{0} The corrigenda has applied in this transcription.—DP.
{2a} Among the names in the “Myntlyng” MS., of Spalding Priory, is “John
atte Ash,” _i.e._, John living by “the Ash,” which in time became John
Ash. The ash tree was supposed to have peculiar virtues: weakly children
were passed through it three times, before sunrise, to give them
strength; and to the Rowan, or mountain-ash many superstitions are
attached. (“Folklore,” vol. ii., No. 1, p. 88, et alibi.)
{2b} It would appear, however, that water was a more marked feature of
the locality 100 years ago. Sir Joseph Banks, writing of the antiquities
of Ashby, in an article contributed to “Archæologia” at that time (vol.
xii., p. 96), mentions the “sloping hills with brisk rills of water
running through almost every valley.” It should not be forgotten that
formerly a tract of forest extended all along this district, so that (as
I have mentioned elsewhere) a Dutch sportsman spent a whole season in
hunting “in Lincolniensi montium tractu,” among the Lincolnshire hills.
When that forest was cleared away, as a natural consequence the streams
would shrink in volume, or disappear altogether.
{4} The Elands were landowners in Stourton, East Kirkby, and other
places. One of them resided at East Kirkby as late as 1870. Sir William
Eland was Constable of Nottingham Castle, 1330, and M.P. for the county
in 1333 (Bailey’s “Annals,” vol. i., p. 223). The Gedneys were
considerable owners in the neighbourhood. In the church at Bag Enderby
there is a handsome stone mural monument of Andrew and Dorothy Gedney,
with their two sons and two daughters kneeling before prayer desks. This
Andrew Gedney married Dorothy, daughter of Sir William Skipwith, of South
Ormesby, by his wife, Alice Dymoke.
{5} John de Kirketon (or Kirton), near Boston, received the honour of
knighthood from Ed. II., owned Tattershall and Tumby, and was summoned to
Parliament 16 Ed. III. They had large property in Boston in 1867
(Thompson’s “History of Boston,” p. 226).
{6a} The pedigree of the Littleburys is given in the Herald’s
“Visitation of Lincolnshire” 1562–4; edited by W. Metcalf, F. S. A. (Bell
and Sons, 1881).
{6b} Sir Thomas Meeres was knighted 11 June, 1660. He was almost
continuously M.P. for Lincoln from 1660 to his death in 1708.
(“Architect. Soc. Journal,” 1891, p. 13.)
{7} The late Poet Laureate, in his poem “Walking to the Mail” (Poems,
1842), tells of a farmer who was so pestered by the presence of this
ghost about his house, that he harnessed his horse to his cart and
started to leave home to get rid of it:—
“The farmer, vext, packs up his bed,
And all the household stuff, and chairs,
And with his boy betwixt his knees, his wife
Upon the tilt—sets out and meets a friend,
Who hails him, ‘What! Art flitting?’
‘Yes, we’re flitting,’ says the ghost,
For they had packed her among the beds.
‘Oh! Well!’ the farmer says, ‘You’re flitting with us too!
‘Jack, turn the horse’s head, and home again.’”
There are sundry other ghosts, or witches, remembered in the
neighbourhood, which may be heard of by the curious.
{9} Among the lists of institutions to benefices, preserved in the
Archives at Lincoln, is that of “Thomas Hardie, clerk, presented by the
Dean and Chapter, Vicar, A.D. 1567.” This was in the reign of Queen
Elizabeth; the patronage, therefore, was probably granted to that body by
her father, Henry VIII., on the dissolution of the Tattershall College.
(“Institutions, 1540–1570,” edited by Rev. C. W. Foster.)
{10} The writer has reason to remember the hollowness of the beck, for
on one occasion, when riding with the foxhounds, there being a steep
descent to the beck, and the beck itself having rotten, hollow banks, the
soil gave way beneath his horse’s hind legs, and, although they landed on
the other side, the horse was all in a heap, and the rider shot over its
head. They, however, recovered themselves, and no other riders
attempting it they gained a considerable advantage over the rest of the
field. When shooting along its banks he has seen places where the
hollowness was still more marked, the beck itself being barely more than
two feet wide, and four feet, or even more, deep.
{12a} “The culverhouse, or dovecote, attached to old baronial and other
houses, was a valuable source of food supply in days when the fattening
of cattle was not understood.” (“Nature and Woodcraft,” by J. Watson.)
{12b} The existence of this watermill is not without interest. They
were a source of considerable revenue, and this probably belonged to the
monks of Tattershall College, and all their tenants would be expected to
have their grain ground at it. In an ancient MS., of Spalding Priory, it
is recorded that certain tenants of the Prior were heavily fined because
they took their corn to be ground elsewhere.
{12c} At a monastery at Norwich 1,500 quarters of malt were used
annually for ale. Ingulphus, the abbot of Croyland, laments in his
History, the damage caused by a fire at the Abbey, inasmuch as it
“destroyed the cellar and casks full of ale therein” (quoted Oliver’s
“Religious Houses,” p. 15, note 5).
{13} The full inscription is:—“Here lyeth Rychard Lyttleburye, of
Stanesbye in ye countie of Lincoln Esquier and Elizabeth his wyffe
daughter of Sir Edmund Jenney of Knotsolt in the countie of Suff. Knight,
which Richard departed this lyfe in the xiii year of the Reign of King
Henry ye eight Ao. D’ni. 1521 and Elizabeth dyed in ye xv yeare of ye
Raigne of ye sayd King H. Ao. 1523.”
{15a} See Notices on Baumber, Bolingbroke, Hareby, East Kirkby, etc.
{15b} See the Notices of Baumber and Stourton.
{16} They had also large possessions in the counties of York and Durham.
{19} The descendants of Ivo Tailbois seem to have lost the commanding
position of their ancestor; since in a Close roll of Henry VII., No 30.,
it is stated that Sir Robert Dymmok, and others, “being seized of the
Manors of Sotby and Baumburg, granted an annuity therefrom of £20 to
William Tailboys, who now assigns the deed, granting that annuity to him,
to Bartholomew Rede, citizen, and goldsmith, of London, for a debt,”
(evidently a London money-lender), Dated May 9th, Henry VII., A.D. 1494.
{20} This Mr. Thomas Livesey married Lydia, widow of Matthew Dymoke
Lister, Esq., of Burwell Park, and was buried at Burwell, 1790, March
28th. (‘Notices of the Listers’, “Architect Journal,” 1897, pp. 92, 3).
{26a} According to _Magna Britannia_, it had an annual fair as well as a
weekly market, on Tuesdays; although Leland (Itiner. Cur., vol. vii. 52),
says “It hath once a year a fair, but hath no weekly market.” But surely
the larger mart could imply the smaller, and Weir in his History of
Lincolnshire (vol. ii. p. 407), mentions an attempt at New Bolingbroke,
to “revive the market on Tuesday,” showing that there was one of old.
{26b} To show the extent of the soke, we find from “Inquisition post
mort. 41, Ed. III., No. 47,” that in 1367 it was decided that Ralph de
Nevill holds “a fee in Ulceby, as of this Manor.” Yet Ulceby is distant
several miles.
{27} The Tenor bell was also re-hung at her expense.
{28} The present writer had the charge of that excursion, and twice
visited the church in company of the Precentor, to examine its details,
which he has done again at a more recent date.
{29} That there was a chantry here is proved by the fact, that at the
Lincolnshire Rising in 1536, the Bishop’s Chancellor Dr. Rayner, was
seized while being ill in bed at the house of the Chantry Priest, and
afterwards murdered. Arch. S. Journal, 1894, p. 195.
{30a} Proceed. Archæolog. Inst. Lincoln. (1848, p. 188).
{30b} She was given in marriage by William the Conqueror to his nephew,
Ivo Taille-bois, Earl of Anjou; but he dying early to her great relief,
she married secondly Roger de Romara, son of Gerald, who had been
Seneschall or High Steward to William as Duke of Normandy, before the
conquest of England. For third husband she married Ranulph, Earl of
Chester.
{30c} A tradition still lingers in the parish of Bucknall, that the
place was in some way connected with the Lady Godiva; and here we get the
connection. Her brother, and therefore doubtless her father, was Lord of
the Demesne of Bucknall. The Lord (Saxon “Laford”) and Lady (Saxon
“Lafdig”) were esteemed for the loaf (Saxon “Laf”) dealt out to the
hungry dependants, and their memory still lingers like a sweet savour
behind them.
{31a} The Lady Lucia conveyed, and the conveyance was confirmed by King
John, the church and benefice of Bolingbroke to the Priory of Spalding
(Dugdale Monasticon ii., 381); and, according to Liber Regis, it paid to
the Priory a pension of £3 6s. 8d.
{31b} The Thorolds were also men of position in Normandy. The name is
on the ancient Bayeux tapestry; and it also still survives in the old
family residence, the Hotel de Bourgthorould, in Rouen.
{32} The Head Office of the Duchy is now in London at Lancaster-place,
Strand; but two courts are held at Bolingbroke in May and October for all
copyhold accounts.
{34a} There was formerly at Edlington an old Jacobean Hall, on the site
of the later Hall. The entire fittings of the dining room of this
structure, some 23ft. in length, still survive in the dining room of
Rollestone House, Horncastle, the residence of R. Jalland, Esq.
{34b} Mrs. Heald was the daughter of George Heald, Esq., Barrister, of
the Chancery Court, commonly known, as “Chancellor Heald,” to whom, with
his wife, and daughter Emma, there is a marble monument, on the north
wall of the Chancel, in St. Mary’s Church, Horncastle. He died, March
l8th, 1834. The Chancellor also at one time resided at Edlington Hall.
{37a} This Sir Walter Tailboys was the son of Henry Tailboys, and his
wife Ahanora, who was daughter and heir of Gilbert Burdon, and his wife
Elizabeth, the latter being sister and heir of Gilbert Umfraville, Earl
of Angus.
{37b} Sir John Bolles, of Thorpe Hall, is the hero of the tradition of
“the Green Lady,” of that place. She nursed him while imprisoned in
Spain, and fell in love with him. He was obliged to explain to her that
he had a wife at home already, whereupon she made valuable presents of
jewellery to him for his wife. She was said to haunt Thorpe Hall, and
for some time a plate was always laid, and a vacant place kept for her at
the table. Some of this jewellery still exists, and is worn, to my
knowledge, by connections of the family (see Percy’s Ballads, vol. I.,
“The Spanish Lady’s Love”).
{41} In the “Placito de quo Warranto,” p. 409, these gallows are
distinctly referred to as “furcœ in Edlington,” and the same document
says “Abbs de Bardeney venit hic,” etc., “the Abbot of Bardney comes
here,” doubtless to see for himself that the punishment is duly
inflicted.
{47a} Lady of the Lake, Canto IV. 12, the Ballad of Alice Brand.
{47b} Mavis is the thrush, and Merle the blackbird.
{47c} Domesday Book, translated by Charles Gowan Smith, dedicated to
Earl Brownlow, Earl Yarborough, and H. Chaplin, Esq., M.P. (Simpkin,
Marshall and Co.)
{49} The Billesbies were a good family. Sir Andrew Billesby was
involved in the rebellion of 1536. He was steward of Louth Park Abbey
and Bullington Priory.
{54} This Bishop was, at the date of Domesday, William de Karilepho. He
had been Abbot of St. Vincent; was consecrated Bishop of Durham, January
3rd, 1082, and held the office of Chief Justice of England under the
Conqueror. He was an ambitious man, and acquired great possessions,
largely in this neighbourhood. He was banished from his See for three
years by William Rufus for conspiring, with many of the nobility, against
the throne. And for the part which he took in the quarrel between Rufus
and Archbishop Anselm, he was so severely rebuked that he died of wounded
pride.
{58} We have, in the north of the county, Goxhill which, in Domesday
Book, is Golse; and in Broughton, not far from thence, is the hamlet
Gokewell; both of which may contain the same prefix. Although Goltho,
which has a similar sound, is a corruption of Caldicot.
{59} It is not improbable that these early possessions in Goulceby, &c.,
may have come to the Cromwells indirectly on the females’ side, through
their connections, the Willoughbys; since we find, by a Feet of Fines
(Lincoln, folio 69, A.D. 1302), that as early as the reign of Edward I.,
a suit was instituted between John Bec (of the ancient Spilsby and Lusby
family), and Robert Wylgheby; wherein it was proved that the Willoughbys
even then held lands in “Golkeby, Donington,” etc.
{60a} Feet of Fines, Lincoln, Trinity, 22 Elizabeth (“Architect. S.
Journ.” 1895, p. 129.)
{60b} I have referred to this Thomas Glemham, in notices of
Mareham-le-Fen, of which manor he was Lord. Other members of the family
settled elsewhere in the neighbourhood, besides Burwell, the
headquarters.
{60c} British Museum, Add., 5524., fol. 68.
{60d} He was eventually imprisoned by Cromwell, and died in exile in
Holland.
{61} It is also stated that Mrs. Eleanor Lister “was buryed in ye vault,
Dec. ye 28th, in woollen”; and their first-born grandson Matthew,
baptized 7 May, 1703, was “buried in woollen” on the 13th of the same
month.
{69} Of course it is possible that the supposed owner of Greetham may
have been this second Lord Strafford, whose Ancestors held Ashby
Puerorum. I quote this from a paper in the “Architectural Society’s
Journal” of 1891, by Rev. A. R. Maddison, F.S.A., entitled “A Ramble
through the parish of St. Mary Magdalene,” in which he mentions house
property in Lincoln belonging to the Wentworths. It certainly shows a
connection of the Wentworths with Ashby Puerorum, then probably still an
appurtenance of the Greetham Manor.
{73} The close connection of Haugh and Hagi, is shown by Domesday Book,
which called the Lincolnshire village Haugh Hage. Taylor (“Words and
Places”) connected the word with “hedge” and our modern “haw-haw,” a sunk
fence; and so a hedged enclosure.
{75} The present holders of this title (the Keppels), are a different
family, their honour dating only from 1696. Albemarle or Awmarle, a town
in North Normandy, is now Aumale, from which the Duc d’Aumale takes his
title.
{76} The Blunts (or Blounts) were an old Norman Family, who came over at
the Conquest. The name is in the Rolls of Battle Abbey. Walter Blunt
was created Baron de Mountjoy by Ed. IV. The fine church of Sleaford was
built by Roger Blunt, in 1271, as appears from an old MS. found in the
parish chest (“Saunder’s Hist.,” vol. ii. p. 252). Camden (“Britannia,”
p. 517), says that they had a “a fine house” in his day (circa 1600), at
Kidderminster, and he mentions Sir Charles Blunt, Knight, as having a
fine seat at Kimlet in Salop, where their “name is very famous” (p. 542).
The late Sir Charles Blunt used to visit Harrington in this
neighbourhood, where the writer has met him, in days gone by, and enjoyed
sport with his beagles.
{78} Richard Gedney, in his will dated 1 April, 1613, speaks highly of
Thomas Cheales of Hagworthingham, “Yeoman, whom he makes his trustee.” A
junior branch of the Cheales family now reside at Friskney. The Rev.
Alan Cheales still owns land here, now residing at Reading. He is the
11th in descent from Anthonie, who bought the property in 1590.
{82} These are no longer to be found, but they were mentioned in a MS.
belonging to Sir Joseph Banks, dated 1784. Another brief was for “ye
first Fast day for ye Plague, 1665, the sum of 15s 6a” (August 2nd)
“September ye 6th, ye 2nd Fast day for ye Plague 1665 . . . 13_s_ 7_d_
and 2_s_ more was added afterwards.” Six Fast days were mentioned, when
money was collected “for ye Plague.” Among items, in the Church
accounts, were:—“A sheet borne over the sacrament,” a “Kyrchuffe that our
Lady’s coat was lapped in,” “to Peter Babbe for gilding the Trinity,
iiiili xvis 0d.” “It for painting the Dancing geere,” (_i.e._ at the
May-pole). “It for viii. pound of waxe for Sepulchre lights iiiis
iiiid.” “It for ii. antiphoonies bought at Stirbridge faire (&c.) iiili
xis 7d”; “It for thacking the steeple xs”; “To William Edwards for
finding our Lady’s light viiiis iiiid”; “iiili xs given to finde yearly
an obitt for the soul of Lawrence Clerke, . . . to say Dirige and Masse,
. . . and for the bede roule,” &c. There are charges, for “vi gallons
yearly of aile” for the ringers. The “Church corne, given of the good
will of the inhabitants to the value of xxs viiid.” “Wessell (Wassail)
for the young men.” “The town bull sold for iis viiid a quarter.” &c.,
&c. (“Lincs. N & Q.” vol. i. pp. 5–13).
{83} There are mounds, and traces of a moat in a field in Langton,
showing that there was formerly a large residence, probably the home of
this branch of the Angevin family, who came over with the Conqueror.
{84a} Gair means a triangular piece of land which requires ploughing a
different way from the rest of the field. There was a Thomas Baudewin
had lands in Coningsby in the reign of Henry III. 106. Coram Rege Roll,
42, Henry III. “Linc. N. & Q.” iv. p. 102.
{84b} A pulse diet, for man or beast, seems to have been very general.
Pesedale-gate, means the gate, or road by the Pease-valley. We have
Pesewang, _i.e._ Peasefield, in High Toynton, Pesegote-lane in Spilsby,
and there are similar names at Louth, and elsewhere.
{87} Streatfeild (“Lincolnshire and the Danes,” p. 219) says “from the
old Norse ‘heri,’ or hare, come Eresby (or Heresby) and Hareby.” In
south Lincolnshire, hares are still called “heres.” The canting crest of
the Withers’s family, is a hare’s head, with ears up-pricked. Whether
there is any connection between “ear” and “eres” or hares, I know not,
but the long ears are a distinguishing feature, and often the only part
of the animal visible in tall covers; and there is the same variation, in
the presence, or absence, of the aspirate, between the noun “ear” and the
verb “to hear,” as between Eresby and Hareby. The writer has a vivid
recollection of the hares as a feature of the locality, as he has
frequently joined coursing parties at Hareby, many years ago, when there
was game enough to afford sport for 30 couple of greyhounds. Fuller in
his “Worthies of England,” p. 150 (Circa 1659), tells of a Dutchman who
came over and spent a season in hunting “in Lincolniensi montium tractu,”
in the mountainous parts of Lincolnshire; and as foxhounds were not
established at that date, this must have been hare hunting in these
Wolds.
{88} These accounts are worked out carefully, by Weir, in his History,
but the various steps are very complicated and some authorities differ
from him in minor details. By an Inquisition, 37 Henry III., it was
shewn that in 1253, William de Bavent owned the Castle and manors
attached to it.
{90a} See “History of the Ayscoughs,” by J. Conway Walter, published by
Mr. W. K. Morton, Horncastle.
{90b} Of this Blagge the following anecdote is preserved. He was a
favourite with Henry VIII., who called him familiarly his “little pig.”
A retrograde religious movement occurring towards the end of this reign,
Blagge, with others, was imprisoned as an offender against the law of the
Six Articles (1539) against Popish practices. By Henry’s interposition
he was released and restored to his office. On his first re-appearance
at Court, the King said to him:—“So you have got back again my little
pig,” to which Blagge replied, “Yes, and but for your Majesty’s clemency,
I should have been _roast_ pig before now.”
{90c} The Cuppledykes were large owners of property in this
neighbourhood, several of their monuments still remaining in Harrington
Church and elsewhere.
{91} The pedigree of the Littleburies is given in the “Visitation of
Lincolnshire,” A.D. 1562–1564, edited by Mr. W. Metcalf, F.S.A., A. Bell
& Sons, 1881. Sir Humphrey Littlebury was descended from Hamon
Littlebury, of Littlebury Manor, Essex, A.D. 1138. Sir Martin Littlebury
Knight was Chief Justice of England, 28 Henry III., A.D. 1243. Fuller
particulars of this family are given in other of these Records.
{93} This record is interesting as giving an instance of the title “Sir”
as applied to the Clergy. A graduate of the University, having the M.A.
degree was styled “Master” so and so, but when in Holy Orders, if he was
only a B.A. he was styled “dominus,” the English equivalent of which was
“Sir.” This was a general style of address, and was continued in the
Isle of Man to a late period.
In “A Short Treatise on the Isle of Man,” by James Chaloner, governor,
date 1656, it is stated that all the clergy who are natives have this
title, even in one case a curate being so styled. In Bale’s “Image of
bothe Churches” (circa 1550), it is said, “the most ragged runagate among
them is no less than a Sir, which is a Lord in the Latin.” In Pulleyn’s
“Etymological Compendium,” we find “The title of ‘Sir’ was given to all
who had taken a degree, or had entered into Orders.” Thus, Hearne, the
Antiquary, after he had taken the degree of B.A., was addressed as “Sir
Hearne” (Aubrey’s Letters, i. 117), and William Waynfleet (afterwards
Bishop of Winchester), when he had taken the same degree, was called “Sir
Waynfleet,” (“Chandler’s Life,” p. 54), Chaucer in his “Canterbury
Tales,” speaks of “Sir Clerk,” “Sir Monk,” and it even appeared in Acts
of Parliament, as 12 and 13 Ed. IV., N. 14, “Sir James Theckness,
Preste,” and i. Henry VII., p. 11, “Sir Oliver Langton, Preste? Sir
Robert Nayelsthorp, Preste.”
{95} In a ploughed field, about 300 yards from the main road, a large
boulder was discovered by a ploughman, in 1902, measuring about 3ft. in
length, some 2½ft. in height, and about the same in thickness, being also
ice-borne Neocomian.
{98a} The learned Dr. Oliver (“Religious Houses,” Appendix, p. 167, note
40) says, “wherever the word ‘Kir,’ or any of its derivatives, is found,
it implies a former Druid temple.” This syllable forms the base of the
Latin “Circulus,” and our own “Circle.” We find many interesting British
names containing it; for instance, in the name of that favourite resort
of tourists in North Wales, Capel Curig, we have the plural Kerig,
implying the British (or Druid) sacred circle of stones, while we have
also, prefixed, the translation of it by the Roman Conquerors of those
Britons, “Capella,” or Chapel. As a parallel to this, we may mention,
that in Wiltshire on “Temple” Downs, there are some stone Druidical
remains, which are locally known by the name of “Old Chapel” (Oliver,
Ibid., p. 175, note 66). Again in Kerig y Druidion, another place in
North Wales, we have the sacred circle “Kerig,” directly connected with
the Druids, in the suffix Druidion. There is also at Kirkby Green, near
Sleaford, a spot called “Chapel Hill,” another at the neighbouring
village Dorrington (“Darun” the Druid sacred oak), and also south of
Coningsby, on the sacred Witham, all probably sites of Druid worship.
{98b} Mr. Taylor (“Words and Places” p. 130) says, “the names of our
rivers are Celtic (_i.e._ British).” There is a river Ben, in Co. Mayo;
Bandon, Co. Cork; Bann, Co. Wexford; Bana, Co. Down; Bannon (Ban-avon),
in Pembrokeshire; Banney, in Yorkshire; and Bain, in Hertfordshire.
{99a} The exact meaning of “by” is seen in the German, which is akin.
In Luther’s translation of Job. xxvi. 5, for “they dwell,” the old German
is “die bey”; the latter word being our word “bide,” or “abide.” A “by”
was an “abode,” or permanent residence; so the Lincolnshire farmer calls
the foundation of his stack, the “steddle,” connected with the Saxon,
“steady,” and “stead” in “homestead,” &c.
{99b} Government Geological Survey, pp. 154–5.
{100a} Portions of Waddingworth and Wispington are given in Domesday
Book, as being in the soke of Great Stourton, and Kirkby-on-Bain.
Stourton Magna, was formerly a place of some importance, sites being
still known as the positions of the market place, &c.
{100b} The names of Fulbeck, and Fulstow, are given in Domesday Book, as
Fugel-beck, and Fugel-stow.
{101a} Charter copied from “Dugdale” v., 456. Date 1199.
{101b} In a cartulary of Kirkstead Abbey, of the early part of the 12th
century, now in the British Museum (“Vespasian” E. xviii.), there is an
agreement between the Abbot of Kirkstead, and Robert de Driby, “Lord of
Tumby,” that the Abbots’ “mastiffs” should be allowed in “the warren,” of
Tumby, at all times of the year, with the shepherds, on condition that
they do not take greyhounds; and if the mastiffs do damage to the game,
they shall be removed, and other dogs taken in their stead. (“Architect
S. Journal” xxiii. p. 109).
{102a} In the Cathedral of this City is still preserved the famous
Baieux tapestry, said to be the work of Matilda, the Conqueror’s wife, in
which are represented the exploits of her husband, in the Conquest of
England.
{102b} He remained a prisoner during the reign of the Conqueror. On the
accession of William Rufus, he was set at liberty, and restored to
favour; but, after a time, heading a conspiracy against the King, in
support of Robert, Duke of Normandy, and being defeated, he once more
retired to that country, where Duke Robert rewarded him by making him
Governor of the province.
{104a} Among the other parishes, Cockerington, Owmby, Withcall, Hainton,
North Thoresby, Friesthorpe, Normanby, Ingham, Sixhills, &c., in all
seventeen.
{104b} The historian Camden (“Britannia,” fol. 711, 712), gives a
curious origin of the name Pontefract, which means “Broken Bridge.” He
says that William Archbishop of York, returning from Rome, was here met
by such crowds, to crave his blessing, that the bridge over the river
Aire broke beneath their weight, and great numbers fell into the river.
The prayers of the saint preserved them from being drowned, and hence the
name was given to the place. This however, occurred A.D. 1154, and, as
documents exist of an earlier date, in which the name is found, as
already in use, the legend would seem to be a fabrication. It is
probable, says another historian, that Hildebert gave the name to the
place, from its resemblance to some place in his own country where he was
born; the name being of Latin or Norman origin.
{104c} These connections, with authorities, are given fully in an
article on the “Descent of the Earldom of Lincoln,” in “Proceedings of
the Archæological Institute” for 1848, Lincoln volume pp. 252–278.
{106} As an illustration of the fickleness and superstition of the
times, although he was condemned as a traitor by Edward II., he was
regarded as a martyr in the cause of liberty by the people, and was
canonized as a Saint by Edward III., son of the King who condemned him.
Miracles were said to be wrought at his tomb; and a Church was built, for
pilgrims to the place where he was executed. (Rapin’s Hist. vol. i. for
396; Boothroyd’s “Hist. Pontefract” pp. 95, &c).
{108} To show the power and lawlessness of some of these Lords of Kirkby
and Tumby, it is recorded that the servants of this Simon de Driby took a
waggon, with a hogshead of wine, from Louth to Tumby, by their master’s
orders, and there forcibly detained it, “to the damage of 60s.” a large
sum in those days. (“Hundred Rolls,” p. 333.)
{109a} The last Baron D’Eyncourt died in the reign of Henry VI. His
sister married Ralph Lord Cromwell. Probably from this connection the
warden of Tattershall College had lands in Kirton (“Peerage,” vol. ii.,
p. 62, and Tanner’s “Notitiæ,” p. 286.) The D’Eyncourts still survive at
Bayons Manor, near Market Rasen. Their ancestors came over with the
Conqueror, and held many manors in Lincolnshire. Walter D’Eyncourt was a
great benefactor to Kirkstead Abbey in the reign of Ed. I. (Madox,
“Baronia Anglica,” p. 217.) The first Walter was a near relative of
Bishop Remigius, who also accompanied the Conqueror. A tomb was opened
in Lincoln Cathedral in 1741 supposed to be that of this Walter, and the
body was found carefully sewn up in leather.
{109b} Of another of the Cromwells, a few years later, it is found by a
Chancery Inquisition post mortem (15 Hen. VI., No. 71) that, to prove his
birth, John Hackthorne, of Walmsgare, testifies that he saw him baptized;
and being asked how he knows this, he says that, on the said day, he saw
Thomas Hauley, knight, lift the said infant, Robert Cromwell, at the
font. This Sir Robert was succeeded by Ralph Lord Cromwell in 1442.
This Sir T. Hauley also presented to the benefice of Candlesby, next
after Matilda, wife of Ralph Lord Cromwell (“Linc. N. and Q,” vi., p.
76.) Thus there was a Hawley connected with the place at that early
period, but, as will be shown further on, the family of the present Sir
H. M. Hawley did not obtain their property here till more than 300 years
later (“Architect S. Journal,” xxiii., p. 125).
{111} In former times parsons had the title “Sir,” not as being Knights,
or Baronets, but as the translation of “Dominus,” now rendered by
“Reverend.”
{115a} In those days the wild boar, as well as deer, were plentiful in
our forests, and were protected by royal statute. The punishment for
anyone killing a boar, without the King’s licence, was the loss of his
eyes. They became extinct about A.D., 1620; as to the deer, an old
Patent Roll (13, Richard II., pt. 1, m. 3), mentions that a toll of one
half penny was leviable on every “100 skins of roebuck, foxes, hares,
&c.,” brought for sale to the Horncastle market. This would look as
though roe-deer at least, were then fairly plentiful.
{115b} For further particulars of this family see “History of the
Ayscoughs,” by J. Conway Walter, published by W. K. Morton, Horncastle.
Henry Ascoughe, by his will, dated 16 Nov. 1601, desires to be buried in
the parish church of Moorbye (“Maddison’s Wills.”)
{117a} Two different things were formerly meant by the term “graduale,”
or “grayle.” (1) It was the name given to the Communion Chalice, or
Paten, probably from the “Sangraal,” or holy vessel, said to have been
found in the chamber of “the last supper,” of our Lord, by Joseph of
Arimathæa, and in which he afterwards collected the blood (sang-reale, or
King’s blood), from the wounds of the crucified Saviour. This vessel, in
Arthurian romance, was said to have been preserved in Britain, and to
have possessed miraculous properties. The legend has been finely adopted
by our late Poet Laureate in the “Quest of the Holy Grayle,” among his
“Idylls of the King.” (2). The name was given to a part of the service
of the Mass in pre-Reformation times, which was called the “Gradual,” or
grail, because it was used at the steps (“gradus”) of the chancel. As
the inscription on the first-named of these Kirkby tombs mentioned the
gift of a “Missal,” or mass book, it is probable that the “gradual” here
mentioned was this portion of the mass book, and not the Communion
Chalice, or Paten. The Communion plate of Kirkby does not appear to be
very old.
{117b} The writer of these Records has also a copy of this engraving, it
is dated 1800, and has the initials, E. C. The church is represented
with the roof fallen in, the porch closed by rails, south wall of nave,
with two 3-light windows, in a dilapidated## condition, a priest’s door
in chancel, with two 2-light windows above it, a shabby low tower, with
pinnacles, scarcely rising above the roof, the whole overgrown with
weeds; and churchyard and grave-stones in a neglected state.
{119} In the reign of Ed. I. it was complained that the too powerful
Abbot of Kirkstead erected a gallows at Thimbleby (being patron of that
benefice), where he executed various offenders (“Hundred Rolls,” p. 299),
and Simon de Tumby had gallows at Ashby Puerorum, of which there is
probably still a trace, in “Galley Lane” in that parish. (“Hundred
Rolls,” 1275).
{121} The Kings held property in this neighbourhood late in the 16th
century. By will, dated Jan. 23, 1614, Edwd. King, of Ashby, bequeathed
to his son John the manor house of Salmonby, and it was not till 1595
that the Hall of Ashby de la Laund was built.
{122} This conduit still exists. “Linc. & Q.” vol. iv. p. 131.
{123a} At Greetham there is a field called Gousles, or Gouts-leys. We
find the same in Gautby. “St. Peter at Gowt’s,” in Lincoln; and “Gaut”
is a common term for the outlets of fen and marsh drains.
{123b} There is in Hameringham a Baldvine gaire, given by the clerk to
the Revesby Monks. See notes on Hameringham.
{123c} The name Massenge is not a common one, but we find that Thomas
Masinge was presented to the Vicarage of Frampton, by King Philip and
Queen Mary, 6 August, 1556 (‘Lincolnshire Institutions,’ “Linc. N. & Q,”
vol. v., p. 165.)
{123d} The Goodricks were a fairly good family, originally settled at
Nortingley, Somersetshire; but the Lincolnshire branch came from the
marriage of Henry, son of Robert Goodrick, with the heiress daughter of
Thomas Stickford of this county. According to one version, one of his
descendants, Edward Goderich, of East Kirkby, married as his second wife,
Jane, daughter and heir of a Mr. Williamson of Boston, whose children
were Henry, Thomas (Lord Chancellor), John, Katherine, and Elizabeth; of
whom John married the daughter and co-heiress of Sir Lionel Dymoke, of
Stickford. According to another version, the John, of Bolingbroke, who
died in 1493, had two sons, William and Richard. William was of East
Kirkby, and was father of (1) the John, above-named, who married Miss
Dymoke, (2) Henry, ancestor of the Goodricks, baronets, of Yorkshire, and
(3) Thomas, Bishop of Ely, and Lord Chancellor, temp. Ed. VI., and one of
the compilers of the Reformed Liturgy (“Linc. N. & Q,” vol. i., p. 122).
In the reign of Elizabeth, Edward Goodrick, of East Kirkby, subscribed
£25 to the Armada Fund (“Linc. N. and Q.,” vol. ii., p. 132; “Architect.
S. Journal,” 1894, p. 214.)
{124a} See “Notes” on Salmonby and Raithby.
{124b} The term “exhibition” is equivalent to maintenance; Edward was
evidently studying for “the Bar,” and this was provision for him until he
should be able to “practice at the Bar,” as counsel in legal suits. The
term exhibition is still used at the Universities, along with
“scholarship,” for certain allowances, which are granted to students,
after examination, to aid them in their University course.
{125a} The Sapcotes were a well-to-do middle-class family. In 1554
Thomas Chamberlaine, clerk, was presented to the Church of Lee, Lincoln
Diocese, by Edward Sapcote, gentleman, one of the executors of the will
of Henry Sapcote, late alderman of the City of Lincoln (‘Lincoln
Institutions,’ “Linc. N. and Q,” v., p. 173.) William Sapcote was Rector
of Belchford in 1558. By a Chancery Inquisition post mortem, dated at
Hornecastell, 4 Nov., 23 Henry VII. (1507), the manor of Taunton
(Toynton) and advowson of Nether Taunton with other property were
recovered for Thomas Sapcote, and Joan his wife, and other parties.
(“Architect. S. Journal,” 1895, pp. 61–2.)
{125b} The Palfreyman family resided at Lusby. They were descended from
William Palfreyman, who was Mayor of Lincoln in 1536. Mr. E. Palfreyman
contributed “1 launce and 1 light horse” to the defence of the country
when the Spanish Armada was expected; one of them is named among the List
of Gentry in the county, on the Herald’s Visitation in 1643 (“Linc. N. &
Q,” ii., p. 73.) Ralph Palfreyman was presented to the Vicarage of
Edlington in 1869, by Anthony Palfreyman, merchant of the Staple, Lincoln
(“Architect, S. Journal,” 1897, p. 15.)
{126} The Grynnees were “nativi,” or tenants in bondage; yet, as
sometimes happens in modern days, a son married the daughter of a knight.
They were attached to the manor of Ingoldmells, which then belonged to
the King.
{127a} The prefix may either be Ea _i.e._ Eau, water, or Ey, Ea, island.
The small islands in the Thames are called eyots.
{127b} By an Inquisition taken at Partney, 8 Sep. 7 Hen. VIII (A.D.
1491), it was found that Bernard Eland, son of Eustace Eland, late of
Stirton, Esquire is an idiot, and that he has an infirmity called “Morbus
Caducus; and he held his manor of Stirton of the lord the King, by the
service of two parts of a knight’s fee.” (“Archit. S. Journ.” 1195, p.
74).
{128} By an Inquisition, 20 Hen. vii (A.D. 1504, 5), held at Lincoln, it
was found that John Billsby and Nicholas Eland were seized of the manor
of Malbissh-Enderby, with appurtenances in Hagworthingham and also of the
manor of Bag Enderby, with appurtenances in Somersby, &c.
{129} This rood-screen has been reproduced in late years in the restored
churches of Brant Broughton and Thornton Curtis. (“Linc. N. & Q.,” 1896,
p. 49).
{131} Of Thomas Goodrick, Bishop of Ely, we may observe that he was
rather a “timeserver,” though one of the supporters of Lady Jane Grey,
and acting on her Council during her nine days’ reign. On the accession
of Queen Mary, he did homage to her, and was allowed to retain his
bishopric. The historian says of him, that “he was a busy
secular-spirited man, given up to factions and intrigues of state,
preferring to keep his bishopric before the discharge of his conscience.”
The name was probably originally spelt Gode-rich, and a Latin epigram was
composed, in allusion to this, as follows:—
“Et bonus et dives, bene junctus et optimus ordo,
Prœcedit bonitas, pone sequuntur opes”;
which may be Englishised thus:—
“Both _good_ and _rich_, duly combined,
The good in front, the rich behind.”
There is probably a trace of the Goodrick family in a carved stone over
the kitchen door at the farmhouse close by the church, on which the
device is a cross “fitchée,” rising from another recumbent cross,
combined with a circle, between the initials L and G, with the date above
1544.
{133} Our modern rock-salt was unknown till 1670, when it was
accidentally found in Cheshire. Before that time the only salt in use,
was that collected by evaporation, in “salt-pans,” on the Humber or the
sea-coast. Of these, Sharon Turner calculates (“Hist. Anglo-Saxons,”
vol. iii., p. 251, Ed., 1836), that there were no less than 361 in the
county.
{135} Mills almost invariably belonged to the lord of the manor, and
were a source of considerable profit, as at these only were the tenants
allowed to have their grain ground. As an evidence of their value it may
be mentioned that the Bishop of Worcester had, in the parish of
Stratford, two carucates of land, or 240 acres, which were rated at
20_s._, whereas a mill belonging to him, yielded 100_s._ He let his land
at the annual rent of 5_d._ per acre, but his mill was let for £5. When
the Conqueror’s Commissioners visited Lincolnshire, there were between
400 and 500 mills in the county.
{137} We have an instance of a similar formation in the name of
Kingerby, near Market Rasen; which in a Chancery Inquisition, post mort.,
V.O., Ric. III. and Henry VII., No. 116a, is given as Kyngardby.
{138} In Morris’s Directory, of 1863, the total is given as only 730
acres.
{139} Privately translated and printed for the late Right Honble. E.
Stanhope, M.P., of Revesby.
{140} A selion is a ridge of land between two furrows.
{142a} This double-arched doorway has been pronounced by some to be
Saxon (“Linc. N. & Q.” 1896, p. 4), but about 1090 there was a revival of
Saxon ornament, which was continued for some time into the Norman period
(“Linc. N & Q.” 1895, p. 225, note.)
{142b} These details are taken from the description given by the late
Precentor Venables, on the visit of the Architectural Society, in 1894.
{145a} The Fitzwilliams were a wealthy family, having large possessions
in this county and elsewhere, and, at a later period, were created earls
of Southampton.
{145b} The Crevecœurs would seem to have derived their name from
Creveceur, a town with the title of Marquis, in the province of Masseran,
in Italy (“General Hist. of World,” by Dan Browne, 1721, p. 160.) There
was, however, another old town of this name in Holland, remarkable for
its strong fortress, which, from its impregnability, was named Creveceur,
or heart-break (Ibidem, p. 122). The arms of this family were “or, a
cross, voided, gules” (“Magna Charta,” p. 100.)
{147} These various records are taken from “Lincolnshire Wills,” &c., by
Canon Maddison.
{148} In Bag Enderby church there is a mural monument to Andrew and
Dorothy Gedney, and their two sons and two daughters kneeling by prayer
desks.
{156a} Ralph Lord Treasurer Cromwell had also property in this parish at
a later period.
{156b} A former church was built by the Lord Treasurer, who died in
1455; in the nave of which was the inscription, “Orate pro anima Radulph
Crumwell qui incepit hoc opus, Anno Domini 1450.” (Harl. MSS. No. 6829,
p. 174).
{157a} In the “Gentleman’s Magazine” for 1789, p. 636, is an account of
a beacon hill in this parish.
{157b} The objection to this is that “reeve” is a Saxon word, and the
termination “by” is Danish. The word appears in our modern “sheriff,” or
shire-reeve, “port-reeve,” &c.
{158a} Jusseraud’s “Life of the 14th Century,” p. 38.
{158b} Harleyan MSS. 4127.
{158c} Ibid, add. MSS., 6118, 330_b_.
{158d} The original charter of the foundation is lost, but a copy is
given in Dugdale’s “Monasticon,” vol. v. p. 454. The wife of this
William de Romara was Hawise, daughter of Richard de Redvers, Lord of
Tiverton, Co. Devon, and of Christchurch, Hants., and sister to Baldwin,
1st Earl of Devon. By the title of Comitissa Hawysia de Romara, she gave
the church of Feltham, in Middlesex, to the hospital of St.
Giles-in-the-Fields, near London. She joined in the foundation of
Revesby Abbey. (“Topogr. and Genealogist,” vol. i., p. 24).
{158e} Dugdale’s “Baronage,” vol. i. p. 6.
{159} Gelt was a tax of 2_s._ on each carucate, or 120 acres.
{160} It is customary to speak of Revesby Abbey as the monastery of St.
Laurence, but it would also appear at an early period to have been
dedicated to the Virgin Mother as well; for, while the inscription on the
tomb of the founder, as given above, mentions only St. Laurence, Dugdale
in his “Monasticon” (p. 531), calls it “the Monastery of our blessed Lady
the Virgin, and St. Lawrans.” Further, one impression of the Abbey seal
is preserved in the office of the Duchy of Lancaster, and another at the
British Museum; and they are inscribed “Sigillum Abbatis d’ St.
Laurentio”; but there is also in the British Museum, a seal of “Henry,
Abbot of St. Mary’s;” and another of “the Abbey and Convent of St. Mary,”
is among the Harleian Charters (44, z 2), and both the latter have, as
part of their device, the Virgin, crowned, holding the Infant Christ in
her arms.
{161} It is curious to find a Doctor among the slaves, he may have been
a foster-brother to one of better birth. Barcaria, in Monkish Latin
meant a tanning house (from “bark,”) or a sheep-fold, Norman French,
“Bergerie,” and Barkarius may have been a tanner or shepherd.
{164} I am indebted for these details to the accounts printed by the
late E. Stanhope, for private circulation, and the Revesby deeds and
charters, which he recovered, and also printed.
{166} Saunders in his “History of Lincolnshire,” 1836, gives the patron
of Revesby as Revd. C. N. L’oste. This, however, is an error, that
gentleman being chaplain in 1831, and there then being no residence he
resided at Horncastle, as many other country incumbents did at that time.
The L’ostes held various preferments in this neighbourhood for more than
one generation. In 1706, before the Banks family owned Revesby, the
Revd. C. L’oste held the Rectory of Langton-by-Horncastle. He was a man
of some attainments, and published a poetical translation of Grotius on
the Christian Religion, which the writer of these notes possesses.
Another L’oste, at that date resided in Louth; and, within living memory,
another of the name resided in Horncastle.
{178} The Pelhams of old were a martial family. At the battle of
Poitiers, the King of France surrendered to John de Pelham, and this
badge was adopted by him as representing the sword-belt buckle of the
defeated monarch, and became conspicuous on their residences, or in the
churches which they endowed.
{181} For an interesting life of Mr. Hanserd Knollys, see Crosby’s
“History of English Baptists,” vol. i, p. 334, &c.
{182} Odo was the son of Herluin de Contaville and Arlette, coucubine of
Robert, Duke of Normandy, so that Odo and the Conqueror were sons of the
same mother. The Earl of Moretaine, and Adeliza, Countess d’ Aumaile,
were his brother and sister.
{184} It has been suggested that this represented Belshazzar’s Feast
(“Architect. S. Journal,” 1858, p. lxxiii), but this would hardly be in
keeping with the other subjects.
{185} The next ford on the Witham, southward, was Kirkstead wharf, or
more properly “wath,” which is still the local pronunciation; “wath,”
meaning “ford,” corresponding to the Latin “vadum,” and related to our
word to “wade,” or “ford,” a stream, &c. There is a village called Wath
in Yorkshire, which is near a ford or causeway over a Marsh. (“Archit.
Journ.” xiii, p. 75).
{186a} Mr. T. W. Shore, in an interesting article on “The Roads and
Fords of Hampshire.” (“Archæolog. Review,” vol. iii., pp. 89–98), says
that all the “Stokes” (a common local name), are connected with “wades,”
or fords on streams, probably because they were stockaded. Stockholm,
means a staked, or stockaded island. In South America there is a plain
called Llano Estacedo, because the tracks across it are marked by stakes.
(“Greater Britain,” Sir C. Dilke, p. 75.)
{186b} This was the case with a manorial wood, formerly on the property
of the Bishops of Winchester, at Havant, in Hants. (“Archæol. Review,”
iii., p. 94), one of the conditions of tenure being, that it should
furnish stakes for a “wade-way,” from the main land to Hayling Island,
fordable by carts at low water, and stockaded on both sides.
{186c} In connection with this, it is not a little interesting to note
that, according to the Hundred Rolls (pp. 317 and 397), quoted Oliver’s
“Religious Houses,” (p. 72, note 25), the prioress of Stixwould was
accused in the reign of Ed. I., of obstructing the passage of ships on
the Witham, “by turfs and faggots” (“turbis et fagotis”); this would
probably be by making the ford shallower by sods, and narrower by bundles
of stakes or sticks.
{186d} Streatfeild (“Lincolnshire and the Danes,” pp. 147–8,) says “the
swampy locality would favour the idea of the stakes,” as originating the
name.
{186e} Called by Ingulphus “Patria Girviorum.” (“Hist. Rerum. Anglic.”
Vol. i., p. 5, A.D. 716).
{187} The name Siward may not have been confined to one person; but the
old chronicler, Ordericus Vitalis (A.D. 1142), tells the following, of
the great Earl Waltheof, son of Siward, that he was beheaded (probably
being too powerful a Saxon subject to suit the Conqueror), on May 31,
1076, at Winchester, and buried on the spot of his execution. The monks
of Croyland, however, begged that his body might be removed to their
Abbey; and this was granted and carried out a fortnight after his death.
He was then buried in the Chapter House. Sixteen years afterwards, the
abbot, Ingulphus, decided to remove the treasured remains from the
Chapter House to the Church, and ordered the bones to be first washed
with warm water. When the coffin lid was removed, the body was not only
found to be as fresh as at the first burial, but the head had become
re-united to the body, only a red streak showing the place of severance.
The body was re-interred near the high altar with great ceremony, and it
is added (and no wonder, after this one miracle) that “miracles were
often performed” at the tomb. (“Fenland N. & Q.” 1892, pp. 37–8).
{188} Although nothing is said, so far as we know, of Ivo leaving any
progeny, the name of Taillebois survived for some centuries, being
represented by men of wealth, large property, and good connections in the
county. Their chief seat was South Kyme, where the head of this house
succeeded Gilbert de Umfravill, Earl of Angus, and where his descendants
were, in turn, succeeded by the Dymokes. In the 15th century their
fortunes declined, and by a Close Roll of Henry VII. (9 May, 1494), it is
shewn that William Taillebois, then of Baumber, had got into the hands of
a London money-lender, and that his estates were handed over to Sir
Robert Dymoke, and other creditors, who made him an allowance of £20 a
year.
{189a} Judging by the dates, they could hardly have been one and the
same lady. This question is fully examined by J. G. Nichols, F.S.A., in
“Proceedings of the Archæological Institute,” 1848, who decides in favour
of two distinct persons, the latter being mother of William de Romara
(temp. Stephen), afterwards Earl of Lincoln.
{189b} From the title, d’ Alencon, it is probable that the name, once
not uncommon in this neighbourhood, of Dalyson arose.
{194} Dugdale (“Monasticon,” v., p. 725), says Sir Geoffrey de Ezmondeys
gave to Stixwold Priory certain lands at Honington, then called
Huntingdon. These lands still belonged to the Priory, temp. Henry VIII.
The name is spelt Ermondeys in a second Deed in Dugdale; it is Ermondys
in the Hundred Rolls (i. 393). In “Testa de Nevill,” (p. 323) it _is_
abbreviated as “Armets”; while in p. 342 of the same Henry de Armenters
is given as owner of the same lands.
{196a} Not many years ago there was preserved in the church of the not
distant parish of Scopwick, a richly-embroidered satin pulpit cloth,
probably a specimen of such work; but the Vicar, unfortunately, converted
it into window curtains, and it has been lost. (Oliver, p. 72, n. 23.)
{196b} The Harleian MS., in the British Museum, shows buxom dames
shooting stags and boars with the bow, mounted astride on horseback.
Italian and Dutch artists shew the same. Lady Superiors were wont thus
to relieve the montony of conventual life. It is related of Queen
Elizabeth, that when 60 years old, she shot four deer before breakfast.
“Standard,” ‘leader,’ Oct. 12th, 1898.
{197} There may be seen in Horncastle, at the house of Mr. Soulby
Hunter, of Horncastle, a very beautifully-carved boss of stone, which was
once in the roof of the Priory chapel, or church; it is circular, more
than 2ft. in diameter, and 6 portions of arches branch off from it. Its
size indicates that the fabric must have been on a large scale and lofty.
There is also at the same house a finely-carved figure of a crouching
lion, which may have formed part of a frieze, or cornice of the same
building.
{198} This stone consists of a square block, the carved device being a
cross within a circle, on the four arms of which are letters, which,
taking a central E as common to all, form the words “Lex Dei Est Vera,”
‘the law of God is true.’ The stone was taken to Lincoln, and placed in
the west gable of a house built by the late Mr. E. J. Willson. (“Linc.
N. & Q.” vol. i., p. 124). It was engraved in “Archæological Journal,”
vol. ix., p. 97.
{199} This Boulton was, for his crime, hanged at Lincoln; but his body
brought to be buried in the old church. When the present church was
built, his body was removed, with others, and re-interred in the
churchyard. His remains are, locally, said to have differed from all the
others, in that there were still large lumps of fat about the skeleton.
This may probably be accounted for by the fact that he died in the full
vigour of life. Some of the Boultons formerly resided at Hall-garth,
Thimbleby; others lived at Sturton-by-Stow, and left moneys for the poor
of that parish.
{202} Thomas Welby, in his will, proved 18th August, 1524, desired “to
be buried in the church of Stixwould, before the image of our Lady.” The
Welbys are now one of the leading county families, yet we find this very
name of “Thomas Welby of Moulton,” mentioned in the “Myntling MS.” of
Spalding Priory, as among the bondmen of that monastery. 25 Edward III.,
(1352). Thomas Grantham, living at Newstead farm, Stixwould, 40 years
ago, probably of the above Grantham family, was a great hunting man. His
brother, Redding Grantham, is buried at Woodhall Spa.
{203} For many of these particulars I am indebted to the account of
Halstead Hall, by the Rev. J. A. Penny, given in “Linc. N. & Q.,” vol.
iii., pp. 33–37.
{204} The bricks of this structure resemble those of Tattershall Castle
(built about 1440), and of the Tower-on-the-Moor; they were formerly
supposed to be Dutch bricks, brought by boat up the Witham; but
geologists tells us that they are made of the local clay.
{206a} A cast was taken of Tiger Tom’s head, after the execution, and a
mould from it now forms an ornament over the door of a house, No. 31,
Boston Road, Horncastle, which formerly belonged to Mr. William Boulton.
He witnessed the execution, and procured the cast at the time.
{206b} One of the gang was hanged on March 27, 1829; the two above-named
on March 19, the next year, 1830; a fourth was captured two years later,
but escaped hanging, as it was pleaded on his behalf, that he had
prevented Timothy Brammar, a reckless fellow, from shooting Mr. Elsey, or
ill-treating the maids. He, however, had formerly been a servant at the
house, knew the premises well, and was said to have planned the whole
proceedings; he was transported. There were said to be ten men in the
gang, all “bankers,” _i.e._, “navvies.” Mr. T. Mitchell, parish clerk of
Woodhall, informs me that two of the men confined in the stables were
named Henry Oldfield and George Croft; names frequently appearing in the
parish registers and still common in the neighbourhood. George Croft
died at Langton, January 18, 1878. Henry Oldfield’s daughter, still
living (1904), says that she remembers her mother stating that she saw
six of the men hanged, at one time or another, and heard the trial of the
last two, when the judge remarked “What, the case from Halstead Hall;
shall we ever have done with it?” Most of these particulars are given in
“Records of Woodhall Spa” (1899), and for them I am indebted to Mr. and
Mrs. Longstaff, now residing at Halstead Hall.
{209} The parish register has the entry “Alison ye wife of Rob. Diton
was buried ye 14 Jany., 1688,” and as none of the name are mentioned
again, they probably became extinct with this Robert.
{210} It has been doubted, of late, whether there ever was a tower; but
it is referred to by Mr. Jeans, in Murray’s “Handbook for Lincolnshire,”
also in several old Directories, and the Parish Terrier, dated June 27,
1724, mentions among the church possessions “Three bells and a
ting-tang.” The existence of this tower is further confirmed by the fact
that in the churchyard is the tombstone of a Mr. Wattam (a name still
surviving in the parish), the churchwarden who caused the tower to be
taken down. He was afterwards killed by lightning, and the villagers
regarded this as a “judgment” upon him for removing the tower and bells.
{219a} See my volume “Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood,” pp.
140–2, where this particular case of Fulstow is also mentioned.
{219b} In connection with Joyce Dighton, widow of Robert Dighton, of
Stourton, there is a record that she left her two sons, Robert and
William, her leases in Waddingworth, and in Maidenwell, Louth. This
indicates a connection. The Waddingworth property had belonged to
Tupholme Abbey. Maidenwell, also, was a sacred place, where is still a
well, in the cellar of the manor house, which I have seen, dedicated to
the “Maiden,” _i.e._, Virgin.
{220a} I quote from the list made out by the Rev. C. W. Foster
(“Architectural Society’s Journal,” vol. xxiv., p. 12).
{220b} This Mr. Rutland Snowden, gent., gave to the poor of Horncastle
one house, of the yearly value of 26s., but, being decayed, this is now
reduced to 13s., paid in bread, sixpence every other Sunday. The house
belongs now to Mr. Willm. Dawson. (Weir’s “Hist. of Horncastle,” p. 33,
ed. 1820.)
{221} Thomas Loddington, LL.D., was Vicar of Horncastle at the beginning
of the 18th century. His name is on one of the church bells, cast in
1717.
{227} St. Margaret was tortured and beheaded by Polybius, Roman
president of the East (who wished to marry her), because she refused to
abjure her faith in the Saviour. She died A.D., 278. Her holy day, July
20, is very ancient, not only in the Roman Church, but also in the Greek
Church, which celebrates her memory, under the name of Marina.
{228} The writer of this notice has a copy of this quaint production.
It is entitled, “God’s Arke, overtopping the world’s waves, or The Third
Part of the Parliamentary Chronicle, collected and published, for God’s
high Honour, and the great encouragement of all that are zealous for God,
and lovers of their Country. By the most unworthy admirer of them, John
Vickers, London. Printed by M. Simons & F. Macock. 3rd edition, 1646.”
The 1st edition was probably issued soon after the battle.
{230a} Of these Colonel Shelley was taken in the water. Sir George
Bolle, a member of a very old Lincolnshire family, was killed with Sir
Ingram Hopton, and Major Askew, of another old Lincolnshire family was
taken prisoner. (“Winceby Fight,” a Legend, by Alan Cheales, M.A.)
{230b} The writer once found on Langton Hill, within a quarter of a mile
of Horncastle, the rowell of a spur with very long spikes, which was
probably lost by a fugitive Cavalier after the fight. He has also a pair
of spurs which were ploughed up on the battle field; and he has also a
pistol of peculiar construction, found in a ditch near Woodhall Spa,
which had probably been lost by a fleeing trooper.
{231} There are more than 2000 place-names in England which contain this
element: from the county names of Nott-ing-hamshire and
Buck-ing-hamshire, to Wolsingham, to the North, in Durham; and Hastings
on the South coast of Sussex.
{233} The Beks, who have been mentioned before in this volume, became a
powerful and wealthy family. They attained to the honour of Knighthood,
and Barony, married into families of good position, acquired the
Constableship of Lincoln Castle, and were especially strong in Bishops;
four members of the family being raised to the episcopate, one as Bishop
of Lincoln, then the largest See in the Kingdom, another as Bishop of
Durham. Of this last it is related that he was so enormously wealthy
that his ordinary retinue consisted of 140 knights. Hearing that a piece
of cloth was said to be “too costly for even the Bishop of Durham,” he at
once bought it, and had it cut up into horse cloths. While he was
staying in Rome, a Cardinal greatly admired his horses. He thereupon
sent two of the best with his compliments, begging the Cardinal to take
which he preferred. The cardinal _took both_; whereat the Bishop drily
remarked, “He _has_ chosen the best.”
{234} That a connection of Beks and Willoughbys with Kirkstead Abbey
existed before this, is shewn by the following documents. Walter Bek,
first Baron of Willoughby, by will, dated July 20, 1301, directed that
his body should “be buried at Kirkstede, whereunto he gives his best
horse (price 40 marks), his mail-coat, gauntlets, targe and lance,” and
other accoutrements, Sir Willm. Willoughby being his executor. An old
Charter exists (Harleian MS., 45. h. 14), by which “John Bek, Lord of
Eresby, makes known to all sons of Holy Mother Church,” that he grants
and confirms “to God and the Church of the blessed Mary of Kyrkested, and
to the Monks there serving God, in pure and perpetual alms, all the gifts
and confirmations, which (his) ancestors made to them”; one of the
witnesses to this being “Dominus William de Wylcheby.”
{235} By a curious coincidence, we find 120 years later, another William
Hardigray, doubtless a descendant of this, occupying the post of master,
with sundry “fellows” under him, of the Chantry of the Holy Trinity, at
Spilsby; and to him, and his Institution, Sir William Willoughby, in
1406, granted certain lands in Scremby and elsewhere, to augment the
endowment; a further bequest being made by Robert, Lord Willoughby, in
1452. (“History of Spilsby,” p. 46, by H. Cotton Smith.)
{236} The Glovers would seem to have been of some antiquity in the
neighbourhood. In an Inquisition, taken at Sleaford, A.D. 1506, as to
the estate of Mawncer Marmeon, among the jurors is William Glover, of
Panton. (Architect. Soc. Journal, vol. xxiii., pt. i., pp. 55 and 69).
While, in another Inquisition taken at Spalding in the same year, among
the jurors is Robert Glover (Ibidem); and in another Inquisition taken at
Falkingham, 3 years later, we find Thomas Phillips of Stamford, and John
Obys, clerk, seized of the manor of Casewick (Ibidem, p. 80).
{237} The bricks of the former residence itself are said to have been
used in repairing Baumber Church many years ago.
{238a} Some anecdotes are told of this worthy. A friend, who, in his
early years, received some tuition from him, relates that he once took
him to the top of the church tower, and waving his arms around, exclaimed
“All this should be mine, every inch of it.” He planted an apple tree,
when each of his numerous progeny was born; two or three of which still
bear fruit in the vicarage orchard. He is said to have been a skilful
boxer, and to have thrashed a big bully at Thimbleby. Being accused by a
clerical superior, of frequenting public houses, and drinking too much,
he replied, “I am not the only man who has been accused of being a
gluttonous man and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” He
was evidently well able to hold his own with tongue as well as fist,
although the valuable patrimony slipt through his fingers.
{238b} He was intimate with Prout, De Wint, Cattermole, and other
artists of his day, his own paintings in sepia being well-known and
highly valued. The writer of these Records possesses several of them,
and among them, the gift of Mr. Terrot, a painting of Stonehenge, the
original of which was presented by the artist to King Edward, on his
visit to Stonehenge, as Prince of Wales.
{238c} These capitals are still preserved in the vestry.
{240} The triple cross is said to be the sign of a Royal Arch-Mason, and
in Mr. Terrot’s own window are signs of the four Masonic crafts.
{241} The Hannaths had one other child, a girl, who married and is still
living at Blackpool. Of the 18 buried here, one a girl, Ann, having been
accidentally burnt, was a dwarf not only in body, but also in intellect.
At 23 years of age she was only 26 inches high, and an idiot. She was
buried July 9, 1844 (note in register). It is stated that her common way
of showing that she wanted food, was to lick with her tongue the
fire-grate. It is locally said that at the birth of each of the 18
children, a mysterious pigeon appeared, and, in consequence, the child
died at once, or within a day or two of its appearance.
{243} In the ancient house in Boston called “Shodfriars’ Hall,” there
was established in 1619, a school where 20 boys and 20 girls were taught
to “spin Jersey, or worsted.” It was called the “Jersey School,” till
1790. (Thomson’s “Boston,” p. 191.)