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