how those and other lands, passed, through the Lady Lucia’s son (by her 2nd husband), William de Romara, to the Abbey of Revesby, and at a later period to the Stanhopes, and, by a parallel process, although through a distinct channel, the Stanhopes are now lords of the manor of Miningsby, and own most of the soil.

Frequent mention is made of Miningsby in the ancient Revesby Abbey charters. [139] By charters No. 1 B. and C., William de Romara conveys to the abbey, 23 acres of land in Miningsby, as well as common pasture in the same. Among the witnesses to the latter, is Baldric de Cheles, a name still represented in the neighbourhood, by the family of the Rev. Alan Cheales, rector of Friskney, and owner of land in Hagworthingham, &c. By charter No. 7 C., Hugo Wac confirms to the Abbot of Revesby “two oxgangs (or 30 acres) of land in Miningsby with right of pasturage and the hermitage, which Ranulph the Monk made in Halton marsh.” This Hugo Wac, would seem to be a representative of the ancient Lincolnshire Saxon family of the Wakes, whose most distinguished member was “Hereward the Wake,” lord of Bourne, the last hero of Anglo-Saxon independence, whose “Camp of Refuge” for some time defied the Conqueror, and whose exploits have been celebrated in prose and verse. By charter No. 39, Alan son of Ranulph, of Miningsby, gives 2 perches of meadow in “Sud Bec” (south beck) in Miningsby, free of all service and claims (temp. Henry II. or Richard I.) We may mention here that this Miningsby beck is now p. 140the chief feeder of the reservoir which furnishes Boston with its water supply. By charter No. 40 B., Richard I. confirms to the monks of Revesby certain lands and possessions in Miningsby, Kirkby, Claxby, Mareham, &c. This is witnessed by Hubert Walter, Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert de Harecourt and others. By No. 41, a plot of land in Miningsby is given “for the use of the gate-monk, and for gate alms,” at the abbey, by William, son of Roger de Bikinghesby (Wilksby?) temp. Richard I. or John. By No. 59, William Helle, of Miningsby, gives the right of pasturage for 60 sheep in Miningsby, free of all claim. By No. 63, William, son of Ivo, of Kirkby, gives land adjoining the place from which the sand was taken for building Miningsby church, near “Crosbesich.” By No. 115, William, son of John Barette, of Stickney, residing at Miningsby, gives one perch of meadow, “for the maintenance of two candles always burning in the Abbey Chapel.” (Date Henry III. or Ed. I.) By No. 119, Nicholas, son of Roger Herod of Miningsby, gives “one meadow, free of all claims,” and stipulates that “the monks shall pay annually one penny towards maintaining the light before the image of St. Nicholas, in Kirkby church, every St. Nicholas Day.” By No. 131, Alan of Miningsby, gives “one selion, [140] and four akerheveds” of land in Miningsby, in two places, called “Hankes” and “Claxby dale,” free of all claim (date, Ed. I.) By charter No. 150 B., the King, Henry VIII., grants to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, all rights and property, hitherto belonging to the monastery of Revesby, in Miningsby, Moorby, Wood Enderby, Wilksby, East Kirkby, and many other places, “having come into our hands by reason of the dissolution of the said monastery.” The Duke’s title is to date from March 1, in the 29th year of our reign, A.D. 1538. (British Museum, additional MSS. 24805, fol. 32).

Among “Lincolnshire Wills,” we find Richard Skepper, of East Kirkby, in his will, dated 26 May, 1556, mentioning among other land, which he devises, certain copyhold lands in Miningsby.

By will, dated 22 Dec. 1615, Robert Hustwait, of Great Grimsby, makes his brother, Edward Hustwait, of Miningsbye, and his cousin, Tristram Smith, of Awdbee Grange, supervisors, and gives them twenty shillings each. p. 141The Husthwaites were above the yeoman class, but not important enough to appear in the Visitations of the Heralds; they intermarried with the Wrights of Grimsby and Smyths of Audby, and lived at Little Coates and Bradley.

By a Chancery Inquisition post mortem, 23 Henry VII., No. 78 (A.D. 1507–8), taken at Horncastle, Jan. 14th, John Parke of Mynyngesby, John Skayman, of Mynyngesby, being among the jurors, it was shewn that Thomas, the Abbott of Revesby, was entitled to hold from the King, among other lands, 10 acres of arable land and 4 acres of meadow, called “Symondes lands” in Mynyngesby (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1895, p. 59), notwithstanding the Statute of Mortmain.

By a Feet of Fines, Lincoln, file 68 (32), 30 Edw. I., Robert de Wylgheby (Willoughby) granted to John Beek (Bec) certain lands in Hareby, Kyrkeby, Bolyngbrok, Mythyggesby, &c., and “the advowsons of the churches of Spillesby, Kyrkeby next Bolingbroke, and the Church of Toynton.” (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1897, p. 56.)

Among the deeds connected with property in East Kirkby, now in the possession of Porter Wilson, Esq., of Louth, is one, by which Beatrix, wife of William Wriht of Mythingesby, quitclaims to Robert de Silkeston, and Robert, son of Isabella Skells (Scales), all her right in the lands and tenements in Mythingesby, which they held of the gift of the said William her late husband. Given at Kyrkeby juxta Bolingbrok, on Thursday next before the feast of St. Michael, 1 Edw. III. (A.D. 1327.)

By another Deed, “Robert de Menynggesby, chaplain,” with “Thomas de Marketon, Rector of Harreby,” and another, “give to Robert de Silkeston of Kyrkeby,” certain lands “in Menyngesby, Kirkby, Bolynbrok, &c.” Given at Kirkeby, 26 Dec., 29 Edw. III. (A.D. 1355.)

Among charters of the Ipré family, it is shewn that Sir John de Ipré acquired “lands in Est Kerkeby, Mithyngesby, &c., of Sir John de Nevill, knight, Lord of Raby; which property descended to his son Thomas Ipré, who granted the said lands for the use of Robert Grynne, and Richard Grynne his son.” Date, 31 December, 1392.

N.B.—Sir Robert Sylkeston, knyght, of Est Kyrkeby, had issue “Alicia maryed unto Robert Grynne”; whose great great granddaughter “Audrya maryed unto Ric. Skepper,” a member of the family already mentioned. (“Linc. N.& Q,” v., pp. 73–4.)

p. 142By a Deed, dated 19 May, 24 Henry VI. (1446), Henry the King orders that certain rents for lands in Est Kirkby, Menyngesby, &c., which had been unlawfully withheld by Alice Browne, shall be duly paid to John Grynne, and Richard, his son, “they being at the time of acquisition, men (i.e. bond-tenants) of our manor.” “Given under our seal of our Duchy of Lancaster at our palace of Westminster.” (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. v. p. 89.)

According to Liber Regis, there was formerly a charge of 1s. 6d. annually on certain lands in Miningsby, towards the repairs of the church windows.

The Church, dedicated to St. Andrew, consists of nave, chancel and a double bell-gable at the west end. It was restored at the expense of J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., in 1878, when nearly the whole fabric was taken down by the architect, the late Mr. James Fowler, of Louth, and carefully reconstructed so as to preserve its most interesting features. The stone then employed is already (1901) showing signs of decay. The south wall of the nave retains portions of an earlier Norman building, viz., one Norman window and a semi-circular headed doorway, set flush with the wall, enclosing a later pointed arch, also set flush. [142a] The chancel is early English, with lancet windows, in the east end and side walls; there is also a lancet window in the north wall of the nave. There was formerly a chantry in the north side of the church, the arch of which is now blocked. In the west wall are two tall trefoil windows. The font is perpendicular, with octagonal embattled bowl, supported by four columns with square flowers in the capitals. The chancel is separated from the nave by a good open rood screen, containing portions of the original. The whole interior presents a well-ordered church appearance. [142b] The object, however, of special interest here, is a so-called “Runic” stone, covered with the involuted “knot,” or “figure of eight” pattern. Not many years ago it formed the threshold of a door, but was rescued by the Rev. G. Maughan, rector of East Kirkby, when he had charge of this parish, who had it placed p. 143against the north wall of the chancel. It is fortunately still in a very fair condition, with the exception of a portion gone from one end, and a crack towards the other end. There are, or were recently, two other specimens in the neighbourhood, one, a fragment at Lusby, and the other at Mavis Enderby. The Lusby fragment is said to have been Norman. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. iv. p. 225). That at Mavis Enderby, now used as a church door step, and the pattern, consequently much defaced, is, like this at Miningsby, said to be of pre-Norman style, though not necessarily pre-Norman date. The former, however, is coped, while the latter is flat. The Rev. G. Maughan believed that there was another similar stone within the same chancel wall, but, as that part of the fabric was not taken down by the architect, it was not exposed to view. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. iii. p. 157.) The frill border of the Miningsby stone is decidedly Saxon in character. It is 44 inches long, by 19½ wide, and 6in. thick. These stones are specially interesting and far from common. Interlaced work was an ancient Hittite ornament, as shewn in a seal, engraved in the “Archæological Journal,” vol. xliv. p. 348. Specimens are found, however, in Italy, Greece, France, as well as similar patterns in Saxon, Lombardic, and Spanish MSS. The stones are more common in Ireland than in England. Several are found like the Iona cross in Scotland, probably imported from Ireland, by the missionaries of St. Columba. There is an excellent sketch of the Miningsby stone, by the Rev. J. A. Penny, vicar of Wispington, in “Lincolnshire Notes and Queries,” vol. iv., p. 225.

After the Reformation, the earliest presentation which we find to this benefice is that of William Clerke, by King Edward VI. (as Duke of Lancaster); he was instituted as rector, 4, Edwd. VI., A.D. 1550–1. (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1897, p. 23.)

Recent rectors have been the Rev. E. Repton, in the earlier years of the century; the Rev. W. Nevins, later; and the Rev. H. Caukwell, appointed in 1878. The register dates from 1688, earlier records being lost. The children have a right to go to the free school of East Kirkby.

There is a modern commodious house, occupied by the present rector, who has 170 acres of glebe; but it is remarkable that about 100 acres of glebe are missing; p. 144the award made by the commissioners in lieu of tithe being largely in excess of the land now attached to the benefice. This parish also contains about 100 acres of charity land belonging to Stamford school.

Oxcombe.

This parish is situated about 7 miles, in a north-easterly direction from Horncastle, and about the same distance south-west from Louth. It is interesting to notice that in the name of this parish we have one of the few survivals in the county of its former British inhabitants. The old writer, William Camden, Clarenceaux King of Arms, in his “Remaines concerning Britain,” p. 116, A.D. 1657, says “Combe, a word in use both in France and England, for a valley between high hills.” It is, in fact, the term still common in the south of England for a secluded valley, as in such names as Pyecombe, in Sussex, a village nestling in a hollow at the base of the south Downs; Combe Pyne, and Combe Martin, in Devonshire, and many another similar name, as well as in the old Welsh (or British) “cwm,” which occurs in many a name in Wales, of places situated in like hill-locked positions. And this exactly describes the situation of Oxcombe, a valley almost cup-shaped, surrounded by steep hills, the whole parish now forming one estate, of something over 1,000 acres in extent, lying in a ring fence.

In Domesday Book it is also called Oxetune, in which the suffix “tune,” or “ton,” is the later Saxon for inclosure, implying a secluded farmstead, where some Saxon Thane’s cattle were housed. In that record of the Norman Conqueror, of which the date for Lincolnshire is about 1085 A.D., this parish is mentioned twice, once, as connected with the manor of Fulletby, which was among the lands conferred by William the Conqueror, on the Bishop of Durham, William de Karilepho, a Norman, who was a favourite with that king, and was appointed by him Chief Justice of England; and once among the possessions of the Norman noble, Hugh de Abrinchis (or Avranches), who was nephew of the Conqueror, and, besides being endowed by him with the Barony of the whole county of p. 145Chester, held also nearly one hundred and fifty manors in this County and elsewhere. He was surnamed Lupus or “The Wolf” (as has been stated in other of these records) from the many deeds of violence, for which he was famed; and for which he endeavoured to atone in the closing years of his somewhat lawless life, by becoming a monk in the Abbey of St. Werberg, at Chester, which he had himself founded.

The part of this manor, held by the Bishop of Durham, was combined with Fulletby, the adjoining parish westward, and was, under the Bishop, farmed by socmen, or free tenants. The portion belonging to Lupus was held by him, as in the soke of Farforth, another adjoining parish eastward, and was also farmed by socmen.

Hugh de Abrincis left one son, who succeeded to his estates; but, as we have elsewhere observed, the tenure of land was, in those unsettled times, very precarious, and we have evidence that lands in Oxcombe, at an early date, passed into other hands. The land became in part the property of Bullington Priory, which was an off-shoot of the Gilbertine Priory, of Sempingham, famous for the severity of its monastic rules. Bullington Priory was founded by Simon Fitzwilliam, [145a] in the reign of Stephen, and endowed with various lands in the neighbourhood. These endowments were augmented by William de Kyme, a member of another powerful family in the county, who had also lands at Sotby, and elsewhere; and further additions were made by the Crevecœurs, [145b] a family of much importance from the time of the Norman Conquest, Sir Hamon de Crevecœur succeeding to the barony of the Abrincis, located in Kent, with the title of Barons of Folkstone; while in this immediate neighbourhood, they held the lands in Somersby and Bag Enderby. A few old records exist showing ownership in Oxcombe, at an early date, by several other parties.

p. 146By an agreement made under date, 15 June, 1202, between Matilda, wife of Richard de Ormsby, on the one part, and Walter Futenglaz, tenant of certain lands in Oxcombe, the said Walter, on his part, acknowledged the said lands to be the right and inheritance of Matilda; and in return Matilda granted them to Walter, to hold to him and his heirs, of the said Matilda, and her heirs for ever, by the service of 12d. by the year; and for this grant, the said Walter gave her ½ mark. (“Final Concords.”)

We next get a connection of this parish with the Priories of Sempringham and Bullington, already referred to. By an agreement, dated 20 April, 1203, between Roger, Prior of Sempringham, and William de Oxecumbe, touching lands in the parish, the said William “warranted to the said prior and his successors, the charters which the same prior had of William, father of the said William, and all the said lands; and he granted them to hold to the said prior and his successors, and to the church of the blessed Mary of Bulinton, and to the Nuns and the Brethren serving God there, in pure and perpetual alms, free of all secular service and exaction.” And for this grant and warrant, the prior gave the said William 2 marks.

Another document introduces a member of an important family holding considerable possessions in Yorkshire and elsewhere. It is an agreement, dated 26 April, 1214, between Robert de Malo Lacu and Emma his wife, on the one part, and Robert de Oxecumbe and others, among them being Walter Bec, on the other part, concerning the right to certain lands which Walter Bec “acknowledges to be the right of the said Robert de Malo Lacu, and Emma, his wife,” &c. In return for which they grant to the said Walter, 12 oxgangs of land, here and elsewhere, “to have and to hold to him and his heirs for ever, doing the service of five parts of a knight’s fee.” This Walter Bec would appear to have been a member of the wealthy family who are mentioned in the Records of Spilsby and Lusby, as holding large property in those parishes and elsewhere, and as being ancestors of the Lords of Willoughby. The de Malo Lacu family, otherwise de Mauley were powerful Normans; the head of the race, Peter de Malo Lacu being born at Poictou in France. He, coming over to England in the reign of Henry III., built the castle of Mountgrace, in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Camden, states that there were eight Peters in p. 147succession who held these estates, the last of them leaving two daughters, one of whom married Bigot, a member of the family of the Earl Marechal, of England; the other married a member of the knightly family of Salvain, and the de Mauley estates were divided between these two families. The arms of the Lords de Malo Lacu were a bend, sable, on an escutcheon, or. (“Hist. of Meux Abbey,” quoted Camden’s “Britannia,” pp. 751, &c.)

By deed, dated 25 November, 1218, in a dispute between the same Matilda, wife of Richard Ormesby, and William, Prior of Bolinton, concerning the advowson of the church of Oxecumb, the said Prior recognised the advowson to be the right of Matilda, and for himself and his successors surrendered it to the said Matilda and her heirs for ever, an unusual act of grace, as it was rarely that any property passing into the possession of a religious house left their grasp again, until the time came when they had finally and for ever to disgorge their acquisitions, not seldom questionably obtained. On 12 May, 1240, in a dispute between Robert, son of Osbert, and Matilda de Marton, concerning land in Oxecumbe, Matilda admitted the said land to be the right of Robert, “to have and to hold to him and his heirs for ever, he rendering 4s. by the year, and doing foreign service.” Truly, it would seem, from these various disputes all occurring within less than the first half of the 13th century, [147] there must have been something in the atmosphere of Oxcombe which rendered its people peculiarly litigious. Could the confined position, we are almost inclined to ask, have narrowed their ideas, and, shut out as they were from the larger world beyond, the “combe,” have given them an undue sense of their own importance?

A gap now occurs of many years before we find further records of this little lordship.

Among the Chancery Inquisitions in the reign of Richard III. and Henry VII., is one (No. 246), held at Lincoln Castle, 28 January, 1504–5, by which it appears that Thomas Welby, a member of another prominent Lincolnshire family, who held the manor of Halstede, in Stixwould, in this neighbourhood, and manors or lands in nearly 30 other parishes in various parts of the county, had lands in Oxcomb, and the adjoining Ruckland. He, by p. 148charter, granted these possessions to Edward Burgh, knight, George Taylbois, knight, and others, to administer his will, on behalf of his son and heir, Thomas Welby, then of the age of 16. (“Architect. Soc. Journal,” 1895, p. 68.)

After the dissolution of the monasteries, in the following reign, the lands connected with the priories of Sempringham and Bullington, in Oxcombe, would pass into other hands, and accordingly we find new names among the owners. By will, dated 14 June, 1535, John Gedney, of Bag Enderby, Esquire, leaves lands in Bag Enderby, Oxcombe, Winceby, Langton, and Somersby, to his sons John and Andrew, a witness to the will being George Musgrave, parson of Oxcombe. Oxcombe evidently fell to the share of the latter of these two sons, since a few years later, Andrew Gedney of Bag Enderby [148] (in 1562) presented Robert Brown to the benefice of Oxcombe, vacated by the death of Roger Barry, (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1897, p. 8.)

The tenure of the Gedneys, however, in due course went “the way of all flesh.” They had apparently inherited considerable property from the old family of the Crevecœurs, already mentioned. They had made good connections, this Andrew himself having married Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Skipwith, of South Ormsby, but they probably got into difficulties at the time of “the Lincolnshire Rising” in 1536, in which Andrew was involved. In 1579, Andrew Gedney sold Oxcombe Grange to John Copledyke, who obtained Queen Elizabeth’s pardon for making the purchase without her license, which was then required by law, as a royal prerogative and source of revenue; and the following is the next notice we find of the family:—By will, dated 1 April, 1613, Richard Gedney, of Bag Enderby, Esq., leaves 10s. to the poor of Oxcombe; but William Morton, of Oxcombe, and Thomas Cheales of Hagworthingham, are requested to manage his manor of Oxcombe, and pay his debts out of it. This was the beginning of the end, and the Gedneys in due course disappeared from the landed gentry of Lincolnshire. The name, for a time, revived in the second half of the 19th century, in the person of a relative of the present writer, who owned Candlesby Hall, but it was only “a flash in the pan,” and they are gone.

p. 149Another name now comes to the fore. Henry VIII. granted extensive lands, which had been connected with the rich monasteries, to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, who was grandson of William Brandon, standard bearer to Henry VII., who was slain at the battle of Bosworth. The Duke died leaving two sons by his 4th wife, Catherine, who was daughter and heiress of the Lord Willoughby d’ Eresby of that day. (Dugdale “Baronage,” ii., 300.) These both died of “the sweating sickness,” while quite young, and thereupon the descendants of Sir William Brandon’s daughters were declared to be the heirs. One of these, Eleanor, married John Glemham, of Glemham Parva, Co. Suffolk. Their descendants, by marriage, or otherwise, acquired the manors of Burwell, Calceby and Mareham-le-Fen, and at later periods, lands in Goulceby, Donnington-on-Bain, Belchford, Walmsgate, Fairforth, and several other parishes, and in 1641, Sir Thomas Glemham sold most of these to Matthew Lister, Esq., of St. Martins-in-the Fields, Co. Middlesex; among the lands then disposed of, Oxcombe is named with the above neighbouring parishes, though we do not find it specified before. It is supposed that Sir Thomas, who was a warm supporter of the unfortunate King Charles I., effected this sale in order to aid his sovereign. Be that as it may, Oxcombe passed from the Glemhams to the Listers. For nearly 200 years this family continued to hold the bulk of this property, but, in their turn, the Listers also fell upon evil times, and their estates gradually came under the hammer. The patronage of the benefice was vested in the Langtons, of Langton-by-Spilsby, in 1677, 1717, and 1762 (Liber Regis), and, according to Noble’s “Gazetteer,” also as late as 1833, and they were probably owners in part, of the soil. In 1799, John Grant died lord of the manor, and three members of his family held it in succession. In 1842, the benefice was held jointly with that of Belchford, by the Rev. Egremont Richardson, B. Grant, Esq., being patron. Since then it has been held singly by three successive incumbents, the Rev. John Chalmers, the Rev. Goulding Saunders, and the Rev. James Clarke, but since 1898 the two have been again held together by the Rev. R. H. Domenichetti. In 1863, David Briggs, Esq., was lord of the manor. On his death, in 1876, it was bought by T. Ross, Esq., who died in 1885, when it was again sold to the late Spedding Whitworth, Esq., of p. 150Wath-upon-Dearne, Co. Yorke, whose son, Harrie Whitworth, is the present owner. The whole parish is now occupied and farmed by Mr. Henry Meanwell, who resides in the manor house, a substantial residence, built in Elizabethan style, in 1845–6, surrounded by extensive grounds, well-kept, and a well-wooded park of some 50 acres.

The Church, dedicated to All Saints, is a small brick structure, adjoining, to the east, the manor house grounds. It was restored in 1884, by T. Ross, Esq., the then owner of the manor, in the decorated style. It consists of nave, and chancel, with apsidal east end. Over the west door rises an octagonal turret of stone, containing one small bell. The pulpit and sittings are of good old oak, with nicely carved poppy heads. Near the pulpit is an old-fashioned square family pew. The north and south walls of the nave have each a couple of two-light trefoiled windows. The font is octagonal, the faces trefoiled, with plain shields in each face, the shaft octagonal, standing on a pediment of two steps. The chancel arch is peculiar as being remarkably low. There are good carved oak altar rails, and a modern east window of three lights. On the south wall of the chancel is a tablet in memory of John Grant, the former lord of the manor, who died in 1799. The inscription formerly stated that he had made “£100,000 by farming, which had never been done before,” but this latter part is now erased. On the north wall is a tablet to Thomas Grant, who died in 1810; also to William Grant, who died in 1817. In the churchyard is a Grant altar tomb and vault; also two tombs of grey granite, in memory of Thomas Ross, and his wife Anne; also a tomb of David Briggs, Esq., former owner of the manor, who died, April 1st, 1876, and two others of Benjamin Briggs, and another David Briggs.

This sequestered place is approached by a road, worn, probably by usage through long ages, to a depth of several feet below the ordinary level of the ground, the high banks on each side of it being covered with neatly-trimmed shrubbery, and the whole has the appearance of a well-cared-for estate, all the buildings being substantial and in excellent order. Some of the fields still retain names which tell of by-gone ages. To the north are fields named “Scotland Deepdales,” and “Scotland Walk,” which may possibly refer to the old parochial taxation, “Scot and p. 151Lot” (Saxon, sceat and lot), which was levied upon all subjects according to their ability, for the poor, church expenses, village watchman, &c., the right of voting for members of parliament and other officials, being vested in those who paid “scot and lot.” One field is named “Mill Walk,” indicating where the manorial lord once had that valuable source of revenue, the mill, at which all the bordars and villeins were bound to have their corn ground. One part of the ground is named “Groves’ Walk,” a plantation so-called from a poacher, Groves, who was shot in a night skirmish many years ago. In a wood in the Farford direction, adders are said to have been numerous. There is an extensive pasture named the “Intake,” probably recording its first inclosure from the common land. Two arable fields are called the “Near” and “Far” “Gaire”; gaire, garing, or geira, being a very ancient term for a section of land ploughed in a different direction from the rest, as these are still at the present time. While ploughing a part of this manor in the year 1818, a labourer found a small silver casket, containing 46s. of the early part of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, which were scarcely injured by the lapse of time. (“Hist. Linc.,” by J. Saunders, vol. ii., p. 177.)

Altogether, this parish of some 5 houses, and less than 40 inhabitants, forms a very interesting little estate.

Raithby.

Raithby is situated about 2 miles from Spilsby and about 9 miles from Horncastle, on the main road between the two towns, via Hagworthingham. It is within the ancient soke of Bolingbroke, and an appanage of the Duchy of Lancaster. There is a post and money order office, and letters, via Spilsby, arrive at 7.5 a.m., and depart at 5.40 p.m. The nearest telegraph office is at Spilsby. Not much of the early history of this parish is to be found. As is stated in the notes on Mavis Enderby, these two parishes were closely connected, land in both being held by the Saxon, Elnod (Domesday Book), also, in early Norman times, by William de Karilepho, the powerful Bishop of Durham, and by the Conqueror’s favourite, Ivo Taillebois, who, from the vast possessions which he p. 152acquired through his wife, the Lady Lucia, seems to have verily suffered from the disease of “land hunger.” Rather later, Eudo, son of Spirewic, the founder of the Tattershall family, held lands in Raithby, as well as at Mavis Enderby. In the reign of Edwd. I. (1402), the manor and advowsons of Raithby and Mavis Enderby were held by Robert de Willoughby, ancestor of the present Lord Willoughby. The descendants of Ivo Taillebois seem to have retained at least some of their property in Raithby for a longer period than they did in some other parishes, as we find that “Thomas Tailbus” of Raithby, by will, dated 7 March, 1556, requested that he might be buried “in our Lady’s Choir.” He states that he made his will while “mighty of mind, whole of witt and understanding.” He makes his wife, Johan, executrix, and desires her to give to their son Roger, and Agnes Harper (presumably a married daughter), “as much as may be conveniently spared.” (“Lincolnshire Wills,” by Canon Maddison).

Again, by will, dated 5 March, 1579, John Taylboys, of Raithby, gent., desires that he may be buried in the church. He leaves everything to his wife, except 10s. to his mother, and William Thompson and “Wil Cockson,” executors are to pay £12, “bequeathed by my father to sexe children.”

The Littleburies had also land in Raithby; since by will, dated 1 Sep., 1568, Humphrey Littlebury, of East Kirkby, left land at Raithby, and other places, to his son, John Littlebury, and John Littlebury of Hagworthingham, by will, dated 28 Sep., 1612, left his lands at Raithby to his son John. As I mention in the notes on Salmonby, the Littlebury family were originally located in the Holbeach neighbourhood; Robert and his ancestors held land there, and at Whaplode, of the abbots of Croyland long before the reign of Edw. III. But he began to get in arrear with his rent, as shewn by the following list of omissions recorded against him:—

p. 153This was a large sum in those days. But John Littlebury gave the abbot “diverse jewels” in payment of this debt. (Appendix to Cough’s “Croyland,” from the Abbey register.)

Sir Martin Littlebury was Chief Justice of England, A.D. 1243. His wife was Anne, daughter of Sir Henry Rochford. They intermarried with several other families of position and influence. Their pedigree is given in the Herald’s Visitation of Lincolnshire, in 1562–64, coming down to Humphrey Littlebury, of Stainsby, named above, as holding land in Raithby. (“Notices on Holbeach,” by G. W. McDonald).

By will, dated 4 March, 1599, Anne Skipwith, of Hanney, left legacies to Thomas and Robert Raithby, and this patronymic is not uncommon in the neighbourhood still.

In later years the manor of Raithby was the property of the Brackenburies, who had a handsome residence, Raithby Hall, which was, in 1848, purchased by the Rev. E. Rawnsley, who is now lord of the manor. A curious circumstance connected with the Hall is that during the time when it was owned by Mr. Robert Carr Brackenbury, he, being a friend of John Wesley, granted him the use of the hay loft for religious services, and subsequently by will provided that all future owners of the property should fulfil this condition, and these services are still occasionally held there, so that we have now the anomaly of the Hall being owned and occupied by a clergyman of the church of England, while the loft over his stables is used by a Wesleyan minister.

The benefice formerly paid a pension to the abbots of Croyland of £1 6s. 8d. At the Reformation the tithes were seized by “the Merry Monarch,” and the patronage of the benefice now belongs to the crown. The late Geo. Walker, Esq., of Offord House, Spilsby, owned an estate in this parish, also Admiral Buckle, who now resides at Gunby Hall. There is a free school here for the poor children of Raithby, Mavis Enderby, Hundleby, and Sausthorpe, founded and endowed by Thomas Lawford, in 1683, and besides his endowment, the teacher has the dividend of £204 1s. 8d. left by Elizabeth Kirkbridge, of Hull, in 1813, and the interest of £100 left by John Dawson, in 1839.

p. 154The Church is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. It consists of tower, nave, with south porch, north and south aisles, and chancel. The tower is of 3 tiers, and has 3 bells. The church was thoroughly restored in 1873, the chancel and nave wholly rebuilt, the architect being Mr. G. G. Scott. The porch has a very curious stoup in the western corner, with 3 Norman columns as supports. The north and south aisles have 3 bays, the columns being transitional Norman. In the north wall is a door and two square-headed, perpendicular windows with coloured glass; one of these has for its subjects St. George and St. Andrew, the other, St. David and St. Patrick. There is also a two-light window in the east wall of the north aisle. In the south wall, west of the porch, is a coloured two-light window, the subjects being, above, the Good Shepherd and the Presentation in the Temple, and below, Christ blessing little children, and our Lord’s baptism. Next to the porch, eastward, is a memorial two-light window to John Coleridge Kennard, the subjects being, the Resurrection, and the Ascension. The window at the east end of the south aisle is a two-light one, with coloured glass, by Kemp, the subjects being, Works of Mercy; it was put in in memory of Mrs. Rawnsley, by friends. The font is modern, also the lectern and the rood screen, which is coloured red, gilt, and blue. The east, north, and south windows in the chancel were given by the late Mrs. Rawnsley, who lengthened the chancel to its original dimensions, and gave the screen. The east window has three lights, the subjects being, in the centre, the Crucifixion, in the northern light, Gethsemane, in the southern light, the Saviour’s baptism. The walls of the chancel are painted with various devices. The reredos has three compartments, the centre, showing the Crucifixion; on the right (south), the Saviour and the Magdalen, Noli me tangere; on the left (north), the angel appearing to Mary, Ave Maria. Two other windows have the following subjects:—In one, in the centre, is the Lord in glory, with St. Michael, on the one side, St. Gabriel, on the other, by Milner; in the other, of four lights, put in by members of the Rawnsley family, in memory of their mother, the subjects are, in the lower part, one scene throughout, the birth at Bethlehem; above, the compartments show the Annunciation, with the Presentation and Visitation on either side. The south chancel window of three lights, p. 155with coloured glass, has the three subjects, St. Alban, St. Agnes, and St. Catherine. There is a piscina in the south wall of the chancel. The material of the structure is Spilsby green sandstone. The tower is of the Perpendicular period, other parts being a mixture of the Perpendicular, Decorated, and Transitional styles. The church is unusually rich in coloured glass, although all of it modern. The benefice, a rectory, is held by the Rev. George Ward, who lives at Mavis Enderby, of which parish he is also rector. Of the church plate, the chalice is of the date of Cromwell; the paten and former cover of chalice are of the date of Elizabeth. A modern paten has been presented by the Rev. E. Rawnsley. The register dates from 1558. It contains a note by a former rector, stating that a number of pages had been lost in the waste paper basket of his predecessor, but that, from other sources, he had himself supplied the deficiency. Then follows a long series of entries, all in one handwriting, the curious part, however, is that his own death is recorded in the same handwriting. We leave it to the reader to solve this puzzle of a posthumous record. The sandstone, which prevails generally throughout this district, disappears at Raithby, but about half-a-mile north-east of Raithby church, numerous phosphatic nodules are found scattered about the surface. The nodule bed can be traced across the fields to the south-west, and the phosphates lie generally in patches. The hill, south of Raithby, consists of the formation known as Tealby clay, capped with chalky boulder clay, blue clay appearing on its western slope. These clays rest upon a floor of hard calcareous ferruginous rock, full of brown oolitic grains.

Ranby.

Ranby is situated on the old Roman road to Caistor, northward, rather more than 7 miles from Horncastle. The vicar, the Rev. G. S. Lee, resides at Benniworth, rather more than 3 miles distant, of which he is rector. Letters, via Lincoln, arrive at 10.30. Ranby is probably a contraction of Ravenby; as we have near Louth, two parishes, Ravendale, east and west, and the hamlet of p. 156Raventhorpe, in the north of the county, in the parish of Appleby, near Brigg. Ravendale is contracted into the patronymic Randell; and so Ravenby becomes Ranby.

Ranby Hall, the seat of the Otter family, who have been located here and at Clayworth, Notts., more than a century, is a handsome residence in well-wooded grounds. One of the family was Bishop of Chichester, and another Archdeacon of Chichester.

In Domesday Book, the manor of Ranby is reckoned among the possessions of Odo, Bishop of Baieux, who was half-brother of William the Conqueror, and Earl of Kent. He became Bishop in 1049, and died at Palermo, on his way to the Holy Land, in 1097. Besides being Earl of Kent, he was Count Palatine and Justiciary of England. His abilities and his influence were so great that writers of the day described him as being, “totius Angliæ, Vice-dominus sub rege.” He was, however, too arrogant, and aspiring to the Papacy, he was about to leave England for Rome, taking with him the wealth he had amassed, when he was apprehended by King William, and sent to prison in Normandy. On the death of the Conqueror, he was liberated by William Rufus, but never acquired his former power, and being concerned in a conspiracy, had to abjure the realm. He held at one time 76 lordships in Lincolnshire, besides many in other counties. Another Norman, Ralph de St. Valery, a town in Picardy, also had a grant of land in Ranby, to the extent of 360 acres with 14 socmen holding 7 oxgangs, and 2 bordars with 240 acres between them. A Saxon thane, Godric, had some 604 acres. The church had a resident priest, owning a mill, worth 10s. 8d. a year, and 270 acres of meadow. At a later date, Ranby was an appanage of Tupholme Abbey. [156a]

The Church, dedicated to St. German, stands on an elevation, and would be a conspicuous object for several miles, but that it is embowered in lofty trees. [156b] It was restored in 1839 at the expense of Miss Alice Otter, who also presented three bells; and it was further improved in 1862, when the tower was incased with new stone, and p. 157the chancel re-built. The old chancel arch was at that time removed, and now forms the arch under the tower, the stone having been re-chiselled. The tower is massive, with four pinnacles, having two-light flamboyant windows in each face, and small lancet windows below them, in the west and south sides. In the north wall of the nave, there is one two-light flamboyant window, and in the south wall, two similar ones. A small north transept forms a vestry, in the west wall of which are preserved some small arches from an earlier fabric, and in its north wall is a two-light flamboyant window. In the north chancel wall there is a small one-light window. The east window has three lights with three trefoils above, and in the south chancel wall there is a two-light window with trefoil above. All the chancel windows have coloured glass. The south window is a memorial of Francis Otter, of Clayworth. The subject of the east window is the Ascension. The pillars of the new chancel arch have richly-carved capitals. The sittings are of plain oak. The font is octagonal, with plain shields and other devices on the faces. There is a Walesby tablet on the south wall of the nave, and large Walesby monuments in the churchyard. Weir, in his “History of Lincolnshire,” mentions a large ancient tumulus as being near the church. [157a]

Revesby.

Revesby is situated about 7½ miles from Horncastle, in a south-easterly direction; some 12 miles north-west from Boston, 8 miles south-west from Spilsby, and about 7 miles East, from the nearest railway station at Tattershall. Letters, via Boston, arrive at 7 a.m. The nearest telegraph office is at Mareham-le-Fen. One derivation of the name Revesby is from a Danish word meaning a “fox,” the Danes certainly at one time settled extensively in this neighbourhood, and “by” is a very common Danish termination. (Streatfeild “Lincolnshire and the Danes.”) Another and perhaps more likely derivation is from the “reeve,” or public guardian of the fen, [157b] who might well p. 158reside here, to look after the means of communication, roads and channels in the great tract of country southward, which was at one time almost a waste of morass, and subject to frequent inundation from the sea, and in connection with this, it may be mentioned that one of the recognised duties of religious houses, [158a] such as the Abbey of Revesby, was to keep roads and bridges in proper repair, and a portion of the Revesby property, named Stickney Wydale, was granted to the abbey, on condition that the monks kept in proper order the “Northdyke Causeway,” then a main road raised above the floods. [158b] And among the charters and deeds of Revesby, is one (No. 7b), by which William de Romara undertakes to compel the men of Holland to keep in repair a waggon-road from Sibsey. [158c]

The history of Revesby at that period is lost to us. No Saxon chronicles exist, as they do as regards some other places, to tell us of those early days. Yet we can, in a degree, connect Revesby with a great Saxon family, and one which is represented by a leading family in our county in the present day.

The Abbey of Revesby was founded by William de Romara, A.D. 1143. [158d] He was the son of Roger de Romara, who married (about 1093), as her 2nd husband, the lady Lucia, who was daughter and heiress of Thorold, of Buchenale (now Bucknall in this neighbourhood), Sheriff of Lincolnshire, and that family survives now in Sir John C. Thorold, of Syston Hall, near Grantham. The family of Thorold, or, as it was spelt at that time, Turold, was even then old and distinguished. He was the brother of the Lady Godiva, of Coventry fame, wife of Earl Leofric, and mother of Earl Algar, and descended, according to Camden (“Britannia”, p. 474), and others, [158e] from the Saxon Earl, Egga (and Morcar), who flourished in the 8th century. The first husband of Lucia, was Ivo p. 159Taillebois, of Anjou, who came over with the Conqueror, as the leader of his Angevin auxiliaries. After the death of the brave young Saxon nobles, Edwin and Morcar, brothers-in-law, of King Harold, who refused to submit to the Norman yoke, their sister, the Lady Lucia, became entitled to all their possessions, and therefore was an heiress worth securing; and, much against her wish, the Conqueror bestowed her upon his favourite, Ivo (A.D. 1072). With her, this Ivo acquired, among much other property, the manors of Revesby and East Kirkby. We find the first mention of Revesby, in Domesday Book (A.D. 1085), as follows:—“In Churchebi and Resuesbi there are 12 carucates (or about 1440 acres) of land, rateable to gelt;” [159] the land is 12 carucates; 54 sokemen and 14 villeins have these 12 carucates. Ivo has 1 carucate (in demense) and 2 churches, and 180 acres of meadow land. The whole manor, with all that belongs thereto, is 6 miles long and 6 miles broad. Turold was Lord of Spalding, and his daughter Lucia, and conjointly her husband, Ivo, founded the Priory of Spalding. But Ivo, by his acquisitions, became so great a tyrant, to all connected with him, that he was eventually outlawed by King Rufus, and banished the kingdom. He fled to Anjou. After a time he was allowed to return to his wife, the Lady Lucia, who was holding her court at Spalding; but, to her great relief, he shortly afterwards died of paralysis, and, writes the chronicler, Peter de Blois, “hardly had one month elapsed after his death, when she married that illustrious young man, Roger de Romara, and lost all recollection of Ivo Taillebois.” Their son, William, was created first Earl of Lincoln, and, following the example of his mother at Spalding, he gave certain lands to the monks of Riveaux, Co. York, to found a Cistercian Abbey, the lands aforesaid being all Revesby, Thoresby and Sithesby, and, as certain portions of Revesby were held by another lord, he effected an exchange, by giving land commensurate in Miningsby, and by a similar process of exchange, secured other further portions, so as to bring the abbey estates into what would now be termed “a ring fence.” We have not space to go to any extent into the history of the abbey. The original charter describes the property as “totam terram de Revesbiâ, et Thoresbiâ, et Schichthesbiâ.” Of the two p. 160churches, one, that of Thoresby, was at the time held by a priest named Ivo, in exchange for which the Earl William, gave him the church of East Kirkby, and appurtenances. This church probably stood on a site of the present church of St. Lawrence, at Revesby. (Howlett’s “Lincolnshire,” Allan’s “Hist. Linc.”) The other church, of St. Sythe, was doubtless in the southern part of the present park, which has retained the name of Sithesby, or St. Scythe’s until recent times. The abbey itself was to the south-east of the present church, at some quarter-of-a-mile distance, and of considerable dimensions, covering some acres of ground. From a lecture, given by the late Right Honble. Edward Stanhope, we gather that the abbey church, built of Ancaster stone, was at least 240ft. long, and over 60ft. wide, with many graceful pillars supporting its roof. The choir was of unusual form, extending some distance down the nave. Beyond it, discovered in making excavations in 1869, 70, was the tomb of the founder, having this inscription: HIC JACET IN TUMBA WIELLIELMUS DE ROMARE, COMES LINCOLNIÆ, FUNDATOR ISTIUS MONASTERII SANCTI LAURENTII DE REIVISBYE. [160] Near this were tombstones inscribed to William de Romara, son of William, Earl of Lincoln, who died before his father, and of William de Romara, son of Lucia, Countess of Lincoln. Three bodies were discovered and re-buried a short distance from this spot, being doubtless those of the founder and his two sons. In his later years, William de Romara himself became a monk, and requested to be buried “before the high aulter;” and the site is now marked by a granite stone, placed here in 1890, by the late Right Honourable Edward Stanhope. The Abbey field, approached by a broad causeway, on the north side, more than 250 yards long, has traces of four mounds, at different points, probably for outlook and defence. One p. 161of these, stands in an enclosure to the west, called Saffron Garth, doubtless the favourite resort of the monks, who were skilled gardeners; an enclosure on the other, north side, of the road, opposite this “garth,” is called “Paradise,” supposed to have been the orchard. Fish ponds, to supply the monks with their ascetic diet, are to be traced in various parts around. At Medlam, to the south-east, are the remains of a chapel or oratory. The abbot’s private residence stood in the present park, and some of the outbuildings of his establishment remained until recent years, near the later mansion of the proprietors of Revesby.

We will now give a few peculiar extracts from some of the deeds connected with the abbey. Most of these, until late years, were in the possession of the Marquis of Exeter, at Burghley House, Stamford, whose ancestors, as will be shewn hereafter, once held the property, and in 1881 they were presented to the Right Honble. E. Stanhope, by his lordship.

In celebration of the foundation of the Abbey, William de Romara “manumitted,” or released from serfdom, any of his villeins and dependants who would accept their freedom, “to go where they chose, and, if they remained on the estate, to give them land instead.” Among those who accepted freedom, were William Medicus, or the Doctor, and Roger Barkarius, a name still known in the neighbourhood. [161] The witnesses to the deed of liberty were Alexander, Bishop of Lincoln, William Archdeacon, William Chancellor, and others.

By deed No. 8, William gives land in Stickney, and services due to him, from Alan of Stickney and his successors, to which Alan agrees; the money to be spent on wine for the “Masses” of the Abbey services.

To one deed (No. 20), for conveyance of pasturage for 20 cattle, 20 pigs, and 100 sheep, the witness is Thorold, Dean of Horncastle, a scion, doubtless, of the family of the Lady Lucia. He is further designated as “Magister Willelmus Novi Operis,” i.e. of Newark.

p. 162By deed 24, Matilda daughter of Roger de Huditoft (Huttoft) widow of William of Stickney gives half a bovate of land in Stickney “in the time of my widowhood” i.e., when the property became at her own disposal. The witnesses are two women, Christiana, wife of Henry de Claxby, and Eda, wife of Richard, priest of Mareham; not, therefore, a celibate.

By deed 27, Alan Smerehorn of Kirkby (East) gives a sedes molendini, i.e. a water mill and premises, with right to draw water through his land from Bolingbroke and Kirkby.

By deed 30, Hamelinus de Jherdeburcg (Jerburg) gives land in Stickney, “quam tenui de hospitalibus de Jerusalem in terretorio de Stickenei” i.e. which he had held of the monks of the Hospice of Jerusalem in Stickney, there having been a minor religious house there; of which Robert Picha is named as Preceptor in another Deed (25), temp. Henry II.

By a charter of Richard I. (Dugdale V. 456) the abbots are confirmed in the possession of lands in Toynton, the grange of Toft (still existing) Fulsby, lands in Miningsby, Kirkby, Claxby, Mareham, Tumby, Hameringham, Wood Enderby, Skegness, and many other parishes.

By deed No. 41, William, son of Roger de Bikinghesbi gives land in Miningsby for gate alms, i.e. to relieve beggars at the Abbey-gate, the monks being the great, and almost only, friends of the suffering and needy.

By deed No. 50, Ranulph, Earl of Chester, gives to the Abbey “his servant Roger, son of Thoreword of Sibsey, with all his property and chattells.” Here the man himself is treated as part and parcel with the chattells.

By deed 69, Gaufrid of Kirkby gives certain lands “ad chorum ecclesiæ aspergendum et decorandum,” i.e. for washing and decorating the choir.

Deed 75 conveys to the Abbey another servant, Radulph, son of Gamel the Palmer, with goods and chattells. The father here mentioned had evidently made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Deed 78 gives to the Abbey “the homage of Gaufrid Le Neucume of Stickney and all his service.” Here, (temp. Henry III.) is one of the family of Newcome, or Newcomen, who, centuries later, became connected by marriage with p. 163the Banks family, in the person of the grandfather of Sir Joseph Banks.

By No. 108, Hugo de Lindsey gives one selion of land to maintain one candle burning before the altar of the blessed Virgin in the Chapel of St. Lawrence, (temp. Henry III. or Ed. I.)

By No. 115, William of Stickney gives land for the maintenance of candles to be kept burning in the Abbey church, one before the altar of the blessed Virgin, in honour of St. Margaret, and the other at the altar of St. Nicholas, in honour of St. James the Apostle.

By No. 141, the Abbot leases land in Wilksby (A.D. 1344) to John Hardegray, who is to pay “unum granum piperis” (pepper corn rent), annually at Christmas.

By No. 144, the Abbot and Convent grant to Richard Cave of Stickney certain land on payment of 8 silver pence annually. (2 Hen. V. Jan. 25, 1415.)

Then follows finally at the Dissolution, deed No. 150A, by which John, Abbot of Revesby, and the convent, grant (Nolentes Volentes) to Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and his heirs, and assigns, the office of chief steward of the manors, lands, etc., of the Abbey, with an annuity of £26 3s. 8d. (Harleyan Charter, 44, Brit. Mus.)

This was the beginning of the end. The monks, who, with all their faults, had preserved for us our Bibles, had been the great patrons of learning, the friends of the poor, the teachers of agriculture, who had maintained our bridges and our roads, were forced to accept pittances smaller than those they had, on a generous scale, dealt out to thousands of others. To Charles, Duke of Suffolk, were granted the Abbey estates in 1539. He died in 1545, and was buried at Windsor. His two sons both died in one day, July 16th, 1551, at the Bishop of Lincoln’s house at Buckden. The Dukedom descended to the Marquis of Dorset, who had married the half-sister of Charles. The estates were divided, in 1552, among the descendants of Sir William Brandon. They were Sir Henry Sidney, Knight; Thomas Glemham, Esq.; John Carsey, Esq.; and Francis his son by Margaret his wife, sister to Charles Brandon; Christian Darnell, widow; Walter Ayscoughe, Esq.; and Henry Ayscoughe his son by Elizabeth his wife; and John Tyre, gentleman, and Elizabeth his wife.

p. 164John Carsey (also spelt Kersey) had the Revesby estate, Wilksby and Wood Enderby, and resided at Revesby. His son Francis probably resided at South Ormsby, and in 1575, the father and son jointly sold the estate to Thomas Cecil, Lord Treasurer Burleigh. The property then descended, through the 1st and 2nd Earls of Exeter, and Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Howard, Earl of Berkshire, to Henry Howard. He dying without male issue, was succeeded by his nephew, Craven Howard, in 1663. Craven Howard built a mansion here. But the entire property was sold in 1714 to the Banks family for £14,000, by his representatives the daughters of Henry Howard. [164] The last of the Banks family was Sir Joseph Banks, well known for his enclosure of the Fens and other works of public utility in the county, his patronage of science in every form, and his voyages of discovery. He died in 1820, and, by his will, most of the estates were bequeathed to Col. the Honble. James Hamilton Stanhope, who served in the Peninsular War, and at Waterloo, other portions being left to Sir Henry Hawley and his heirs, “with remainder to Sir Edward Knatchbull” (who managed the estates for his widow, Lady Banks). (Weir’s “Hist. Linc.” vol. i., p. 414, Ed., 1828; “Saunders’ Hist.” vol. ii., p. 113). He held them for a very short period, and was succeeded by J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., formerly M.P. for N. Lincolnshire (in 1823), who, some years ago, surrendered the estates to his cousin and adopted heir, the Right Honble. E. Stanhope, 2nd son of the 5th Earl Stanhope; and late M.P. for Horncastle Division.

Mr. Banks Stanhope greatly improved, and, indeed, may be said to have rebuilt the mansion of Revesby, from designs by the architect Burns, which now stands in beautiful grounds, and an extensive park, near the site of the former residence of the abbots. Vast sums have also been spent by him on the improvement of the estate; the rebuilding of farmhouses and cottages, so as to make the village a model one in every way. The Abbey, which is constructed throughout of Ancaster stone, and in the style of James I., is the repository of objects of art, of natural p. 165history, and of antiquarian interest, collected by Sir Joseph Banks, J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., and more recently by the Right Honble. E. Stanhope, sufficient to form a museum.

A subject of interest which has not yet been noticed is two tumuli, or barrows, in the parish, on the left hand, close to the road, and not many yards south of the Red Lion Inn. They were considered by the antiquarian Stukeley (“Itin Curios,” p. 23) to have been the burial place of two British kings, and probably also connected with the religious services of the Druids. They stand in an enclosure, the breadth of which, he says, “is 100 Celtic feet, and the length 300.”

In 1780 the northernmost of these barrows—there were formerly three—was explored by Sir Joseph Banks, but nothing was found of any interest beyond indications that it had been examined before, and since that time it has been levelled. He thought, however, that it had been the site of religious sacrifices. In August, 1892, explorations were carried out under the eye of the late Right Honble. E. Stanhope. Here again there were indications of former examination, not however to any great depth, and when the centre of the mound was reached a kind of sarcophagus, made of puddled clay, was found, from 5ft. to 6ft. in length, lying north and south, the sides 7in. or 8in. thick, and having an arch rising to a height of 2½ft.; the bottom, slightly concave, rested on the original soil, within this was black earth quite different in colour to the rest, which was believed to be human remains. No bones, however, were found. Broken pieces of pottery and two old nails, were found outside this receptacle, which were pronounced by Sir A. W. Franks, of the British Museum, to be mediæval, and to have probably been introduced by previous explorers. (Account by E.S., “Linc. N. & Q.,” vol. iii., pp. 145–7.)

We have little more to say of the past history of Revesby. When the Spanish Armada was expected to invade our shores in 1589, one of those Lincolnshire gentry who subscribed £25, a large sum in those days, towards the defence of the country, was Nicholas Saunderson of Rearsby, or Revesby; he also, at the muster at Horncastle in 1586, furnished “1 light horse”; John May of Mareham doing the same (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1894, p. 214.)

p. 166Among the old observances of Revesby was the annual fair, an occasion of much jovial festivity, and in the days of Sir Joseph Banks, that fine old English gentleman, the Sir Roger de Coverley of his day, encouraged such old time customs, providing ale most generously for all comers, and driving down to the village green, where the booths were arranged, with his party in two or three coaches. Morrice dancing and the mummers play always had his patronage. In these days of “autres temps, autres mœurs,” all these have gone out of vogue. Whether the modern, soi disant, more refined practices at village feasts are an improvement on the old is a question we leave others to decide.

Revesby church, dedicated to St. Lawrence, was formerly a small structure, rebuilt in 1735, partly with materials taken from the former Abbey, by Joseph Banks, Esq. (great grandfather of the Right Honble. Sir Joseph Banks), who purchased the property from the Honble. Henry Howard, 3rd son of the Earl of Berkshire, in 1714. The benefice then, as now, was a chaplaincy to the owners of the Revesby Abbey estate. [166] That church contained among its chief features a memorial tablet at the east end of the chancel to Nehemiah Rawson, Esq., who died in 1657, a name still common in the neighbourhood; another to the above-named Honble. Henry Howard, who died in 1663; and on the north side of the chancel was a large marble monument, surmounted by a bust, and an inscription in Latin to Joseph Banks, Esq., who died 1727. After renovation at various periods this old fabric was removed, and, on the same site, the present handsome church, a fine specimen of the 14th century, flamboyant style, was erected at the joint expense of J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., and the late Right Honourable Edward Stanhope, M.P., lord of the manor in 1890–2. The church consists of p. 167western tower, surmounted by a lofty spire; nave, with north aisle and south porch; and chancel, with organ chamber and vestry on the north side; the whole forming an elegant structure, reminding one, though on a smaller scale, of the famous marble church of Bodelwyddan in North Wales. It is built generally of Ancaster stone, the walls inside being lined with red Hollington sandstone. Mr. Hodgson Fowler was the architect, and in several details of the building he reproduced features borrowed from the original Abbey.

The following is a detailed description of the church:—In the south wall of the interior of the tower, in a recess, are various carved and other fragments of stone, and near them the capitals and bases of some small Norman columns; and on the north wall is a fragment of a canopied niche; all these being carefully preserved remnants of the original Abbey church.

In the centre is a small Norman font with plain bowl, supported on a shaft of 8 clustered columns, resting on a square base. In the tower above is a peal of 8 carillon bells of good tone, embracing the octave. The north aisle has 4 lofty bays. In the north wall are four two-light windows with trefoil and other tracery above. Against the west wall of this aisle is a massive marble monument surmounted by a bust, probably the old monument renewed, bearing in English the inscription, “In memory of Joseph Banks, M.P. for Grimsby and Totnes, born 1681, died 1727, married Mary Hancock, and had issue Joseph, and Mary, Lady Whichcote, died 1726”; to the left, “Joseph Banks II., born 1695, died 1741, married, 1st, Annie Hodgkinson, and had issue, &c.; Eleonora (the youngest) born 1723, died 1793, married the Honble. Henry Grenville, and was mother of Louisa, Countess Stanhope; married, 2ndly, Catherine widow of Newcomen Wallis.” Right inscription, “William Banks, born 1719, died 1761, married Sarah Bate, and left issue, (1) Joseph, afterwards Sir Joseph Banks, (2) Sarah Sophia, born 1744, died 1818.”

The south nave wall next to the porch eastward has two two-light windows similar to those in the north wall, and next to the chancel wall a large three-light window, flamboyant above, of coloured glass—the subjects being St. James, St. Peter, and St. John, bearing the inscription p. 168below, “Presented by the tenants of the Revesby estate as a token of esteem for James Banks Stanhope, Esquire, of Revesby Abbey, 1892.” The pulpit is of carved modern oak, being Flemish work, the subjects scriptural, resting on a stone base; the sittings throughout are of oak with carved panels at the ends. There is a good brass lectern, and oak fald-stool. The choir stalls in the chancel are of massive carved oak with good poppy heads. The panels of the sedilia are from the Abbot’s house; the encaustic tiles are copies of the originals, the remains of which are preserved in the bell chamber of the tower. The east window is of five lights with rich flamboyant tracery above. It is filled with coloured glass by Messrs. Heaton, Butler and Bayne, and erected by public subscription in memory of the late Right Honourable Edward Stanhope. The subjects are two rows of figures; in the lower row, in the two lights on the north side, are St. Edward and St. Matthew, then St. Boniface and St. Wilfred; in the central compartment, three figures, St. George, St. Martin, and St. Alban; then, to the south, St. Hugh and St. Jerome, in one light, St. Thomas and St. Lawrence in the other outside light. In the upper row, the central figure is the Saviour, crowned, His right hand uplifted in blessing, His left holding a sceptre; in the two compartments, on either side, are angels with harps, viols, &c. In the tracery above are heads of angels, and above all, the Angus Dei. The reredos is of plush velvet. A jewelled cross stands on the super-altar. The communion table is covered with a rich altar cloth of velvet and lace. To the north and south of the table, the walls are panelled with oak, to the height of the east window, with devices representing the ivy, olive, rose, gourd, pomegranate, vine, and fig; the fruit being inlaid mother of pearl, given by the Honble. Mrs. Stanhope. There is a brass tablet in the north wall, giving an account of the east window. In the south wall is a plain two-light trefoiled window, and a long stone seat below. The organ has handsome coloured pipes, and has in front a richly-carved oak screen. At the main entrance to the churchyard is a lich gate, “erected by friends and tenants, in loving memory of the Right Honourable Edward Stanhope.” In the churchyard, beneath the east window, is the Stanhope grave, framed in white marble, with a recumbent cross of the same material p. 169within it. Beneath that spotless emblem of our faith, lies all that was mortal of a noble being, a man “sans peur et sans reproche,” singularly gifted, of varied tastes, wide sympathies, generous instincts, of indefatigable industry as a statesman in the service of his Queen and country, and we may add without presumption, a sincere Christian, of strong convictions. Edward Stanhope, died, 22 December, 1893, admired by his opponents almost as much as he was beloved by his friends, and of him, we may truly say that his gain was our loss. Opposite the village green are alms-houses, for five poor men and five poor women, founded by Joseph Banks, Esq., in 1727, who endowed them with an annual rent charge of £50. Revesby is emphatically a model village, the residences of the tenants and their labourers, being alike maintained in the best order.

The parsonage, a good residence, erected by J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., stands in pretty grounds and is now adorned, internally, with much carved oak furniture, cabinets, overmantel, &c., &c., and with a display of numerous silver cups, trophies won in various competitions, by the Rev. P. O. Ashby, the active and energetic chaplain.

Salmonby.

Salmonby is distant from Horncastle about five miles, in an easterly direction, on the road to Tetford, which it adjoins. The register dates from 1558, and contains some curious entries. One is as follows:—“Helena More, centesimo decimo ætatis anno, et undecimo die mensis Junii, Anno Dom. 1638 fato succubuit, et die duo decimo dicti mensis sepulta est 1638,” i.e., Helena More succumbed to her fate in the 110th year of her age, and on the 11th day of the month of June, A.D. 1638, and was buried on the 12th day of the said month, 1638.

In the month of March, 1723, there were six burials within nine days, three members of the same family; no cause for the mortality being mentioned. In the following year (1724), there were ten burials, among them being four of the name of Wait, three Ansels, and two Bartholomews.

p. 170The rector from 1710 to 1741, Rev. Henry Marshall, was also rector of Fulletby, and vicar of Orby, and he was succeeded by his son in the rectory of Salmonby, who also held the benefice of Ashby Puerorum.

There are some rather peculiar field names in this parish, two Wongs, far and near, a relic of Saxon nomenclature; also Skerrills and Skerrills Holt, Bramfleets, Haverlins (Haver=oats), Dry-sykes, Rotten Fen, Wallow Farm, and Wallow Camp, and The Mires, the last four, doubtless derived from the character of the localities. From a part of this boggy land in the north of the parish, rises a spring of chalibeate water, said to resemble the properties of the Tunbridge Wells; a pulverulent blue phosphate of iron, and an earthy oxide of iron. We do not know much of the early history of Salmondby, the village of some Saxon thane of the name of Salmond. The manor was apparently the property of the Saxon Earl, Harold, but William the Conqueror gave it to his nephew, Hugh de Abrincis, or Avranches, surnamed “Lupus,” or the Wolf, from his many deeds of violence, and it was held as part of the soke of the more important manor, or honour, of Greetham. In an ancient charter, found among the “Final Concords” (p. 359), it is stated that Geoffrey de Benigworth, grants to Avice, wife of William de Benigworth, his manors of Walmersty, Friskeney, Salmundesby, and Skreythesfeld (Scrafield), and all appurtenances, saving the advowson of the church of Salmundesby, which remains to Geoffrey and his heirs, and we have here an example of how the common labourers were regarded as little better than “goods and chattels.” Since, herewith he grants all the villeins holding the “villeinages,” or cottages, and “all their sequels,” i.e., their progeny, “to have and to hold to the said Avice all her life,” and after her decease, the manors and services were to revert to the said Geoffrey and his heirs for ever.

By will, dated 2 July, 1582 (“Lincolnshire Wills,” 1500, 1600, p. 105, No. 285), Margaret Littlebury, late wife of Thomas Littlebury, Esq., of Stainsby, in the parish of Ashby Puerorum, leaves money to the poor of Salmonby, Greetham, and other places. This Margaret was the daughter of John St. Paul, of Snarford, who, like the Dymokes, the Dightons, Maddisons, Massingberds, and many other leading county families, were mixed up in the p. 171Lincolnshire Rebellion of 1536. The Littleburies were seated at Hagg and Somersby, as well as at Stainsby, but they seem to have resided originally at Holbeach Hurn. Sir Humphrey Littlebury, Lord of Littlebury, was born, 1346. He married Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir John Kirton, knight, Lord of Kirton, and there is a fine altar tomb of them both, in Holbeach church. His will was dated, Dec. 1, 1330. But there was a Sir Ralph Littlebury, knight, a juror at Holbeche, in A.D. 1293.

There would seem at one time to have been a substantial manorial residence at Salmonby, for by will, dated 23 January, 1614, Edward King, of Ashby-de-la-Laund, devises “to my sonne, John Kinge, my manor house, of Salmondbie, alias Salmonbie, with all appurtenances,” also certain “closes,” among them being the “Rush Close, Warlowe close, the Conie Hill, Huntepitts, Sheepe Walks, The Lings, alias Gallows Hill, Rotten Fen, &c., which manor and lands were late in the tenure of Richard Caterton.” He adds a codicil, dated “9 day of June, 1617,” bequeathing to his said sonne, John Kinge, various cottages, with his “commons of Key-gaite, and Sheepe-gait acre, and sheepe pasture in other places in Salmonbie. Lastlie, I bequeath to my right worthie and faithful friende, Sir John Meres, knight, a ring of gold of the value of xls., to be inamiled on the outside, and within to be ingraven these words, Donum Fidelis Amici.” This testator built the hall at Ashby-de-la-Laund in 1595. The Kings took the side of the Parliament, and Colonel Edward King distinguished himself. The last male heir, the Rev. John King, died without issue, a few years ago. The manor took its name from the two families, Essheby and De la Laund, who held it till the reign of Henry VI. It has belonged to the Kings since the reign of Henry VIII., but has now passed to Colonel Neville H. Reeve.

A former rector of Salmonby, Phyllip Robert, clerk, by will, dated 26 July, 1617, but not written in a clerkly style, desired “to be buried in the queare” (choir) of the church.

By a Chancery Inquisition (18 Henry VII., No. 46), it was found that Hamon Sutton, held the manor of Salmonby, with Maydenwell and others, and also the advowson of Salmonby, holding them of the Lord the King, as of his Duchy of Lancaster, and in the time of p. 172Queen Elizabeth, Anthony Thorold, knight, is named in certain documents still in the British Museum, as being lord of the manor at that time. (“Collectanea” G. Holles, vol., iii., p. 770.)

In 1415, John Kyghly, of Salmonby, a feoffe of Sir William Cromwell, knight, presented to the chantry in Driby church, because he, Sir William, was “out of the realm.” It is probable that he was with Henry V. at the battle of Agincourt, October 25, 1415. (“Architectural Society’s Journal,” 1895, p. 124).

Among the Revesby charters is a deed of Symon, son of Gilbert of Halton, and his wife Sarah, by which they jointly give to the Abbey of Revesby, all “their lands in Salmonby and in Scraydesfield (Scrafield), and in Stickney, and all their claims on the goods of Gilbert of Benniworth. Witnesses, Gilbert Cusin, seneschal of the house of the Earl Chester, and others.” Date, temp. Hen. III.

The patronage of the benefice of Salmonby was at one time attached to the crown, probably as an appurtenance of the honour of Greetham and Duchy of Lancaster, but it has now passed into private hands. In 1779, Henry Marshall, clerk, already referred to, was patron and incumbent. Prior to 1840, W. Bowerbank held the patronage and rectory. He was succeeded by the late Rev. Henry Fielding, formerly Canon of Manchester, next followed Rev. R. F. Ward, then for a brief period, Rev. F. Cooper, and it is now held by the Rev. John Booth, who is also patron. It has the unique distinction of having once been held in commendam by William Patten, commonly known later as William Waynflete, from his birth place, Wainfleet, in Lincolnshire; that most munificent divine, Provost of Eton, Bishop of Winchester, Lord Chancellor, Founder of Magdalen College, Oxford, and of a free school at his native place.

The church, dedicated to St. Margaret, was until recent years, an ivy-mantled structure, of the period Edwd. III. but it was restored in 1871, during the incumbency of the Rev. R. Fawssett Ward, at a cost of about £600, who also enlarged the rectory, and it now forms an interesting, well-kept and complete church, in the Perpendicular style. It comprises nave, chancel, south porch, and small spire, which contains one bell, and stands at the N.E. corner of the chancel. The east window was given by the late p. 173Henry James Fielding, Esq., eldest son of the former rector, in memory of his father and mother. It has five lights, with numerous compartments above, and is filled with good coloured glass, the subjects being, the Crucifixion above, and the Last Supper below, the design adapted from a window in the Refectory at Milan. There is a piscina in the south wall of the chancel. The south wall has also one three-light, and one two-light window in the Perpendicular style. The nave has, in the south wall, one three-light, and one two-light window, and the porch door; and in the north wall, one three-light window. The west window again, of three lights, has good stained glass, in memory of the Rev. Matthewman Manduel, for more than fifty years curate or rector of Tetford; the subject is, Christ Blessing Little Children. The tracery of all these windows is good. There is an organ, by Nicholson, of Lincoln, with nine stops, and handsome coloured pipes in front, the gift of the Rev. F. Cooper. The chancel sedilia and choir stalls are of good carved modern oak, by Messrs. Walter & Hensman, of Horncastle. The nave is fitted with open benches, which, with the roof, are of pitch pine. The font is modern, octagonal, with shields and roses floriated on alternate faces of the bowl, supported by an octagonal shaft and pediment. There is a graceful ogee arch as the priest’s entrance to the vestry. There was formerly in the nave of the church a brass of a civilian of the 15th century, much defaced, but it some years ago disappeared; it is mentioned among the list of sepulchral brasses supplied to the Archæological Institute on their visit to Lincoln in 1848, so that it still existed at that date. (“Journ. Archæol. Institute,” 1848, p. lii, etc.)

The lady of the manor is now Mrs. Nesbitt Hamilton Ogilvy, as representing the late Right Honble. Robert Adam Christopher Nesbitt Hamilton, a staunch Protectionist, who was one of the eight members of Parliament who voted to the last against the abolition of the corn laws. Some of the land belongs to F. S. Dymoke, Esq., and other smaller owners.

An interesting family heirloom preserved at the rectory, is a massive silver urn-shaped cup, 13 inches high, which was presented to Major Robert Booth, great uncle of the present Rector, by the officers and privates of the Wainfleet Infantry Volunteers, comprising three companies, p. 174which were raised at the time, when the first Napoleon was expected to invade this country in 1808, and of which he was Major Commandant (Oldfield’s “History of Waynfleet” 1829).

Scamblesby.

This rather straggling village is pleasantly situated about 6 miles north-east of Horncastle, in a basin of the Wolds, between the steep hill on the west, by which it is approached from Horncastle and West Ashby, by the old turnpike road to Louth, and the still steeper hill of Cawkwell, a mile further to the east, Louth-ward. In the centre of this basin, which is watered by a small tributary of the river Bain, rising near at hand, is an almost circular prominence, like the boss of a shield, on which fitly stands the church, above all the other human erections. Only a few years ago, this was a very poor structure of brick, although recent explorations have shewn that there formerly existed a fair-sized edifice, with nave, aisles, and chancel, fragments of which were built into the later brick structure. This earlier church is said to have been demolished about the middle of the 18th century. An inscription in the west wall of the present fabric records that “The nave of this church was taken down, and rebuilt, A.D. 1893: Alfred Soden, Vicar; C. B. Robson, J. R. Bourne, Churchwardens.” The chancel had been rebuilt in the previous incumbency of the Rev. T. White, by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, at a cost of £400, in 1890–1. In the reconstruction, stone was utilized from the small church of Cawkwell, the adjoining parish, which had been disused and in a state of decay for some years, and was not needed for the very small population of that parish, which is now, for ecclesiastical purposes, annexed to Scamblesby. The present erection of stone has a south door, with porch, and a priest’s door in the south wall of the chancel. The nave has north and south aisles, of three bays; the easternmost column in the south arcade is the original Norman, the rest being modern, in similar style. In the north wall are three lancet windows, the central one having two lights, the eastern and western one light, and in the south wall p. 175there are two similar windows, one with two lights, the other with one. The west end has two lancet windows, each with a single light, and above them an ox-eye window, with smaller lancets on either side of it. In the eastern wall of the nave, on either side of the chancel arch, is a narrow lancet window. In the chancel, the east window has two lights, with quatrefoil above, two square-headed windows in the south wall, and one in the north. The present font is modern, and plain; the curious, massive, circular bowl of the old font, about 2ft. 8in. in diameter, in height more than 2ft., and with depth of interior 1ft., large enough for immersion, stands outside the porch. The seats of the nave are modern, of deal, but they have very good old oak carved poppy-heads. The pulpit, of oak, was presented as a memorial of the late Vicar, the Rev. T. White, by his pupils; he having been formerly second master of the Horncastle Grammar School; it already, however, shows signs of decay. The chancel sedilia, of deal, were given by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. The communion table, of oak, which is raised on two steps, was the gift of the present Vicar. In the north wall of the chancel is a tablet, commemorating, in Latin, and in quaint English verse, Margaret, the daughter of Henry Coppinger, of a distinguished family in Kent, and wife of “Franciscus Thorndike,” a lady, “imbued with a liberal piety from early years, who religiously fulfilled her conjugal duties, and who, suffering severely herself, also bore, as became a Christian, the loss of three children, and then, with one only surviving, herself yielded willingly to the call of God. Erected to a most beloved wife, by the most sorrowing of husbands.” No date is given, but it has been found from the Herald’s College, that she was buried at Scamblesby, Dec. 30, 1629. (“Linc. N. & Q.” iv., pp. 208–9). Another member of this family, the brother of Francis, was the Rev. Herbert Thorndyke, an eminent divine and worthy of Lincolnshire, Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge, collated prebendary of “Layton Ecclesia” in the cathedral of Lincoln, by Bishop, afterwards Archbishop, Williams (in which dignity he succeeded the well-known George Herbert), and later, made a Prebendary of Westminster. He, by his will, dated July, 3rd, 1672, bequeathed his estates in this parish to the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln, for the endowment p. 176of the benefice, which, like that of the adjoining Cawkwell, was a very poor one. Thorndyke’s works form the 6th volume of the Anglo-Catholic Library. That the family was one of good position, is shewn by the fact of the name of Francis Thorndyke appearing in the list of the Gentry of Lincolnshire, in 1634, as “of Scamblesby,” also that of “Herbert Thorndyke, of Greenfield.”

The church is dedicated to St. Martin. Among the church plate is a communion cup, bearing the inscription “Communion Cup, 1712,” the Cawkwell cup is also old, but not dated. The register of Scamblesby dates from 1569, that of Cawkwell from 1685, but they contain no entries of special interest. This was one of the many possessions of the Norman, Ivo Taillebois, nephew of William the Conqueror, and chief of the Angevin auxiliaries, who came over with the Conqueror. After the death of the brave young Anglo-Saxon nobles, Edwin and Morcar, the sons of Alfgar, and brothers-in-law of King Harold, who refused to submit to the Norman yoke, their sister, the Lady Lucia, was the last of that royal line, and, being an unprotected female, William the Conqueror bestowed her in marriage with all her many possessions, on Ivo. He received with her, lands in Goulceby, Cawkwell, Asterby, and other places, too many to enumerate. He was a man of violent and tyrannous temperament, eventually, in the next reign, being outlawed as an enemy of King Rufus. He was subsequently allowed to return to this country, but not long afterwards died of paralysis. According to accounts, more or less authentic, the Lady, with a haste which was hardly decent—though under the circumstances perhaps not surprising—barely allowed one month to elapse (says the chronicler, Peter de Blois), “when she married that illustrious young man, Roger de Romara, son of Gerald de Romara,” who had been seneschal or steward to William of Normandy, before the Conquest; two other sons, Ralph and Edward, subsequently being founders, the former, of the Tankervilles, and the latter, of the Earls of Salisbury. By this marriage, the large possessions of the Lady Lucia, passed to the Romaras. Lucia herself had been a great benefactress to the priory of Spalding, which had been founded by her uncle, Vice-Comes, or Sheriff, Thorold of Buchenale. Among other gifts she conveys to the monks of Spalding “one watermill (a valuable property in those days), and all her tithes in p. 177Scamblesby,” with much more in the neighbourhood. (“Charters of Spalding Priory,” British Museum, D. n. 5). William de Romara, her son by her husband Roger, in due course, following suit, founded the Abbey of Revesby. In a later generation, the heiress of this family, married Gilbert de Gaunt, who thus succeeded to the large property, but it is probable that, on the occasions of each of these changes, some of the demesnes were diverted in different directions, and the changes were not few, as the Gaunts were succeeded by the Blondvilles, they by the Lacys, and they again by John of Gaunt, Earl of Richmond, 4th son of Edwd. III. whose son was King Henry IV., of Bolingbroke. How long Scamblesby remained a part of this heritage we are not able to say, but it may be observed that in this varied line of descent (as indeed in many others), there were various causes for the alienation, or disintegration of large demesnes. The Sovereign’s power was absolute and most arbitrarily exercised, unless, as was sometimes the case, the subject’s power was greater. The owners of large estates, and especially heiresses, were an object of peculiar interest to Sovereigns, who by reason of war, or their own extravagance, were not seldom more impecunious than their powerful subjects. The actions of the latter were carefully scanned, in order, if possible, that the Sovereign might find an excuse for confiscation, partial or entire, of the offender’s property, and so replenish the royal coffers. In the case of male proprietors, they could only obtain coveted privileges, or even exercise their own undoubted rights, on the payment of a very heavy fine. The times were turbulent, rebellion was not uncommon, and a large landowner sometimes found that he had espoused the unsuccessful cause, whereupon he naturally incurred the penalty. In the case of an heiress, a marriage contracted without the King’s license, was made sufficient ground for the royal displeasure, and a heavy fine or deprivation was the result. Some, or all of these causes were at work with different members of this particular line. In the case of the attainder of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, even his divorced wife, Alicia, became subject to a penalty of £20,000, a very large sum in those days, when pence were almost equivalent to our pounds. In this, and other ways, the once vast possessions of the Thorolds, in this part of the county, passed into other hands; although they are p. 178still one of the leading families on the other side of it. Other families here came to the fore. On the dissolution of the monasteries, any property which had been granted by benefactors to those institutions, would pass, by grant of the sovereign, to others, unless he retained it himself. As we pass the small stream in Scamblesby, over which a child could now leap, we may recognise it as a power that once turned the mill-wheel of the Lady Lucia, or ground corn for the tenants of the priors of Spalding, but it knows their name no more. Some of the land, including the manor, passed to the Bishop of Lincoln; until, in 1862, it was transferred to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners, who are now the Lay Impropriators; the living, now, after various augmentations, worth £300 a year, being in the patronage of the Bishop of Lincoln, and the Earl of Yarborough. The latter nobleman is now one of the largest proprietors in the county, though we believe he originally belonged to the south of England, and was connected with the Earls of Chichester, of Stanmer Park, in Sussex, in which county the heraldic Pelham buckle is a marked feature in many of the churches. [178] Other proprietors are the Lill and Bourne families. There is a prebendal stall in Lincoln Cathedral, attached to Scamblesby in conjunction with Melton Ross, which is now held by the Rev. Canon Arthur Wright, rector of Coningsby, and Rural Dean of Gartree.

There are rent charges for the poor of the parish, left by David Atkinson and dame Tyrwhitt; also the interest of £6 6s. 8d., left by an unknown donor, and a charge on land in Belchford, for poor widows.

Within a short distance of the church, in a south-eastward direction, are traces of a moated inclosure, which has probably been the site of a residence of some size. Nothing is known of its past history, but it may well have been a mansion on the property of the Countess Lucia, or some of her descendants, and occupied by a dependent vassal. There are a few records of former persons connected with the parish, of which we here give one or two. Among the “Final Concords,” under date, 1 July, 1202, is an agreement between Roger de Maletoft, on the one p. 179part, and Philip de Claythorp, and Mary his wife, on the other part, tenants of “4 oxgangs in Scamblesbi (about 60 acres),” by which they acknowledge the said land to be the right and inheritance of the said Roger; and in return for this, he granted it “to them and their heirs, to hold of him and his heirs for ever, doing for it foreign service”; and, as an acknowledgment of this, the said Philip and Mary gave the said Roger 4 marks. (Note appended to the will of John Guevera, made 18 March, 1607.) N.B.—A sister of John Guevera, married John Chapman, of Scamblesbi. The Guevera family came from Biscay, in Spain, probably imported by Katherine of Arragon, or Philip of Spain, Queen Mary’s husband.

Thomas Kent, of Scamblesby, clerk, by will, dated 23 July, 1623, among other bequests, leaves, “to my wife Mary, £40, with other benefits; my dau., Lydia Lent £200; my dau., Penelope Dennis, £16; my dau., Mary Martingdale, £20; my son, Thomas Kent, £20; my dau., Anne Millington,—; Henry Neave, my grandchild, £30; Gabriel Neave, my grandchild, £66 13s. 4d.; Mary Neave, £66 13s. 4d.; my son Elias Kent, 2 Kye, a pr. of oxen, a pr. of 2 yr. old fleaces; a mare that I had of my son-in-law, James Martingdale, my waines and waine-geares, and ploughs and plough-geares, my trays and harrows, also a bedd, a presse and a table, with the lease of the manor of Scamblesby; my son, Thomas, 44s. in gold; my son, Abell, 44s. in gold; to everyone of my grandchildren, 11s. in gold; to the poor of Donington, 22s.; of Goulceby, 20s.; and to the poorest of Scamblesby 20s.; to everyone of my servants, 16d.; to Lewis Whiteing, 2 ewes and 2 lambes; to Dorothie Candroy, a flocked yearing quee.” The testator’s wife is to have his household goods and chattels, for division among his children at her discretion; Timothy, his son, being sole executor, to whom he bequeaths the residence, after payment of debts and funeral expenses. To be buried in the chancel of Scamblesbie.

Elias Kent, of Scamblesby, gent., by will, dated 13 Feb., 1625, bequeaths to “my wife, Elizabeth, £200, and the household stuff, &c.; to my daughter, Martha Kent, £200 when 16, and the lease of Scamblesby manor; to my sister, Marie Martingdale, Mr. Benjamin Storre, 20s.; Thomas, William, and Elizabeth, the three eldest children of my brother Timothy Kent, deceased, 20s. a piece; and p. 180to Edward Kent, a new coat; to my brother, Thomas Booth, ‘Speede’s Chronicles’; to my brother, Richard Sharpe, my black gelding; to my mother, a 5s. piece of silver; to the poor of Scamblesby, 40s.; to the poorest of Goulceby, 10s. and of Donington, 10s.; to everie one of my sisters 10s.; to my cosen, Alice Brooke, £3 6s. 8d., and the horse called ‘Maud,’ &c., &c. My body to be buried in the chancel. My brother, Thomas Kent, clerk of Donington, to be executor.”

N.B.—On the death of the said Thomas Kent, Incumbent of Donington, 13 years later, he leaves “to my much honored friend, Sir John Munson, my black colt; to Sir Thomas Munson, my noble friend whom I much honor, my Spurr Royal; to the Right Honble., my Lord Beaumont, my bald colt; to the Rectors of Donington, for the time being, and their successors for ever, my Spalding tythes (these were the gift of the Lady Lucia to Spalding priory); to the repairs of St. Paul’s church in London, £5.”

The name Scamblesby means the “By,” i.e., farmstead (Scotice Byre) of the Saxon Skamel; probably his land, amounting to six carucates (or 720 acres), was that which, through the Lady Lucia, became the property of Ivo Taillebois, lord of Spalding.

The parish of Cawkwell, now ecclesiastically annexed to Scamblesby, is of small extent, being a lordship comprising some 680 acres of land, now the property of the Duke of Portland; the benefice, a vicarage now valued at £39 a year, being in the patronage of the Earl of Yarborough, who, as such, has the alternate presentation with the Bishop of Lincoln, to the consolidated benefice of Scamblesby with Cawkwell. This property, again, was among the lands of Ivo Taillebois, acquired by his marriage with the Saxon heiress, Lucia. Little is known of its past history. It probably passed through the like vicissitudes as Scamblesby, until it was granted to Sir Charles Cavendish, of Bolsover Castle, and from him, passed to the Dukes of Newcastle, the Earl of Oxford, and finally, by the marriage of his daughter and heiress, to the noble family of Bentinck, the ancestors of the present Duke of Portland, who, in the present generation, has married a lady of the almost neighbouring parish of Walmsgate. There was formerly a priory of Cawkwell, of which Sir William Tyrwhitt was steward. It was probably p. 181not a richly endowed institution, as his fee as steward was only £1. It would seem to have been a dependency of the much wealthier priory of Austin Canons, at Nocton. (Dugdale “Monasticon,” vol. ii., p. 211)

The Church, dedicated to St. Peter, was demolished, and the materials, in part, utilized for the rebuilding of Scamblesby church, in 1893. At the date of Liber Regis (temp. Queen Anne), the benefice was so poor that it is there described as “not presented to,” and the church has not been used for divine worship since 1885. Cawkwell house is a substantial residence, standing in good grounds, and occupied by C. B. Robson, Esq. The only thing worthy of note in connection with this parish, is that it was the birth-place, in 1599, of a learned and pious man, Hanserd Knollys, who was educated at Cambridge, distinguished for his zeal in religion, appointed master of the Free School at Gainsborough, took Holy Orders, and was presented by the Bishop of Lincoln to the living of Humberston. Afterwards, conceiving scruples as to the lawfulness of certain church observances, he resigned his benefice; for a time, with the Bishop’s connivance, he preached in various parishes, without using the church service. He eventually abjured his orders, and joined the Baptist persuasion, and became one of its pastors in London. The intolerance of the age forced him to seek refuge in Wales, Holland, Germany, and even America. He died, Sept., 1691, in the 93rd year of his age. (Weir’s “Hist. Lincolnshire,” vol. i, p. 301). [181]

We have mentioned Cawkwell hill. This is one of “the Alps of Lincolnshire,” and, although there are, among the Wold hills, several considerably steeper, being on a high road, formerly having much traffic, it has been the scene of some accidents. Only a few years ago, a gentleman living near, was driving down the hill in a thunderstorm, when he was struck by lightening, his carriage was upset, and his horse afterwards found on the other side of the hedge, he himself recovering without any serious effects. Sometime in the forties, the late Sir Henry Dymoke was driving a carriage and pair down the hill, when the horses bolted. The father of the present writer happened at the time to be walking down the hill, on his way home p. 182from Louth; as the horses dashed past him he made a spring at the bridle of the near horse, fortunately catching hold of it, and by running alongside, he succeeded in bringing the horses to a stand, without injury to anyone. But for this timely aid, the champion of England might have incurred a more serious ordeal than that of challenging his sovereign’s enemies.

The name of this parish, “Calche uuelle,” in Domesday Book, and now Cawkwell, might have been given with prophetic foresight into the future, as it is here, from a deep well, the bore of which passes through the chalk to the gravel below, that a pure and plentiful supply of water is obtained for the town of Horncastle, and more recently also for the modern health resort of Woodhall Spa.

Sotby.

Sotby, also in Liber Regis, called Saltby, lies to the west of Ranby, about 2 miles to the north-west of Great Stourton, and is about 8 miles north-north-west from Horncastle. Letters, via Wragby, arrive at 9.30 a.m. This manor, in the reign of the Conqueror, was granted by him to his half-brother, Odo, Bishop of Baieux, [182] along with many other demesnes, as mentioned more fully in the account of Ranby. Ralph the vassal of Odo is mentioned in Domesday Book, as holding “4 carucates,” or 480 acres, with 16 socmen and 3 villeins. The Saxon thane, Ulnod, had about the same extent. The church had 150 acres of meadow. At an Inquisition, held 1 Edward II. (No. 107, 11 April, 1308), it was shewn that Philip de Kyme, enfeoffed his son, William de Kyme, of the manor of Sotteby, held by the service of half a knight’s fee. This William, in 1334, enfeoffed his nephew, Gilbert de Umfraville, of the manor. He was Earl of Angus. William’s widow, Joan, married as her 2nd husband, Nicholas de Cantelupe, who, through her, held the manor of Baumber. (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1897, pp, 69, 70). p. 183This Nicholas de Cantelupe, founded a chantry in Lincoln Cathedral, dedicated to St. Nicholas. It is situated to the east of the great south door, under the lesser east window. On the north side of this chantry, are two altar tombs, one of which, having a figure clad in surcoat of mail, is the sepulchre of Lord Cantelupe. In the pavement below, is a slab, in memory of his wife, the Lady Joan. She founded a small chapel on the east side of the south transept, dedicated to St. Paul. According to “Testa de Nevill,” Simon de Kyme, at an earlier date, held lands in Sotby, in chief from the king (circa, 1242). (“Linc. N. & Q.,” iv., p. 174. Compare Oldfield’s “Hist. Waynfleet,” p. 168).

By a Close Roll, 9 Henry VII., No. 30, it is shewn that Sir Robert Dymmok, knt., was, with others, seized of the manor of Sotby, A.D. 1494.

By an Inquisition, taken 31 May, 1495 (10 Henry VII.), it was found that Robert Taillebois, died seized of the manor of Sotby, held from the king, by the service of half a knight’s fee. (“Linc. N & Q.” ii., p. 141). His ancestor, Ivo Taillebois, had lands in Baumber.

The abbot of Bardney had a pension from Sotby, as he also had from Edlington and other parishes in the neighbourhood. At the Lincolnshire Rising, in the reign of Hen. VIII., Thomas Yoell, parson of Sotby, though old and blind took a prominent part in the movement, along with the rectors of Low Toynton, Belchford, and others. In 1798, Thomas Roe was rector. The Rev. John Bainbridge-Smith, D.D., headmaster of the Horncastle Grammar School, held the rectory of Sotby, with that of Martin-by-Horncastle and the perpetual curacy of Baumber, from 1828 to 1854; he was also Honorary Chaplain to the Duke of Newcastle. He was succeeded at Sotby, by his son, John Bainbridge-Smith, and the latter rebuilt the chancel of the church, St. Peter’s, and made other improvements in 1858–9. The register dates from 1658. Among the entries is a record that in the year 1728, there were sixteen burials, but no cause for that excessive mortality is named. The second Rev. J. Bainbridge-Smith married a daughter of Judge Haliburton, of Nova Scotia, the author of “Sam Slick,” “The Old Judge,” “Nature and Human Nature,” &c. He was for some years chaplain at Smyrna.

When the chancel was taken down in 1858, some interesting relics were discovered. A sepulchral arch was p. 184opened at the north-east end, supposed to lead to the burial place of the founder of the Pre-Conquest Church. It was constructed of grey stone. Three very ancient windows, also of grey stone, and blocked with rubbish, were opened, on the splays of which were found frescoes, the figures being, so far as they remained, very distinct. One was a crowned figure, seated, and holding a sceptre in his left hand, the right hand being stretched out in the attitude of judgment or command, but the lower part of the arm was wanting. Another was a female figure, with long tresses, and a robe with lengthy train behind. A third, was one figure complete, probably the Saviour, with the head only of another figure, facing him, probably the Magdalen; both heads being surrounded by a nimbus. The Saviour’s attitude, with uplifted finger, indicated the giving of some command, probably the Noli me tangere. The fourth subject was apparently a rude representation of the last supper, the Saviour being in the act of taking the cup. [184] Copies of these frescoes were made, and are preserved with the registers. The present writer has copies, from which this description is given.

When the south and east walls were taken down, a very ancient doorway, probably Saxon, of grey and red sandstone was found; close beside it was another doorway of later date. Towards the east end of the south wall, was found a beautiful geometrical window, the inner arch much broken. This had apparently been the original east window, but in later times broken up, and some of the fragments built into the wall in various parts. All this seemed to indicate that a Saxon church had existed, that it was rebuilt about the time of the Norman Conquest, with stone found in the neighbourhood, that in the 13th century it was adorned with frescoes, an east window, of Lincoln stone, &c. The new chancel was re-opened by the Bishop of Lincoln, in 1859. (Extract from “Lincolnshire Times,” Nov., 1859).

The chief features of the present church are as follows:—The font, modern, octagonal, and plain. A former very small font, with small bowl remains, sunk into the base of a recess in the west wall. A small metal, portable font, is also preserved in the rectory, which was formerly used. p. 185The chancel arch is probably Saxon. It is very low, with massive supports, has been mutilated, but is still in fairly good condition. In the south wall of the chancel is a double piscina, supposed to be peculiar to the 13th century. In the north chancel wall is an easter sepulchre, with an aumbrey above, having a trefoil moulding in a 13th century arch. The east window is modern, with three lights. In the south wall is a two-light window, in memory of J. B. Smith, D.D. In the floor of the chancel, in the centre, is a slab commemorating John Porter, rector from 1658 to 1688–9. In the north wall of the nave is one square-headed window; in the south wall are two similar windows. On the north wall there is a tablet to J. Scholey. There is only one small bell hanging in the bell turret. Altogether this church has some very interesting features. In the parish chest, with the registers, is a copy made by the late rector, of the transcripts in the Archidiaconal Registry, dating from 1556 to 1590.

Stixwould.

This parish is situated about 6 miles westward of Horncastle; the village being less than a mile from the Stixwould station, on the loop line of the Great Northern Railway, between Boston and Lincoln. The parish is bounded on the west by the river Witham, on the north by Horsington, and on the east and south by Woodhall and Edlington. In Domesday book the name takes the form of Stigeswald, or Stigeswalt. The origin of this name can only be a matter of conjecture, but the following, as not being without interest, is suggested. The ancient arrangement for crossing a river, especially a sluggish, oozy one, such as the Witham, was commonly by a stockaded ford. [185] This stockade would be constructed of stakes or sticks, a kind of structure which is also implied in the names Stickford, (i.e., staked ford), and Stickney (staked water, or island), both of which places lie in what was p. 186formerly a marshy district in this county. [186a] Hence, we may suppose, the first syllable of the name Stix (or Sticks) wold; as to the next syllable, “Wold,” or wald, is the Saxon for wood. At some places certain woods were anciently assigned by law or custom, for the supply of these stakes. [186b]; and such a wood might naturally acquire the name of the Stakes wood, or Sticks wold.

In the case of this parish, as the embankment, now confining the Witham to its narrow channel, did not anciently exist, that river would then have a much greater width, and the ford would probably be a long “causeway” through a morass, raised by sods and strengthened by stakes. [186c] Mr. C. Gowen-Smith, the translator of Domesday Book, for Lincolnshire, says (Introduction, p. xl.) that “wad,” or “wode,” means “a causeway.” We thus, on either of these suppositions, get Stixwould meaning a staked ford, or causeway. [186d]

In the days of ancient savage warfare, fords were important positions of defence; and especially on the Witham would a ford be important, that river being the boundary between the barbarous “Girvii,” who inhabited the wild Fen tracts, [186e] and the less warlike Saxons, who dwelt east of it. A ford also, or ferry, was a source of considerable revenue; for instance, at Stow, the lord of the manor, in 1234, let the ferry on the Trent (now of Littleborough), with the fishery, for £3 6s. 8d. yearly, p. 187a large sum in those days. Thus the staked ford, and the wood supplying the stakes, may well have been local features of sufficient importance to originate the name of Stickswold.

Of the wood formerly existing, there are still some relics, in fine oak trees of great age; one of these, nearly 20ft. in girth, is to be seen by the garden gate at the abbey farm house; another stands near the drive to Halstead Hall, in the east of the parish; and others are nearer the Witham, in fields adjoining Newstead House farm. The present Stixwould wood, or Long wood, south of the village, is of comparatively modern growth; but on the eastern border of the parish is Halstead wood, separated from Sto-bourne wood, by what, probably, was formerly a “stow,” “stoke,” or stake-marked “bourn,” or boundary stream, being a ditch of running water, which gives its name to the latter wood, which lies in the next parish; the two woods until recent years, belonging to the two different manors.

At the time of the Norman Conquest, we find only two names of Saxon landowners in this parish, viz.:—Ulviet, and Siward, who had here between them, about 720 acres. Both these would seem to have been thanes of some importance, as the former held, in demesne or otherwise, lands in at least ten other parishes, in various parts of the county; and the latter had lands in eleven parishes, also widely distributed, and further, had sufficient influence to continue as tenant, under the Norman proprietors, to whom the Conqueror transferred the lands previously owned by Saxons. [187] Of Normans, a grant of 270 acres (that amount having been previously owned by p. 188Ulviet,) was conferred by King William, upon Waldin Brito (or the Breton), a distinguished soldier, who accompanied him from Normandy. These Bretons were highly valued for their faithful services, by the Plantagenet kings, and were largely employed in court offices; Waldin also received manors in eight other parishes in this neighbourhood. Another favourite of the Conqueror, who received land here, was Alured, of Lincoln. The Domesday Survey gives him as owning 180 acres of arable, meadow, and wood land in Stixwould, with fifty-one manors in the county, beside lands elsewhere.

A still larger proprietor was Ivo Taillebois, Earl of Anjou, and nephew of the Conqueror. On him, William bestowed in marriage, the Saxon Lady Lucia, sister of Edgiva, wife of the late King Harold. Beside the lands of her father, Earl Algar, she had succeeded to the large possessions of her uncle, Sheriff Thorold, of the neighbouring Bucknall (where traditions still linger of him, and his sister, the “Lady Godiva.”) She was probably a kinswoman of the above Alured, of Lincoln, since his relative, Alan of Lincoln, is named in old deeds, as nephew of Thorold. Either through her, or by direct grant to himself, Ivo owned 1,020 acres in Stixwould, beside lands in 104 other parishes. On this Ivo Taillebois (or “Underwood” as the name signifies), we may here make a few remarks. He was commonly known as “the Lord of Holland,” through his wife’s extensive possessions in that division of the county, inherited from Thorold, her uncle, who was lord of Spalding, and he also had a fine residence at Spalding, where he lived in great state. He was, however, of a temperament fitted rather to inspire fear than affection. The chronicler, Ingulphus (“History of Croyland Abbey,”) tells us, that his dependants “supplicated him on bended knees, and did him all due service,” but, in return, he “tortured, harrassed, and daily loaded them with fresh burdens”; and by his cruelty, “compelled most of them to sell their property and seek other countries.” On the death of his patron, the Conqueror, he joined a conspiracy against William Rufus, and was banished the country. After a few years he was allowed to return, but died shortly afterwards of paralysis, in 1114. [188] Having been p. 189forced as a husband, by the Conqueror, upon the Lady Lucia, and being further of the temperament already described, we may assume that, as the saying is, there was “no love lost” between them, and we are therefore hardly surprised to find another old chronicler (Peter de Blois), saying, on the death of Ivo, “hardly had a month elapsed, when the Lady Lucia married that illustrious man, Roger de Romara, son of Gerald de Romara (seneschal or high steward of William, as Duke of Normandy), and that she lost all recollection of Ivo.”

These are the only two landowners, Saxon or Norman, mentioned in Domesday Book, as having property in Stixwould. The extent of their lands in the parish, all added together, amounted to rather less than 2,000 acres, whereas the present acreage is nearly 2,360, there is therefore a margin of between 300 and 400 acres unaccounted for; and this we may probably assume to have been waste land of bog and morass, subject to the Witham floods, and not brought under cultivation till centuries later. Accordingly, we find that the parish rate-book shows a sudden rise in value of certain land, owing to drainage early in the nineteenth century. We are not able to trace the successive landowners of Stixwould through a connected series. There would seem to be some confusion in the old chroniclers, between the Lady Lucia, who married Ivo Taillebois, and another lady of the same name, probably her daughter, who married Roger de Romara, [189a] and, on his death, married Ranulph, Earl of Chester. The eldest son of this Lady Lucia, by Roger de Romara, was William de Romara, who was created Earl of Lincoln, by King Stephen, A.D. 1140. His grandson, also William de Romara, married Philippa, daughter of John Count d’ Alencon, [189b] but died childless. His property would then p. 190pass to the descendants of the second husband of the Lady Lucia II., viz., Ranulph, Earl of Chester. The latter married his niece, the Countess Roheis, to Gilbert de Gaunt, whose grandfather was nephew of Matilda, wife of William the Conqueror. He became Earl of Lincoln, and it is probable that the Earl of Chester’s property passed to him; among other such lands, being also those in Stixwould, and in this connection, it is interesting to note that, although in a less exalted position, there are still, in this twentieth century, Gaunts in this parish, whose very countenance would bespeak their Norman origin. In course of time, the lands of the Gaunts, passed, in great measure, to two families, namely, that of the Becks of Lusby, Spilsby, &c., and the Pinsons of Tattershall, &c. These two families flourished during the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries, and they, in turn, were succeeded by the Willoughbys, ancestors of the present Earl of Ancaster, and Lord Willoughby d’Eresby. A Court Roll, 9 Richard I., shows that Robt. Willoughby had then land in the adjoining Wispington, but there is indirect evidence to show that the Willoughbys had also property in Stixwould, since, in the twenty-second year of Edwd. III. (1348), John, the first Lord Willoughby d’Eresby, endowed the chantry of the Holy Trinity, at Spilsby, with certain lands in Stixwould, Fulletby, and other parishes (Pat., 22 Ed III); while further, in a charter of Baron Bek (circa 1300), conveying lands to Kirkstead Abbey, we find as witnesses to the deed, William de Wylcheby (i.e., Willoughby), two Beks, William de Thorp, and “Dominus,” Theobald de Hallested (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1897, p. 38); thus connecting, again, Halstead, or Stixwould, with a Willoughby, as well as his relatives, the Beks, of Spilsby, and the owners of Tattershall Thorpe.

At an earlier date than this, however, we find mention of other owners of Stixwould. In a list of landowners in Lindsey, in the reign of Henry I. (1100, 1135), we find Alan of Lincoln (already referred to as kinsman of Alured), owning six oxgangs (ninety acres), in this parish, with Gilbert Fitz-Gozelin, and Gerard as his tenants, as Siward had been under Alured; also Robert de Hay, owning here, one carucate (120 acres). (Cotton MSS., Claudius, C 5, fol. 9b., Brit. Museum, “Archit. Journ.,” 1881, p. 197.)

The de Hays were a wealthy family, owning lands in Cammerigham, Spridlington, Fillingham, Hackthorn, p. 191Owmby, Barlings and many other parishes. (Ibid, pp. 184, 185, &c.) One of them was among the Barons who signed the Magna Charter.

At the same date, we find a certain Ralph de Stixwald, holding land in Edlington, as tenant under Ranulph le Meschin; the latter being the second husband of the (second) Lady Lucy, Earl of Chester, and son of the Vicomte de Bessin, in Normandy. (Ibid., fol. 14, and “Archæolog. S. Proceedings,” 1848, p. 257).

Near the close of this 12th century (1 and 3 Richard I., 1190 and 1192), we find Roger de Stixwald (with Gerard de Camvill), Sheriff of the County. He was probably son of the above Ralph de Stixwould. (“Hist. Lincoln,” 1816, p. 200). These de Stikswalds resided at Halstead Hall, in this parish, which will be noticed hereafter under that head.

By an Inquisition, taken at Wragby (5 Richard II., 1381–2), it was shewn that Margaret, wife of John de Orbi, knight (Orby), held jointly with her husband, fifty-two acres of wood in Tattershall and Stixwold, with various other lands; and that Mary de Percy, wife of John de Roos, is their next heir; but that her brother, the Earl of Northumberland, occupied the land meanwhile. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. vi., No. 47). Her will was proved 29th Augt. 1394. Mentions of other owners in subsequent times are rather rare.

On the Dissolution of the Monasteries, by Hen. VIII., that sovereign in 1541, gave the lands of Stixwould Priory in this parish, to Robert Dighton. The Dightons had amassed considerable wealth, as merchants in Lincoln. A Robert Dighton was Mayor in 1494, and again in 1506, and William Dighton was Sheriff in 1533. The Robert Dighton, who thus became a landowner in Stixwould, resided at the old hall of Stourton Parva, in the parish of Baumber, dividing the ownership of that parish with the Earls of Lincoln, afterwards Dukes of Newcastle. He married Joyce, daughter and heiress of William St. Paul; the St. Pauls being a good family, later represented by Sir George St. Paul, Bart., who died in 1613. Robert Dighton’s daughter, married first, Judge Dalison, and secondly, Sir F. Ayscough, Bart. (“Archit. Journ.,” 1891, p. 16). Members of both these families took part in the Lincolnshire Rising of 1536, along with John Heneage, Edwd. Dymoke (Sheriff), William Willoughby, Thimblebies, p. 192Massingberds, and many others. (“State Papers,” Henry VIII., vol. ii. p. 971, “Architect. S. Journal,” 1894. pp. 174, &c). A daughter of Thomas Dighton married Edwd. Clinton, second son of the first Earl of Lincoln, of that line (temp. Elizabeth.)

Another family, here comes on the scene, viz., the Thimblebys, who resided at Poolham, a hamlet of the adjoining parish of Edlington; and for some generations owned land in Stixwould. Their chief residence was at Irnham, near Bourn, where Richard Thimbleby Esq., in 1510, built the hall, a fine mansion, standing in a well-wooded deer park; having acquired the property by marriage with an heiress of the Hiltons, whose ancestor, Sir Geoffrey Hilton, again, had obtained it by marriage with an heiress of the Luterels; that family having also succeeded to it in the person of Sir Andrew Luterel, who married an heiress of the Paganels, on whose ancestor, the Norman, Ralph Paganel, it had been bestowed by the Conqueror. The pedigree of the Thimblebys is given in the Herald’s Visitation of 1562. They owned property in Claxby, Normanby, Tetford (manor with advowson), Haltham, High Toynton, Horsington (with moiety of advowson), and many other parishes. They doubtless took their name from the proximate parish of Thimbleby, as we find them first designated as John, Thomas, &c., “de Thimbleby.”

By a Chancery Inquisition post mortem, of date, 1333 (7 Ed. III.), taken on Friday after the feast of St. Matthew (Sep. 21), at Haltham, it was shewn that Nicholas de Thymelby held certain land in Haltham, of the right of his wife Matilda, with lands in Thimbleby, under the Bishop of Carlisle, and lands in Stikeswold, of the Dean and Chapter of Lincoln. He was succeeded by his son John, who married Isabel, daughter and co-heir of Sir William Fflete, knt., and his successor, William Thymelby, Esq., apparently married Joan, daughter of Sir Walter Taillebois, one of the family connected with Stixwould, through the Lady Lucia, already named, nearly 400 years earlier; Sir Walter was grandnephew of Gilbert Umfravill, Earl of Angus. (“Architect. Journ.,” 1896, pp. 297–8).

Again (nearly 200 years later), by a Court of Ward’s Inquisition (3, 4, 5, Ed. VI.,) it was shown that Matthew Thimbleby, who married Anne, daughter of Sir Robert Hussey, was seised of lands in Styxwolde, Horsington, p. 193Edlington, Thymylby, Buckland (i.e. Woodhall), &c., inheriting them from his father (Ibid. p. 258). His widow married Sir Robert Savile, knt., of Poolham, and through her, he died in 1585–6 (Jany. 24), seised of the same land in Stixwolde, &c.

We now pass over eighty years, during which another change in the ownership has taken place.

In 1665, and again in 1685, Sir John Coventry, K.B. presented to the benefice, and was probably lord of the manor. At the beginning of the 18th century, Sir Thomas Keate had succeeded as patron (Ecton’s “Thesaurus,” p. 183) and his widow, Agnes Keate, was owner in 1704. (Liber Regis, p. 424). This name is written Kyte, in the “Histories of Lincolnshire,” by Weir, and by Saunders. They are said to have been a Warwickshire family; the last of them, Sir William, squandered a large fortune, and, in a fit of despair, set fire to his fine mansion in the Cotswold hills, and himself perished in the flames. The manor of Stixwould had been previously sold by him to Lord Anson, the distinguished Naval Commander, and Circumnavigator, Lord High Admiral of England, &c., who presented to the benefice in 1753. On his death, in 1762, his son, Thomas Anson, Esq., of Shuckborough, Co. Stafford, succeeded to the property, and presented to the benefice in 1767.

In 1763, Mary Lister, fourth daughter of Matthew Lister, Esq., of Burwell Park, near Louth, married (19 May), Thomas Elmhirst, Esq., of Stixwould (Parish Register of Burwell, quoted “Archit. Soc. Journal,” 1897, p. 92). He was probably at that time tenant of the Abbey Farm House. Matthew Lister, her father, had married Grace, widow of Sir Edward Boughton, Bart., daughter, and co-heir of Sir John Shuckborough, Bart., of Shuckborough, at which place also resided the above-named Thomas Anson, son of Lord Anson.

The whole estate of Stixwould was afterwards purchased by Edmund Turnor, Esq., of Stoke Rochford, who first presented to the benefice in 1778, his nominee, as Vicar, being a member of a very old Lincolnshire family, Bernard Cracroft, who also held the Vicarage of Bardney. A former Sir Edmund Turnor was knighted by Charles II., in 1663, as a reward for services rendered to that king’s martyred father. The property still remains with this family. Among the gentry of Lincolnshire named at the Heralds’ p. 194Visitation in 1634, is Edwd. Broxholme “of Stixwould,” who seems to have had relatives at Lincoln, North Kelsey, Grimsby, Nettleham, and elsewhere among the county gentry; one of them, John of Otbye, contributing £25 to the national loan for defence against the Spanish Armada. (“Linc. N. & Q.” ii., pp. 9 and 134). Whether this Edward Broxholme was a landowner in Stixwould, or a tenant, does not appear. He resided at the Priory.

We now give a brief notice of Stixwould Priory, dedicated to the blessed Virgin Mary. This was founded by the Lady Lucia (i.e., the second of that name), and her two sons, Ranulph, Earl of Chester, and William de Romara, Earl of Lincoln (Leland “Collect.,” vol. i., p. 92), in the reign of Stephen. The Rev. Thos. Cox, in his “Lincolnshire” (of date, 1719), ascribes the foundation to Galfred de Ezmondeys. [194] Doubtless, at different periods, additions and augmentations were made to the original institution, entitling the benefactors to be numbered among the “fundatores”; but the general testimony of Leland, Dugdale, and others, is in favour of the Lady; whose uncle, Sheriff Thorold, was a benefactor to Croyland Abbey, and founded Spalding Priory, his sister, the Lady Godiva, also (as the Chronicler Henry of Huntingdon tells us), spending much of her vast wealth in building monasteries and churches, while her descendant, William de Romara II., founded Revesby Abbey. By an Inquisition taken 3 Edwd. I. (1275), it was found that the lands held by the Priory, given by these and other benefactors, had been so held for 100 years (Dugdale’s “Monasticon” i., p. 56, No. 486); and further, by an Inquisition at Stamford, in the same reign, it was found that the Priory had certain lands at Huntingdon, from divers benefactors (“Ibid.” ii., p. 223, No. 809), one of these being Alexander Creveceur, a member of a distinguished Norman family, who owned lands in Somersby, circa A.D., 1242, and in several other parishes in this neighbourhood; the name also appearing in the Battle Roll. They p. 195are now represented by the de Courcy’s whose chief, Lord Kinsale, is premier Baron of Ireland, and entitled by royal warrant to the singular privilege of keeping his hat on in the Sovereign’s presence. Besides the Huntingdon property, the Priory possessed house property in Lincoln, 900 acres of land in Honington, 120 in Bassingthorpe, 120 in Bucknall, 42 in Wyberton, 249 in Stixwould, with the advowson of the Church; smaller amounts in Westby, Waynfleet, Horkstow, Wymondham, Low Toynton, Tupholme, the advowson of Waynfleet benefice; 2 tofts in Horsington, to provide candles for the altar, and a pension from Alford; while the Prioress also received as lesser perquisites, obits, mortuaries, Easter offerings, “shot for wax,” “Lincoln farthings,” “Assize of bread and beer,” and various “fines and amerciaments.” (Oliver’s “Religious Houses,” pp. 65, 6.)

As to the particular ecclesiastical order to which this Priory belonged, authorities differ. In Thomas Coxe’s “Lincolnshire” (already referred to), it is called a Gilbertine Institution; Stukeley (in his “Itinerarium Curiosum,” vol. i., p. 88), calls it Benedictine; while Dugdale, in his “Monasticon,” vol. i., No. 486, places it among the Benedictines, and in vol. ii., No. 809, gives it as Gilbertine; while Noble and others call it Cistercian. The Cistercians, however, were only a stricter sect of the Benedictines. The early training of Gilbert had been mainly Cistercian, and we shall therefore probably be right in saying that Stixwould Priory was at first a Gilbertine, and afterwards changed to a Benedictine establishment of the strictest order. As to the strictness of the regulations, we gather full evidence from the accounts given by Dr. Oliver, in his “Religious Houses on the Witham,” from which we here make a few quotations. We may premise that, although the sisterhood consisted nominally of a Prioress and Nuns, there was a resident male “Master of the Nuns” (Court Rolls, 6 Richard I.); and, at times, at least, according to Leland (“Collect.,” i., p. 92), there were also “Brothers” (fratres), as at the Sempringham House, which Gilbert founded. The time of the nuns was chiefly spent in works of charity, reading legends of the Saints, solitary meditation and prayer (a perfunctory repetition of devotions, which must too often have been deadening, rather than invigorating, to spiritual life), and p. 196needlework, such as the embroidery of altar cloths, &c. [196a] They were not even allowed to converse with each other, except on permission from the Prioress; they could only converse with friends from outside through a grating “of the length of a finger, and barely a thumb’s breadth,” and with a veil over it, in the presence of two “discreet sisters”; and all letters were inspected by the Prioress. The Convent was so shut in by walls, as “scarcely (it was said) to leave an entrance for birds,” and, during divine service, the door of the choir, where they sat, was closed, so that they could not see, or be seen by, strangers. The diet was of the plainest, and if a nun was disobedient, it was reduced to bread and water. They were not allowed to go beyond the Priory walls except to visit the sick, or attend funerals; and even in the Priory garden, usually a resort for monastic recreation, but an indulgence only granted to these sisters on Sundays and festivals, they were allowed to pluck only jessamine and violets, except by special permission. These rules, however, were occasionally relaxed; they were permitted to cultivate music and dancing, and even to attend the village sports (Oliver, p. 67, note 8); and the Prioress, who by charter had free warren over the Priory lands, is said to have indulged in hawking and hunting (Placit. de quo Warranto, 22 Edwd. I.) [196b] This house was dissolved with more than 600 other monastic establishments by Henry VIII. in the 27th year of his reign (A.D. 1536); a year later he founded in its place, and with the same revenues, “for the good of his soul, and that of his Consort Jane,” a Premonstratensian house, which, however, only continued two years, when it, in turn, was abolished. The last Prioress under the old regime was Helena Key; the first and only Prioress, under the new regime, being Mary Missenden (Dugdale “Monast.,” iii., No. 81.) The estates, as already mentioned, were bestowed, on the final dissolution of this house, p. 197upon Robert Dighton. According to Speed, the historian, the value of the estates was £163 1s. 2½d., which was in those days a considerable sum. The steward for some of the Lindsey estates of the Priory was John Heneage, brother of Sir Thomas Heneage of Hainton; for others of the estates in the same division, Sir Robert Dymoke; for the estates in Kesteven, Sir Robert Hussey, a younger brother of Lord Hussey, of Sleaford; these two brothers having between them no less than 23 stewardships for religious houses, that post being one of no small emolument.

Nothing now remains of the Priory itself, beyond some stone coffins lying close to the north wall of the parish church, which were found to the west of the Abbey Farm house. There remained, however, until 1846, when they were removed to give space for the present farm buildings, a postern gate, and the east end of the Priory chapel [197] with a window of the date of Edwd. III.; under the arch of the gateway were the arms of the Leake family of Lincolnshire carved on a truss of wood, “Argent a chief, gules, over all a bend engrailed, azure.” A rough sketch of these remains by Mr. Willson, architect, is in the possession the lord of the manor and from it a sketch is given by the Rev. J. A. Penny, late Vicar, in vol. iii., of “Linc. N. & Q.” p. 161. The moat round the Priory enclosed an area of about 4 acres, and was connected with the Witham, about three-quarters of a mile distant, doubtless for the conveyance of goods to the monastery, as well as for the renewal of the moat water, and that of the stew ponds, a matter of some importance where a supply of fish was required for the “fasting” diet of “the religious.”

We now proceed to a description of the church, dedicated to St. Peter, which possesses features of more than usual interest. This was rebuilt in 1831, the architect being Mr. W. A. Nicholson, of Lincoln.

The former building was on the same site as the present, but larger. Wilson (architect, of Lincoln), in a MS. collection of churches (vol. ii., p. 87), has the following notes on the p. 198earlier fabric:—“Stixwould, spacious; has been elegant, full of curious remnants; style, Edwd. VI. or Henry VIII.; tower very handsome, but much decayed, the walls being built of soft-grained stone (i.e., the usual ‘Spilsby’ sandstone). Interior has been very beautiful, lofty pointed arches, roof of nave and south aisle supported on rich carved figures of angels, with shields, etc.; windows full of scattered remnants of beautiful stained glass; old oak desks and benches with carved (finials); curious font; upper end of south aisle inclosed by two screens of oak, mutilated, but exquisitely rich and elegant; this is called ‘the little choir,’ and belongs to Halstead Hall in Stixwould; choir screen very lofty, with front of rood-loft over it, painted with Ten Commandments, in ‘black letter’; choir same date as nave; east window spoilt; some ancient slabs, one of two children of the Welby family (this is now lost) in the little choir; both aisles have had altars; two bells; curious stone, with letters like a clock face, in front of tower [198] (N.B.—This was removed some years ago, to Newport, Lincoln, but has been seen at Stixwould by the present writer). Base and part of pillar of churchyard cross remain; Mr. Turnor (lord of the manor), took some painted glass from the church ‘to the Hall at Stoke Rochford’.” So far, Mr. Willson. We may add that the panels of the pulpit of Lea Church, 12 miles beyond Lincoln, were taken from Stixwould.

As to the present fabric, I have been favoured with the following observations by the Rev. J. Alpass Penny, Vicar of Wispington, formerly of Stixwould. The church consists of nave, chancel, and a good tower containing two bells; one of these being exactly the same as that in the Guildhall at Lincoln, with date 1370, dedicated to “St. Katrine,” with Nottingham foundry mark, founder’s initials, and merchant’s mark. The pinnacles and figures on the tower are from the former tower; the choir screen, now only one third of the original, consists of three equal-sized bays, the central one forming a doorway; and has been pronounced by Dr. F. Mansel Sympson (“Architectural S. Journal,” 1890, p. 211) to be “of excellent work;” it has however, p. 199been recently removed, by the late vicar (in 1899), from the chancel arch to its eastern wall, and now forms a rather elegant reredos. The chancel was enlarged, and the nave reseated, in 1864. The stone slab in the nave floor, nearest to the Chancel arch, of date 1722, is in memory of a Boulton, who, as well as his ancestors for several generations, resided at the Abbey Farm house: he stabbed his mother to death in the little chapel outside the Priory gate, no longer existing. [199] The stone figure-heads and angels within the church belonged to the former edifice, as did also the bench ends south of the nave. The royal arms, with date 1662, formerly in the church, are now in a wall of the entrance hall at the Abbey Farm house; and the holy water stoup is now under the pump in the school yard. There is a fine slab, with cross, lying outside the tower, which was dug up on the site of the Priory, also a stone coffin; other fragments were found in the vicarage garden. The font is octagonal, divided into panels by rich pinnacles with lions and flowers, the panels bearing four quaintly-cut emblems of the Evangelists, with names in black letter, but now very indistinct; the figures between them being a monk, seated in chair, and holding Y in his hand, representing January; next, a man with arms akimbo, facing east, meaning February; next, a friar, for March; and next, a man in flat cap with sword, holding a rose in his left hand, and his right resting on his belt, for April. This curious font is engraved, in outline, by James Sandly Padley, in his work “Selections from the Ancient Monastic, Ecclesiastical, and Domestic Edifices of Lincolnshire.” Waterlow, 1851.

The register dates from 1543. In a parish book are some curious items between 1624 and 1629, or the early years of the reign of Charles I. These shew that the parish overseers “held the artillery in charges,” also the “town musket and knapsack.” The military forces were at that time a sort of militia, maintained by local rates, and every parish contributed towards it, in money, arms, and accoutrements. Probably these contributions were sometimes p. 200compounded for by a lump payment, as we here find mention of a sum being paid “for excusing of the town” from its liability. There is also mention of alms being given to certain persons who had been taken prisoners “by the Dunkirkers” i.e., the Dunkirk privateers. This, however, must belong to a rather later date, since the English and Dutch were in conflict at Dunkirk in 1635, and Dunkirk was taken by the French and English from the Spaniards, and finally handed over to England, in the last year of Cromwell’s administration, June, 1658.

Mention is also made of the payment of “dog-whippers,” officials who drove dogs out of the church at the time of service. In some churches in Wales the whips are still to be seen. Another item is the payment of “dyke-reeve,” a very useful official in parishes in, or bordering on, the fens, where inundations were only to be avoided by keeping the “dykes and meres” in proper order.

We are enabled to give here a list of the vicars of Stixwould from A.D. 1425 to the present time, except for an interval of about 70 years, through the researches of Mr. Gibbon, author of “Early Lincolnshire Wills.” Thomas Lane, 1425–1440; Giles Storror, 1440–1472; John Shadworth, 1472–1482; Thomas Tymson, 1482–1485; Alexander Anyson, 1485–1502; John Aby, 1502–1520; John Robynson, 1520–1530; John Oregower, 1530. Down to this date, all appointments had been made by the Lady Prioress; and there is a gap in Mr. Gibbon’s list till 1603. We are, however, able partly, if not entirely, to fill up the gap, since we find that in 1548, Thomas Wilson, clerk, S.T.B., was presented by Edmund Dighton, of Donington (kinsman, doubtless, of Robert Dighton, to whom the Priory estates were granted by Henry VIII. on the Dissolution), “this turn of advowson being given by the late Prioress and convent of B.V.” (Institutions to Benefices, “Architectural Journal,” 1898, p. 476, No. 328). Also, in a List of Institutions in the 16th century, without date, but among several others in the middle of that century (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. vi., No. 45, p. 10), we find John Cressie, clerk, appointed by Thomas Disney, of Carlton-in-Moreland, gentleman, by grant of the Prioress to him and others, vacant by resignation of John Boysworth, and these three nominations may well have embraced the 70 years. The next vicar was probably Richard Travisse, who is mentioned in Mr. Gibbon’s list as signing, in 1603, p. 201a bequest (and therefore, we may assume, near the close of his vicariate) of “xls.”, the interest to be used “for the benefit of the poor, and church, of Stixwould.” He was succeeded by Thomas Burton, buried October 21st, 1617. Then followed Francis Bowman, vicar in 1618; Richard Skiggs, 1648; John Skelton, 1665: a note here states that from 1677 to 1704, being in the time of Mr. Fox, vicar, the registers were all on loose papers, and were lost by W. Reading, vicar. (This Thomas Fox was appointed by Sir John Coventry, K.B., in 1685). He was succeeded by William Reading, just named; who was followed by Anthony Baker, appointed by Lord Anson, 1753; George Blennerhaysett (also vicar of Saxilby) was appointed by Thomas Anson in 1767; Bernard Cracroft (also vicar of Bardney) was the first nominee of Edmund Turnor, of Panton, in 1778; William Mounsey, 1802; Washbourn Uvedale, 1832, who died within the year; William Gurdon Moore, 1833; John Francis Wray, 1839; John Woodlands Watkin, 1852; William Lush, 1870; William Bennett, 1881; J. A. Penny, 1888; A. R. Wilson, 1896; James Bryan Turner, 1901.

We now proceed to treat of the Halstead Hall estate, in this parish, formerly a distinct lordship. The earliest mention we can find of this as a separate manor, is in the 13th century, a deed of that period naming Roger, son of Roger de Stixwould, and Sir Theobald de Stykeswald, knight: this Theobald also witnessed a deed as “Dominus Theobaldus de Halstead,” May 22nd, 1281. (“Linc. N. & Q.” 1897, p. 82). Their grandfather would appear to have been the Roger de Stixwould who, with Gerard de Camvill, was sheriff of Lincoln A.D. 1190, and again 1192–1193. In the survey of the county, made between 1114 and 1118, Ralph de Stixwould is named as holding 1 carucate and 4 oxgangs (180 acres) in Edlington, under Ranulph de Meschin, Earl of Lincoln, son of the second Lady Lucia, already referred to. We may therefore infer that these four generations, at that early period, resided at Halstead, being designated indifferently “de Stikeswald” or “de Halstead.” We have then to pass over an interval of more than 180 years, when, in 1465, a Richard Welby, of Moulton, names Halstead in his will as part of his property. He was sheriff in 1471, and M.P., 1472. We find a Chancery Inquisition (18 Henry VII., No. 96) held at Spalding, 24 April, 1503, whereby it was shown p. 202that Thomas Welby, who was sheriff in 1492, died October 16, 1497, seised of the manors of Moulton, Freeston, Sutton, Farlesthorpe, and Halstead, besides lands in several other parishes. (“Architectural S. Journal,” 1895, p. 18).

His will was dated Dec. 9, 1493; the executors being Sir Edward Borough, knt., Sir G. Tailbois, knt. (a name, as we have seen, already connected with this parish), and others.

He was succeeded in these possessions by his son and heir, another Thomas Welby. In 1586, Vincent Welby, “of Hawstead” Esq., is mentioned, along with Thomas Dighton, of Waddingworth (another name already mentioned in connection with Stixwould), Sir E. Dymmock, Sir G. Heneage, etc., as contributing “horses and lances” for the defence of the country against the Spanish Armada. (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1894, p. 213). This Vincent Welby was son of the above, second, Thomas Welby, [202] by Dorothy, daughter of Vincent Grantham, of Goltho, near Wragby, and of St. Martin’s Lincoln; a name still surviving in good position in the county. Vincent Welby also subscribed, in 1589, £25 towards the loan for the defence of the country, along with his neighbours, Robert Phillips, of Wispington, Robt. Smithe, of Horsington, Willm. Heneage, of Benington, and others. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 133).

In 1561, March 21st, Richard Welby, of Halstead, was granted the crest of “an arm armed, the hand charnell (i.e., flesh-coloured or ‘proper’) yssving out of a cloud, azure, in a flame of fire,” the arms are “sable a fess, between three fleur de lys, argent,” with six quarterings. This coat of arms is said to have been formerly over a mantelpiece in Halstead Hall, but was removed, several years ago, to Denton Hall. In the year 1561, this Richard Welby, of Halstead, was Sheriff of Lincoln. There are many entries of the Welbys in the parish registers of Stixwould; the last of these occurs in 1598.

p. 203The next who owned, and resided at Halstead, was Richard Evington, who was buried at Stixwould. By his will, dated 22nd January, 1612, he left his lands in Edlington and other places to his two sons, Maurice and Nicholas, and bequeathed the sum of £4 10s. “yearlie, at the discretion of my executors, to the poore of Stixwolde, on the 25th March, and 29th Sept.” This family did not, apparently, long remain at Halstead, since we find entries in the Register of the death of this Richard, 10 March, 1610; and the baptism of Maurice, son of Nicholas Evington, 2 Nov., 1611; and we hear no more of them, another family succeeding, of whom there are the following mentions in the register:—“Mr. George Townshend Esq^r. died att Halstead and was buried att Waddingworth on Wednsdaie night the 13^th of Februarie 1627,” and “Mr. Kirkland Snawden [note the local pronunciation for Snowden] and Mrs. Townsend married the 25^th of December being Christmas daie 1628.” [203] No reason is assigned for the somewhat unusual burial by night (though still occasionally practised), but he was probably a Papist, not entitled to burial in a Protestant churchyard. Notice is specially drawn to the second entry, by a hand with finger extended towards it, sketched in the margin, implying probably some covert allusion. This Kirkland Snowden was a grandson of the Bishop of Carlisle, his father, the Bishop’s son, being Vicar of Horncastle, the rectorship being vested in the Bishop of Carlisle, who had a residence in Horncastle at that time, at the back of the premises now occupied by Messrs. Lunn and Dodson. Mr. George Townshend belonged to the Norfolk family of that name, and left his Manor of Cranworth in that county to his eldest son Thomas. This Kirkland Snowden is elsewhere named Rutland Snowden. Their eldest son, Robert, had a daughter Jane, who married Charles Dymoke of Scrivelsby, and their eldest daughter Abigail, married Edward Dymoke, younger son of Sir Edward Dymoke, 18 July, 1654, and was ancestress of the Tetford branch of the Dymokes, now also (1904) of Scrivelsby.

After this the Gibbon family lived at Halstead, coming from Tealby, and are supposed to have owned it, the baptism of “John Gibon” being registered in 1666. Another owner of Halstead was Sir John Coventry, Bart., p. 204who as before stated, presented to the benefice of Stixwould in 1685. His sister married the 1st Earl of Shaftesbury, who is said to have been entertained more than once with a large retinue at Halstead. Sir John was the subject of various attacks, for using offensive language concerning his eccentric Sovereign, Charles II, asking in Parliament “whether the King’s pleasure lay in the men, or women players” at the theatres; in consequence of which “The Coventry Act” was passed in 1671, making it felony to maim or disfigure a person, and declaring the Sovereign incompetent to pardon such offenders. Halstead, subsequently, became the property of Sir William Kyte, or Keate; then of Lord Anson, and his son Thomas Anson, who presented to the benefice in 1767, and it was in 1778, bought by Edmund Turnor, Esq., of Stoke Rochford. Having been the residence of these various owners of wealth and position, we can hardly doubt that Halstead Hall was formerly much larger then it is at present, and there still remains, as a part of the farm buildings, a lofty structure with stone-framed windows; the walls being of brick, smaller than those of modern times, and relieved by diamond-shaped patterns of black bricks, indicating a care and taste in the style of erection, which would hardly have been bestowed upon a mere barn. It probably dates from the 15th century. [204] The present Hall, probably erected in the 16th century, is a two-storeyed structure; the rooms not large, but lofty, their height on the ground floor being over 10ft, and on the upper floor more than 13ft, with spacious attics above, for stores; the walls are very substantial, being 2½ft. thick; while the windows, with their massive mullions of Ancaster stone, would indicate a much larger building; and foundations of further buildings have, from time to time, been discovered.

In recent times Halstead Hall has been chiefly remarkable for the great robbery, which occurred there on February 2nd, 1829, the details of which are so peculiar that we give them here. The Hall was at that time occupied by the farming tenant, Mr. Wm. Elsey, his wife, and servants. At 8 o’clock in the evening, when the servant p. 205men went out to “supper-up” the horses, they were attacked by seven or eight men, thrown down, their legs tied, and their hands secured behind their backs, and each was left in a separate stall of the stable. The stable door was then locked, and one of the gang was stationed outside to keep watch. The thieves then went to the Hall, and knocked at the back door. One of the servant girls asked who was there; when the answer was given, “Open the door, Betsy.” She did so; when four or five men rushed into the kitchen. One of the maids escaped, and ran to the room where her master and mistress were sitting. Mr. Elsey was smoking his pipe; Mrs. Elsey preparing something for supper. She saved the silver spoon, which she was using, by slipping it into her bosom. Mr. Elsey seized the poker to defend himself; but, on seeing their number, he prudently laid it down. They then rifled his pockets, took his watch and money; also making Mrs. Elsey empty her pockets. They then obliged the two to go into a large closet, locked the door, and tied a hayfork across it. They then collected what plate they could find, to the value of about £30, and £50 in cash; taking also all the silk handkerchiefs they could find. They then ransacked the property, and made a hearty meal. Mrs. Elsey, in her confinement close by, complained to them that she was very cold, and begged them to let her out to get to the fire. Accordingly, one of them brought her out to the fire; but seeing that she was noticing them, he ordered her to go into the closet again, giving her some of the overcoats, which were hanging in the passage near. When they had got all they wanted, they compelled Mr. Elsey to go upstairs, one walking before him, and another behind, each holding a pistol. They then obliged Mrs. Elsey to follow him. Having locked up the two once more in the closet, the marauders went off with their plunder, wishing them good night, and saying that, if any alarm was given, they would return to retaliate. About two hours afterwards, Mr. Elsey, with the aid of a knife and small hammer, succeeded in making a hole through the brick wall of the closet, through which one of the maids was able to thrust her arm and set them at liberty. The only article recovered was a plated coffee-pot found in Halstead wood, which the thieves had thrown away. The footpath, outside this wood, passes near a farmhouse, and the farmer named Sleight, heard the voices of the p. 206thieves as they went by in the night; and some of them were found drunk by the roadside next morning. An old woman still alive (1904), and aged 93, has told the writer that she remembers this robbery well; that two of the robbers were hanged together at Lincoln, with a sheep-stealer “Bill Clarke,” the last time that offence was punished by hanging; these two were known as “Lister,” (others say “Tippler,”) and “Tiger Tom”; [206a] the latter was a desperate character, and it was thought that no one would take him; but two men, powerfully built and fearless, David English of Hameringham, and a keeper named Bullivant, were set to the task, and they succeeded in running their men down at “The Bungalow,” a small public house on the bank of the Witham at Boston. [206b] Of the last hanged it is said, that he was such a bad character, that his own mother foretold that he would “die in his shoes,” and that, on the scaffold, he shook off his shoes, in order to falsify her prediction. One of them, who was transported for life, leagued with two other criminals on board the same vessel, and the three were caught in the act of attempting to scuttle the ship, and were afterwards thrown overboard. As a tinge of romance not uncommonly has attended daring exploits of this character, it was remarked at the time that Italian banditti could hardly have planned the robbery more cleverly, or carried it out with more deliberate courage. Some mystery seemed to hang about the apparent leader of the party, whose p. 207demeanour was said to be above that of his temporary position; and one of them, Timothy Brammar, was exalted into a hero, by being celebrated in a ballad.

There are some rather singular field-names in this parish; as “Bull-pingle,” to the east, one field from the road to Horsington; “pingle” being a Lincolnshire word for a small inclosure (Brogden’s “Provincial Words.”) “The Devil’s Parlour” is a triangular field, abutting on “The Monk’s Drain,” adjoining the Bull-pingle. “The Coulter Cast” adjoins Poolham Ings; it is a narrow strip, probably difficult to plough; hence the names adjoining this, are the “High” and “Low” “Priest’s Fields.” All these fields are in the Halstead manor. In Stixwould proper, is “The Field,” par excellence, probably one of the earliest clearings, and so named to distinguish it from the “Wood,” or “Would,” the “Field,” was where the trees had been “felled;” then there are the “Warren Field,” “The Sykes,” “Hemp-yard,” the “Town Close,” probably where the villeins had right of common pastures. “Coney-Green,” like the “Warren Field,” has a reference to the rabbits, being the term used in Norman law, for warren, although in some cases, like the “Coney-Garth,” at Bardney, or “Coney-Green,” at Edlington, it means, probably, the “King’s Enclosure.” Such names as “Steer Piece,” “Ewes Walk,” “Sheep-cote Lane” (i.e., Sheep Bank Lane,) and “Cow Legs,” speak for themselves. There is also the “Mill Field,” although there is no tradition of a mill having existed; possibly there may have been a mill in connection with the drainage. At the junction of the three roads, east of the village, the Roman “Trivium,” formerly stood, what to the rustic offender was no “trivial” matter, the village stocks, doubtless with the usually concomitant “whipping post.” These stood on what was called “The Town Mound,” which was levelled about the middle of the last century, and is now only represented by a triangular plot of sward.

Near the Witham, in a field south of the road to the ferry, the Rev. J. A. Penny, late vicar, found fragments of mediæval pottery, pieces of “puzzle jugs,” the neck of a “pilgrim’s bottle,” &c., all of which the late Sir Augustus Franks, of the British Museum, pronounced to be Cistercian ware, being only found where Cistercian houses have existed.

p. 208In the church of St. Andrew, Woodhall Spa, is a sepulchral stone, having a rather rudely-carved effigy of a lady, in the attitude of prayer, holding a book between her hands. This now supports the credence table, but it was taken from Stixwould priory, and is commonly supposed to have represented the Lady Prioress, or the Lady Lucia, the foundress; the latter, however, was buried at Spalding, and would therefore hardly have an effigy at Stixwould.

Stourton.

Stourton, called Stourton Magna, or Great Stourton, to distinguish it from Stourton Parva, the hamlet included in Baumber, is rather more than a mile, northward, beyond Baumber, and five miles from Horncastle. This was formerly the property, a sheep-walk, of the Premonstratensian Abbey of St. Mary, of Tupholme, founded by Robert de Nova Villa or Nevill, in the twentieth year of Henry III. (“Liber Regis,” Bacon’s ed. 1786, p. 424). Dugdale states that he held the lands of the king in capite, from the time of the Conquest, with which he endowed that monastery. (“Monasticon,” vol. ii., 596.) Land in this parish was also granted by the Conqueror, to Eudo, son of Spirewick, the founder of the Tattershall family. He held five carucates, or about six hundred acres, beside a mill, and 190 acres of meadow. The powerful Bishop of Durham, William de Karilepho, who was Lord Chief Justice under the Conqueror, had also a grant of land in this parish, as also had Odo, Bishop of Baieaux, and his vassal, Ilbert, occupied one carucate, or 120 acres, with villeins, bordars, and socmen under him, occupying 480 more acres. The Saxon thane Grinchel also had here 360 acres, valued in King Edward’s time at 40s.

In the reign of Henry VIII. the family of Dighton, though of mercantile origin at Lincoln, ancestors having been mayors and sheriffs of that city, were landed proprietors in this neighbourhood, one of them, Thomas, residing at Waddingworth; but the head of the family was Robert Dighton, of Stourton Magna, he married Joyce, daughter and heiress of William St. Paul, of Snarford, which family became extinct on the death of Sir George St. Paul, Bart., in 1613. Robert of Stourton, along with p. 209members of the Heneage, Dymoke, Monson, Hussey, and very many other leading county families, took part in the Lincolnshire rising, to protest against the dissolution of the monasteries. A daughter of Thomas Dighton, of Stourton, married Edward Clinton, of Baumber, who subsequently became Earl of Lincoln. [209] The residence of the Dightons, traces of which still remain in the moats and mounds, was situated on land now belonging to W. H. Trafford, Esq., in what is now a grass field, about a mile to the west of the present Stourton Hall park and plantations, lying between the road, on the north, from Stourton Magna to Minting and Bardney, and, on the south, the main Baumber, or Horncastle and Lincoln, old Roman highway. It must have been a building of some considerable size; the moat, which enclosed nearly a square, the sides, just under 100 yards long, is distinctly traceable, the whole of the surface of the inclosure is covered with mounds or depressions; there is an apparent opening in the middle of the south-western side, and outside, to the south, are traces of a large stew-pond, E-shaped, in length thirty-six yards, by thirty broad, with a small pond, or reservoir behind it. A modern drain has been made on this south-west side, probably to draw the water off the moat, as these moats and ponds were periodically cleaned out. A footpath, forming a short cut between the above-named two roads, passes east of these remains, so that they can be easily approached and inspected. This path branches off from the Horncastle and Lincoln high road, at a gate nearly opposite some cottages named the “Hungrum Houses”. Sturton is believed to have been a Roman station. It is close to the old road from Horncastle to Caistor, both Roman towns.

The church, dedicated to All Saints, although a heterogeneous mixture of a variety of styles, and for many years in a dilapidated condition, has some very interesting features. The vicar, the Rev. F. M. Blakiston, following up the efforts of his predecessor, the Rev. E. B. Bland, is now (1904) raising money to restore the fabric, and with Mr. J. T. Micklethwaite, as architect, the result will doubtless be a creditable structure. The cost of complete renovation is estimated at close upon £2,000, so that the p. 210work may probably have to extend over some years. Although the aspect of the church has been one of ruin and desolation, there are traces of the work of seven centuries. Domesday Book mentions a church as existing in Saxon times, but of that, nothing remains. The oldest parts of the present fabric belong to the 12th century. At that time the nave was two-thirds of its present length, and the chancel was narrower. In the 13th century a north aisle, with two arches, and probably a tower, with a third and larger north arch, were added. In the 14th century a new chancel was built, wider and probably longer. Then followed a period of neglect and varied vicissitudes. In the 17th century the chancel was shortened, and the present east wall cuts away part of an eastern sepulchre, in the north chancel wall. The north aisle was taken down probably about this period. The upper part of the tower was removed, probably early in the 19th century, as the bells, three in number, are said to have been sold in 1810. The stones of the tower and aisle were used for building two sides of the churchyard wall. Nothing now remains of the tower, except the string course at the top of the truncated basement, [210] which now forms part of the nave. There are still stones of a Norman arch in the south wall at the back of the modern porch. An original window, small and much dilapidated, remains in the north wall of the chancel, a larger one having been bricked up. There is a priest’s door in the south wall. The westernmost window in the south wall of the nave is a relic of the 14th century, the renovation, being of floriated style, with two lights. In the floor of what was the tower are portions of stone, from the windows of the former aisle, much broken. The rest is modern, as is also the roof of the nave. What is now used as a font is really an old mortar, the old font in Perpendicular style having been, it is said, sold about 40 years ago, and removed to the garden of a p. 211farmhouse in the adjoining parish of Edlington, where it still remains. The furniture of the church is of the 18th century, or later, but there is a good old oak chest. On the western portion of the north wall is a curious fresco, not probably of very ancient date, consisting of a skeleton, and a winged figure rising from a sepulchral monument, which bears an inscription, mostly illegible, “Redeem the time, &c.” The chancel arch, now almost ruinous, is part of the original building; south of it, is a tablet, in memory of “William Settle, Clerk, who departed this life, July 4, 1848, born at Urswick, in the County of Lancaster, graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, aged 82, and 52 years vicar of this parish.” The Settles have a burial vault in the churchyard. The register dates from 1679. The name of William Vaux appears as vicar, from 1690 to 1719. One entry is as follows:—“Margaret Vaux the 21st child of William Vaux and Elizabeth his wife was baptized y^e 23 of October 1718,” and shortly after, follows, in a different hand, “Mr. William Vaux, vicar, buryed May ye 30, 1719.” The family would seem to have continued to reside in the parish, for we find recorded the burial of Mary Vaux, February 19, 1720; that of Margaret Vaux, September 3rd, 1721; and that of Elizabeth Vaux, “January ye 10, 1755.” Of the rest of the numerous progeny of this fruitful couple no traces remain.

A small hamlet in this parish is named Lowthorpe, probably from its position; while a farm, belonging to Mr. Robert Harrison, of Horncastle, who is Lay-Rector, is named “Sturton Stoup” farm. This name, however, has no connection with the “Stoup,” or holy-water vessel of the church; but “Stoup” is a Lincolnshire word, meaning a post, or stake. The farmhouse was, within recent years, a wayside inn, called “The Stoup”; and the “stoup” was a post, or stake, planted in the middle of an adjoining green lane to prevent its being used as a thoroughfare. The parish was inclosed in 1778.

The benefice of Stourton was formerly in the patronage of the Crown, and there was a Vicarage house, standing in its own grounds, in what is now an open field, south of the churchyard. This was demolished many years ago. The Vicarage was united to that of Baumber, in the patronage of the Duke of Newcastle, about the year 1870, the consolidated benefices being now in the gift of the Lord p. 212Chancellor. They had, however, been held together by at least three previous incumbents. The communion plate is old, although only the chalice bears a date, 1648.

Tetford.

Tetford, which adjoins Belchford, lies to the north-east of Horncastle, at a distance of about 7 miles; though a village with a population under 500, it almost aspires to the rank of a small town, as it possesses more than one street; has several shops, and a number of fair residences. Letters via Horncastle, arrive at 10 a.m. At the date of Domesday Book, it was one of the limited number of parishes which then possessed a church. Saxon thanes, by name Elmer, Arnwi and Britrod, held lands here. Thomas, Archbishop of York, formerly a Canon of Baieux, in Normandy, and one of the Conqueror’s Chaplains, received a grant of land here from his Sovereign; and we find his vassal, Gilbert, occupying under him two carucates with eight villeins and seven socmen, who had two more carucates (240 acres) among them. The Norman Gozelin, son of Lanbert, also held land here, which was occupied by his vassal, Walter, with five socmen, and three villeins. At a later date (13th century) the family of De Hesele were proprietors in Tetford, and benefactors to the church, also presenting to the benefice of Somersby, as well as to that of Tetford (“Linc. N. & Q.” 1894–5, pp. 228–29). Then we find the Cormayles family holding lands here, and presenting to Somersby. The Crevequers, and the Brayboeufs had the presentation to a chapelry here, of St. Bartholomew, besides owning land. After them followed the Barkworths, and to them succeeded the Thimbelbies. In the Court of Ward’s Inquisitions (3, 4, and 5, Edwd. VI., vol. v., 91) we find Matthew Thimbleby, who married Anne, daughter of Sir Robert Hussey, about 1521, seised of the advowsons of Tetford and Somersby; and his widow married Sir Robert Savile, Knt., who (through her apparently) was seised (according to Chancery Inquisition, post mort., 28 Eliz., 1st part, No. 116) of the manors of Tetford, Somersby, and several others. Sir Robert disposed of some of the property thus acquired, selling Tetford to George Anton, Esq., through whose p. 213daughter Elizabeth, married to Sir Edward Hussey, the property passed to the Hussey family, whose head, Lord Hussey, of Sleaford, for his treachery at the time of the Lincolnshire Rebellion, was attainted and executed, by Henry VIII. A widow, Elizabeth Hussey, presented to the benefice as late as 1690. For many years a branch of the Dymoke family were located at Tetford, until, under the will of the late Lionel Dymoke, they succeeded to the Scrivelsby property, and removed to Scrivelsby Court. Sir Hugh A. H. Cholmeley is now lord of the manor, but the principal landowners are Meaburn Staniland, Esq., F. S. Dymoke, Esq., the executors of George Westerby, and many small freeholders. There was formerly a Tetford Literary Club, having as its members most of the gentry of the neighbourhood; one of whom, Langhorne Burton, of Somersby, celebrated the association in an amusing poem, of some 200 lines, published in 1772. It is given in Weir’s History, of date 1828. Dr. Samuel Johnson attended the meetings of this club, when visiting the Langtons of Langton Hall; and he is said to have played skittles at the White Hart Inn, in Tetford. There are traces of an ancient encampment in this parish, probably the scene of struggles between Britons and Saxons. It lies between the two main streets, to the south, and on one side is skirted by a beck which forms one of the feeders of the Somersby stream, sung of by Tennyson as “The Brook.” Here, Leland (“Collectanea,” vol. i., pt. 2., p. 509) states that Horsa, brother of Hengist, the Saxon General, was defeated by the Britons, under Raengeires; and the name, like that of Belchford, would seem to be of British origin; “Tat” being a Druid deity, and “fford” meaning a road.

The church, dedicated to St. Mary, is a structure of Spilsby sandstone, of some considerable antiquity, and of larger proportions than most of those in the immediate neighbourhood. For many years it has been in a sadly neglected condition, although of late it has been somewhat improved. It is capable of being made an edifice fully worthy of divine worship. The Puritan square pews survive for the most part; and a western gallery, or singing loft, now disused. The nave has north and south aisles of three bays, and a clerestory above. These, with the tower, are in the Perpendicular style; the south aisle has some Decorated features; and a lancet window in its p. 214west end, in which a crocheted open canopy has been introduced, tells of a still earlier church. The north aisle was rebuilt on the old foundations in 1826. The chancel arch has a continuous moulding, without capitals. A closed arch in the north chancel walls shews a former chantry on that side. The east window is modern. There are traces in the south aisle indicating a former chantry altar. The font is a plain octagon, the basin relieved by foliage at each angle. On the south wall of the nave is a monument to Captain Edward Dymoke, cousin to Champion Lewis Dymoke, who died 1739; with breastplate and helmet suspended above. There are three other Dymoke tablets; and one to J. Emeris, Fellow of Corpus x^sti. College, Rector, and Head Master of Louth Grammar School. The tower is massive, somewhat low, though well-proportioned. It has small corner pinnacles, and immense gurgoyles. On the right of the doorway, within the west porch, is a stoup, rising from a stone bench. There are three bells; one weighs 1 ton, 1 cwt., 3 qrs., 7 lbs., and has the inscription “Sancta Maria, ora pro nobis”; the second bell weighs 16½ cwts.; the third weighs 11 cwts., cast at Barton, by Harrison. The Sanctus bell stands on the floor. One of these bells is said to have formerly belonged to the church at Fulletby, when there was a larger fabric there than at present. In 1887 a Jubilee clock was put up, by subscription, made by Messrs. Maddison and Blythe, of Horncastle. In 1903 the present rector, the Rev. W. Wood, inaugurated, by a bazaar, a scheme for the much needed restoration of this church, in which, it is to be hoped, he may be successful.

On the south side of the church is the base, and part of the shaft, of a churchyard cross. Upon the former, several shields are cut; one of these, within a quatrefoil panel, bears three bars in pale, four mullets bendwise; and upon another is the same bearing, impaling a cinquefoil, between 6 crosses plain. These were the Thimbleby bearings.

Tetford has been the scene of traditionary witchcraft, the following anecdote having been related by a quondam inhabitant, whose widow still survives. It has some resemblance to the story of the phantom hare at Bolingbroke Castle.

Once upon a time, there lived in Tetford an old woman possessed of magical powers. It was said that she could assume the form of a hare, and, emerging from her cottage p. 215through the “cat hole” in the door, could roam the country round at will. She had a son who was given to poaching. The events on a particular occasion are recorded as follows: “Two men are walking on the road from Somersby to Tetford in the evening; one carries a gun. Just in front a hare passes through the hedge, and comes into the road. “Bang at her, Jack,” says Joe. Jack puts gun to shoulder, and aims, but for some reason, does not fire. He lowers his gun, then tries again, but with the same result. “Dal it, Joe,” says Jack, “I cannot; summat stops me. Tack thou the gun!” Joe seizes the gun, but the hare is, by this time, nearly out of shot. However, he fires, and exclaims, “Its noa goa, she’s hit i’ the leg, but it woant stop her.” They quicken their steps, lest the shot might have attracted a keeper. Jack goes to the cottage where his mother lives, while Joe goes to his home further down the “street.” Jack goes to the pantry and empties a very roomy pocket, inside his fustian coat, of its contents, we will not say what. He brings out a mug of ale, and sits down by the fire, to enjoy it. His mother is sitting on the other side of the fire, rather doubled up in her chair, and with a look of pain on her wrinkled face, “What’s up Mother?” asks Jack. “I’ve a bad pain i’ my leg,” she says, “it came on all of a sudden, a few minutes ago.” “Rub it wi’ some o’ them oils ye’ve got,” says Jack; “Let’s hev supper, and then ye’d better goa to bed.” “I’ve hed my supper,” she says, “ye were so long o’ coming, that I did’nt wait o’ ye, an’ I’ll goa to bed now.” She gets up with difficulty, hobbles across the room, and slowly mounts the “lether” (ladder) to her bedroom. Jack gets his supper, and then goes out to the ale-house not far off, for a final pot, and chat, before “turning in.” There he meets Joe, and they have a pipe together. In the course of conversation Jack says, “Mother’s bad i’ the leg, she was ta’en all of a sudden a little afore I comed hoam.” Joe laughs, and says, “I’d upode it, she’s bewitched hersen, instead of some un else.” Next morning the old woman does not get up. She calls to Jack, he goes to her, “My leg is worser, gie me some tea, and then goa to the wise man at the town an’ ask him what’s the matter wi’ me, for I feel that queer. Get my stocking out o’ yon chest, and I’ll gie thee a crown to gie him for his fee.” To be brief, Jack attends to her wants, gets his breakfast, and walks off some miles to the p. 216neighbouring town. There he has a jug of ale, to refresh him after his walk, and so goes to the wise man. He finds him at home, and tells his errand. The wise man takes him into a back room, tells him to sit down, while he lays out a big book on the table, and opens it at random. Jack cannot read, but he would not be any wiser in this case, if he could, for the page is covered with curious characters, which none but the wise man can read, and a sceptic might suggest that he cannot either. The latter then turns to a cupboard in the corner of the room, opens the door of it, put his head inside, and sotto voce, mumbles something. Having done this for a moment or two, as if conversing with some “familiar spirit” in an unknown tongue, he throws the cupboard door wide open, whereupon out flies a large “bumble-bee,” which circles, buzzing, round the room, and at length settles on the open book. The wise man examines the particular letters, or characters, on which the bee has settled. Having studied them carefully, he says to Jack, “When did your mother first feel the pain?” “Last night,” says Jack,” afore I came home to supper.” “When did you shoot that hare?” asks the wise man. “I did not shoot a hare at all,” replied Jack. The wise man consults the characters again, and then says “No! I see you did not, but it was your gun that shot her.” At this Jack is astonished, and tells the whole particulars. The wise man says, “your good spirit kept you from shooting, because she was your own mother, but your mate shot her with your own gun. Don’t you know that your mother’s a witch, and goes out as a hare whenever she likes? Why, I heard of her running across the road in front of a team of horses, in her form of a hare and they were so scared that they nearly dragged the waggon into a dyke. However,” he adds,” she’ll soon be well again. Here’s the remedy: Catch a hedgehog, take a comb, and with it saw off one of its legs, and tell her to rub her leg well with the hedgehog’s leg, and the pain will soon go.” Jack journeyed home in high spirits, taking a pot or two on the way, by way of self-congratulation; and my informant deponeth that all came about as the wise man foretold.

Outside the boundary of Tetford, to the west, and strictly speaking in the parish of Salmonby, a number of flint arrow-heads have been found on Warlow farm, near a spot named “Warlow Camp.” They are of a trilobite p. 217form, finely chipped, and about one inch in length, three-quarters of an inch broad at base. They belong to the neolithic period; and from the very crisp character of the chipping, it is evident that they have not been used; there was probably a factory of such implements on the spot. Several specimens may be seen at the house of Mr. Westerby, tenant of the farm.

Waddingworth.

Waddingworth is a small village, about 6 miles from Horncastle, in a north-westerly direction, between Gautby and Wispington. The church, dedicated to St. Margaret, is now in a very dilapidated condition. The rectory is held at the present time (1904) by the Rev. L. Dewhurst, along with that of Gautby, where he has a fairly commodious house, with permission from the Bishop to hold only occasional services at Waddingworth Church, as that at Gautby is almost equally convenient for the people of both parishes.

The register dates from 1640, but entries are found in the registers of Baumber, for this parish, from 1695 to 1779. At Bardney is the nearest postal and telegraph office. Letters come via Horncastle. It is altogether a very out-of-the-way spot.

The antiquity of Waddingworth is probably shown in its name, which, according to some, consists of the Saxon “Wodin” (or “Odin”), their God of war (which name also appears in our Wednesday, or Wodin’s day), and the Saxon “worth,” an inclosure, which also appears in several place-names in the neighbourhood, as Benniworth, Faldingworth, Hag-worth-ingham. The last of these names, however, suggests a derivation which I am inclined to think more probable. Divide the name into three elements, and we get wad, or “woad,” a plant greatly valued by the Britons, who dyed their bodies with it (and which name would continue through the Saxon period, as it does still), and “ing,” Saxon for meadow, and “worth,” Saxon for enclosure, the whole meaning an “enclosed field of woad”; enclosed, doubtless, because of the value of the woad. It is still a valuable crop, and frequently mixed with the Indian “Indigo.”

p. 218The earliest actual mention of Waddingworth is in Domesday Book, in which there are two references to it. In one of these we are told that the Conqueror gave part of the parish to the proud and powerful Bishop of Durham, William de Karilepho, A.D. 1082, who was also Chief Justice of England. There were 4 carucates of land, i.e., 480 acres, rateable to gelt (a very small tax), the whole being 6 carucates, or 720 acres, with 20 acres of meadow (“ings”) and 25 acres of underwood. The other notice is that the same amount of land was given by the Conqueror to one of his distinguished Norman soldiers, Eudo the son of Spirewic. Eudo, it will be remembered, was a comrade in arms of Pinco, the latter of whom acquired large property in the neighbourhood of Spilsby, and his descendants eventually became the Lords Willoughby d’ Eresby (i.e., Spilsby). Eudo received the manor of Tattershall and several others, one of these being a moiety of Waddingworth. He was the founder of Kirkstead Abbey, which he richly endowed. This leads to a curious coincidence. Dr. Oliver, the learned writer of “The Religious Houses on the Witham,” mentions that among the possessions of Tupholme Abbey were lands in Waddingworth. What more natural than that, in days when spending one’s wealth on so-called religious works was a passport to heaven for the giver, and for his forefathers or his descendants, Eudo should have devoted some of his wealth to the Religious House at Tupholme, as well as to the Religious House at Kirkstead? Tupholme was founded by two brothers, Alan and Gilbert de Nevil, in 1160, Kirkstead was founded 1139. At the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII. seized monastic property, and this is why we find the King as Patron of Waddingworth in “Liber Regis,” and also in much later authorities. It is, indeed, now in the patronage of the Lord Chancellor, as representing the crown. The Conqueror seized it by the right of conquest; Henry VIII. seized it as the plunderer of monasteries. This carries us down to nearly the middle of the 16th century. There were, however, other small proprietors who owned land, besides these two prominent parties. At an early period, there is a “Final Concord,” so called, or agreement, of the 13th century, as follows:—“On October 19, A.D. 1200, Petronilla, the widow of Richard de Waddingworth, claimed of Robert de Waddingworth, tenant of a 3rd part, p. 219viz., 20 oxgangs (or 300 acres), with 6 tofts, in Waddingworth, besides lands in Bucknall and Horsington, as her dower, given to her by her late husband, the said Richard; and Robert surrendered all claim to the lands in favour of the said Petronilla for her life, for which Petronilla gave him 2½ marks.” After the dissolution of the monasteries, though the crown retained the patronage of the benefice, the land seems to have passed into several other hands. In 1559, Roger Fulstow, of Waddingworth, claimed of his sovereign, Queen Elizabeth, protection against the outrages committed by the mad Earl of Lincoln, who lived at Tattershall; and was well known for his violent proceedings towards the Saviles of Poolham, and others. [219a] He (Fulstow) was afterwards sent on an embassy to the Landgrave of Hesse. Macaulay, the historian, says that a Fulstow, of Waddingworth, incurred the displeasure of Henry VIII., and was punished, though he does not say how. This was probably the same man earlier in life, and the employment of him, by Elizabeth, shows that, having annoyed the father, he recovered the favour of the daughter. But even earlier than this, Thomas Dighton, of Waddingworth, gent. (son of Edmund Dighton, and grandson of Robert Dighton, lord of the manor of Stourton) was intimate with the Dymokes, and was visiting at Scrivelsby Court at the time of the “Lincolnshire Rising,” against Henry VIII. (otherwise called the Pilgrimage of Grace), in 1536, which led to the merry monarch pronouncing his well-known criticism on the men of Lincolnshire, that they were “the most beastly in all the realm.” These Dightons came of a mercantile stock in Lincoln, where they were Mayors and Sheriffs, and amassed large fortunes. One of them, Robert, of Stourton, married Joyce [219b] St. Paul (or vulgarly Sampoole), daughter and heiress of William St. Paul of Snarford, who was also involved in the Rising aforesaid; the chief member of the family being Sir George St. Paul, who died childless in 1614, when, with him, the family became extinct. p. 220In the lists of those gentry who contributed to the defence of the country, when the Spanish Armada was expected, are the names of G. St. Paul, who contributed “1 lance, and 2 light horse”; while Thomas Dighton, of Waddingworth, of that day, contributed also 1 lance, and 1 light horse. In the year 1546, Robert Hoberthorn, a native of Waddingworth, became Lord Mayor of London (“Weir’s History,” vol. i., p. 313.) We have an early presentation to the Benefice of Waddingworth, in John Smith, clerk, appointed by Queen Elizabeth to the Rectory, vacant by the resignation of Thomas Rumney; this institution took place in 1563. [220a] This notice implies a good deal more than it contains to the uninitiated. Thomas Rumney had doubtless to resign, or rather was expelled from his living by “the bloody” Queen Mary, because he was a Protestant, and the living, like many others, remained for some years vacant, until the Protestant Queen Elizabeth, succeeding her sister Mary, had time to look about her, and she in 1562 filled the vacancy by instituting John Smith.

In the Stixwould Register there is an entry relating to Waddingworth, stating that Mr. George Townshend died at Halstead Hall, and was buried at Waddingworth “on Wensdaie night, the 13 of February, 1627.” The cause of this is supposed to have been, that he was a Romanist, and therefore could not legally be buried at a Protestant place of worship. Mr. Rutland Snowden, and Mrs. Frances Townshend, were married “the 25 December, being Christmas daie, 1628.” This looks rather as if, after a year’s delay after the death of Mr. G. Townshend, to be respectable, Mrs. Townshend, his widow, married Mr. Rutland Snowden. [220b] I find another record that Mr. George Townshend of Halstead Hall, by will, dated 1627 (he evidently dying rather suddenly) left his land in Waddingworth to his second son, George, the executor being Nicholas Larke, parson of Waddingworth. This Mrs. Townshend was the widow of an Evington of Halstead Hall, so that she had three husbands, Rutland Snowden being the last, and by him she had several children. He p. 221was the son of the Bishop of Carlisle. They lived, it is recorded, at Horncastle, as they naturally would do, the Bishop being then officially the Lord of the Manor of Horncastle, having his episcopal residence near the present manor house. He was buried at Horncastle in 1654, and his wife in 1658. Richard Evington, of Halstead Hall, according to an old record, on his death in 1612, left 40s. to Abdeel and Joel Larke, sons of the above-named Mr. Nicholas Larke, parson, of Waddingworth. The will of George Snowdon, of Waddingworth, was proved in 1704. He left his lands in Waddingworth and Horsington to his nephew, Edward Dymoke, of Lincoln, gentleman, and to his heirs. It is not clear who this George Snowdon was, but Jane Snowden, granddaughter of Rutland and Frances Snowden, married Charles Dymoke, of Scrivelsby, and died childless in 1743; and Abigail Snowden, daughter of the same Rutland and Frances Snowden, married Edward Dymoke, younger son of Sir Edward Dymoke, of Scrivelsby, from whom sprang the Tetford branch, who now hold the property of Scrivelsby and the Championship; and so Waddingworth passed to the Dymokes. There is still a tablet in the church of Waddingworth referring to these parties. It is a slab of black marble in the pavement, in the centre of the nave, and runs as follows:—“Here lyes ye body of Edward Dymoke, Esq., son of Edward Dymoke, of Tumby, in the County of Lincoln, Esq., grandson of the Hon^ble. Sir Edward Dymoke, Champion of England. He married Mary, daughter and co-heiress of John Lodington, Esq., [221] relict of Captain Booth, of Market Rasen, in the county of Lincoln, and died April 29, A.D. 1729, aged 78 years, leaving Jane, his only surviving daughter and heir, married to Edward Southwell, Esq. of Wisbeach, in the county of Cambridge. Here also lies interred Abigail, daughter of the said Edward Dymoke and Mary his wife, who died March 22nd, A.D. 1708, aged 17 years.” Above this inscription are the crest, a sword and mantle, and on the shield, two lions, crowned, passant. In course of time the manor passed, through the above marriage, to Edward Southwell, of the Trafford Southwell family, who now live at Wroxham, in Norfolk, and who, with the Vyners of Gautby, own the parish.

p. 222The old Manor House, or Hall, stood in the centre of the parish, and was at one time occupied by the Calthrop family, until they removed to West Ashby Manor, near Horncastle; the last of them residing there is remembered by the present writer, and there is a memorial in Ashby Church of Richard Calthrop, an officer who fell during the siege of Algiers. John Calthrop afterwards removed to Stanhoe Hall, in Norfolk. The old Hall of Waddingworth was a ruin 60 years ago, and afterwards pulled down. The outline of it can still be traced. The interesting old Rectory, of mud and stud, still survives as a cottage, to the north of the churchyard. There is an inverted base of a churchyard cross still remaining on the south side of the Church. Over the west door, which is of the Perpendicular style, but sadly dilapidated, is a reticulated window, and above that, let into the wall, is an Early English tombstone, or, more probably, a “consecration cross,” carved as a “cross flory,” in heraldic phrase.

It is recorded that some ancient armour was some years ago found in a cottage in the parish, consisting of the helmet, breast-plate, back-piece, and gorget of a cavalier, probably a fugitive from the battle of Winceby.

The Church, although now so dilapidated, was rebuilt in 1808, the previous edifice having been a much handsomer and larger structure.

There was a very remarkable case of robbery, which occurred near this parish, on January 2nd, 1841, and which is recorded in the “Stamford Mercury,” of March 12th, of that year, with which we may fitly close our records of Waddingworth.

Mr. James Turner, a considerable farmer, of Waddingworth, declared, on his own public affidavit, that he was attacked by robbers when riding home from Horncastle market, for, be it remembered, gigs were then little used; men rode to and from market, and carried their wives behind them on pillions (as the present writer has frequently seen, as a boy). To use Mr. Turner’s words, he said, “When I had proceeded a quarter-of-a-mile through the village of Thimbleby (which he needs must pass), a little after 6 o’clock, p.m., I observed three men, walking in the middle of the road, about 100 yards before me. I was riding at a canter, as it was moonlight. Two of the men walked in the ‘ruts,’ on either side, and one in the middle. He was a little behind the others, and he remained so, till p. 223I nearly rode over him. I tried to turn out of the road, to avoid him, but I then found he had seized my horse by the rein. The two men said ‘good night,’ and I replied to the same effect. I then said to the man, ‘What! Are you going to rob me?’ He made no reply, and I struck him with my stick on the head. The mare I was riding then began to plunge, and the other two took hold of me, and dragged me from my saddle. I lit on my feet, but the mare got away. I struggled with the men, and got away from them. The two stood on my left, and as I saw the third coming in on my right, I struck at him, and he for the moment gave way, but then, supported by the others, he again sprang at me, and seized me by the collar (which in those days were large). The three then threw me to the ground, and placed a stick across my throat, and so kept me down. They hurt me considerably, but I lifted the stick across my throat to my chin, which was much bruised. They then tore my waistcoat open and took from my pocket a book containing blank cheques and memorandums, and my game license. On this, they began muttering among themselves, and the one who first attacked me, said, ‘Where’s your money?’ I threw myself, as much as I could, on one side, to protect my ‘fob,’ but they tore my breeches open, and took from my right-hand pocket two canvas purses, in one of which I had two notes and some silver, and in the other £5 in gold. They took all this, and an old-fashioned silver watch, and some loose coins besides. I begged them not to murder me. They took from my mackintosh a small bundle and threw it on the road, which contained my banking book and memorandum book, both of which I subsequently recovered. They then struck, or kicked, me violently in the ribs, and ran through a gate into a field, towards Edlington.”

Mr. Turner testified to his recognising the men, as it was a moonlight night, and he had seen one of them before, in Bucknall, an almost adjoining parish. Further evidence was very strong against them. Anne Dawson, whose husband kept the “Nag’s Head” Inn, at Bardney, proved that, earlier on the same day, three men had called at the Inn, for refreshment, and took the road for Thimbleby. Joseph Aukland also testified that, in returning from Horncastle market, the same evening, he saw the men only a few yards from the spot, before the robbery took place. p. 224At the “Ram” Inn, at Stourton, three men called about 8.30 p.m., to have some ale, for which they paid, apparently (as was noticed) having plenty of money, and asked their way to Market Rasen. On the next morning, Sunday, at 7.30 a.m., one of them entered the “White Hart,” the leading hotel in Rasen, and had refreshment. Later, two of them called at a shop at Glentham, and produced two £5 notes (such as were stolen). They were then on their way to Gainsborough. They subsequently went to the “Dog and Gun” Inn at that place, and the landlord changed a £5 note for them, and a Mrs. Watson another of the same value. One of them, next day, bought a new coat at Gainsborough, for £4 13s.; one prisoner was taken at Lynn, in Norfolk, wearing the said coat; and the others were subsequently captured, where is not stated. The Judge pronounced the evidence to be most decisive, and the sentence was “Transportation for Life.” The victim of this outrage arrived at his home late that night, in rather a sorry plight. I think readers of this account will agree that Mr. James Turner made a very brave stand against such odds. He must have been a powerful man, as his son, Mr. Jabez Turner, certainly was in his day. I have myself been inside the house, for refreshment, of Mr. James Turner when shooting on the farm, but the robbery took place before I was old enough to carry a gun. So end our annals of Waddingworth, with not the least stirring incident in its history.

Winceby.

Winceby is situated about five miles south-east of Horncastle, on the way to Old Bolingbroke. It is approached by a good road, but leading up and down hills so steep as to render travelling slow, either for man or beast. The village itself stands on high ground commanding very extensive views; the church of West Keal being a conspicuous object to the east; the lofty tower of Boston looming in the distance, southward, many miles away; Tattershall Castle and Church, the churches of Coningsby, Heckington, and others in the Sleaford direction being also visible, beyond the extensive tracts of fen barred by woods, which intervene; while, on a clear day, the p. 225prospect extends across the Wash to the low-lying coast of Norfolk. Northward stretches a tract, less extensive, of varied, undulating ground, with the wooded heights of Warden Hill, Brinkhill, &c., forming the distant elevated horizon. In early spring, or on a bright autumnal day, it would be difficult to find a wider range of view, or more varied colouring, to please the eye. The parish is small, being but little more than 800 acres in extent, comprised in one large farm, the homestead of which, a large, lofty, and somewhat bleak-looking house, occupied by Mr. Edwd. Patchett, forms, with its surrounding buildings and well-filled stackyard, a prominent feature. Yet this humble village has had its associations in the past of more than ordinary interest.

There are few parishes which have not some tradition connected with the supernatural; and here, on the left of the road to Winceby, in a hollow in Slash Lane, about half-a-mile before reaching the village, there stood until recent years a large boulder in the field close by. It was supposed to cover hidden treasure, and various attempts were made at different times to remove it, sometimes with six, or even eight horses. At one of these attempts, his Satanic Majesty, having been invoked by the local title of “Old Lad,” appeared, it is said, in person, whereupon the stone fell back, upsetting the horses. On another occasion a black mouse, probably the same Being incarnate, in another form (compare assistance rendered by a black mouse to the devil, in Goethe’s Faust), ran over the gearing of the horses, with a similar result. Eventually, as a last resort, to break the spell, the boulder was buried, and now no trace of boulder, black mouse, or Satan’s (Linc. “Samuel’s”) foot-print remains.

Domesday Book records that the Saxon Agemund held lands here, and in the adjoining Claxby Pluckacre; and that Walter, a vassal of the wealthy Norman Gozelin, also held land and a mill of the yearly value of 4s., while the still more powerful Norman, Hugh de Abrincis (Avranches, in France), Earl of Chester, also received a grant of land in this parish from his uncle, William the Conqueror. Of this “Baron bold,” we may observe, in passing, that he acquired the surname of Lupus, or “the wolf,” from his many daring deeds. In addition to almost the whole of the county of Chester, which gave him his title, he held about 20 manors in Lincolnshire, 22 in Leicestershire, p. 22612 in Norfolk, 32 in Suffolk, besides several more in other counties. Indeed, so large were his possessions, and so great his power, that the terms of the royal grant to him stated that he held his properties, not “de capite,” or “in chief,” of the Sovereign, as was almost universally the case, but “tam libere ad gladium, sicut Rex ipse tenebat Angliam ad coronam,” i.e., as freely by his sword, as the King did by his crown. It is recorded of him, that he founded and endowed several monasteries, in England, and elsewhere, “for the good and salvation of his soul”; and it is näively added, that “if a tithe of that be true which is related of him by the Chronicler, Ordericus Vitalis (p. 787), he had needs enough to make some such amends for his doings.” He, however, seems, in his latter days, to have attained to a proper sense of his actions, since he closed his career, after a long illness, by adopting the tonsure, as a monk of the Abbey of St. Werberg, of Chester, in his own Barony. Few of these baronial possessions, however, remained long in the families of those favourites to whom they were granted by the Conqueror, solely by the right of conquest. It had been asked long before, even by a Jezebel, “Had Zimri peace, who slew his master?” And there were Norman Omris and Zimris. It was a matter of natural, as well as of retributive justice, that, when the grip, by which the strong held his own, lost its vigour, even the strongest should make way for “a stronger than he.” And although the proud Lupus lorded it over demesnes in Hag, Salmonby, Tetford, Brinkhill, Langton, Greetham, and in many another parish, beside Winceby, yet at a later period we find another powerful family, the Gaunts, in the ascendant, and the Duke of Lancaster, John de Gandivo, was “Dominus Manerii de Winceby” (Harl. MS., Brit. Mus., vol. iii., p. 770); and Walter de Gaunt granted to the Abbey of Bardney, which had been re-founded by his father, Gilbert de Gaunt, after being in ruins some 200 years, the tithes of his Fee in Winceby. (Dugdale’s “Monasticon” ed. 1682, p. 143). But not yet even was “fixity of tenure” a feature of the times. Every dog has (only) his day; other owners followed not now known, and Winceby is now also owned by a name unknown to fame in the representative of the Hill family, who purchased the estate from C. Manwaring, Esq. But the Domus Dei should be a spot undesecrated by earthly p. 227broils, a fold unviolated by “the wolf,” and although the Church, erected at Winceby, possibly by the proud Lupus himself, “for the good of his soul,” has, in its original fabric, passed away, yet there still stands on the same site, a place of worship, small indeed, but not unworthy of its holy purpose. Dedicated to St. Margaret, the special Saint of purity undefiled, [227] it fitly stands on an isolated knoll, which on one side looks down on a deep gorge; with the few cottages of the, some 60, inhabitants clustering near at hand; with the great farm house, Winceby hall, standing out eastward, and the picturesque modern Rectory, peacefully embowered in trees and shrubbery, one field away to the west, the calm and comfortable retreat of the Rev. C. E. Bolam, Rector of Lusby, the Rector of Winceby being the Rev. Brice-Smith, resident at Hameringham.

Until recent years, the church had, in the course of time, degenerated into a small, mean thatched edifice; but, during the late incumbency of the Rev. William Wordsworth Talfourd, acting in the spirit of that “high priest of nature,” whose name he bore, the fabric was reconstructed in early English style; the nave being built at the expense of the late Mr. Charles Hill, of Winceby House, and the chancel by the rector. It consists of nave, chancel, porch, and bell turret. Its chief features are as follows:—In the north wall of the nave are two pairs of narrow pointed windows, within debased arches; the south wall has the same, with a porch, having narrow pointed arch. The font, of stone, has a circular bowl, relieved by four small quatrefoils, at the four quarters, a circular shaft, and square pediment. The west window is a cinquefoil, surrounded by eight small quatrefoils. The pulpit and seats are of light deal. The east window of the chancel, the gift of Miss Talfourd, is of three distinct trefoiled compartments, of coloured glass, the central one rather larger than the other two, and surmounted by a quatrefoil. The subjects are, in the centre, the Crucifixion; in the northern one, Christ blessing little children; in the southern, the Last Supper. In the south wall of the chancel is a single-light trefoil, window, with three small quatrefoils above; p. 228its subject being, Christ and the Magdalen, or “Noli me tangere”; a brass tablet states that this is “in memory of Frances Talfourd, March 9, 1862.” The sedilia in the chancel are of handsome, modern, substantial oak. The roof throughout is of pitch pine. The one bell hangs in a turret supported by eight pilasters. The living is in the gift of the Lord Chancellor. The register dates from 1579. Among the entries are the following:—“1773, Thursday, June 28th, — Spenly buried. He was servant to Thomas English, and instantly killed with thunder and lightening in the house of his master, about 5 o’clock the evening before.” In the two following, we do not see the object of the financial computation, unless the party making the entry was hypochondriac on the subject of £ s. d. “1698 Mary daughter of Tho. Jeffery, ffarmer (not worth six hundred pounds) and Anne, his wife, baptised, October 23rd.” “1699. A similiar entry of John Bowsley, ffarmer, being not worth £600.”

The main interest of Winceby is as being the scene of the decisive battle, commonly called “Winceby fight,” between the forces of the Royalists and the Parliamentarians which took place on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 1643.

We have only space here for a brief account of that engagement, which was important in its effect. We quote from a curious contemporary record, written by a Parliamentarian, and who apparently took part in the events described. [228] The Parliamentary army, then in the neighbourhood of Boston, after suffering a reverse near Grantham, and gaining a doubtful victory at Gainsborough, had been reinforced by Sir Thomas Fairfax; and Cromwell was also on his way to join it, with a valuable body of horse. To prevent this formidable combination, the Marquis of Newcastle from the north, hurried towards Boston, and despatched Sir John Henderson, to intercept Cromwell. Forces belonging to both sides had been encamped, on the previous night, in Horncastle, Thimbleby, Edlington, and neighbouring villages, where skirmishes had occurred. The main body under Manchester, p. 229had moved from near Boston to Bolingbroke, which was held by Royalists. On the Monday night, Major Knight, in the name of Manchester, had summoned the Castle of Bolingbroke (to surrender); but was answered that “his bug-bear words must not winne castles.” Whereupon Knight resolved the next evening, to break open the Church doors, “and there to mount a morter-piece, and fire the Castle.” But the events of the next day prevented this. “Those of the Castle (the Royalists), killed one or two of our men; and, as Major Knight, and the Quarter-master Generall Vermeyden were viewing of it, made some shots at them, and one of them hit the said Quarter-master Generall a little below the ancle, but pierced not the skin, only bruised his leg.” Seeing that they were determined to resist, Manchester then moved to East Kirkby; and his forces were encamped there, at Stickney, and at different points around. Cromwell was encamped at Winceby, in advance, with his “light horse and dragooners,” where he passed the night. The Royalists, under Sir John Henderson, pressed forward from Horncastle, in order, if possible, to attack Cromwell, before the main body had come up. But Cromwell did not object to hard blows, and though his “horse were extremly wearied with hard duty,” he calmly and sternly awaited the event. “About twelve of the clock . . . we began to descry the enemy coming toward us. So soon as our men had knowledge of (this), they were very full of joy and resolution, thinking it a great mercie that they should now fight. Cromwell led the van.” He gave the watchword “Truth and Peace,” and then gave out a Psalm; and his troops moved on, singing it, to charge the foe. They sustained a hostile fire along the whole of their line, but they rode on unshaken, at full speed. A second volley, at close quarters, killed Cromwell’s charger; and as he rose to his feet, “he was knockit down again by the gentleman who had charged him, who ’twas conceived, was Sir Ingram Hopton;” and for a moment he lay as slain. But he who, as a child, had escaped death in the arms of a monkey, was not to be so easily extinguished; he recovered consciousness, and mounted a trooper’s horse; his opponent, Sir Ingram Hopton, was slain in his turn; and “this first charge was so home-given (says the Chronicler), and with so much admirable courage and resolution by our troops, that the enemy stood not p. 230another, but were driven back upon their own body, which was to have seconded them, and at last put them into a plain disorder; and thus, in less than half an hour’s fight, they were all quite routed. Our men pursued, and did execution upon them about five or six miles; all the way being strewed with broken arms, dead men and horses.” Two hundred horses were afterwards found left in Bolingbroke Castle, which had been abandoned by the Royalists in a panic. Many hundreds of the defeated fugitives rushed frantically into “waters up to their arm-holes [230a]; they that lay slain in the highways were very many; and divers of qualitie, for there were brave bodies stript naked. The number of horses taken were about 2000, of prisoners about 1000, . . . of arms 1500, and not 100 of the enemie (’twas verily believed), to be found in a body; of 94 standards 35 were taken, whereas (he adds), wee but lost very few of our men, none of note, (and), wee hardly found above one of our officers hurt.” With the Puritan’s faith he exclaims, “God himself did it all, taking away the enemie’s hearts, and giving resolution and courage to our men; to him therefor be all the honour and glory of this famous victory.” [230b] This was a greater blow to the Royalist cause than has commonly been estimated. Hitherto the struggle had been carried on with varied fortune, but as yet the Royalists had had no reason to despair, and had even achieved considerable successes. At Winceby it may be said, the tide decidedly set in against them. The struggle was prolonged; but Lincoln was taken by Manchester’s forces in the following May (1644). In the same year was fought the disastrous battle of Marston Moor; and the even more fatal fight of Naseby in 1645. After that the issue was almost a foregone conclusion. As to the actual scene of the fight, the Royalists, from Horncastle, would seem to have advanced slightly beyond the village, before they encountered the enemy. The p. 231name of “Slash Lane,” westward, still surviving, tells its own tale of their wild flight towards the town, which they had so lately left full of high hope. The “clap-gate” farm at Holbeck, tells of hurried movements in the dark hours of the night. The Winceby registers record no increase of burials at the time. But tradition avers that many were interred by the peasantry on Scrafield hill-top. The one known burial is that of Sir Ingram Hopton, whose body, by order of Cromwell himself, was conveyed to Horncastle, that it might be interred in a manner worthy of one, in whom he recognised “a brave gentleman.”

Wispington.

Wispington is situated about 4 miles from Horncastle, in a north-westerly direction; adjoining Edlington on the east, Baumber on the north, Waddingworth on the west, and Horsington and Edlington on the south. Letters arrive from Horncastle at 9 a.m. The nearest money order office is at Horncastle, and telegraph office at Baumber.

Like two of the parishes just mentioned as contiguous, the name of Wispington contains the Anglo-Saxon patronymic “ing.” A Saxon settler named Uisp, or Wisp, probably took up his residence here; his children formed the “family” of Uisp, or Wisp-“ing”; and the settlement or enclosure, which they occupied, was the Uisp-ing-town, or Wispington. [231] Under the ruthless rule of William the Conqueror, these early occupants would be displaced, and their land given to some favourite of that King; under whom possibly the late Saxon thane, and his family, might, at least, be allowed to labour as serfs. Accordingly we find, in the great survey made for the Conqueror, called “Doomsday Book,” because it recorded the doom of so many, whom he subjugated, or dispossessed, two mentions of this parish. The first of these, places it amongst the possessions of William de Karilepho, who had been Abbot of St. Vincent, but was promoted by the p. 232Conqueror to the Bishopric of Durham, as well as being made Chief Justice of England. Old Chroniclers say that he was a man of great determination, but regulated by judgment; and he ingratiated himself with the King, who gave him large possessions in Lincolnshire, and other counties; a quarrel, however, with the succeeding King, Rufus, so wounded his pride, that he died of chagrin. He held of the King, a large part of this parish, viz., 4 carucates (or 480 acres), 2 carucates of which were rateable to the tax called “gelt” (2s. to the carucate, or 120 acres). Wispington is there said to be “in the soke” of Great Stourton, and Kirkby-on-Bain, i.e., within the liberty, or under the jurisdiction, of those parishes. There was no resident proprietor at that date, but 9 sokemen (or free tenants) and 6 bordars worked the land under their “Mesne or Lord” the land being his “de-mense” or domain, i.e., Lordship. The second mention of the parish in Domesday gives its whole extent as 8 carucates (or 960 acres), divided between the above-named Bishop and another of the Conqueror’s favourites, not seldom named in these records, viz., Eudo, son of Spirewic, Lord of Tattershall, who claimed, over the Bishop, the lion’s share, namely, two thirds of the parish.

How long the Bishops of Durham continued in possession does not appear, but in the “Lindsey Survey” (circa A.D., 1114) Ranulph, Bishop of that See, had 9 carucates of land (or 1080 acres) in Wispington, Kirkby, and two other parishes; and, according to the old record, “Testa de Nevill” (p. 335), the Bishop of that day still held the same (circa 1214, A.D.); while in the 46th year of the reign of Edwd. III. (A.D. 1373), on the death of John Willoughby of Eresby, it is stated that he held all his manors, among which Wispington is named, “of the Bishop of Durham, by the service of being his steward, and carrying to the table the messes of meat, on the day of his consecration, and on the feasts of Christmas and Whitsuntide,” so that, at that date, the Bishop would seem to have been still the superior Lord of Wispington, as of the other connected Manors. (“Fragmenta Antiquitatis”; quoted “Linc. N. & Q.,” July 1896, p. 38).

After this period the ownership is not quite clear. But this we can state. We have seen that Eudo, son of Spirewic, owned two thirds of Wispington, by gift from the p. 233Conqueror. His son, Hugh Fitz Eudo, commonly called Brito, founded Kirkstead Abbey, in 1137, A.D., and that religious house, at a later period, became possessed of land in Wispington, and the benefice thereof. But meanwhile the ownership changed more than once. From the Lansdowne M.S. (207 e., f. 455) in the British Museum, we find that Walter Bek, [233] who had come from Flanders, late in the 12 century, married Agnes, daughter of Pinso, and became, through his wife, Lord of Spilsby, Eresby, Lusby, Wispington, and other parishes; so that Eudo, and his later representatives, seem to have passed from the scene, and the successors of his quondam companion in arms, Pinso, to have taken their place.

By a Court Roll (9. Richard I., A.D., 1198), it appears that Philip, son of Robert, “put in a plea against Henry Bek, for a Knight’s fee,” i.e., a certain portion of land “in Tattershall, Wispington, and Kirkby.” (“Architect S. Journ,” xxiv. pt. i. p. 39).

We further find, from “Testa de Nevill,” (p. 335, “Wapentake of Horncastle,”) that Simon de Driby, held, “of the Fee of Tattershall,” (circa A.D. 1215), lands in Kirkby, Waddingworth, Wispington, and other places under Robert of Tattershall; the Wispington portion, therefore, was probably that formerly held by Eudo.

When Walter Bek’s sons succeeded to his property, the eldest, Henry, received as his portion the manors of Spilsby, Scrivelsby, Wispington, etc. (Harleian MS., 3720, f. 23.)

With the beginning of the 14th century, another prominent family is found connected with this parish. Sir William Willoughby married Alice, daughter of John Bek, Lord of Eresby; and a “Feet of Fines,” of date A.D. 1304, (Lincoln, file 69, 31 Edwd. I.) shows that a p. 234law-suit arose between John Bek, plaintiff, and Robert Willoughby, defendant, as to the possession of lands in Wispington, Thimbleby, Langton, Woodhall, etc., and the advowson of Wispington, which ended in a compromise, Robert granting the lands and advowson to John, for his life-time, but to revert, on his decease, to Robert and his heirs for ever. (“Architect S. Journal,” xxiv. p. 52). The manor and advowson of Wispington thus passed to the ancestors of the Lords of Willoughby. In the next century, we find these transferred to Kirkstead Abbey, as shown by the following entry, in the “Kalendar of Patent Rolls 1399–1401”:—“1401, April 20. Licence paid in the hanaper for Philip de Dispenser, Knight; James Roos, knight; Eudo de Zouche, clerk; Richard de Wynnewick, clerk; Richard de Chesterfield, clerk; Henry Malbys, parson of the Church of Wylughby; and Thomas Fitz William of Mablethorpe, to grant in mortmain a toft and 4 bovates of land, in Wyspyngton, and the advowson of the Church of the same town, not held in chief, to the Abbot, and Convent of Kirkstede, in aid of their maintenance.” (p. 477). [234]

This was further confirmed, A.D. 1401, May 2, with the addition that the “Abbot and Convent of Kirkstede” might “serve the Benefice by a Chaplain, Monk, or Secular” (pp. 278, 279).

We are, after this period, unable to give (as has been done in the cases of some other parishes), a connected series of proprietors. There are however, various scattered records of individual owners, which possess some interest. In a Bardney Abbey Charter, lately recovered by the Rev. J. A. Penny, the present Vicar of Wispington, Thomas Sely of Wispington, and Henry son of Andrew, of the same place, are witnesses to a deed, of date May 22, 1281, signed in the Chapter House of that Monastery, “on the p. 235Sunday next after the Ascension of our Lord,” by which the Abbot of that House gives up for himself and his successors, all claim to his bondman, William, son of Peter Hardigray, with all his goods and chattels, in favour of Thomas Thorley of Gautby. It is worthy of notice, that, by another charter, this same Thomas Thorley, of Gautby, grants to the above William Hardigray, no longer a bondman, but Rector of Mareham, certain lands and tenements in the adjoining parish of Edlington. The two were, therefore, evidently close friends. This deed is witnessed by Henry, son of John, of Wispington, Simon Francis, of Edlington, William son of Master Bartholomew, of Thimbleby, and others.

By a third charter, dated at Edlington, the day of Mercury (Wednesday) next after the feast of St. Michael, A.D. 1285, William, son of William of Wispington, gives, grants, and confirms, to the same William Hardigray, now of Edlington, clerk, a toft with the tenements thereon, situated in Edlington, for which he is to pay annually the rent of one farthing, at the feast of Easter. [235]

Among Gibbons’ “Early Lincolnshire Wills” (pp. 35, 36.) we find, that Henry de Brauncewell, Canon of Lincoln, by will in 1395, leaves money to his poor parishioners, at Wispington, Leasingham, St. Peter’s at Arches, and elsewhere.

We now get another name, which was one of weight in this parish and elsewhere for many years. Among the list of noblemen and gentry, who subscribed for the defence of the country, when the Spanish Armada was expected, in 1589, we find the name of “Roberte Phillippes, of Wispington,” who, like his neighbour Vincent Welby, of Halstead Hall, contributed £25, which was a large sum in those days. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 133). In the next century, among the list of gentry of Lincolnshire, made on the Herald’s Visitation, in 1634, along with the well-known names of Heneage, Pelham, Massingberd, Monson, &c., we also find Robert Phillips, of Wispington. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 73).

p. 236This family, which afterwards by marriage acquired the name of Glover, [236] possessed property outside of Wispington, for we find from a bond dated October 25, 1735, that disputes having arisen as to the boundary of the estate of Phillips Glover, at Walmsgate, and that of the estate of Matthew Lister, of Burwell Park, adjoining it, the two proprietors agreed to place 12 stones, in the presence of witnesses, to fix for the future the line of separation between the properties. (Notes on the Manor of Burwell, by R. W. Goulding; “Architect. S. Journal,” xxiv., pt. i., p. 91.) Other records in connection with this family, are as follows:—

(1.) Walter Harpham, by his will dated 10 Feb. 1607–8, leaves the reversion of £100 to Alice Phillips, his daughter, and £300 to his granddaughter, Elizabeth Phillips, and to his grandson, Willoughby Phillips, £100, and makes his son-in-law, Thomas Phillips, executor. (Maddison’s “Wills of Lincolnshire,” 1600–1617, p. 180).

(2.) John Holland, of Hemingby, by will, of date 15 Sep., 1608, leaves 20s. to Mr. Stephen Phillips, of Wispington, for supervising his will. (Maddison’s “Wills of Lincolnshire,” 1600–1617, p. 27.)

(3.) Margery Neale, of Horncastle, by her will, dated July 10, 1611, leaves to Jane Phillips, wife of Vincent Smithe, £6 in money, herself to keep £3 of it, and to give £3 to her daughter Elizabeth, “my Goddaughter.” (Ibidem, p. 51.)

In the Register of Admissions to Gray’s Inn, London (edited by J. Foster, 1889), “Robert Phillips, of Wispington, Co., Lincoln,” is named as a student “admitted Feb. 7, 1653–4.”

Phillips Glover, Esq., of Wispington, or Colonel Glover, married, circa. 1790, being then resident at Stainfield, Rebecca, eldest daughter of Mr. William Jepson Proctor, Chapter Clerk, &c., of the Bail, Lincoln, and sister to the Rev. George Jepson, M.A., Prebendary of Lincoln, 1781–1787. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 150).

p. 237Colonel Glover had a daughter, who married Robert Vyner, Esq., of Eathorpe, Co. Warwick, and had a numerous family. He, or more probably his father, was Sheriff of the county of Lincoln, in the year 1727. Early in the 19th century was issued a large mezzotint portrait of Phillips Glover, Esq., of Wispington, described “as a steady disinterested friend, who never courted popularity, but was ever deserving of it.” (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. ii., p. 87). The Glovers, or Phillipses, were patrons of the Benefice; John Phillips, according to “Liber Regis,” presenting in 1707, and Mrs. Glover in 1755. In 1769, “pro hac vice,” Henry Martinson, Gent., presented, having doubtless bought the next presentation, since we find his relative John Martinson, instituted to the vicarage at that date. On his death a Glover presented for the last time, the entire property being subsequently sold to Mr. Turnor, of Stoke Rockford, Panton, &c.

The Glovers, and Phillipses, had a fine residence here, of which extensive traces still remain, in moats, fish ponds, and terraced mounds, some 500 yards in length, and covering 5 or 6 acres. The series of ponds and moats are arranged so as to curl about in a curious serpentine shape, forming the outline of a snake with double head. This apparent survival of an old serpent worship, is not unusual in such ancient places as Abury Hill, on Salisbury Plain; Stanton Drew, in Somersetshire; Carnac, in Brittany; &c. (Dean’s “Worship of the Serpent,” 1833); but here it would seem to indicate a greater antiquity than the time of the Glover family. The gardens, and “pleasaunce,” surrounding the residence, must have been very extensive; the farmhouse, now occupied by Mr. Andrew Evison, was part of this residence, and there is some old brickwork among the farm buildings, said to have been part of a private chapel. [237] To the east was an avenue of fine trees, of great age, which were felled in the first half of the 19th century. The family continued at Wispington down to recent times, though in greatly reduced circumstances, the last of them being the Rev. Robert Glover, vicar of the parish from 1795 to 1838. He died leaving a numerous p. 238family, scantily provided for. [238a] During his time the church and parsonage would seem to have participated in the dilapidated condition of his own fortune, and in the Register we find the following note, in his own hand:—“The chancell of this church fell in, on Friday the 22 day of November, 1833, about 9 o’clock at night, R. Glover, vicar.”

We now proceed to the church. Both Weir and Saunders state that the edifice, in their day, was without interest. The late Rev. Charles Pratt Terrott, who was appointed to the vicarage, in 1838, by Mr. Christopher Turnor, took down this decayed structure, and erected an entirely new church; and, being well-known as an archæologist of wide learning, and cultivated tastes, [238b] with the aid of the architect, Mr. G. B. Atkinson, of York, he produced a church, which, though small, as the population only required, is one of unusual interest. It was erected in 1863. In the process of demolition of the former church, two late Norman capitals cut from one stone, [238c] were discovered, indicating that there had, at one time, been a Norman edifice here; and, from other relics, it was apparent that this early structure, had been either rebuilt or added to in the 13th century. That building, however, had in turn been superseded by a wretched fabric of no architectural pretensions, now, happily, gone the way of its more worthy predecessors. The present church, dedicated like so many others in the neighbourhood to St. Margaret, is of the Early English style, and consists of a tower with spire, nave, south porch, chancel, and vestry on the north p. 239side of the chancel, from which, for economy of space, access is had to the pulpit, standing in the north-east corner of the nave. The nave has coupled lancet windows in the north and south walls; there are detached lancet windows, with a trefoiled light above them, in the west tower wall; and a triplet at the east end of the chancel, and two single lights in its south wall. The tower and spire are almost a copy of the small but elegant spire of Woodhall St. Margaret. It is supported within by the rather unusual arrangement of a narthex or arcade of three arches, and two pillars, instead of the more common single arch. The walls are relieved by coloured patterns running round the windows, and various devices elsewhere, which have a very pleasing effect. The roof of the nave is supported by corbels bearing the symbols of the Evangelists. The pulpit is of Caen stone, with coloured marble shafts, the panels having sculptures, the work of Mr. Terrot, assisted by Mr. Watson Moore, of Horncastle; they represent the Nativity, Nathan and David, and the return of the Prodigal. The font, of the same materials, is adorned with medallions, also carved by the reverend artist, representing the animals mentioned in the New Testament, arranged in groups and intermingled with foliage. Mrs. Terrot’s artistic skill is also shown in the carving of the figure of St. Margaret, placed above a dedication stone in the western wall of the nave, and in various bosses and capitals, as well as in the oaken eagle lectern. The paving of the nave alley is of red and black tiles; that of the chancel of Minton’s encaustic tiles, their richness being increased within the altar rails. The reredos is of the same material, but differing in character. The subjects in the coloured east window, by Messrs Ward and Hughes, are scenes from our Lord’s life on earth; and in the western window, are the figures of St. Margaret, and St. John the Baptist, by the same artists. These were provided through the efforts of Mrs. Terrot, who also obtained the 3rd bell to complete the set. The three bells bear the following inscriptions:—(1) “Ave Maria Graciæ Plena” (diameter 26¾ inches); (2) “Cast by John Warner and Sons, London” (diameter 28 inches); (3) “Sancta Maria Ora Pro Nobis” (diameter 36¾ inches). It is curious that the only bells in a minor key, in this neighbourhood, are those of Baumber and Wispington, contiguous parishes.

Between the font and the west window is a blue slate p. 240slab, having the inscription “Here lyeth the body of Robert Phillips, gentleman, who departed this life, the 24th day of June, 1668.” On the south side of this stone, close to it, lies the body of Phillips Glover, Esq. On a white marble monument on the north wall of the chancel, are the arms and crest, of the Phillips family; crest, a white eagle, with blue crown round its neck, on a hemlet, mantled, the visor closed; arms, azure, party per chevron, argent, three white eagles with azure crowns round their necks passant, 1 and 2. Below is the inscription:—“To the memory of John Phillips, Esq., this monument is dedicated by his nephew and heir, Phillips Glover, Esq. He was the second and last surviving son of Robert Phillips, Esq., who lies buried in this chancel. He died unmarried on the 19th of February, 1719–20, aged 62, and in him his family was extinct. In memory of Phillips Glover, Esq: He married Mary daughter and heiress of Richard Lee, Esq., of Winslade, in Devonshire, and left two children, Phillips and Mary. He died, June 28, 1745. Veri cultor et Libertatis. This inscription by his order.”

Opposite this monument is one of white marble, on the south side of the chancel, behind the desk. The arms and crest are the same, with this inscription:—“Near this place lyeth ye bodye of Robert Phillips, Esq., who departed this life, ye 24th of June, 1668. And of Stephen Phillips, Esq., eldest son of Robert, who departed this life, ye 9th of Feb., 1682–3. And of Robert Phillips, of London, Goldsmith, third son of Robert Phillips, who departed this life, the 12 of December, 1707. And of Benjamen Phillips, merchant, fourth son of ye above said Robert, who departed this life, Aug. ye 8th, 1715, æt 49.”

Over the instruments of the Passion, in a medallion above the vestry door, in the chancel (which are really the masonic signs of a Knight Templar’s encampment, [240]) is a tablet with this inscription:—“To the memory of the Rev. Robert Merony Glover, who was upwards of 43 years vicar of this parish. He died Feb. 8th, 1838, aged 62 years. He was the poor man’s friend. Also of Ann, relic of the above Robert Merony Glover, whose remains are interred in the family vault of her parents, at Horncastle. Four of their children rest in this chancel. This tablet is consecrated by the affectionate and grateful survivors.”

p. 241In the vestry, on a tablet on the north wall, is this inscription:—“Sacred to the memory of the Rev. John Martinson, late vicar of this church, and rector of Screamby, who departed this life, the 16th of July, 1788, aged 51 years.” An incised slab, now in the floor of the vestry, but whence removed is not known, has an inscription to John Hetherset, “Rector,” in 1399. The figure is habited in full canonicals, even to the gloves.

The benefice is now only a “vicarage”; but the explanation of this difference is, that, at that date, just before the advowson was given to Kirkstead Abbey, it was a rectory. When the rectorial tithes passed to the abbot, the incumbent became the abbot’s vicar.

In the south-east corner of the churchyard, is a tombstone with the inscription:—“In memory of the 18 children of George and Mary Hannath, who all died in their infancy, 1831–1855. [241] He shall gather the lambs in His arms, and carry them in His bosom.”

One of the double lancet windows in the nave, nearest the pulpit has been, within recent years, filled with coloured glass in memory of the Rev. C. P. Terrot, by his widow. The subjects are four:—(1) Bezaleel carving cherubim on the altar, and overlaying them with gold; (2) Aholiab, the cunning workman, looking at his work; (3) our Lord as a youth, working at his trade of carpenter; (4) a medieval priest, presenting before the altar, a small church, which is held in his hands. The two small lancets in the south wall of the chancel have stained glass to the memory of Colonel Charles Terrot, eldest son of the Rev. C. P. Terrot. The subjects are two:—(1) Samuel presented by Hannah in the Temple; (2) Joshua commanding the sun to stand still. The small window over the font was presented by Miss Terrot, the subject being the Holy Dove hovering. Recently Mrs. Terrot presented to the church a casket, containing an account of the restoration, and contents, of the church, beautifully bound. This is kept on a bracket in the east wall of the nave, opposite the pulpit.

p. 242We give here a list of the vicars of this parish during the last two and a half centuries. William Azlack, 1662–1670; John Smith, 1670–1707; Thomas Doughty, 1707–8–1754; J. Carr, 1754–1769; John Martinson, 1769–1788; William Chaplin, 1788–1795; Robert Merony Glover, 1795–1838; C. P. Terrot, 1838–1886; Beauchamp St. John Tyrwhitt, 1886–1890; F. S. Alston, 1890–1896; James Alpass Penny, 1896.

We have mentioned that the Glovers became very much reduced in pecuniary means; when the Rev. Robert Merony Glover, died in 1838, he left the church, vicarage, and farmstead adjoining, almost in ruins; and we think it should not go unrecorded, that the Rev. Charles Pratt Terrot, who succeeded him, declined to accept any compensation for these dilapidations, as the Glover family were so poor.

An ancient font was placed in the church, June 2nd, 1841, having been removed from the ruins of an oratory in the garden of Poolham Hall. This is now the font in the church of Woodhall St. Margaret, being placed there by the vicar, the present writer. It is supported by 4 columns of serpentine, the gift of the Rev. J. A. Penny, of Wispington.

The register dates from 1662. Some of the entries are peculiar. From 1662 to 1667, the entries of baptisms regularly alternate between children of William Azlack, clerk, and Mary, his wife, and those of Robert Phillips, Esq., and Mary, his wife; vicar and squire thus running each other “neck and neck” in their progeny, a competition which curiously is terminated by the demise of the vicar’s wife, buried May 10th, 1668, and that of Mr. Robert Phillips, six weeks later, who was buried June 26th, 1668.

On “Oct. 18th, 1682, Mr. Philip Ormston, rector of Skremby, was buried” here. Why he was brought to Wispington for burial does not appear, unless his Christian name indicates relationship to the Phillips family.

On Oct. 27th, 1692, is registered the marriage of “John Spennly, weaver, and Isabel Hawstead, spinster.” The latter, doubtless derived her name from the neighbouring hamlet of Halstead, in Stixwould, still pronounced “Haw-stead.” The addition of “weaver” to the husband’s name is interesting, as evidence of a bygone craft. Weaving and spinning were at that time a common occupation of the p. 243humbler classes. [243] The epithet “spinster” we still retain, of the woman to be married, but the term “weaver” for the man is now obsolete. The Rev. J. A. Penny has part of a blanket, which was woven by the great grandmother of a parishioner in Wispington, now 60 years of age.

In 1792, we find “Bartho (Bartholomew) Goe” signing as curate; a patronymic which, until recently, survived in the neighbourhood. Among a list of the Vicars of Boston, Bartholomew Goe is given as appointed in 1817 (Thomson’s “Boston,” p. 86). It may also be noticed that on “July 16th, 1788, John Martinson, vicar, was buried”; the next entry recording the burials of his posthumous son, John, aged 8 weeks, on March 17th, 1789; while the next entry again records the burial of his relict, Mary Martinson, Sept. 21st, 1791.

On Nov. 2nd, 1710, “William Peascodd of this parish, and Amy Todd of ye parish of Bardney, were married”; in connection with which entry, we may mention, that there is in Boston Church, within the altar rails, on the north side, a fine brass of “Walter Peascod, merchant, 1398.”

Opposite several of the names in the register, both in the 17th and 18th centuries, are appended curious “hieroglyphic” signs, the meaning of which is, at the least, obscure.

Of the communion plate, the cup and paten are dated 1712, presented by John Phillips, Esq.

A group of trees in this parish is named “Barrow Plantation.” Whether there existed formerly a sepulchral barrow, which gave rise to the name, is not known; the explanation given by the modern bucolic mind is that the spot is haunted by a spectral wheelbarrow.

A tradition lingers here that, in the 18th century, a duel was fought, around which the usual accretions have clustered; that the combatants were two brothers, who were attached to the same “ladye fayre”; that one killed the other; that they fought in the avenue near the former hall of the Glovers; while, in a pannelled bedroom at the adjoining hall farm, there is still preserved a cupboard, which has not been opened for many years, as it is supposed, in some way, to be connected with “the green p. 244lady” (such ladies are usually “green”), who was the cause of the quarrel. Careful enquiry, however, has ruthlessly swept away all of the accumulated romance of this incident, and the bare facts are found to be as follows, for which, it should be added, the writer is indebted to a MS. in the possession of Captain Craggs, of Threekingham Hall, confirmed by the “Gentleman’s Magazine” of 1760, p. 246.:—Thursday, May 1st. The combatants were Major Glover, of Wispington, of the Lincolnshire Militia, and Mr. Jackson, an apothecary, of Manchester. “At a rehearsal, at the playhouse, in that town, Mr. Jackson came behind the Major, and struck him on the back, seemingly in joke, upon which the Major turned about and with a switch struck Jackson, saying, also in joke, ‘What! Jackson, is it you?’ On this Jackson, in a great passion, said ‘D—n you, sir, although you are a Major, I will not take this from you.’ The Major, surprised at this, replied, ‘Why, what can you mean? I was only in joke, as well as yourself.’ But Jackson persisted in his anger, and said he insisted on satisfaction. The Major was not able to pacify him by saying that he meant no affront. But Jackson insisted on fighting him with swords. They went to a coffee-house, and there, in a back room, they fought. The Major ran Mr. Jackson through the body, after which, on the former leading Mr. Jackson through the coffee-room for assistance, Mr. Jackson, owned, before several witnesses, that it was entirely his own fault, and that he had been wounded by the Major in a very fair and gentlemanlike manner; and that, if he died, he entirely forgave the Major.”

The unfortunate Mr. Jackson would seem to have incurred the fatal penalty of his own folly; for, in the same magazine, under the date “Wednesday, Aug. 20th, 1760,” p. 440, is the following notice:—“At the Assizes at Lancaster, Philip Glover, Esq., Major in the Lincolnshire Militia, was found guilty of manslaughter, for killing Mr. Jackson, of Manchester, in a duel, and was immediately discharged out of custody in court. It was with great difficulty that sufficient evidence could be procured to induce the grand jury to find the bill.”

Thus the one passage of arms, of which we know, connected with Wispington, although fatal in its effect, is reduced to the farce of human folly. From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.

p. 245May Wispington’s future martial sons fight in a nobler cause than that of self pride.

We may add, that at a court-martial held eight months later, March 24th, 1762, Philip Glover was acquitted of any “behaviour contrary to the articles of war,” but the court was of opinion that he had, in hasty heat, used language to Capt. Gardiner, contrary to good order and discipline, and he was adjudged to be reprimanded publicly in the presence of the officers and men of his regiment. The member of this court-martial were the following:—Col. Lord Vincent Mandeville, Hunts. Militia, president; Lieut.-Col. Richard Townley, Lancashire Militia; Lieut.-Col. John Lister, Yorkshire Militia; Major Robert Coney, Norfolk Militia; Major Sir Philip Monoux, Bart., Bedfordshire Militia; Major Francis Longe, Norfolk Militia; Capt. Edmund Townley, Lancashire Militia; Capt. Carr Brackenbury, Lincolnshire Militia; Capt. G. De Ligne Gregory, Lincolnshire Militia, and others; with the Honble. Charles Gould, Deputy Judge Advocate General.

p. iINDEX

p. iiB.

p. vF.

p. xR.

FOOTNOTES.

[2a] Among the names in the “Myntlyng” MS., of Spalding Priory, is “John atte Ash,” i.e., John living by “the Ash,” which in time became John Ash. The ash tree was supposed to have peculiar virtues: weakly children were passed through it three times, before sunrise, to give them strength; and to the Rowan, or mountain-ash many superstitions are attached. (“Folklore,” vol. ii., No. 1, p. 88, et alibi.)

[2b] It would appear, however, that water was a more marked feature of the locality 100 years ago. Sir Joseph Banks, writing of the antiquities of Ashby, in an article contributed to “Archæologia” at that time (vol. xii., p. 96), mentions the “sloping hills with brisk rills of water running through almost every valley.” It should not be forgotten that formerly a tract of forest extended all along this district, so that (as I have mentioned elsewhere) a Dutch sportsman spent a whole season in hunting “in Lincolniensi montium tractu,” among the Lincolnshire hills. When that forest was cleared away, as a natural consequence the streams would shrink in volume, or disappear altogether.

[4] The Elands were landowners in Stourton, East Kirkby, and other places. One of them resided at East Kirkby as late as 1870. Sir William Eland was Constable of Nottingham Castle, 1330, and M.P. for the county in 1333 (Bailey’s “Annals,” vol. i., p. 223). The Gedneys were considerable owners in the neighbourhood. In the church at Bag Enderby there is a handsome stone mural monument of Andrew and Dorothy Gedney, with their two sons and two daughters kneeling before prayer desks. This Andrew Gedney married Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Skipwith, of South Ormesby, by his wife, Alice Dymoke.

[5] John de Kirketon (or Kirton), near Boston, received the honour of knighthood from Ed. II., owned Tattershall and Tumby, and was summoned to Parliament 16 Ed. III. They had large property in Boston in 1867 (Thompson’s “History of Boston,” p. 226).

[6a] The pedigree of the Littleburys is given in the Herald’s “Visitation of Lincolnshire” 1562–4; edited by W. Metcalf, F. S. A. (Bell and Sons, 1881).

[6b] Sir Thomas Meeres was knighted 11 June, 1660. He was almost continuously M.P. for Lincoln from 1660 to his death in 1708. (“Architect. Soc. Journal,” 1891, p. 13.)

[7] The late Poet Laureate, in his poem “Walking to the Mail” (Poems, 1842), tells of a farmer who was so pestered by the presence of this ghost about his house, that he harnessed his horse to his cart and started to leave home to get rid of it:—

There are sundry other ghosts, or witches, remembered in the neighbourhood, which may be heard of by the curious.

[9] Among the lists of institutions to benefices, preserved in the Archives at Lincoln, is that of “Thomas Hardie, clerk, presented by the Dean and Chapter, Vicar, A.D. 1567.” This was in the reign of Queen Elizabeth; the patronage, therefore, was probably granted to that body by her father, Henry VIII., on the dissolution of the Tattershall College. (“Institutions, 1540–1570,” edited by Rev. C. W. Foster.)

[10] The writer has reason to remember the hollowness of the beck, for on one occasion, when riding with the foxhounds, there being a steep descent to the beck, and the beck itself having rotten, hollow banks, the soil gave way beneath his horse’s hind legs, and, although they landed on the other side, the horse was all in a heap, and the rider shot over its head. They, however, recovered themselves, and no other riders attempting it they gained a considerable advantage over the rest of the field. When shooting along its banks he has seen places where the hollowness was still more marked, the beck itself being barely more than two feet wide, and four feet, or even more, deep.

[12a] “The culverhouse, or dovecote, attached to old baronial and other houses, was a valuable source of food supply in days when the fattening of cattle was not understood.” (“Nature and Woodcraft,” by J. Watson.)

[12b] The existence of this watermill is not without interest. They were a source of considerable revenue, and this probably belonged to the monks of Tattershall College, and all their tenants would be expected to have their grain ground at it. In an ancient MS., of Spalding Priory, it is recorded that certain tenants of the Prior were heavily fined because they took their corn to be ground elsewhere.

[12c] At a monastery at Norwich 1,500 quarters of malt were used annually for ale. Ingulphus, the abbot of Croyland, laments in his History, the damage caused by a fire at the Abbey, inasmuch as it “destroyed the cellar and casks full of ale therein” (quoted Oliver’s “Religious Houses,” p. 15, note 5).

[13] The full inscription is:—“Here lyeth Rychard Lyttleburye, of Stanesbye in ye countie of Lincoln Esquier and Elizabeth his wyffe daughter of Sir Edmund Jenney of Knotsolt in the countie of Suff. Knight, which Richard departed this lyfe in the xiii year of the Reign of King Henry ye eight Ao. D’ni. 1521 and Elizabeth dyed in ye xv yeare of ye Raigne of ye sayd King H. Ao. 1523.”

[19] The descendants of Ivo Tailbois seem to have lost the commanding position of their ancestor; since in a Close roll of Henry VII., No 30., it is stated that Sir Robert Dymmok, and others, “being seized of the Manors of Sotby and Baumburg, granted an annuity therefrom of £20 to William Tailboys, who now assigns the deed, granting that annuity to him, to Bartholomew Rede, citizen, and goldsmith, of London, for a debt,” (evidently a London money-lender), Dated May 9th, Henry VII., A.D. 1494.

[20] This Mr. Thomas Livesey married Lydia, widow of Matthew Dymoke Lister, Esq., of Burwell Park, and was buried at Burwell, 1790, March 28th. (‘Notices of the Listers’, “Architect Journal,” 1897, pp. 92, 3).

[26a] According to Magna Britannia, it had an annual fair as well as a weekly market, on Tuesdays; although Leland (Itiner. Cur., vol. vii. 52), says “It hath once a year a fair, but hath no weekly market.” But surely the larger mart could imply the smaller, and Weir in his History of Lincolnshire (vol. ii. p. 407), mentions an attempt at New Bolingbroke, to “revive the market on Tuesday,” showing that there was one of old.

[26b] To show the extent of the soke, we find from “Inquisition post mort. 41, Ed. III., No. 47,” that in 1367 it was decided that Ralph de Nevill holds “a fee in Ulceby, as of this Manor.” Yet Ulceby is distant several miles.

[28] The present writer had the charge of that excursion, and twice visited the church in company of the Precentor, to examine its details, which he has done again at a more recent date.

[29] That there was a chantry here is proved by the fact, that at the Lincolnshire Rising in 1536, the Bishop’s Chancellor Dr. Rayner, was seized while being ill in bed at the house of the Chantry Priest, and afterwards murdered. Arch. S. Journal, 1894, p. 195.

[30b] She was given in marriage by William the Conqueror to his nephew, Ivo Taille-bois, Earl of Anjou; but he dying early to her great relief, she married secondly Roger de Romara, son of Gerald, who had been Seneschall or High Steward to William as Duke of Normandy, before the conquest of England. For third husband she married Ranulph, Earl of Chester.

[30c] A tradition still lingers in the parish of Bucknall, that the place was in some way connected with the Lady Godiva; and here we get the connection. Her brother, and therefore doubtless her father, was Lord of the Demesne of Bucknall. The Lord (Saxon “Laford”) and Lady (Saxon “Lafdig”) were esteemed for the loaf (Saxon “Laf”) dealt out to the hungry dependants, and their memory still lingers like a sweet savour behind them.

[31a] The Lady Lucia conveyed, and the conveyance was confirmed by King John, the church and benefice of Bolingbroke to the Priory of Spalding (Dugdale Monasticon ii., 381); and, according to Liber Regis, it paid to the Priory a pension of £3 6s. 8d.

[31b] The Thorolds were also men of position in Normandy. The name is on the ancient Bayeux tapestry; and it also still survives in the old family residence, the Hotel de Bourgthorould, in Rouen.

[32] The Head Office of the Duchy is now in London at Lancaster-place, Strand; but two courts are held at Bolingbroke in May and October for all copyhold accounts.

[34a] There was formerly at Edlington an old Jacobean Hall, on the site of the later Hall. The entire fittings of the dining room of this structure, some 23ft. in length, still survive in the dining room of Rollestone House, Horncastle, the residence of R. Jalland, Esq.

[34b] Mrs. Heald was the daughter of George Heald, Esq., Barrister, of the Chancery Court, commonly known, as “Chancellor Heald,” to whom, with his wife, and daughter Emma, there is a marble monument, on the north wall of the Chancel, in St. Mary’s Church, Horncastle. He died, March l8th, 1834. The Chancellor also at one time resided at Edlington Hall.

[37a] This Sir Walter Tailboys was the son of Henry Tailboys, and his wife Ahanora, who was daughter and heir of Gilbert Burdon, and his wife Elizabeth, the latter being sister and heir of Gilbert Umfraville, Earl of Angus.

[37b] Sir John Bolles, of Thorpe Hall, is the hero of the tradition of “the Green Lady,” of that place. She nursed him while imprisoned in Spain, and fell in love with him. He was obliged to explain to her that he had a wife at home already, whereupon she made valuable presents of jewellery to him for his wife. She was said to haunt Thorpe Hall, and for some time a plate was always laid, and a vacant place kept for her at the table. Some of this jewellery still exists, and is worn, to my knowledge, by connections of the family (see Percy’s Ballads, vol. I., “The Spanish Lady’s Love”).

[41] In the “Placito de quo Warranto,” p. 409, these gallows are distinctly referred to as “furcœ in Edlington,” and the same document says “Abbs de Bardeney venit hic,” etc., “the Abbot of Bardney comes here,” doubtless to see for himself that the punishment is duly inflicted.

[47c] Domesday Book, translated by Charles Gowan Smith, dedicated to Earl Brownlow, Earl Yarborough, and H. Chaplin, Esq., M.P. (Simpkin, Marshall and Co.)

[49] The Billesbies were a good family. Sir Andrew Billesby was involved in the rebellion of 1536. He was steward of Louth Park Abbey and Bullington Priory.

[54] This Bishop was, at the date of Domesday, William de Karilepho. He had been Abbot of St. Vincent; was consecrated Bishop of Durham, January 3rd, 1082, and held the office of Chief Justice of England under the Conqueror. He was an ambitious man, and acquired great possessions, largely in this neighbourhood. He was banished from his See for three years by William Rufus for conspiring, with many of the nobility, against the throne. And for the part which he took in the quarrel between Rufus and Archbishop Anselm, he was so severely rebuked that he died of wounded pride.

[58] We have, in the north of the county, Goxhill which, in Domesday Book, is Golse; and in Broughton, not far from thence, is the hamlet Gokewell; both of which may contain the same prefix. Although Goltho, which has a similar sound, is a corruption of Caldicot.

[59] It is not improbable that these early possessions in Goulceby, &c., may have come to the Cromwells indirectly on the females’ side, through their connections, the Willoughbys; since we find, by a Feet of Fines (Lincoln, folio 69, A.D. 1302), that as early as the reign of Edward I., a suit was instituted between John Bec (of the ancient Spilsby and Lusby family), and Robert Wylgheby; wherein it was proved that the Willoughbys even then held lands in “Golkeby, Donington,” etc.

[60a] Feet of Fines, Lincoln, Trinity, 22 Elizabeth (“Architect. S. Journ.” 1895, p. 129.)

[60b] I have referred to this Thomas Glemham, in notices of Mareham-le-Fen, of which manor he was Lord. Other members of the family settled elsewhere in the neighbourhood, besides Burwell, the headquarters.

[61] It is also stated that Mrs. Eleanor Lister “was buryed in ye vault, Dec. ye 28th, in woollen”; and their first-born grandson Matthew, baptized 7 May, 1703, was “buried in woollen” on the 13th of the same month.

[69] Of course it is possible that the supposed owner of Greetham may have been this second Lord Strafford, whose Ancestors held Ashby Puerorum. I quote this from a paper in the “Architectural Society’s Journal” of 1891, by Rev. A. R. Maddison, F.S.A., entitled “A Ramble through the parish of St. Mary Magdalene,” in which he mentions house property in Lincoln belonging to the Wentworths. It certainly shows a connection of the Wentworths with Ashby Puerorum, then probably still an appurtenance of the Greetham Manor.

[73] The close connection of Haugh and Hagi, is shown by Domesday Book, which called the Lincolnshire village Haugh Hage. Taylor (“Words and Places”) connected the word with “hedge” and our modern “haw-haw,” a sunk fence; and so a hedged enclosure.

[75] The present holders of this title (the Keppels), are a different family, their honour dating only from 1696. Albemarle or Awmarle, a town in North Normandy, is now Aumale, from which the Duc d’Aumale takes his title.

[76] The Blunts (or Blounts) were an old Norman Family, who came over at the Conquest. The name is in the Rolls of Battle Abbey. Walter Blunt was created Baron de Mountjoy by Ed. IV. The fine church of Sleaford was built by Roger Blunt, in 1271, as appears from an old MS. found in the parish chest (“Saunder’s Hist.,” vol. ii. p. 252). Camden (“Britannia,” p. 517), says that they had a “a fine house” in his day (circa 1600), at Kidderminster, and he mentions Sir Charles Blunt, Knight, as having a fine seat at Kimlet in Salop, where their “name is very famous” (p. 542). The late Sir Charles Blunt used to visit Harrington in this neighbourhood, where the writer has met him, in days gone by, and enjoyed sport with his beagles.

[78] Richard Gedney, in his will dated 1 April, 1613, speaks highly of Thomas Cheales of Hagworthingham, “Yeoman, whom he makes his trustee.” A junior branch of the Cheales family now reside at Friskney. The Rev. Alan Cheales still owns land here, now residing at Reading. He is the 11th in descent from Anthonie, who bought the property in 1590.

[82] These are no longer to be found, but they were mentioned in a MS. belonging to Sir Joseph Banks, dated 1784. Another brief was for “ye first Fast day for ye Plague, 1665, the sum of 15^s 6^a” (August 2nd) “September ye 6th, ye 2nd Fast day for ye Plague 1665 . . . 13s 7d and 2s more was added afterwards.” Six Fast days were mentioned, when money was collected “for ye Plague.” Among items, in the Church accounts, were:—“A sheet borne over the sacrament,” a “Kyrchuffe that our Lady’s coat was lapped in,” “to Peter Babbe for gilding the Trinity, iiii^li xvi^s 0^d.” “It for painting the Dancing geere,” (i.e. at the May-pole). “It for viii. pound of waxe for Sepulchre lights iiii^s iiii^d.” “It for ii. antiphoonies bought at Stirbridge faire (&c.) iii^li xi^s 7^d”; “It for thacking the steeple x^s”; “To William Edwards for finding our Lady’s light viiii^s iiii^d”; “iii^li x^s given to finde yearly an obitt for the soul of Lawrence Clerke, . . . to say Dirige and Masse, . . . and for the bede roule,” &c. There are charges, for “vi gallons yearly of aile” for the ringers. The “Church corne, given of the good will of the inhabitants to the value of xx^s viii^d.” “Wessell (Wassail) for the young men.” “The town bull sold for ii^s viii^d a quarter.” &c., &c. (“Lincs. N & Q.” vol. i. pp. 5–13).

[83] There are mounds, and traces of a moat in a field in Langton, showing that there was formerly a large residence, probably the home of this branch of the Angevin family, who came over with the Conqueror.

[84a] Gair means a triangular piece of land which requires ploughing a different way from the rest of the field. There was a Thomas Baudewin had lands in Coningsby in the reign of Henry III. 106. Coram Rege Roll, 42, Henry III. “Linc. N. & Q.” iv. p. 102.

[84b] A pulse diet, for man or beast, seems to have been very general. Pesedale-gate, means the gate, or road by the Pease-valley. We have Pesewang, i.e. Peasefield, in High Toynton, Pesegote-lane in Spilsby, and there are similar names at Louth, and elsewhere.

[87] Streatfeild (“Lincolnshire and the Danes,” p. 219) says “from the old Norse ‘heri,’ or hare, come Eresby (or Heresby) and Hareby.” In south Lincolnshire, hares are still called “heres.” The canting crest of the Withers’s family, is a hare’s head, with ears up-pricked. Whether there is any connection between “ear” and “eres” or hares, I know not, but the long ears are a distinguishing feature, and often the only part of the animal visible in tall covers; and there is the same variation, in the presence, or absence, of the aspirate, between the noun “ear” and the verb “to hear,” as between Eresby and Hareby. The writer has a vivid recollection of the hares as a feature of the locality, as he has frequently joined coursing parties at Hareby, many years ago, when there was game enough to afford sport for 30 couple of greyhounds. Fuller in his “Worthies of England,” p. 150 (Circa 1659), tells of a Dutchman who came over and spent a season in hunting “in Lincolniensi montium tractu,” in the mountainous parts of Lincolnshire; and as foxhounds were not established at that date, this must have been hare hunting in these Wolds.

[88] These accounts are worked out carefully, by Weir, in his History, but the various steps are very complicated and some authorities differ from him in minor details. By an Inquisition, 37 Henry III., it was shewn that in 1253, William de Bavent owned the Castle and manors attached to it.

[90a] See “History of the Ayscoughs,” by J. Conway Walter, published by Mr. W. K. Morton, Horncastle.

[90b] Of this Blagge the following anecdote is preserved. He was a favourite with Henry VIII., who called him familiarly his “little pig.” A retrograde religious movement occurring towards the end of this reign, Blagge, with others, was imprisoned as an offender against the law of the Six Articles (1539) against Popish practices. By Henry’s interposition he was released and restored to his office. On his first re-appearance at Court, the King said to him:—“So you have got back again my little pig,” to which Blagge replied, “Yes, and but for your Majesty’s clemency, I should have been roast pig before now.”

[90c] The Cuppledykes were large owners of property in this neighbourhood, several of their monuments still remaining in Harrington Church and elsewhere.

[91] The pedigree of the Littleburies is given in the “Visitation of Lincolnshire,” A.D. 1562–1564, edited by Mr. W. Metcalf, F.S.A., A. Bell & Sons, 1881. Sir Humphrey Littlebury was descended from Hamon Littlebury, of Littlebury Manor, Essex, A.D. 1138. Sir Martin Littlebury Knight was Chief Justice of England, 28 Henry III., A.D. 1243. Fuller particulars of this family are given in other of these Records.

[93] This record is interesting as giving an instance of the title “Sir” as applied to the Clergy. A graduate of the University, having the M.A. degree was styled “Master” so and so, but when in Holy Orders, if he was only a B.A. he was styled “dominus,” the English equivalent of which was “Sir.” This was a general style of address, and was continued in the Isle of Man to a late period.

In “A Short Treatise on the Isle of Man,” by James Chaloner, governor, date 1656, it is stated that all the clergy who are natives have this title, even in one case a curate being so styled. In Bale’s “Image of bothe Churches” (circa 1550), it is said, “the most ragged runagate among them is no less than a Sir, which is a Lord in the Latin.” In Pulleyn’s “Etymological Compendium,” we find “The title of ‘Sir’ was given to all who had taken a degree, or had entered into Orders.” Thus, Hearne, the Antiquary, after he had taken the degree of B.A., was addressed as “Sir Hearne” (Aubrey’s Letters, i. 117), and William Waynfleet (afterwards Bishop of Winchester), when he had taken the same degree, was called “Sir Waynfleet,” (“Chandler’s Life,” p. 54), Chaucer in his “Canterbury Tales,” speaks of “Sir Clerk,” “Sir Monk,” and it even appeared in Acts of Parliament, as 12 and 13 Ed. IV., N. 14, “Sir James Theckness, Preste,” and i. Henry VII., p. 11, “Sir Oliver Langton, Preste? Sir Robert Nayelsthorp, Preste.”

[95] In a ploughed field, about 300 yards from the main road, a large boulder was discovered by a ploughman, in 1902, measuring about 3ft. in length, some 2½ft. in height, and about the same in thickness, being also ice-borne Neocomian.

[98a] The learned Dr. Oliver (“Religious Houses,” Appendix, p. 167, note 40) says, “wherever the word ‘Kir,’ or any of its derivatives, is found, it implies a former Druid temple.” This syllable forms the base of the Latin “Circulus,” and our own “Circle.” We find many interesting British names containing it; for instance, in the name of that favourite resort of tourists in North Wales, Capel Curig, we have the plural Kerig, implying the British (or Druid) sacred circle of stones, while we have also, prefixed, the translation of it by the Roman Conquerors of those Britons, “Capella,” or Chapel. As a parallel to this, we may mention, that in Wiltshire on “Temple” Downs, there are some stone Druidical remains, which are locally known by the name of “Old Chapel” (Oliver, Ibid., p. 175, note 66). Again in Kerig y Druidion, another place in North Wales, we have the sacred circle “Kerig,” directly connected with the Druids, in the suffix Druidion. There is also at Kirkby Green, near Sleaford, a spot called “Chapel Hill,” another at the neighbouring village Dorrington (“Darun” the Druid sacred oak), and also south of Coningsby, on the sacred Witham, all probably sites of Druid worship.

[98b] Mr. Taylor (“Words and Places” p. 130) says, “the names of our rivers are Celtic (i.e. British).” There is a river Ben, in Co. Mayo; Bandon, Co. Cork; Bann, Co. Wexford; Bana, Co. Down; Bannon (Ban-avon), in Pembrokeshire; Banney, in Yorkshire; and Bain, in Hertfordshire.

[99a] The exact meaning of “by” is seen in the German, which is akin. In Luther’s translation of Job. xxvi. 5, for “they dwell,” the old German is “die bey”; the latter word being our word “bide,” or “abide.” A “by” was an “abode,” or permanent residence; so the Lincolnshire farmer calls the foundation of his stack, the “steddle,” connected with the Saxon, “steady,” and “stead” in “homestead,” &c.

[100a] Portions of Waddingworth and Wispington are given in Domesday Book, as being in the soke of Great Stourton, and Kirkby-on-Bain. Stourton Magna, was formerly a place of some importance, sites being still known as the positions of the market place, &c.

[100b] The names of Fulbeck, and Fulstow, are given in Domesday Book, as Fugel-beck, and Fugel-stow.

[101b] In a cartulary of Kirkstead Abbey, of the early part of the 12th century, now in the British Museum (“Vespasian” E. xviii.), there is an agreement between the Abbot of Kirkstead, and Robert de Driby, “Lord of Tumby,” that the Abbots’ “mastiffs” should be allowed in “the warren,” of Tumby, at all times of the year, with the shepherds, on condition that they do not take greyhounds; and if the mastiffs do damage to the game, they shall be removed, and other dogs taken in their stead. (“Architect S. Journal” xxiii. p. 109).

[102a] In the Cathedral of this City is still preserved the famous Baieux tapestry, said to be the work of Matilda, the Conqueror’s wife, in which are represented the exploits of her husband, in the Conquest of England.

[102b] He remained a prisoner during the reign of the Conqueror. On the accession of William Rufus, he was set at liberty, and restored to favour; but, after a time, heading a conspiracy against the King, in support of Robert, Duke of Normandy, and being defeated, he once more retired to that country, where Duke Robert rewarded him by making him Governor of the province.

[104a] Among the other parishes, Cockerington, Owmby, Withcall, Hainton, North Thoresby, Friesthorpe, Normanby, Ingham, Sixhills, &c., in all seventeen.

[104b] The historian Camden (“Britannia,” fol. 711, 712), gives a curious origin of the name Pontefract, which means “Broken Bridge.” He says that William Archbishop of York, returning from Rome, was here met by such crowds, to crave his blessing, that the bridge over the river Aire broke beneath their weight, and great numbers fell into the river. The prayers of the saint preserved them from being drowned, and hence the name was given to the place. This however, occurred A.D. 1154, and, as documents exist of an earlier date, in which the name is found, as already in use, the legend would seem to be a fabrication. It is probable, says another historian, that Hildebert gave the name to the place, from its resemblance to some place in his own country where he was born; the name being of Latin or Norman origin.

[104c] These connections, with authorities, are given fully in an article on the “Descent of the Earldom of Lincoln,” in “Proceedings of the Archæological Institute” for 1848, Lincoln volume pp. 252–278.

[106] As an illustration of the fickleness and superstition of the times, although he was condemned as a traitor by Edward II., he was regarded as a martyr in the cause of liberty by the people, and was canonized as a Saint by Edward III., son of the King who condemned him. Miracles were said to be wrought at his tomb; and a Church was built, for pilgrims to the place where he was executed. (Rapin’s Hist. vol. i. for 396; Boothroyd’s “Hist. Pontefract” pp. 95, &c).

[108] To show the power and lawlessness of some of these Lords of Kirkby and Tumby, it is recorded that the servants of this Simon de Driby took a waggon, with a hogshead of wine, from Louth to Tumby, by their master’s orders, and there forcibly detained it, “to the damage of 60^s.” a large sum in those days. (“Hundred Rolls,” p. 333.)

[109a] The last Baron D’Eyncourt died in the reign of Henry VI. His sister married Ralph Lord Cromwell. Probably from this connection the warden of Tattershall College had lands in Kirton (“Peerage,” vol. ii., p. 62, and Tanner’s “Notitiæ,” p. 286.) The D’Eyncourts still survive at Bayons Manor, near Market Rasen. Their ancestors came over with the Conqueror, and held many manors in Lincolnshire. Walter D’Eyncourt was a great benefactor to Kirkstead Abbey in the reign of Ed. I. (Madox, “Baronia Anglica,” p. 217.) The first Walter was a near relative of Bishop Remigius, who also accompanied the Conqueror. A tomb was opened in Lincoln Cathedral in 1741 supposed to be that of this Walter, and the body was found carefully sewn up in leather.

[109b] Of another of the Cromwells, a few years later, it is found by a Chancery Inquisition post mortem (15 Hen. VI., No. 71) that, to prove his birth, John Hackthorne, of Walmsgare, testifies that he saw him baptized; and being asked how he knows this, he says that, on the said day, he saw Thomas Hauley, knight, lift the said infant, Robert Cromwell, at the font. This Sir Robert was succeeded by Ralph Lord Cromwell in 1442. This Sir T. Hauley also presented to the benefice of Candlesby, next after Matilda, wife of Ralph Lord Cromwell (“Linc. N. and Q,” vi., p. 76.) Thus there was a Hawley connected with the place at that early period, but, as will be shown further on, the family of the present Sir H. M. Hawley did not obtain their property here till more than 300 years later (“Architect S. Journal,” xxiii., p. 125).

[111] In former times parsons had the title “Sir,” not as being Knights, or Baronets, but as the translation of “Dominus,” now rendered by “Reverend.”

[115a] In those days the wild boar, as well as deer, were plentiful in our forests, and were protected by royal statute. The punishment for anyone killing a boar, without the King’s licence, was the loss of his eyes. They became extinct about A.D., 1620; as to the deer, an old Patent Roll (13, Richard II., pt. 1, m. 3), mentions that a toll of one half penny was leviable on every “100 skins of roebuck, foxes, hares, &c.,” brought for sale to the Horncastle market. This would look as though roe-deer at least, were then fairly plentiful.

[115b] For further particulars of this family see “History of the Ayscoughs,” by J. Conway Walter, published by W. K. Morton, Horncastle. Henry Ascoughe, by his will, dated 16 Nov. 1601, desires to be buried in the parish church of Moorbye (“Maddison’s Wills.”)

[117a] Two different things were formerly meant by the term “graduale,” or “grayle.” (1) It was the name given to the Communion Chalice, or Paten, probably from the “Sangraal,” or holy vessel, said to have been found in the chamber of “the last supper,” of our Lord, by Joseph of Arimathæa, and in which he afterwards collected the blood (sang-reale, or King’s blood), from the wounds of the crucified Saviour. This vessel, in Arthurian romance, was said to have been preserved in Britain, and to have possessed miraculous properties. The legend has been finely adopted by our late Poet Laureate in the “Quest of the Holy Grayle,” among his “Idylls of the King.” (2). The name was given to a part of the service of the Mass in pre-Reformation times, which was called the “Gradual,” or grail, because it was used at the steps (“gradus”) of the chancel. As the inscription on the first-named of these Kirkby tombs mentioned the gift of a “Missal,” or mass book, it is probable that the “gradual” here mentioned was this portion of the mass book, and not the Communion Chalice, or Paten. The Communion plate of Kirkby does not appear to be very old.

[117b] The writer of these Records has also a copy of this engraving, it is dated 1800, and has the initials, E. C. The church is represented with the roof fallen in, the porch closed by rails, south wall of nave, with two 3-light windows, in a dilapidated## condition, a priest’s door in chancel, with two 2-light windows above it, a shabby low tower, with pinnacles, scarcely rising above the roof, the whole overgrown with weeds; and churchyard and grave-stones in a neglected state.

[119] In the reign of Ed. I. it was complained that the too powerful Abbot of Kirkstead erected a gallows at Thimbleby (being patron of that benefice), where he executed various offenders (“Hundred Rolls,” p. 299), and Simon de Tumby had gallows at Ashby Puerorum, of which there is probably still a trace, in “Galley Lane” in that parish. (“Hundred Rolls,” 1275).

[121] The Kings held property in this neighbourhood late in the 16th century. By will, dated Jan. 23, 1614, Edwd. King, of Ashby, bequeathed to his son John the manor house of Salmonby, and it was not till 1595 that the Hall of Ashby de la Laund was built.

[123a] At Greetham there is a field called Gousles, or Gouts-leys. We find the same in Gautby. “St. Peter at Gowt’s,” in Lincoln; and “Gaut” is a common term for the outlets of fen and marsh drains.

[123b] There is in Hameringham a Baldvine gaire, given by the clerk to the Revesby Monks. See notes on Hameringham.

[123c] The name Massenge is not a common one, but we find that Thomas Masinge was presented to the Vicarage of Frampton, by King Philip and Queen Mary, 6 August, 1556 (‘Lincolnshire Institutions,’ “Linc. N. & Q,” vol. v., p. 165.)

[123d] The Goodricks were a fairly good family, originally settled at Nortingley, Somersetshire; but the Lincolnshire branch came from the marriage of Henry, son of Robert Goodrick, with the heiress daughter of Thomas Stickford of this county. According to one version, one of his descendants, Edward Goderich, of East Kirkby, married as his second wife, Jane, daughter and heir of a Mr. Williamson of Boston, whose children were Henry, Thomas (Lord Chancellor), John, Katherine, and Elizabeth; of whom John married the daughter and co-heiress of Sir Lionel Dymoke, of Stickford. According to another version, the John, of Bolingbroke, who died in 1493, had two sons, William and Richard. William was of East Kirkby, and was father of (1) the John, above-named, who married Miss Dymoke, (2) Henry, ancestor of the Goodricks, baronets, of Yorkshire, and (3) Thomas, Bishop of Ely, and Lord Chancellor, temp. Ed. VI., and one of the compilers of the Reformed Liturgy (“Linc. N. & Q,” vol. i., p. 122). In the reign of Elizabeth, Edward Goodrick, of East Kirkby, subscribed £25 to the Armada Fund (“Linc. N. and Q.,” vol. ii., p. 132; “Architect. S. Journal,” 1894, p. 214.)

[124b] The term “exhibition” is equivalent to maintenance; Edward was evidently studying for “the Bar,” and this was provision for him until he should be able to “practice at the Bar,” as counsel in legal suits. The term exhibition is still used at the Universities, along with “scholarship,” for certain allowances, which are granted to students, after examination, to aid them in their University course.

[125a] The Sapcotes were a well-to-do middle-class family. In 1554 Thomas Chamberlaine, clerk, was presented to the Church of Lee, Lincoln Diocese, by Edward Sapcote, gentleman, one of the executors of the will of Henry Sapcote, late alderman of the City of Lincoln (‘Lincoln Institutions,’ “Linc. N. and Q,” v., p. 173.) William Sapcote was Rector of Belchford in 1558. By a Chancery Inquisition post mortem, dated at Hornecastell, 4 Nov., 23 Henry VII. (1507), the manor of Taunton (Toynton) and advowson of Nether Taunton with other property were recovered for Thomas Sapcote, and Joan his wife, and other parties. (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1895, pp. 61–2.)

[125b] The Palfreyman family resided at Lusby. They were descended from William Palfreyman, who was Mayor of Lincoln in 1536. Mr. E. Palfreyman contributed “1 launce and 1 light horse” to the defence of the country when the Spanish Armada was expected; one of them is named among the List of Gentry in the county, on the Herald’s Visitation in 1643 (“Linc. N. & Q,” ii., p. 73.) Ralph Palfreyman was presented to the Vicarage of Edlington in 1869, by Anthony Palfreyman, merchant of the Staple, Lincoln (“Architect, S. Journal,” 1897, p. 15.)

[126] The Grynnees were “nativi,” or tenants in bondage; yet, as sometimes happens in modern days, a son married the daughter of a knight. They were attached to the manor of Ingoldmells, which then belonged to the King.

[127a] The prefix may either be Ea i.e. Eau, water, or Ey, Ea, island. The small islands in the Thames are called eyots.

[127b] By an Inquisition taken at Partney, 8 Sep. 7 Hen. VIII (A.D. 1491), it was found that Bernard Eland, son of Eustace Eland, late of Stirton, Esquire is an idiot, and that he has an infirmity called “Morbus Caducus; and he held his manor of Stirton of the lord the King, by the service of two parts of a knight’s fee.” (“Archit. S. Journ.” 1195, p. 74).

[128] By an Inquisition, 20 Hen. vii (A.D. 1504, 5), held at Lincoln, it was found that John Billsby and Nicholas Eland were seized of the manor of Malbissh-Enderby, with appurtenances in Hagworthingham and also of the manor of Bag Enderby, with appurtenances in Somersby, &c.

[129] This rood-screen has been reproduced in late years in the restored churches of Brant Broughton and Thornton Curtis. (“Linc. N. & Q.,” 1896, p. 49).

[131] Of Thomas Goodrick, Bishop of Ely, we may observe that he was rather a “timeserver,” though one of the supporters of Lady Jane Grey, and acting on her Council during her nine days’ reign. On the accession of Queen Mary, he did homage to her, and was allowed to retain his bishopric. The historian says of him, that “he was a busy secular-spirited man, given up to factions and intrigues of state, preferring to keep his bishopric before the discharge of his conscience.”

The name was probably originally spelt Gode-rich, and a Latin epigram was composed, in allusion to this, as follows:—

There is probably a trace of the Goodrick family in a carved stone over the kitchen door at the farmhouse close by the church, on which the device is a cross “fitchée,” rising from another recumbent cross, combined with a circle, between the initials L and G, with the date above 1544.

[133] Our modern rock-salt was unknown till 1670, when it was accidentally found in Cheshire. Before that time the only salt in use, was that collected by evaporation, in “salt-pans,” on the Humber or the sea-coast. Of these, Sharon Turner calculates (“Hist. Anglo-Saxons,” vol. iii., p. 251, Ed., 1836), that there were no less than 361 in the county.

[135] Mills almost invariably belonged to the lord of the manor, and were a source of considerable profit, as at these only were the tenants allowed to have their grain ground. As an evidence of their value it may be mentioned that the Bishop of Worcester had, in the parish of Stratford, two carucates of land, or 240 acres, which were rated at 20s., whereas a mill belonging to him, yielded 100s. He let his land at the annual rent of 5d. per acre, but his mill was let for £5. When the Conqueror’s Commissioners visited Lincolnshire, there were between 400 and 500 mills in the county.

[137] We have an instance of a similar formation in the name of Kingerby, near Market Rasen; which in a Chancery Inquisition, post mort., V.O., Ric. III. and Henry VII., No. 116a, is given as Kyngardby.

[139] Privately translated and printed for the late Right Honble. E. Stanhope, M.P., of Revesby.

[142a] This double-arched doorway has been pronounced by some to be Saxon (“Linc. N. & Q.” 1896, p. 4), but about 1090 there was a revival of Saxon ornament, which was continued for some time into the Norman period (“Linc. N & Q.” 1895, p. 225, note.)

[142b] These details are taken from the description given by the late Precentor Venables, on the visit of the Architectural Society, in 1894.

[145a] The Fitzwilliams were a wealthy family, having large possessions in this county and elsewhere, and, at a later period, were created earls of Southampton.

[145b] The Crevecœurs would seem to have derived their name from Creveceur, a town with the title of Marquis, in the province of Masseran, in Italy (“General Hist. of World,” by Dan Browne, 1721, p. 160.) There was, however, another old town of this name in Holland, remarkable for its strong fortress, which, from its impregnability, was named Creveceur, or heart-break (Ibidem, p. 122). The arms of this family were “or, a cross, voided, gules” (“Magna Charta,” p. 100.)

[147] These various records are taken from “Lincolnshire Wills,” &c., by Canon Maddison.

[148] In Bag Enderby church there is a mural monument to Andrew and Dorothy Gedney, and their two sons and two daughters kneeling by prayer desks.

[156a] Ralph Lord Treasurer Cromwell had also property in this parish at a later period.

[156b] A former church was built by the Lord Treasurer, who died in 1455; in the nave of which was the inscription, “Orate pro anima Radulph Crumwell qui incepit hoc opus, Anno Domini 1450.” (Harl. MSS. No. 6829, p. 174).

[157a] In the “Gentleman’s Magazine” for 1789, p. 636, is an account of a beacon hill in this parish.

[157b] The objection to this is that “reeve” is a Saxon word, and the termination “by” is Danish. The word appears in our modern “sheriff,” or shire-reeve, “port-reeve,” &c.

[158d] The original charter of the foundation is lost, but a copy is given in Dugdale’s “Monasticon,” vol. v. p. 454. The wife of this William de Romara was Hawise, daughter of Richard de Redvers, Lord of Tiverton, Co. Devon, and of Christchurch, Hants., and sister to Baldwin, 1st Earl of Devon. By the title of Comitissa Hawysia de Romara, she gave the church of Feltham, in Middlesex, to the hospital of St. Giles-in-the-Fields, near London. She joined in the foundation of Revesby Abbey. (“Topogr. and Genealogist,” vol. i., p. 24).

[160] It is customary to speak of Revesby Abbey as the monastery of St. Laurence, but it would also appear at an early period to have been dedicated to the Virgin Mother as well; for, while the inscription on the tomb of the founder, as given above, mentions only St. Laurence, Dugdale in his “Monasticon” (p. 531), calls it “the Monastery of our blessed Lady the Virgin, and St. Lawrans.” Further, one impression of the Abbey seal is preserved in the office of the Duchy of Lancaster, and another at the British Museum; and they are inscribed “Sigillum Abbatis d’ St. Laurentio”; but there is also in the British Museum, a seal of “Henry, Abbot of St. Mary’s;” and another of “the Abbey and Convent of St. Mary,” is among the Harleian Charters (44, z 2), and both the latter have, as part of their device, the Virgin, crowned, holding the Infant Christ in her arms.

[161] It is curious to find a Doctor among the slaves, he may have been a foster-brother to one of better birth. Barcaria, in Monkish Latin meant a tanning house (from “bark,”) or a sheep-fold, Norman French, “Bergerie,” and Barkarius may have been a tanner or shepherd.

[164] I am indebted for these details to the accounts printed by the late E. Stanhope, for private circulation, and the Revesby deeds and charters, which he recovered, and also printed.

[166] Saunders in his “History of Lincolnshire,” 1836, gives the patron of Revesby as Revd. C. N. L’oste. This, however, is an error, that gentleman being chaplain in 1831, and there then being no residence he resided at Horncastle, as many other country incumbents did at that time. The L’ostes held various preferments in this neighbourhood for more than one generation. In 1706, before the Banks family owned Revesby, the Revd. C. L’oste held the Rectory of Langton-by-Horncastle. He was a man of some attainments, and published a poetical translation of Grotius on the Christian Religion, which the writer of these notes possesses. Another L’oste, at that date resided in Louth; and, within living memory, another of the name resided in Horncastle.

[178] The Pelhams of old were a martial family. At the battle of Poitiers, the King of France surrendered to John de Pelham, and this badge was adopted by him as representing the sword-belt buckle of the defeated monarch, and became conspicuous on their residences, or in the churches which they endowed.

[181] For an interesting life of Mr. Hanserd Knollys, see Crosby’s “History of English Baptists,” vol. i, p. 334, &c.

[182] Odo was the son of Herluin de Contaville and Arlette, coucubine of Robert, Duke of Normandy, so that Odo and the Conqueror were sons of the same mother. The Earl of Moretaine, and Adeliza, Countess d’ Aumaile, were his brother and sister.

[184] It has been suggested that this represented Belshazzar’s Feast (“Architect. S. Journal,” 1858, p. lxxiii), but this would hardly be in keeping with the other subjects.

[185] The next ford on the Witham, southward, was Kirkstead wharf, or more properly “wath,” which is still the local pronunciation; “wath,” meaning “ford,” corresponding to the Latin “vadum,” and related to our word to “wade,” or “ford,” a stream, &c. There is a village called Wath in Yorkshire, which is near a ford or causeway over a Marsh. (“Archit. Journ.” xiii, p. 75).

[186a] Mr. T. W. Shore, in an interesting article on “The Roads and Fords of Hampshire.” (“Archæolog. Review,” vol. iii., pp. 89–98), says that all the “Stokes” (a common local name), are connected with “wades,” or fords on streams, probably because they were stockaded. Stockholm, means a staked, or stockaded island. In South America there is a plain called Llano Estacedo, because the tracks across it are marked by stakes. (“Greater Britain,” Sir C. Dilke, p. 75.)

[186b] This was the case with a manorial wood, formerly on the property of the Bishops of Winchester, at Havant, in Hants. (“Archæol. Review,” iii., p. 94), one of the conditions of tenure being, that it should furnish stakes for a “wade-way,” from the main land to Hayling Island, fordable by carts at low water, and stockaded on both sides.

[186c] In connection with this, it is not a little interesting to note that, according to the Hundred Rolls (pp. 317 and 397), quoted Oliver’s “Religious Houses,” (p. 72, note 25), the prioress of Stixwould was accused in the reign of Ed. I., of obstructing the passage of ships on the Witham, “by turfs and faggots” (“turbis et fagotis”); this would probably be by making the ford shallower by sods, and narrower by bundles of stakes or sticks.

[186d] Streatfeild (“Lincolnshire and the Danes,” pp. 147–8,) says “the swampy locality would favour the idea of the stakes,” as originating the name.

[186e] Called by Ingulphus “Patria Girviorum.” (“Hist. Rerum. Anglic.” Vol. i., p. 5, A.D. 716).

[187] The name Siward may not have been confined to one person; but the old chronicler, Ordericus Vitalis (A.D. 1142), tells the following, of the great Earl Waltheof, son of Siward, that he was beheaded (probably being too powerful a Saxon subject to suit the Conqueror), on May 31, 1076, at Winchester, and buried on the spot of his execution. The monks of Croyland, however, begged that his body might be removed to their Abbey; and this was granted and carried out a fortnight after his death. He was then buried in the Chapter House. Sixteen years afterwards, the abbot, Ingulphus, decided to remove the treasured remains from the Chapter House to the Church, and ordered the bones to be first washed with warm water. When the coffin lid was removed, the body was not only found to be as fresh as at the first burial, but the head had become re-united to the body, only a red streak showing the place of severance. The body was re-interred near the high altar with great ceremony, and it is added (and no wonder, after this one miracle) that “miracles were often performed” at the tomb. (“Fenland N. & Q.” 1892, pp. 37–8).

[188] Although nothing is said, so far as we know, of Ivo leaving any progeny, the name of Taillebois survived for some centuries, being represented by men of wealth, large property, and good connections in the county. Their chief seat was South Kyme, where the head of this house succeeded Gilbert de Umfravill, Earl of Angus, and where his descendants were, in turn, succeeded by the Dymokes. In the 15th century their fortunes declined, and by a Close Roll of Henry VII. (9 May, 1494), it is shewn that William Taillebois, then of Baumber, had got into the hands of a London money-lender, and that his estates were handed over to Sir Robert Dymoke, and other creditors, who made him an allowance of £20 a year.

[189a] Judging by the dates, they could hardly have been one and the same lady. This question is fully examined by J. G. Nichols, F.S.A., in “Proceedings of the Archæological Institute,” 1848, who decides in favour of two distinct persons, the latter being mother of William de Romara (temp. Stephen), afterwards Earl of Lincoln.

[189b] From the title, d’ Alencon, it is probable that the name, once not uncommon in this neighbourhood, of Dalyson arose.

[194] Dugdale (“Monasticon,” v., p. 725), says Sir Geoffrey de Ezmondeys gave to Stixwold Priory certain lands at Honington, then called Huntingdon. These lands still belonged to the Priory, temp. Henry VIII. The name is spelt Ermondeys in a second Deed in Dugdale; it is Ermondys in the Hundred Rolls (i. 393). In “Testa de Nevill,” (p. 323) it is abbreviated as “Armets”; while in p. 342 of the same Henry de Armenters is given as owner of the same lands.

[196a] Not many years ago there was preserved in the church of the not distant parish of Scopwick, a richly-embroidered satin pulpit cloth, probably a specimen of such work; but the Vicar, unfortunately, converted it into window curtains, and it has been lost. (Oliver, p. 72, n. 23.)

[196b] The Harleian MS., in the British Museum, shows buxom dames shooting stags and boars with the bow, mounted astride on horseback. Italian and Dutch artists shew the same. Lady Superiors were wont thus to relieve the montony of conventual life. It is related of Queen Elizabeth, that when 60 years old, she shot four deer before breakfast. “Standard,” ‘leader,’ Oct. 12th, 1898.

[197] There may be seen in Horncastle, at the house of Mr. Soulby Hunter, of Horncastle, a very beautifully-carved boss of stone, which was once in the roof of the Priory chapel, or church; it is circular, more than 2ft. in diameter, and 6 portions of arches branch off from it. Its size indicates that the fabric must have been on a large scale and lofty. There is also at the same house a finely-carved figure of a crouching lion, which may have formed part of a frieze, or cornice of the same building.

[198] This stone consists of a square block, the carved device being a cross within a circle, on the four arms of which are letters, which, taking a central E as common to all, form the words “Lex Dei Est Vera,” ‘the law of God is true.’ The stone was taken to Lincoln, and placed in the west gable of a house built by the late Mr. E. J. Willson. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. i., p. 124). It was engraved in “Archæological Journal,” vol. ix., p. 97.

[199] This Boulton was, for his crime, hanged at Lincoln; but his body brought to be buried in the old church. When the present church was built, his body was removed, with others, and re-interred in the churchyard. His remains are, locally, said to have differed from all the others, in that there were still large lumps of fat about the skeleton. This may probably be accounted for by the fact that he died in the full vigour of life. Some of the Boultons formerly resided at Hall-garth, Thimbleby; others lived at Sturton-by-Stow, and left moneys for the poor of that parish.

[202] Thomas Welby, in his will, proved 18th August, 1524, desired “to be buried in the church of Stixwould, before the image of our Lady.” The Welbys are now one of the leading county families, yet we find this very name of “Thomas Welby of Moulton,” mentioned in the “Myntling MS.” of Spalding Priory, as among the bondmen of that monastery. 25 Edward III., (1352). Thomas Grantham, living at Newstead farm, Stixwould, 40 years ago, probably of the above Grantham family, was a great hunting man. His brother, Redding Grantham, is buried at Woodhall Spa.

[203] For many of these particulars I am indebted to the account of Halstead Hall, by the Rev. J. A. Penny, given in “Linc. N. & Q.,” vol. iii., pp. 33–37.

[204] The bricks of this structure resemble those of Tattershall Castle (built about 1440), and of the Tower-on-the-Moor; they were formerly supposed to be Dutch bricks, brought by boat up the Witham; but geologists tells us that they are made of the local clay.

[206a] A cast was taken of Tiger Tom’s head, after the execution, and a mould from it now forms an ornament over the door of a house, No. 31, Boston Road, Horncastle, which formerly belonged to Mr. William Boulton. He witnessed the execution, and procured the cast at the time.

[206b] One of the gang was hanged on March 27, 1829; the two above-named on March 19, the next year, 1830; a fourth was captured two years later, but escaped hanging, as it was pleaded on his behalf, that he had prevented Timothy Brammar, a reckless fellow, from shooting Mr. Elsey, or ill-treating the maids. He, however, had formerly been a servant at the house, knew the premises well, and was said to have planned the whole proceedings; he was transported. There were said to be ten men in the gang, all “bankers,” i.e., “navvies.” Mr. T. Mitchell, parish clerk of Woodhall, informs me that two of the men confined in the stables were named Henry Oldfield and George Croft; names frequently appearing in the parish registers and still common in the neighbourhood. George Croft died at Langton, January 18, 1878. Henry Oldfield’s daughter, still living (1904), says that she remembers her mother stating that she saw six of the men hanged, at one time or another, and heard the trial of the last two, when the judge remarked “What, the case from Halstead Hall; shall we ever have done with it?” Most of these particulars are given in “Records of Woodhall Spa” (1899), and for them I am indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Longstaff, now residing at Halstead Hall.

[209] The parish register has the entry “Alison y^e wife of Rob. Diton was buried y^e 14 Jan^y., 1688,” and as none of the name are mentioned again, they probably became extinct with this Robert.

[210] It has been doubted, of late, whether there ever was a tower; but it is referred to by Mr. Jeans, in Murray’s “Handbook for Lincolnshire,” also in several old Directories, and the Parish Terrier, dated June 27, 1724, mentions among the church possessions “Three bells and a ting-tang.” The existence of this tower is further confirmed by the fact that in the churchyard is the tombstone of a Mr. Wattam (a name still surviving in the parish), the churchwarden who caused the tower to be taken down. He was afterwards killed by lightning, and the villagers regarded this as a “judgment” upon him for removing the tower and bells.

[219a] See my volume “Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood,” pp. 140–2, where this particular case of Fulstow is also mentioned.

[219b] In connection with Joyce Dighton, widow of Robert Dighton, of Stourton, there is a record that she left her two sons, Robert and William, her leases in Waddingworth, and in Maidenwell, Louth. This indicates a connection. The Waddingworth property had belonged to Tupholme Abbey. Maidenwell, also, was a sacred place, where is still a well, in the cellar of the manor house, which I have seen, dedicated to the “Maiden,” i.e., Virgin.

[220a] I quote from the list made out by the Rev. C. W. Foster (“Architectural Society’s Journal,” vol. xxiv., p. 12).

[220b] This Mr. Rutland Snowden, gent., gave to the poor of Horncastle one house, of the yearly value of 26s., but, being decayed, this is now reduced to 13s., paid in bread, sixpence every other Sunday. The house belongs now to Mr. Willm. Dawson. (Weir’s “Hist. of Horncastle,” p. 33, ed. 1820.)

[221] Thomas Loddington, LL.D., was Vicar of Horncastle at the beginning of the 18th century. His name is on one of the church bells, cast in 1717.

[227] St. Margaret was tortured and beheaded by Polybius, Roman president of the East (who wished to marry her), because she refused to abjure her faith in the Saviour. She died A.D., 278. Her holy day, July 20, is very ancient, not only in the Roman Church, but also in the Greek Church, which celebrates her memory, under the name of Marina.

[228] The writer of this notice has a copy of this quaint production. It is entitled, “God’s Arke, overtopping the world’s waves, or The Third Part of the Parliamentary Chronicle, collected and published, for God’s high Honour, and the great encouragement of all that are zealous for God, and lovers of their Country. By the most unworthy admirer of them, John Vickers, London. Printed by M. Simons & F. Macock. 3rd edition, 1646.” The 1st edition was probably issued soon after the battle.

[230a] Of these Colonel Shelley was taken in the water. Sir George Bolle, a member of a very old Lincolnshire family, was killed with Sir Ingram Hopton, and Major Askew, of another old Lincolnshire family was taken prisoner. (“Winceby Fight,” a Legend, by Alan Cheales, M.A.)

[230b] The writer once found on Langton Hill, within a quarter of a mile of Horncastle, the rowell of a spur with very long spikes, which was probably lost by a fugitive Cavalier after the fight. He has also a pair of spurs which were ploughed up on the battle field; and he has also a pistol of peculiar construction, found in a ditch near Woodhall Spa, which had probably been lost by a fleeing trooper.

[231] There are more than 2000 place-names in England which contain this element: from the county names of Nott-ing-hamshire and Buck-ing-hamshire, to Wolsingham, to the North, in Durham; and Hastings on the South coast of Sussex.

[233] The Beks, who have been mentioned before in this volume, became a powerful and wealthy family. They attained to the honour of Knighthood, and Barony, married into families of good position, acquired the Constableship of Lincoln Castle, and were especially strong in Bishops; four members of the family being raised to the episcopate, one as Bishop of Lincoln, then the largest See in the Kingdom, another as Bishop of Durham. Of this last it is related that he was so enormously wealthy that his ordinary retinue consisted of 140 knights. Hearing that a piece of cloth was said to be “too costly for even the Bishop of Durham,” he at once bought it, and had it cut up into horse cloths. While he was staying in Rome, a Cardinal greatly admired his horses. He thereupon sent two of the best with his compliments, begging the Cardinal to take which he preferred. The cardinal took both; whereat the Bishop drily remarked, “He has chosen the best.”

[234] That a connection of Beks and Willoughbys with Kirkstead Abbey existed before this, is shewn by the following documents. Walter Bek, first Baron of Willoughby, by will, dated July 20, 1301, directed that his body should “be buried at Kirkstede, whereunto he gives his best horse (price 40 marks), his mail-coat, gauntlets, targe and lance,” and other accoutrements, Sir Willm. Willoughby being his executor. An old Charter exists (Harleian MS., 45. h. 14), by which “John Bek, Lord of Eresby, makes known to all sons of Holy Mother Church,” that he grants and confirms “to God and the Church of the blessed Mary of Kyrkested, and to the Monks there serving God, in pure and perpetual alms, all the gifts and confirmations, which (his) ancestors made to them”; one of the witnesses to this being “Dominus William de Wylcheby.”

[235] By a curious coincidence, we find 120 years later, another William Hardigray, doubtless a descendant of this, occupying the post of master, with sundry “fellows” under him, of the Chantry of the Holy Trinity, at Spilsby; and to him, and his Institution, Sir William Willoughby, in 1406, granted certain lands in Scremby and elsewhere, to augment the endowment; a further bequest being made by Robert, Lord Willoughby, in 1452. (“History of Spilsby,” p. 46, by H. Cotton Smith.)

[236] The Glovers would seem to have been of some antiquity in the neighbourhood. In an Inquisition, taken at Sleaford, A.D. 1506, as to the estate of Mawncer Marmeon, among the jurors is William Glover, of Panton. (Architect. Soc. Journal, vol. xxiii., pt. i., pp. 55 and 69). While, in another Inquisition taken at Spalding in the same year, among the jurors is Robert Glover (Ibidem); and in another Inquisition taken at Falkingham, 3 years later, we find Thomas Phillips of Stamford, and John Obys, clerk, seized of the manor of Casewick (Ibidem, p. 80).

[237] The bricks of the former residence itself are said to have been used in repairing Baumber Church many years ago.

[238a] Some anecdotes are told of this worthy. A friend, who, in his early years, received some tuition from him, relates that he once took him to the top of the church tower, and waving his arms around, exclaimed “All this should be mine, every inch of it.” He planted an apple tree, when each of his numerous progeny was born; two or three of which still bear fruit in the vicarage orchard. He is said to have been a skilful boxer, and to have thrashed a big bully at Thimbleby. Being accused by a clerical superior, of frequenting public houses, and drinking too much, he replied, “I am not the only man who has been accused of being a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” He was evidently well able to hold his own with tongue as well as fist, although the valuable patrimony slipt through his fingers.

[238b] He was intimate with Prout, De Wint, Cattermole, and other artists of his day, his own paintings in sepia being well-known and highly valued. The writer of these Records possesses several of them, and among them, the gift of Mr. Terrot, a painting of Stonehenge, the original of which was presented by the artist to King Edward, on his visit to Stonehenge, as Prince of Wales.

[240] The triple cross is said to be the sign of a Royal Arch-Mason, and in Mr. Terrot’s own window are signs of the four Masonic crafts.

[241] The Hannaths had one other child, a girl, who married and is still living at Blackpool. Of the 18 buried here, one a girl, Ann, having been accidentally burnt, was a dwarf not only in body, but also in intellect. At 23 years of age she was only 26 inches high, and an idiot. She was buried July 9, 1844 (note in register). It is stated that her common way of showing that she wanted food, was to lick with her tongue the fire-grate. It is locally said that at the birth of each of the 18 children, a mysterious pigeon appeared, and, in consequence, the child died at once, or within a day or two of its appearance.

[243] In the ancient house in Boston called “Shodfriars’ Hall,” there was established in 1619, a school where 20 boys and 20 girls were taught to “spin Jersey, or worsted.” It was called the “Jersey School,” till 1790. (Thomson’s “Boston,” p. 191.)

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	£	s.	d.
For his own and his men’s table with the abbot of Croyland	40	0	0
Farms of tithes in Whaplode	9	0	0
Denariis mutuo receptis (i.e. money borrowed)	12	0	0
Several horses borrowed and not returned	4	0	0
Other items are given as a set off, as well as his legacy of	40	0	0
But there still remains a debt of	60	0	0

The Project Gutenberg eBook of Records, Historical and Antiquarian, of Parishes Round Horncastle

Records, HISTORICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN, OF Parishes Round Horncastle.