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diff --git a/old/62502-0.txt b/old/62502-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 959a085..0000000 --- a/old/62502-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11362 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Records, historical and antiquarian, of -Parishes Round Horncastle, by J. Conway Walter - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Records, historical and antiquarian, of Parishes Round Horncastle - - -Author: J. Conway Walter - - - -Release Date: June 27, 2020 [eBook #62502] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK RECORDS, HISTORICAL AND -ANTIQUARIAN, OF PARISHES ROUND HORNCASTLE*** - - -Transcribed from the 1904 W. K. Morton edition, by David Price, email -ccx074@pglaf.org - - [Picture: Book cover] - - [Picture: Photograph of J. Conway Walter with his signature] - - - - - - Records, - HISTORICAL AND ANTIQUARIAN, - OF - Parishes Round Horncastle. - - - * * * * * - - BY - J. CONWAY WALTER, - - AUTHOR OF “RECORDS OF WOODHALL SPA,” “THE AYSCOUGHS,” - “LITERÆ LAUREATÆ,” &c. - - [Picture: Ancient Chrismatory, see page 38] - - Ancient Chrismatory, see page 38. - - * * * * * - - HORNCASTLE: - W. K. MORTON, HIGH STREET, - 1904. - - - - -PREFACE. - - -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. - -Further, 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:— - - “’Tis born with all; the love of Nature’s works - Is an ingredient in the compound man, - Infused at the creation of his kind.”—(“The Task.”) - -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 characters, 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. - - J.C.W. - - - - -CORRIGENDA. {0} - - -Page 1, line 23, _for_ moot-free _read_ moot-tree. -„ 3, line 11, _for_ Creœceur _read_ Creveceur. -„ 8, line 24, _for_ Sharford _read_ Snarford. -„ 14, line 13, _for_ resident _read_ residence. -„ 18, line 20, _for_ Ascham _read_ Acham. -„ 19, line 9, _for_ Anjon _read_ Anjou. -„ 30, foot-note, _for_ Anjon _read_ Anjou. -„ 31, line 36, _for_ Stukley _read_ Stukeley. -„ 41, line 24, Richard, King, _omit comma_. -„ 44, line 28, Emperor of Constantine, _omit_ of. -„ 45, line 18, _for_ Improprietor _read_ Impropriator. -„ 50, line 1, _for_ Mabysshendery _read_ Mabysshenderby. -„ 51, line 31, _for_ Tessara _read_ Tessera. -„ 56, line 41, _for_ 1349 _read_ 1846. -,, 67, line 23, _for_ call _read_ called. -„ 114, last line, _for_ smalle _read_ smaller. -„ 116, line 8, _for_ Bernek _read_ Bernak. -„ 119, line 9, _for_ his misdeeds _read_ their misdeeds. -„ 125, foot note, _for_ one launcar _read_ one lance. -„ 126, line 34, _for_ 13th century _read_ 18_th_ century. -„ 128, line 35, _for_ attatched _read_ attached -„ 136, line 20, _for_ a aumbrey _read_ an aumbrey. -„ 136, line 42, _for_ Canon Oldfield _read_ Rev. G. R. Ekins. -„ 138, line 18, Asgarby Benefice is now held with Lusby, by Rev. C. E. -Bolam. -„ 154, line 35, _for_ right north _read_ left north. -„ 169, line 29, _for_ succumbuit _read_ succubuit. -,, 170, line 16, _for_ Almond _read_ Salmond. -„ 171, line 22, _for_ place _read_ places. -„ 184, line 5, _for_ sprays _read_ splays. -„ 185, line 12, _for_ similiar _read_ similar. -„ 190, line 41, _for_ Cladius _read_ Claudius. -„ 194, line 3 5, _for_ Creviceur _read_ Creveceur. - - - - -NOTES 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 Druids “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 made 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 Bag 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. - -Another 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 18th 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 Littleburys 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} - -I 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 gentry 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 for 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. The 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 residence, 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 piers. 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 customary 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; the 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 brother 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 12th -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 octagonal 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 stands 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} - -Such 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 the 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 south aisle, and over the west entrance are hatchments of the -Clintons. - -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, among 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 more 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 Angelorum 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, but 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) -“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 destroyed, 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— - - “I, sweetly tolling, men do call, - To taste our meats that feede the soole.” - -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, and 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 bracket 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 the 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} Lord 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 above 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} - -And 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. - - - -EDLINGTON. - - -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. In 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 the 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 ijs and vid -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, daughter 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 Rochford. 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 ecclesiastical 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 claim 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 to 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 May, 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, and 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. -Jany. 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]. - -Margaret 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 the 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, near 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 Revesby 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} - - Merry it is in the good green woods, - When the Mavis {47b} and Merle {47c} are singing, - When the deer sweep by, and the hounds are in cry, - And the hunter’s horn is ringing. - -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 owners 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. - -Among 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 Mabysshenderby, 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 -3li.; to Dorothy and Susan Smyth, 10s. 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 Lacon, -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, except 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 the 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 which -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 Bishop 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 -Archdeacon 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 -considerable 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 presents 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 -of 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 it 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 -list 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.” - -The 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. - -On 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 -10s., to those of Donington 10s., to those Scamblesby 40s.” 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) which 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, -compared 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 of 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._, Ashby 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 to 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, “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. - -We 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 goutsleys, or -meadows, in which were the sources of local springs. - -N.B.—In East Kirkby, at the foot of the Wolds, is a field named -Goutscroft. - -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 work -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 whom 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 the 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 _hem_med 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. He 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 incursions 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, also 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 son 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. - -John 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. - -(These particulars are taken from “Lincolnshire Wills,” by Canon -Maddison). - -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 John 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 sufficiently 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 -being “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. - -We 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. He 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 8_s._ 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 6_d._ annually. - -Sir Lionel Dymoke, by will, dated 15 Ap. 1512, bequeathed “for churche -walke in hameringham xxd. 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, in 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 -Edenbridge, 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. - - - -HAREBY. - - -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 soke 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 manors 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. - -Another 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 Puerorum, 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 fabric 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 then 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 Dightons 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. - -(N.B.—These notices are from “Lincolnshire Wills,” by Canon Maddison.) - -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 English 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. - - - -HEMINGBY. - - -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). - -In Liber Regis, the living was valued at £17 8_s._ 6½_d._, 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 2_s._ 3_d._ 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 the -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} - -The 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 Horncastle,” 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 2_s._ 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 period, 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 Noble, 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 40_s._ 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 the 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; “40_s_” was, in those -days a considerable sum, the whole tithes of the benefice being only £1 -7_s._ 4¼_d._ 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. - -Coming 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. - -We 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 another 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 13_s._ 4_d_). - -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 hold (them) -to him and his heirs for ever, of the Abbot, and his successors, -rendering to them 6_d._ 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 13_s._ 4_d._ 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 -13_s._ 4_d._, by the year, at Kirkeby on Bayne, and the service of one -knight’s fee”; and for this Robert gives him 10 marks (£6 13_s._ 4_d._) -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. - -Another 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 13_s._ 4_d._ 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 Boston, 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 important 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 xiiili. -xiis. viii. I give to the poore people of the towneshipp of Kirkebye -vili., to the poore of Tunbye xls.” 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, xxvjli. I geve to the repayring of fowle -and noysome hie wayes xxvjli. 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 gold ring wt -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, Knight, 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 Feby, 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 Maud, 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 of -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 wood, 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 estates, 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 stained-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:— - - Richard Lambard lies by this stone entombed; - Of this Church formerly Rector was he. - Who caused this Chancel to be newly built. - He presented a Missal, and other valuables. - On the 14th day of January he sought the stars, - In the 1450th year of our Lord. - To whom God grant eternal rest! Amen. - -On a flat slab, beside the above, was the following, also in Latin:— - - William Bulliar lies here entombed; - Of this church formerly Rector was he; - He caused a new Crucifix to be erected. - He presented a gradual {117a} and cross, and other valuables. - He died the 11th day of December, 1510. - -There was also apparently a window to his memory. - -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 Gothic.” 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 5_s._, 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 deserving 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 Wood, 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. - -This 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._, 2_s._ 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,” in 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, “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). - -There are other deeds connected with East Kirkby, but these are typical. - -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; he 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 xxli 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, co-heir of Sir John Kersey, knt., 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 ye 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 20s. besides his wages 13s. 4d. His “grandson John -Godricke to have the manor of Stickney when 22 years old,” and his cousin -Richard Palfreyman 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 peppercorn 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. Toward 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 a -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 Silkstone 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:— - - “While frankincense and sweet perfume - Before the shrine they burn.” - -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 request, 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 certain 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). - -In 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 Bek, 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 being -served by the “Religious” of the convents. There is also mention of a -mill, worth 3_s._ 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 30_s._, 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 cross 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. - -Letters, _via_ Spilsby, arrive at 8 a.m., and are despatched at 5 p.m. - -ASGARBY, 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, dedicated 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; and 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 the -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. The -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.) - -By 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 1_s._ 6_d._ -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 against 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; the 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 Chester, 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. - -By 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 12_d._ 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 succession 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 4_s._ 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 charter, 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 10_s_. 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. - -Another 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 Wath-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 Lot” (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 46_s._ 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 -acquired 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). - -The pedigree of the Taylbois’ of Raithby is given in the Visitation of -1562. - -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 10_s._ 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:— - - £ s. d. -For his own and his men’s table with the 40 0 0 -abbot of Croyland -Farms of tithes in Whaplode 9 0 0 -Denariis mutuo receptis (_i.e._ money 12 0 0 -borrowed) -Several horses borrowed and not returned 4 0 0 -Other items are given as a set off, as well 40 0 0 -as his legacy of -But there still remains a debt of 60 0 0 - -This 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 -6_s._ 8_d._ 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 1_s._ -8_d._ left by Elizabeth Kirkbridge, of Hull, in 1813, and the interest of -£100 left by John Dawson, in 1839. - -The 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, with 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 Raventhorpe, 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 -10_s._ 8_d._ 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 the 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 reside 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. 7_b_), -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 Taillebois, 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 -churches, 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 of 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. - -By 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 the 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 -3_s._ 8_d._ (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. - -John 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 -history, 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.) - -Among 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 western 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 below, -“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 within 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. - -The 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 Lincolnshire 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 xl_s._, 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 Queen 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 Henry 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, which 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 there 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 of 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 Scamblesby,” 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 still 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 6_s._ 8_d._, 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 part, 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 13_s._ -4_d._; Mary Neave, £66 13_s._ 4_d._; 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, 44_s._ in -gold; my son, Abell, 44_s._ in gold; to everyone of my grandchildren, -11_s._ in gold; to the poor of Donington, 22_s._; of Goulceby, 20_s._; -and to the poorest of Scamblesby 20_s._; to everyone of my servants, -16_d._; 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, 20_s._; Thomas, -William, and Elizabeth, the three eldest children of my brother Timothy -Kent, deceased, 20_s._ a piece; and to 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 5_s._ piece of silver; to the -poor of Scamblesby, 40_s._; to the poorest of Goulceby, 10_s._ and of -Donington, 10_s._; to everie one of my sisters 10_s._; to my cosen, Alice -Brooke, £3 6_s._ 8_d._, 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 not 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 from 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). This 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 opened 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. -The 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 formerly 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 6_s._ 8_d._ -yearly, a 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 Ulviet,) 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 forced -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 -pass 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. 9_b._, Brit. Museum, “Archit. Journ.,” 1881, p. 197.) - -The de Hays were a wealthy family, owning lands in Cammerigham, -Spridlington, Fillingham, Hackthorn, Owmby, 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, Massingberds, 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, Edlington, 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’ Visitation 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 are 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 needlework, 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, upon Robert Dighton. According to Speed, the -historian, the value of the estates was £163 1_s._ 2½_d._, 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 earlier 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, been 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 compounded 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, a bequest (and therefore, we may assume, near -the close of his vicariate) of “xl_s._”, 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 that 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. - -The 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 10_s_. “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 Esqr. died -att Halstead and was buried att Waddingworth on Wednsdaie _night_ the -13th of Februarie 1627,” and “Mr. Kirkland Snawden [note the local -pronunciation for Snowden] and Mrs. Townsend married the 25th 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., who 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 men 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 thieves -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 demeanour 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. - -In 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 40_s._ - -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 members 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 work 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 farmhouse 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 -ye 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 Chancellor. 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 daughter 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 west 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 xsti. 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 through 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 -neighbouring 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 -form, 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_-_ing_ham. 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.” - -The 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, -viz., 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. In 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 was 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 40_s._ 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 Honble. 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. - -The 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 I 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. At 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 13_s._; 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 prospect 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 4_s._, -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, 12 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 broils, 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; its 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, -had 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 -another, 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 name 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 Conqueror 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” (2_s._ 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 Conqueror. 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 law-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 -Sunday 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). - -This 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). - -Colonel 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 family, 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 side 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 slab, 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.” - -In 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. - -We 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 humbler 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 -lady” (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. - -May 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. - - - - -INDEX - - -A. - - -ABERGAVENNY, Earls of, 59 -Abrincis, Lupus de, 65, 75, 144, 170, 225 -Acham, Anthony, charity founded by, 63 -Albemarle, or Aumale, Earl of, 75 and note -Algar, Earl of Mercia, 30, 137, 176 -Alms, gate, bequeathed at Revesby, 140, 162 -Angevin auxiliaries, 176 -Angus, Earl of, 59, 110, 182, 192 -Asgarby, meaning of name, 137 and note -,, church described, 138 -,, Owners, former— -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 137 -,, ,, Bishops of Durham, 137 -,, ,, Bishops of Lincoln, 137 -,, ,, present owners, Ecclesiastical Commissioners, 137 -Asgarby Benefice annexed to Lusby, 137 -Ashby, meaning of “Ash,” 12, 14, 15 -Ashby Puerorum, church described 12, 13 -,, ,, field-name, 10 -,, ,, gallows, 9 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Saxons Odincarle and Chilbert, 2 -,, ,, Odo, Bishop of Baieux, Earl of Kent, 2 -,, ,, Creveceur, or De Courcy family, 3, 145 -,, ,, Gilbert Fitz-Gozelin, 3 -,, ,, Kirktons, of Kirton, 4 -,, ,, Lord Treasurer Cromwell, 4 -,, ,, Earl of Albemarle, 4 -,, ,, Charles Brandon, duke of Suffolk, 4 -,, ,, Lord Willoughby of Parham, 4 -,, ,, James Prescott, Esq., 4 -,, ,, Gedney family, 4 -,, ,, Sir William Wentworth, 5 -,, ,, Stephen Dinely Totton, 6 -,, ,, Earl Manvers, 1, 6 -,, ,, Pocklington-Coltman family, 1, 6 -,, Holbeck hamlet in Ashby, 10 -,, Hoe-hill in Holbeck, 10, 11 -,, Stainsby hamlet in Ashby, 6 -,, ,, ghost, 7, 8 -,, Littlebury family, 6 -,, Roman sepulchre, 13 -Asterby, church described, 16, 17, 18 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Lady Lucia Thorold, 15 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 15 -,, ,, Guevera John, 16 -,, ,, ,, Francis, 16 -,, ,, Dighton family, 15 -,, ,, Hansard, 15, 16 -,, ,, Dame Jane Dymoke, 18 -,, ,, Trafford family, 16 -Ayscough, or Askew, Sir Edward, 51 -,, Sir Francis, 90, 191 -,, Walter, Esq., 163 -,, Henry Esq., 163 -,, family of, 16, 110 -,, arms of, 115 -,, meaning of name, 115 - - - -B. - - -BAIEUX, Odo, bishop of, 2, 101, 102, 156, 182, 208 -,, ,, influence and great possessions, 156 -,, ,, possessions forfeited, 156 -,, Tapestry, 102, note -Banks, Sir Joseph (1714), 114, 164 -,, ,, his collections at Revesby Abbey, 164, 165 -,, ,, monument and inscription to, 166 -Bardney Abbey, charters, 41 -,, ,, pension to, 135 -Barkham, Sir Robert, 61 -Barkworth, Robert de, 35 -,, William de, 35 -,, family, 212 -Barrows at Revesby, 165 -,, at Ranby, formerly, 157 and note -Baumber, church described, 20, 21 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Saxons, Ulf and Tonna, 20 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 19 -,, ,, Gilbert de Gaunt, 20 -,, ,, Dightons, 20 -,, ,, Earls of Lincoln, 20 -,, ,, Dukes of Newcastle, 20 -,, ,, Livesey family, sold to, 20 -,, ,, Vyner family, a moiety, 20 -,, Site for vicarage given by Robt. de Grey Vyner, Esq., 1857, 22 -Bavent, William de, note, 88 -Bec, Anthony, 132 -,, Anthony, bishop of Durham, 107 -,, John’s gifts to Kirkstead Abbey, note, 234 -,, Thomas, bishop of Lincoln, 107 -,, Thomas, bishop of St. David’s, 107 -,, Walter, 54, 107, 146 -,, ,, grants to Kirkstead Abbey, manure of sheep in Kirkby, 107 -,, ,, quitclaims to Kirkstead Abbey, toll on corn, 107 -,, Walter, constable of Lincoln Castle, 106, 133 -,, ,, constable of Bristol, 133 -,, family, influential, 106, 107, 132 -Bec arms, formerly in church, Kirkby-on-Bain, 110 -Bedford, duke of, 59 -Beelsby, Sir Thomas, of Beelsby, 37 -Belchford, church described, 23–25 -,, stoup, richly carved, 25 -,, Owners— -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 22 -,, ,, Sir Thomas Glemham, 23 -,, ,, Sir Thomas Hartopp, 23 -,, ,, R. de Grey Vyner, Esq., 23 -Benigworth, Geoffrey de, 170 -Bentinck, William de, 170 -,, family, 180 -Bernak, de, family, 109 -Bevere, Drogo de, his rapacity, 74 -Bigot, Earl Marshall, 147 -Billsby of Billsby, 49 -Blagge, Thomas, groom of bedchamber, anecdote, 90, and note -Blanche, Duchess of Lancaster, 33 -Blundville, _i.e._, Oswestry, 88 -Blunt, family of, 76 and note -Boars, wild, protected by law, 115 -Bolingbroke, church described, 27, 28, 29 -,, benefice united with Hareby, 91 -,, Hare, phantom of, 33 -,, “Honour” of, 26, 32 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, William de Romara, 30 -,, ,, Gilbert de Gaunt, 32 -,, ,, Ranulph, Earl of Chester, 32 -,, ,, De Lacy family, 32 -,, ,, John, Duke of Lancaster, 32 -,, ,, Henry IV., 32 -Bolles, Sir George, 37 -,, Sir John, 37 -Bond-servant, 41 -,, given as “chattells,” 89, 122, 162, 170, 235 -Booth, John, Rector of Salmonby, 172 -,, ,, silver cup of Volunteers, 1808, 173 -Boroughbridge, battle of, Earl of Lancaster defeated at, 106 -Boucherett, 115 -Boundary stones, 231 -Bourg-Thorold, hotel de, 31, note -Brackenbury, Robert Carr, of Raithby, 153 -,, ,, grants hay loft for Wesleyan services, 153 -Brandon, Charles, duke of Suffolk, 4, 40, 60, 84, 89, 114, 140, 149, 163 -,, ,, two sons die of “sweating sickness,” 60 -“Brides of Enderby,” the, 51 -“Briefs,” curious, Hagg Registers, 81, 82 -Brigg Grammar School, 114 -Brinkhill “gold,” 82 -Brittany, Alan, earl of, a worthy character, 73 -Brown, Sir John, 126 -Bryan, Governor of Bolingbroke Castle, 90 -Bucknall, Thorold of, 158 -,, ,, his sister, the Lady Godiva, 158 -Burghley, Lord Treasurer, 114, 164 -Burials, numerous, Salmonby, 169, Sotby, 183 -Buried in wool, 61 and note -“By” as suffix, meaning of, 99 -By-road—village road, 99 - - - -C. - - -CANDLES before altar, money bequeathed for, 140, 163, 195 -Cantelupe, Nicholas, 59, 182 -,, ,, his chantry and tomb in Lincoln Cathedral, 183 -Carsey, John, owner of Revesby, 164 -Causeway, ancient, at Revesby, 160 -Cavendish, Augustine, 134 -,, Charles, 180 -Cawkwell church, 181 -Chalibeate spring at Salmonby, 170 -Chaloner, Thomas, 49 -Chase, Tumby, 105 -Cheales, family of, 80 -Cheles, Baldric de, 139 -Cholmeley, Sir Hugh, 212 -Chrismatory found at Poolham Hall, 38 -Clap-gate, 10 -Clifton, of Clifton, arms at Kirkby-on-Bain, 109 -Clinton, of Baumber, marries daughter of Dighton, of Stourton, 69 -,, ,, Lord Edward, 114 -Conquest, churches before the, 40, 55, 56, 57, 75, 121, 183, 184, 211 -Copledyke, family of, 8, 76, 80 -,, Alan, governor of Bolingbroke Castle, 90 -,, John, lord of Oxcombe, 148 -Corbet, John, old family, 43 -Cormayle family, 211 -“Coventry Act” of Parliament, 204 -Craven, Howard, owner of Revesby, 164 -Cressaunt of Tuluse, 84 -“Creeping-silver,” box for, East Kirkby church, 130 -Cressie, Agnes, 50 -Cressy, Faith, married G. Tyrwhitt, 111 -,, ,, her will, 112 -,, ,, family, of Fulsby, 111 -Creveceur, or de Courcy, 3, 145 and note, 195, 212 -,, ,, privileged to wear hat in presence of royalty, 3, 195 -Cromwell, Lord Treasurer, 4, 59, 109, 156 and notes -Cross close (where stood the village cross), 71 -Croyland cattle destroyed by Ivo Taillebois, 19 -Culverhouse, value of, 12, note - - - -D. - - -DACRE de la South, Lady (Mavis Enderby), 50 -Dalison, William, of Hareby, 90 -,, probably d’Alencon, 189, note -Deer, Roe, common in Tumby Chase, note, 115 -,, tax on their skins, ½_d._ per 100, ibid. -De Haya, of Kirkby-on-Bain, 111 -De Lacy family, Old Bolingbroke, 32 -,, of Scamblesby, 177 -,, of Kirkby-on-Bain, 103, 104 -De la Haye, Lord of Goulceby, 58 -Deloraine, Lord, connected with Goulceby, 61 -D’Eyncourt, owners of Kirkby-on-Bain, 109 and note -,, body sewn up in leather, buried in Lincoln Cathedral, 109, note -Dighton, John, of Minting, 69 -,, John, of Hatton, 93 -,, Robert, owner of Stourton, 90, 197, 208 -,, marries a Clinton, 69 -,, Thomas, of Waddingworth, 217 -,, family, 15, 20, 69 -Dog-dyke, _i.e._, Dock-dike, 99 -Dog-whippers in church, 200 -Dorset, Marquis of, 163 -Druid circles, 98 and note -Duel fought by Capt. Glover, of Wispington, 243, 244 -Duke of Lancaster, 27 -,, of Newcastle, owner of Baumber, 20 -Dutch sportsman in Lincolnshire Wolds, 2, note -Dymock, Arthur, of Toft, 110, 111 -,, his will, ibidem -,, Sir Robert, (Mavis Enderby) 49 -Dymoke, Dame Jane, founds Hemingby school, 97 -Dyer, poet, rector of Kirkby-on-Bain, 118 - - - -E. - - -EARL of Abergavenny, 59 -,, Angus, 110 -,, Chester, 88 -,, Exeter, 121 -,, Kent, 102 -,, Lancaster, 106 -,, Lincoln, 104, 159, 189 -Earl Manvers, 80, 96 -,, Mercia, 30, 137 -,, Moretaine, 102 -,, Northumberland, 59 -,, Oxford, 49, 180 -,, Strafford, 5, 11, 69 -Easter sepulchre, 130, 136, 185 -Edlington, church described, 44, 45 -,, registers, curious, 42, 43 -,, Owners— -,, ,, Saxons, Egbert, 39, Ulf, 39, Tonna, 40 -,, ,, Danes, Hubba and Inguar, 40 -,, ,, Gilbert de Gaunt, 35 -,, ,, Robert de Barkeworth, 35, 36 -,, ,, Thymelby family, 36 -,, ,, Saviles, of Howley, 37 -,, ,, Bolles family, 37 -,, ,, Sir E. Turnor and descendants, 37 -,, ,, William Byron, Esq., 38 -,, ,, Hassard Short family, 34 -,, meaning of name, 39 -,, ancient remains found at, 39 -Edmund, St.’s, penny, 130 -Edric, the Saxon, 54 -Eland, Saxon family, 127 and notes -,, John, tomb in Baumber church, 127 -,, held manor of Cawkwell, 128 -,, held manors of Bag Enderby and Mavis Enderby, note, 128 -,, held Honour of Peverel, 127 -Elnod, the Saxon, 47 -Enderby, Mavis, church described, 52, 53 -,, Runic stone in west doorway, 52 -,, stoup, curious, 53 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Elnod and Godwin, Saxons, 47 -,, ,, Richard de Malbyse, 47 -,, ,, William de Karilepho, 48 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 48 -,, ,, Eudo, son of Spirewic, 48 -,, ,, several smaller owners, 49 -,, ,, Henry IV. as duke of Lancaster, 49 -,, ,, Sir George Taillebois, 49 -,, ,, John Billesby, of Billesby, 49, 128, note -,, ,, Nicholas Eland, 49, 128, note -,, ,, Gedney family, 50 -,, ,, Willoughbies and Becs, 51 -,, Present owners— -,, ,, Mrs. Rashdall, of London, 51 -,, ,, Mrs. Coltman, of Hagnaby, 51 -,, ,, Mrs. Holmes, of Eastville, 51 -,, ,, The Rector, 51 -Epigram on Goodrich, 131, note -Eudo, son of Spirewic, 48, 105, 152, 208, 216, 232 -“Exhibition” paid for maintenance 124, note - - - -F. - - -FARTHING, rent of land, 89, 235 -Field-names, see Names of fields -Fishery, valuable property, held by Pinso, in Tumby, 105 -,, granted by Simon de Tumby to Kirkstead Abbey, 108 -“Ffitches,” _i.e._, marten skins, gown lined with, 62 -Fitz-Eudo, Hugh, called Brito, 8, 105, 152 -,, ,, founded Kirkstead Abbey, 105 -Fitz-Eustache, Richard, constable of Chester, 106 -Fitz-William, Wm., High Admiral, 49 -Flint implements found in Salmonby, 216 -Foljambes connected with Ayscoughs, 115 -Fortescue, Lord, 114 -Fulletby, church described, 55, 56 -,, Saxon church, 55 -,, Owners of—54–56 -,, ,, Saxons, Siward and Edric, 54 -,, ,, Ranulph, Bishop of Durham, 54 -,, ,, Pinson “Dapifer,” 54 -,, ,, Bec family, 54, 55 -,, ,, Willoughby d’Eresby, Lord, 55 -,, ,, Willoughby of Parham, Lord, 55 -,, ,, Elmhirst, Booth, Riggall, &c. 55 -,, church “xxiv candels” altar, 56 -,, “Ikon Basilike,” 56 -,, Robert Leech of, joined “Lincolnshire Rising,” 55 -,, paid pension to Bullington Priory, 55 -,, Roman urns found at, 56 -Fulsby, _i.e._ Fugels-by, 100 -,, Cressy of, 111 -,, Hall, 101 -Fulstow, Roger, of Waddingworth, 216, 217 - - - -G. - - -Gallows, 9, 40, 76, 119 and note, 171 -“Garth, Saffron,” Revesby, 161 -Gascoyne, connected with Kirkby-on-Bain, “ancient and virtuous family,” -113 -Gate-alms, 140, 162 -Gaunt, Gilbert de, 20, 32, 35, 40, 75, 88, 177, 226 -,, John, Duke of Lancaster, 27, 88, 131, 226 -Gedney, Andrew, 148 -,, George, 4, 49 -,, family, 50, 78, 148 -Ghost of Stainsby, 7 -Girvii of the Fens, 186 and note -Glemham, Sir Henry, 60 -,, John, of Glemham Parva, Suffolk, 60 -,, Thomas, 60 (Burwell) -,, Sir Thomas, 23, 149 -Glover family, of Wispington, 231, 232, 233 -,, Duel fought by Capt. Glover, 244 -Gloves, tenure by, 133 -Godiva, Lady, 30, 158, 188, 194 -Goodrich family, 123, note -,, bequest of gown, and money to repair roads, 123, 124 -,, epigram on, 131 note -Goulceby, Saxon church formerly, 67 -,, Benefice united to Asterby, 57 -,, charity, by Anthony Acham, 63 -,, tenure by rose, 59 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 58 -,, ,, De la Haye family, 58 -,, ,, Philip de Kyme, 59, 61 -,, ,, Nicholas de Cantelupe, 59 -,, ,, Earl of Abergavenny, 59 -,, ,, Gilbert Umfraville, 59 -,, ,, Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, 59 -,, ,, Duke of Bedford, 59 -,, ,, Cromwell, Lord Treasurer, 59 -,, ,, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, 60 -,, ,, Glemham family, of Glemham Parva, Suffolk, 60 -,, ,, Sir Matthew Lister, 60, 62 -,, ,, Sir Martin Lister, 61 -,, ,, Lord Deloraine, 61 -,, ,, Sir E. Boughton, 61 -,, ,, Sir Robert Barkham, 61 -,, ,, Knollys family, 61 -,, ,, Adam Heneage, 63 -,, Present owners— -,, ,, Col. Bagnall, 63 -,, ,, Earl Manvers, 63 -,, ,, T. Falkner Alison, Esq., 63 -Grant, John, Lord of Oxcombe, 149 -Grantham family, 8 -“Grayle,” or “Graduate,” (Kirkby-on-Bain) 117, note -Green Lady of Thorpe Hall, 37 and note -“Green, Coney,” “low” and “over,” 40, 119, 171 -Greetham, church described, 71, 72 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Hugh de Abrincis, 65 -,, ,, Henry de Lacy, 66 -,, ,, Edmund of Woodstock, 65 -,, ,, Hugh Despenser, 66 -,, ,, Henry of Lancaster, 66 -,, ,, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford (1785), 69 -,, ,, John Fardell, Esq., M.P. for Lincoln, 70 -,, ,, Robert Dennis, Esq., 70 -,, ,, F. Wormall, Esq., 70 -,, ,, Lady Carden, 70 -Grynne family, 126 note -Guevera family, 16, 179 - - - -H. - - -HAGWORTHINGHAM, church described, 80, 81 -,, Owners— -,, ,, Earl of Brittany, 73 -,, ,, Drogo de Bevere, 74, 75 -,, ,, Earl of Chester, 75, 76 -,, ,, Gaunt family, 76 -,, ,, De Quincy family, 76 -,, ,, Copledyke family, 76 -,, ,, Hansard family, 76 -,, ,, Welles family, 76, 77 -,, ,, Blunt, Thomas, 76 -,, ,, Littlebury family, 77, 78 -,, ,, John Gedney, 78 -,, ,, Francis Bountague, 79 -,, Present— -,, ,, Cheales family, 80 -,, ,, Sir H. Ingleby, 80 -,, ,, Earl Manvers, 80 -,, John Littlebury of, buried before Our Lady of the Rood, 77 -,, Registers, curious briefs in, 81, 82 -Hallam, Henry (Old Bolingbroke), 30 -Halstead Hall—see Stixwould -,, robbery at, 204 -Hameringham, church described 85, 86 -,, old hour-glass in, 85 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Gilbert de Fitz-Gozelin, 83 -,, ,, Angevin family, 83 -,, ,, Robert Cressaunt, 84 -,, ,, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, 84, 85 -,, ,, Chaplin family, 85 -,, ,, Coltman family, 85 -,, tenure by annual gift of spurs, 84 -,, curious field-names, 84 -Hamerton, George, old family, 43 -Hansards, 15, 16, 77 -Hand, putting to altar, to confirm charter, 108 -Hardegrey, Peter, 41 -,, “Master” William, 41 -Hareby, church described, 91, 92 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, The Lady Lucia Thorold, 87 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 87 -,, ,, Roger de Romara, 87 -,, ,, Ranulph, Earl of Chester, 88 -,, ,, Gilbert de Gaunt, 88 -,, ,, Ranulph de Meschines, 88 -,, ,, Robert de Quincy, 88 -,, ,, John of Gaunt, 88 -,, ,, Willoughby family, 88 -,, ,, Revesby Abbey and other smaller owners, 89 -,, ,, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, 89 -,, ,, several smaller owners, 90 -,, ,, Littleburies, 90 -,, ,, Skynners, 91 -,, ,, Bryan, 91 -,, ,, Messrs. Ramsden & Taylor, 91 -Harecourt, Robert de, 140 -Hatton, church described, 94, 95 -,, Neocomian boulders near, 95 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, E. Turnor, Esq., lord of the manor, 95 -,, ,, C. C. Sibthorpe, Esq., 95 -Hauley, Sir Thomas, 109, note -Hawise de Quincy, 76 -,, Redvers, 158, note -Hawks, bequest of, 79 -Hawley, family of, 114 -Haye, de la, 58 -Hay-loft bequeathed for Wesleyan services, 153 -Hemingby, church described, 96 -,, charity of Dame Jane Dymoke, 97 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Edric the Saxon, 96 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 96 -,, ,, Sir John Ratclyffe, 97 -,, ,, Dymoke family, 97 -,, ,, Earl Manvers, etc., 96 -Heneage, Adam, 63 -Henry IV., of Old Bolingbroke, 88, 121, 177 -Hesele, de, family, 211 -“Honour of Bolingbroke,” 26 -,, Greetham, 64, 68 -Horsington, Thorold of, 42 -Hotel de Bourg-Thorold, 31 note -Hour-glass, old, on pulpit, 85 -Howard family, 114 -Hubert Walter, 140 -Hugh Fitz-Eudo, 8, 105, 152, 229 -Hussey, Lord, 212 -,, family, 212 -Hustwaite, Sir Edward, 50 - - - -I. - - -INGELBY, Sir H. D., Bart., 80 -Inguar and Hubba, Danes, 40 -Ipre, Sir John, 141 -Ivo Taillebois, 15, 24, 48, 58, 87, 121, 137, 138, 139, 151, 159, 176, -180, 188 -,, his tyrranous nature, 159, 188 - - - -J. - - -JEFFERY, Stennet, murderers of, 119, 120 -Jenney, Sir Thomas, 125 - - - -K. - - -KARILEPHO, William de, Bishop of Durham, 48, 54, note, 101, 102, 103, -144, 151, 208, 215, 228 -,, Abbey of St., in Normandy, 102 -“Key-hole” window in Lusby church, 155 -Kighly, John, of Salmonby, at Agincourt, 172 -King, E., of Ashby-de-la-Launde, land in Salmonby, 171 -King Henry IV., 49, 88, 177 -Kirketon, of Kirketon (Kirton), 66, 108, 109 -Kirkby-on-Bain, church described, 116, 117, 118 -,, Armorial bearings, once in church, 109 -,, Jurisdiction of, 105 -,, a “town,” 105 -,, Pontefract also called Kirkby, 104 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Ulmar, Godwin, Gonewate, Saxons, 101 -,, ,, Odo, Bishop of Baieux, 101 -,, ,, William de Karilepho, 101 -,, ,, Ilbert de Lacy, 103, 104 -,, ,, Eudo, son of Spirewic, 105 -,, ,, Henry Travers, 106 -,, ,, Wido de Laval, 106 -,, ,, Albreda de Lisours, 106 -,, ,, Richard Fitz-Eustache, 106 -,, ,, Earl of Lancaster, 106 -,, ,, Bec family, 106, 107 -,, ,, Willoughby family, 108 -,, ,, Ralph de Cromwell, 109 -,, ,, Dymokes and Cressies, 110 -,, ,, Percy family, 112 -,, ,, Lord Clinton, 114 -,, ,, Lord Fortescue, 114 -,, ,, Sir H. M. Hawley, 114 -,, ,, Stanhope family, 114 -,, ,, H. Rogers, Esq., 114 -Kirkby, East, church described, 128, 131 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 121 -,, ,, Romara family, 121 -,, ,, De La Launde family, 121 -,, ,, Duke of Lancaster, Henry IV. 121 -,, ,, Sir Vincent Skinner, 121 -,, ,, Littlebury family, 124 -,, ,, R. Maidens, Esq., 122 -,, ,, Dr. T. Robinson, 122 -,, ,, Stanhope and Coltman families, 122 -,, Bequest of money for “exhibition,” 124 and note -,, “Silver salt” and “silver flat piece,” 124 -,, Browne, Sir John, Knt., 126 -,, “Sergant of Privy Chamber,” 127 -,, Treasurer of Ireland, 127 -,, Granted land at “Peppercorn Rent,” 126, 127 -,, Ealand family, held “Honour of Peverel,” 127 -,, Sir William, Constable of Nottingham Castle, 127 -,, Lucy Faber gives meadow “to strew the monks’ floor,” 122 -,, Goodrich family, 123, 124, note -,, Bishop of Ely, his character, 131 note -,, Epigram on, 131 note -,, Sapcote family, 125 -,, Silkstone, Robert de, Monument in Church, 126 -,, Smerehorn, Alan gives Watermill to Revesby Abbey, 128 -,, Webberly family, John, strong supporter of Charles I., 128 -Kirkstead, Abbey founded by Hugh, Fitz Eudo, 105, 229 -,, Mastiffs, 101, note -Knatchbull, Sir Edward, 114, 164 -Knollys, Hanserd, Churchman and Baptist, 181 and note -Kyme, Barony of, 61 -,, family, 110, 182 -,, Simon de, 131 - - - -L. - - -LACY, John de, 88 -,, John de, Earl of Lincoln, 104 -,, Ilbert de, Lord of Kirkby-on-Bain, 104, 177, 208 -,, Also of Pontefract, called Kirkby by the Saxons, 104 -,, Great possessions of, 104 -,, Henry de, 104 -Lucia, 15, 87, 88, 121, 152, 159, 176, 178, 180, 189, 194, 208 -Lancaster, Duke of, 27 -,, Thomas, Earl of, 106 -Langrick, _i.e._, Long Creek, 99 -Langton of Langton, Patron of Lusby, 1677–1833, 149 -,, Stephen de, Archbishop, 134 -Laval, Wido de, 106 -Lawlessness, temp. Simon de Tumby, 108 note -Leedsgate, _i.e._, “our Lady’s gate,” 119 -“Liber Niger,” Hearne’s, 54 -Lichgate, memorial to Honble. E. Stanhope, 168 -Lindisfarne, Monks of, 103 -Lisours, Albreda de, 106 -Lister, Sir Martin, Eminent Zoologist, &c., 61, 62 -,, Sir Matthew, Court Physician, &c., 60, 62 -,, Matthew, Esq., Lord of Oxcombe, 149 -Littlebury, family of, 6, 8, 90, 91 and note, 124, 153 -,, Sir Humphrey, 6 -,, George of Somersby, 51 -,, Humphrey, 152 -,, John of Hagworthingham, 77 -,, Margaret, bequest to the poor, 170 -,, Their large residence, 171 -Livesey, Thomas, Esq., of Blackburn, 20 -Lodington family, 126 -Lola Montez, 35 -L’Oste, Revs. C. N., 166 and note -Lusby church described, 135, 136 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Tonna Almer and other Saxons, 131 -,, ,, Gilbert de Gaunt, 131 -,, ,, Simon de Kyme, 131 -,, ,, Walter de Bec, 132 -,, ,, Ranulph, Bishop of Durham, 132 -,, ,, Pinson, 132 -,, ,, John Bec, 133 -,, ,, Willoughby family, 133 -,, ,, Bishop of Durham, 134 -Bishop of Lincoln, 134 - - - -M. - - -MALBISH, Osbert, 48 -,, Richard de, 47 -Maletoft, Roger de, 178 -Malo Lacu (Mauley) family of, 146 -,, Arms of, 147 -Malo Lacu, Peter, born at Poictou, 146 -,, Built Castle of Mountgrace, 146 -Manvers, Earl, 62, 80, 96 -Manure of sheep in Kirkby granted to Kirkstead Abbey, 107 -Margaret, St., 227, note -Mastiffs of Kirkstead Abbey, 101, note -Massenge, or Masinge, 123 and note -Mavis Enderby, church described, 52–3 -,, Owners of, see Enderby, Mavis -Meschines, Ranulph de, 88, 201 -Mills, as valuable property, 12 note, 103, 105, 108, 135, note, 156, 176, -225 -Miningsby, church described, 142 -,, ,, Runic stone in Churchyard, 142 -,, ,, Ranulph de, 139 -,, Owners of Miningsby— -,, ,, Moretaine, Earl of, 102 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 138, 139 -,, ,, William de Romara, 139 -,, ,, Baldric, de Cheles, 139 -,, ,, Hugo Wac (Wake), 139 -,, ,, Ranulph de, Miningsby, 139 -,, ,, Hubert Walker, Archbishop, 140 -,, ,, Robert de Herecourt, 140 -,, ,, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, 140 -,, ,, John Scayman, of Miningsby, 141 -,, ,, Robert de Willoughby, 141 -,, ,, Sir John de Ipre, 141 -,, ,, Richard Skepper, 140 -,, ,, Grynne family, 141 -Monas-Tessera-Graphica, 51 -Montez, Lola, 35 - - - -N. - - -NAMES of fields, peculiar, 9, 10, 11, 18, 40, 70, 71, 79, 84, 114, 115, -119, 122, 123, 127, 141, 150, 151, 161, 170, 171, 207 -Newcastle, Duke of, 20, 180 -Newcomen, John, of “Sallaby,” 68 -,, Pedigree, 69 -Newcomen, Richard, of “Nether Toynton,” 68 -,, Samuel, of “Nether Toynton,” 68, 69 -“Niger Liber,” Hearne’s, 54 -Northumberland, Earl of, 59 -Nova-villa, Robert de, 208 - - - -O. - - -ODD, Bishop of Baieux, 2, 101, 102, 182, 208 -Old Revesby deeds, from Burghley House, 161 -Oratory Medlam, (Revesby), 161 -Ordericus Vitalis quoted, 226 -Ormsby, Richard de, 146 -Oswy, King of Northumbria, 102, 103 -Otter, Francis, memorial window, 157 -Otter, Miss, restored Ranby church, 1839, 156 - - - -P. - - -PALFREYMAN, 44, 125 and note, 134 -Parker, John, a “Recusant,” 80 -“Pelham Buckle,” its origin, 178 and note -“Peppercorn” rent, 127, 163 -Percy, Henry, 59 -Percy family, 110, 112 -Pinson, “Dapifer,” 54, 132, 230 -Plantagenet, Edmund, 88 -Plantagenet, wood planted by, 90 -Poolham, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43 -Portland, Duke of, 181 -Prayers for the dead, 84 -Privilege of wearing hat before Royalty, 3, 195 -Proviso, curious in Will, 124 - - - -Q. - - -QUINCY, Hawise de, 76 -Robert de, 88 -Quitclaims, Walter Bec, toll of corn, 107 -,, Manure of sheep, 107 - - - -R. - - -RAITHBY church described, 154 -,, Owners of Raithby— -,, ,, Elnod, the Saxon, 151 -,, ,, William de Karilepho, 151 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 151 -,, ,, Eudo, son of Spirewic, 152 -,, ,, Robert de Willoughby, 152 -,, ,, Littlebury family, 152, 153 -,, ,, Brackenbury family, 153 -,, ,, Rev. E. Rawnsley, 153 -Ralph de Cromwell (Kirkby-on-Bain), 109 -,, St. Valery (Ranby), 156 -Ranby, an appanage of Tupholme Abbey, 156 -,, Church described, 156, 157 -,, Owners of Ranby— -,, ,, Godric, the Saxon, 156 -,, ,, Odo, Bishop of Baieux, 156 -,, ,, Ralph de St. Valery, 156 -,, ,, Ralph de Cromwell, 156 note -,, ,, Otter family, 156, 157 -Ranulph, Bishop of Durham, 54, 229 -,, of Miningsby, 139 -Ratcliffe, Sir John (Kirkby-on-Bain), 97 -Rede, Robert, Justice of the King, 49 -Registers of Edlington, 42, 43 -,, Mavis Enderby, 50 -,, Salmonby, 169 -,, Sotby, 183 -,, Stixwold, 199, 200 -,, Winceby, 228 -Rent of salt, 55 -Revesby Abbey, cell at Mavis Enderby, 48 -,, Abbot’s possessions, 162 -,, Founded by William de Romara, 121 -,, Church described, 166, 167, 168 -,, Estates divided in 1552, 163 -,, Meaning of name, 157 and note -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 159 -,, ,, Roger de Romara, 159 -,, ,, William, de Romara, Earl of Chester, 159, 160 -,, ,, Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, 163 -,, ,, John Kersey, 163 -,, ,, Lord Treasurer Burghley, 164 -,, ,, Henry Howard, 164 -,, ,, Sir Joseph Banks, 164 -,, ,, J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., 164 -,, ,, Right Honble. E. Stanhope, 164 -,, Treasures at, 164, 165 -,, Tumuli at, 164, 165 -“Riddings,” Kirkby, 115 -Ring, silver salt, bequest of, 124 -Riveaux Abbey, Revesby lands given to, 124 -Roads repaired by monks, a duty, 158 -Robbery at Halstead Hall, 205 -Roman Sepulture, 13 -,, Urns, 56, 70 -Rose, tenure by, 59 -Runic stone, Marvis Enderby, 52 -,, Miningsby, 142, 143 - - - -S. - - -SALMONBY, church described, 172, 173 -,, Burials many, in 1723–4, 169 -,, Rectory held by William of Waynflete, 172 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Hugh de Abrincis, 170 -,, ,, Geoffrey of Benigworth, 170 -,, ,, Littlebury family, 170, 171 -,, ,, Hamon Sutton, 171 -,, ,, Sir Anthony Thorold, 172 -,, ,, King, family of, Ashby de la Launde, 171 -,, ,, Reeve, family of, Ashby de la Launde, 171 -,, ,, Mrs. Nesbit Hamilton, Ogilvie, 173 -,, Flint implements found, 216 -Sackville, Anne, Lady, 60 -St. John family, 33 -St. Sythe, Revesby, 160 -St. Valery, Richard de, 156 -Salt pans, 133 and note -Salt rent, 155 -Sapcote family, 125 and note -Saxon churches, 40, 55, 56, 57, 75, 121, 184, 210 -Scales, Sir Thomas, 125 -Scales, Isabella, 141 -Scamblesby and Cawkwell— -,, church described, 174, 175, 176 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, The Lady Lucia Thorold, 176 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 176 -,, ,, Romara, Roger de, 176 -,, ,, William de, 177 -,, ,, Gilbert de Gaunt, 177 -,, ,, Blondville family, 177 -,, ,, De Lacy family, 177 -,, ,, John of Gaunt, 177 -,, ,, Priory of Spalding, 176, 178 -,, ,, Bishop of Lincoln, 178 -,, ,, Ecclesiastical Commissioners, 178 -,, ,, Earl of Yarborough, 178 -,, ,, Lill family, 178 -,, ,, Bourne family, 178 -,, ,, Kent, family of, curious bequests, 179, 180 -,, Cawkwell, church demolished, 181 -,, ,, Owners of— -,, ,, Lady Lucia, 180 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 180 -,, ,, Sir Charles Cavendish, of Bolsover, 180 -,, ,, Dukes of Newcastle, 180 -,, ,, Earl of Oxford, 180 -,, ,, Bentinck family, 180 -,, ,, Duke of Portland, 180 -Silkstone, Robert, monument to, 126 -,, large estates of, 126 -Silver casket and coins found, 151 -,, “creeping,” 130 -,, “salt,” bequest of, 124 -“Sir” equivalent to “parson,” 111, note -Siward the Saxon, curious tradition of, 187 and note -Skepper, George, 125 -,, Richard, buried in church, 123 -,, ,, will of, 140 -Skinner family, of Hareby, 91 -,, of Old Bolingbroke, 91 -,, Sir Vincent, 91, 121 -Skipwith, Sir William, 50 -Slaves, bequest of, 162, 170 -Smith, J. Bainbridge, D.D., tablet at Baumber, 21 -,, memorial window in Sotby, 185 -Sotby, church described, 184, 185 -,, register, 16 burials in 1728, 183 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Ulnod the Saxon, 182 -,, ,, Odo, B shop of Baieux, 182 -,, ,, Philip de Kyme, 182 -,, ,, William de Kyme, 183 -,, ,, Simon de Kyme, 183 -,, ,, Gilbert de Umfraville, 182 -,, ,, Sir Robert Dymok, knt., 183 -,, ,, Robert Taillebois, 183 -“Spice boxes” at East Kirkby, 130 -Spurs, tenure by, 84 -“Squint” window at Lusby, 136 -Stanhope family, 114, 122, 165 -,, Sir Richard, of Rampton, 109 -Stennet, Jeffery, murder of, 119, 120 -Stixwold, church described, 199, 200 -,, field names at, 207 -,, meaning of name, 185, 186 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Ulviet and Siward, Saxons, 187 -,, ,, Waldin Brito, 188 -,, ,, Alured, of Lincoln, 188 -,, ,, Ivo Taillebois, 188 -,, ,, Alan, of Lincoln, 190 -,, ,, Roger de Romara, 189 -,, ,, Ranulph, Earl of Chester, 189, 190 -,, ,, Gilbert de Gant, 190 -,, ,, Bec family, 190 -,, ,, Pinso, “Dapifer,” 190 -,, ,, Willoughby family, 190 -,, ,, Robert de Haye, 190 -,, ,, Ranulph de Meschines, 190 -,, ,, Earl of Northumberland, 191 -,, ,, Robert Dighton, 191 -,, ,, Thimbleby family, 191 -,, ,, Savile family, 192 -,, ,, Sir John Coventry, 192 -,, ,, Lord High Admiral Anson, 192, 193 -,, ,, Edmund Turnor, Esq., 193 -,, Halstead Hall owners— -,, ,, Roger de Stixwold, 201 -,, ,, Sir Theobald de Stikeswald, 201 -,, ,, Ranulph de Meschines, 202 -,, ,, Welby family, 202 -,, ,, Evington family, 203 -,, ,, George Townshend, 203 -,, ,, Kirkland Snowden, 203 -,, ,, Gibbon family, 203 -,, ,, Sir John Coventry, 203, 204 -,, ,, Sir William Kyte, or Keate, 204 -,, ,, Lord Anson, 204 -,, ,, Edmund Turnor, Esq., 204 -,, Robbery at Halstead Hall, 204, 205, 206 -Stixwold Priory, founded by “the Lady Lucia,” 194 -,, Benefactors— -,, ,, Galfred de Ezmondeys, 194 and note -,, ,, Alexander Creveceur, 194 and many others -,, Perquisites— -,, ,, “Assize of beer and bread,” 195 -,, ,, “Lincoln farthings,” 195 -,, ,, “Shot for wax,” 195 -,, Possessions very large, 195 -,, Prioress, the last, 196 -,, Registers mention— -,, ,, “Artillery in charges,” “town muskets,” etc., 200 -,, ,, Dog-whippers for church, 200 -,, ,, “Dunkirkers,” 200 -,, ,, “Dyke-reeve,” 200 -,, Vicars, list of, 200, 201 -,, stone coffins from, 199 -,, stone with curious device, cross within circle, 198 and note -,, Cistercian pottery found, 207 -Stourton, church described, 209, 210 -,, benefice united to Baumber, 211 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Grinchel, the Saxon, 209 -,, ,, Eudo, son of Spirewic, 208 -,, ,, Robert de Novâ Villâ, 208 -,, ,, Odo, Bishop of Baieux, 208 -,, ,, William de Karilepho, 208 -,, ,, Ilbert de Lacy, 208 -,, ,, Dighton family, 209 -,, ,, E. Clinton, Earl of Lincoln, 209 -,, ,, Duke of Newcastle, 209 -,, ,, W. H. Trafford, Esq., 209 -,, ,, R. Harrison, Esq., 211 -,, a Roman station, 209 -,, “Stoup” farm, 211 -Stoups, 25, 53, 154 -Sweating sickness, 60, 149 - - - -T. - - -TAPESTRY, Baieux, 102, note -Tetford, 211 -,, church described, 213 -,, Saxon, formerly existing, 211 -,, Owners— -,, ,, Elmer, Arnwi and Britnod, Saxons, 211 -,, ,, Thomas (of Baieux) Archbishop of York, 212 -,, ,, Gozelin, son of Lambert, 212 -,, ,, De Hesele family, 212 -,, ,, Cormayle family, 212 -,, ,, Creveceur family, 212 -,, ,, Braybœuf family, 212 -,, ,, Barkworth family, 212 -,, ,, Thimbleby family, 212 -,, ,, Savile family, 212 -,, ,, George Anton, Esq., 212 -,, ,, Hussey family, 213 -,, ,, Dymoke family, 213 -,, ,, Sir H. A. H. Cholmeley, 213 -,, ,, Meaburn Staniland Esq., 213 -,, ,, Executors of G. Westerby, 213 -,, Tetford witch, 214, 215 -Thimbleby, imprisoned at Lincoln, cruel treatment of wife, 37 -,, family, 212 -Thorndyke, Francis, of Scamblesby, (Lincolnshire Gentry, 1634), 176 -Thorold, of Bucknall, 150 -,, Horncastle, Dean of, 161 -,, of Horsington, 42 -,, of Salmonby, 172 -Touthby, John de, 36 -Tyrwhitt, Sir William, 180 - - - -U. - - -UMFRAVILLE, Gilbert de, Earl of Angus, 59, 110, 182, 188, note - - - -V. - - -VALERY, St., Ralph de, 156 -Vere, Earl of Oxford, 49 - - - -W. - - -WAC (Wake), Hugh, gives land to Revesby Abbey, 139 -Waddingworth, 215 -,, meaning, probable, of name, 217 -,, church described, 221, 222 -,, Dymoke monument, 221 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, William de Karilepho, 218 -,, ,, Eudo, son of Spirewic, 218 -,, ,, Tupholme Abbey, 218 -,, ,, Richard de Waddingworth, 218 -,, ,, Roger Fulstow, 219 -,, ,, Thomas Dighton, 219 -,, ,, George Townshend, 220 -,, ,, George Snowden, 220 -,, ,, Edward Dymoke, 221 -,, ,, Trafford Southwell family, 221 -,, ,, Vyner family (of Gautby), 221 -,, a native of, became Lord Mayor of London, 220 -,, old armour in cottage, 222 -,, highway robbery of resident in, 220 -Wainflete, William of, Rector of Salmonby, 172 -Walesby monument, 157 -Ward, Rev. R. F., 172 -Watermills, 12, 176 -Webberley family, 128 -Welby, Thomas, of Oxcombe, 147 -,, large possessions of, 147 -,, family, of Stixwold, 203 -Welles, Sir Robert, 50, 77 -Wentworth, Lord Strafford, 69 -William de Barkworthe, 35 -,, Wodehall, 42 -Willoughby, arms of, 110 -,, d’Eresby, 55 -,, family of, 89, 108 -,, and Kirkstead Abbey, 230, note -, of Parham, 4, 55 -,, Robert de, 141, 152, 230 -,, Sir William, 55, 138, 230 -Willoughby, Rev. West, charity of, 118, 119 -Winceby, church described, 227 -,, a haunted boulder, 225 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, Agemund the Saxon, 225 -,, ,, Gozelin the Norman, 225 -,, ,, Hugh de Abrincis, 225 -,, ,, Gaunt family, 226 -,, ,, Duke of Lancaster, 226 -,, ,, C. Manwaring, Esq., 226 -,, ,, Hill family, 226 -,, register, curious entries, 228 -,, fight, 228, 229, 230 -Wispington, church described, 238, 239 -,, Owners of— -,, ,, William de Karilepho, Bishop of Durham, 231 -,, ,, Eudo, son of Spirewic, 232 -,, ,, Kirkstead Abbey, 234 -,, ,, Bec family, 233 -,, Sir William Willoughby, 233 -,, Robert Phillips, Esq., 235 -,, Phillips Glover, Esq., 236 -,, Turnor family, of Stoke Rochford, 237 -,, anecdote of Vicar, R. Glover, 238, note -,, benefice formerly a rectory, 241 -,, duel fought by Major Glover, 244 -,, list of vicars, 242 -,, Manor house, formerly a fine residence, 237 -,, register, names “weaver” and “spinster,” 242, 243 -,, spinning, a common occupation, 243, note -Witch of Tetford, 214, 215 -Witham debouched at Wainfleet, 99 -Woodstock, Edmund of, 65 - - - -Y. - - -YARBOROUGH, Earl of, 178 - - - - -FOOTNOTES. - - -{0} The corrigenda has applied in this transcription.—DP. - -{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:— - - “The farmer, vext, packs up his bed, - And all the household stuff, and chairs, - And with his boy betwixt his knees, his wife - Upon the tilt—sets out and meets a friend, - Who hails him, ‘What! Art flitting?’ - ‘Yes, we’re flitting,’ says the ghost, - For they had packed her among the beds. - ‘Oh! Well!’ the farmer says, ‘You’re flitting with us too! - ‘Jack, turn the horse’s head, and home again.’” - -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.” - -{15a} See Notices on Baumber, Bolingbroke, Hareby, East Kirkby, etc. - -{15b} See the Notices of Baumber and Stourton. - -{16} They had also large possessions in the counties of York and Durham. - -{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. - -{27} The Tenor bell was also re-hung at her expense. - -{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. - -{30a} Proceed. Archæolog. Inst. Lincoln. (1848, p. 188). - -{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. - -{47a} Lady of the Lake, Canto IV. 12, the Ballad of Alice Brand. - -{47b} Mavis is the thrush, and Merle the blackbird. - -{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. - -{60c} British Museum, Add., 5524., fol. 68. - -{60d} He was eventually imprisoned by Cromwell, and died in exile in -Holland. - -{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 15s 6a” (August 2nd) -“September ye 6th, ye 2nd Fast day for ye Plague 1665 . . . 13_s_ 7_d_ -and 2_s_ 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, -iiiili xvis 0d.” “It for painting the Dancing geere,” (_i.e._ at the -May-pole). “It for viii. pound of waxe for Sepulchre lights iiiis -iiiid.” “It for ii. antiphoonies bought at Stirbridge faire (&c.) iiili -xis 7d”; “It for thacking the steeple xs”; “To William Edwards for -finding our Lady’s light viiiis iiiid”; “iiili xs 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 xxs viiid.” “Wessell (Wassail) -for the young men.” “The town bull sold for iis viiid 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. - -{99b} Government Geological Survey, pp. 154–5. - -{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. - -{101a} Charter copied from “Dugdale” v., 456. Date 1199. - -{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 60s.” 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. - -{122} This conduit still exists. “Linc. & Q.” vol. iv. p. 131. - -{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.) - -{124a} See “Notes” on Salmonby and Raithby. - -{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:— - - “Et bonus et dives, bene junctus et optimus ordo, - Prœcedit bonitas, pone sequuntur opes”; - -which may be Englishised thus:— - - “Both _good_ and _rich_, duly combined, - The good in front, the rich behind.” - -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 -20_s._, whereas a mill belonging to him, yielded 100_s._ He let his land -at the annual rent of 5_d._ 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. - -{138} In Morris’s Directory, of 1863, the total is given as only 730 -acres. - -{139} Privately translated and printed for the late Right Honble. E. -Stanhope, M.P., of Revesby. - -{140} A selion is a ridge of land between two furrows. - -{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. - -{158a} Jusseraud’s “Life of the 14th Century,” p. 38. - -{158b} Harleyan MSS. 4127. - -{158c} Ibid, add. MSS., 6118, 330_b_. - -{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). - -{158e} Dugdale’s “Baronage,” vol. i. p. 6. - -{159} Gelt was a tax of 2_s._ on each carucate, or 120 acres. - -{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 ye wife of Rob. Diton -was buried ye 14 Jany., 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. - -{238c} These capitals are still preserved in the vestry. - -{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. 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