Historical and descriptive sketches of the town and soke of Horncastle [1822] / in the county of Lincoln and several places adjacent

In deepening the bed of the river Bane, to complete the navigation, in 1802, an ornamental brass spur, part of a brass crucifix, and a dagger, were found together at a short distance from the north bason of the navigation.  The spur is now lost; the part of the crucifix and the dagger are in the possession of the author.

THE CHURCH.

From the silence of the Domesday Book respecting a church at this place, it may be concluded that there was not one erected when that survey was made; there however appears to have been one in the reign of Richard the first. [26a]

The present structure, which is dedicated to Saint Mary, stands in the centre of the town, and possesses but few attractions for the antiquary or the architect.  It consists of a square tower, a nave and chancel, with north and south aisles.  Being for the most part built with the soft and imperfectly aggregated sand-stone of the neighbourhood, which yields easily to the moisture of the atmosphere, it has suffered much from the effects of time; and the decayed parts being repaired with brick, gives to the building a motley and unprepossessing appearance.

The few portions of the original architecture which have escaped the silent ravages of years and the hands of the innovator, bespeak the building of no higher antiquity than the period of Henry the seventh.  The aisle on the north side of the chancel is ornamented with embattlements, on which quatrefoils and blank shields are sculptured.  It was probably used as a chantry, one of the windows having formerly contained an inscription justifying such a supposition. [26b]  This aisle does not extend the whole length of the chancel, and in the space so left, the remains of an oratory and confessional are still visible; this space formerly appropriated as a depository for coals to distribute among the poor, is now occupied by a building to contain the fire engines; a corresponding part of the south aisle being used as a vestry.  The aisle on the south side of the chancel was rebuilt in 1820; but the original windows were restored and again inserted.  Part of the aisle on the south of the nave was rebuilt in the following year.

The interior of the church is remarkably neat and well pewed.  A gallery at the west end of the nave contains an organ which was purchased by subscription in 1810.  Galleries are also erected in each aisle of the nave.

The shields contain these arms:—1.  Dymoke, sable, two lions passant argent in pale, ducally crowned or; empaling Waterton, Barry of six ermine and gules, three crescents sable; a crescent for difference.  2. Dymoke; empaling Marmyon, Vairè, on a fesse gules frettè or; in chief, Hebden, Ermine, five fusils in fess; a crescent for difference.  3. Argent, a sword erect azure, hilt and pomel gules. [27a]  4.  Dymoke; empaling Haydon, Quarterly gules and argent, a cross engrailed counterchanged; a crescent for difference.

On the floor beneath this monument is a brass, on which is the following inscription in black letter, nearly obliterated:

“Leonis fossa nunc haec Dymoke capit ossa
Miles erat Regis cui parce Deus prece matris
Es testis Christe quod non jacet hic lapis iste
Corpus ut ornetur sed spiritus ut memoretur
Hinc tu qui transis senex medius puer an sis
Pro me funde preces quia sic mihi fit venie spes.”  [27b]

On the floor of the vestry is a stone, with this inscription, in black letter, around the verge:

“Sacred to the Memory of the Rev. Mr. THO: GIBSON, A.M. Forty four years Vicar of this Parish.  He liv’d in such times when Truth to the Church, and Loyalty to the King, met with Punishment due only to the Worst of Crimes.  He was by the Rebellious Powers carried away Prisoner, four times, from his congregation, once exchanged into the Garrison of Newark, for a Dissenting Teacher: afterwards Sequester’d, and his family driven out by the then Earl of Manchester.  He survived the Restoration, and was brought back at the head of several hundreds of his Friends, and made a Prebendary in the Cathedral Church of Lincoln.  As his Enemies never forgave his Zeal to the Church and Crown: so nothing but the height of Christian Charity could forgive the insults he met with from them.  He Died April the 22d, 1678.”

“Here lieth the worthy and memorable Kt. Sir INGRAM HOPTON, who paid his debt to nature and duty to his King and Country in the attempt of seizing the Arch-rebel in the bloody skirmish near Winceby, October the 6th, A.D. 1643. [29]

“—nec tumultum
Nec mori per vim metuit, tenente
Cæsare terras.

“Paulum sepultæ distat inertiæ
Celata virtus.”

On a stone in the floor of the chancel is this inscription, in capital letters:

“M. S.
THOMÆ LODINGTON, LL. D.
Qui Vicarii jure usus
Sacra apud Paganos de Horncastle
De More Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ
Annos perpetuos XLV peregit
Annorumque LXXIII Curriculo
Confecto Morti cessit
Mar. XXI A.D. MDCCXXIII.
Posuit Pientissima Conjux
Prudentia Lodington.”

Beside the sepulchral memorials already detailed, are a number of others on the floor, and a few of recent date, on marble tablets, against the walls.

At the end of the north aisle of the chancel, is the following table:

The BENEFACTORS to the CHURCH and POOR of this Town, the Clauses of whose Wills may be seen at large in a Book in the Town Chest.  Note these Tables were erected 1724.

William Everitt and Joseph Brown Churchwardens.

Anno 1611, October.  Mr. Robert Clark of Woodhall gave to the Poor of this town . . .  Shillings a year, to be paid to vicar on St Thomas’s, and by him to be distributed every Christmas-day for ever, out of his lands in Thimbleby, now belonging to John Hutchinson, Gent.

Mrs Ann Smith gave to the poor of Horncastle twenty shillings a year out of her lands there, now in the possession of Mr. Thomas Coats: it is given in brown bread every Good Friday.

George Acham of Asterby, Gent. gave also one hundred and forty pounds, to purchase lands, the rents thereof to be disposed off yearly to the poor of Horncastle, at the discretion of the governors of the free-school (for the time being,) which lands are in the parish of Burgh in the Marsh.

Anno 1629 May the 2d.  Mr. William Hurtscroft gave one house the yearly rent of fifty-two shillings; to be given weekly (viz.) twelve pence in bread every Lord’s day to poor fatherless and motherless children in Horncastle, by the Overseers for the poor; the said house now in the possession of widow Scamon.

The same year.  Andrew Kent, gent. gave six pounds thirteen shillings and fourpence, to be a stock for the poor of Horncastle, which is applied accordingly in coals for their use.

Anno 1661, June the 6th.  Thomas Bromley of Conesby gent, left to the poor of this town forty shillings per annum (viz.) twenty shillings every good Friday, and twenty every St. Thomas’s day, to be paid out of his lands in Haltham super Bane; now the said lands belong to Thomas Hammerton gent.

Rutland Snowden, gent. gave to the poor of Horncastle one house of the yearly rent of twenty-six shillings; but being decayed is now reduced to thirteen, paid in bread sixpence every other Sunday: the said house belongs now to Mr. William Dawson.

Anno 1673, December the 5th.  Thomas James, gent. gave to the poor of Horncastle twenty shillings yearly in white bread on every Christmas day for ever payable out of his lands there, which lands are now the estate of Thomas Howgrave, Esquire.

Anno 1702, December the 20th.  Captain John Francis gave two chaldern of coals yearly to be given to the poor, appointed by the governors of the school, out of lands in this town now the Rev. Mr. John Francis’s of Sibsey.

Anno 1703, December the 14th.  Mrs Douglass Tyrwhitt of Gaiton on the would gave ten shillings yearly to the poor of Horncastle on St. Thomas’s day, out of her lands in Belshford, now the lands of Joseph Sutton of the same.

Anno 1696, May the 26th.  Nicholas Shipley, gent. gave to this church one brass candlestick of twenty-four sockets, and Fox’s three books of martyrs.  He gave also to the poor five pounds, which was immediately given amongst them, and thirty shillings yearly for ever, (viz.) twenty on St. Thomas’s day, and ten every good Friday, in brown bread, to be paid out of his lands adjoining to this church yard, now purchased by Mr. Thomas Hammerton.  He gave also to the governors of the school one hundred pounds the interest thereof to put out poor boys apprentices to trades; but their then treasurer dying insolvent, that money was lost.  We mention this here because this misfortune doth not lessen the charity of that well disposed gentleman.

Anno 1719.  Mrs. Mary Hussey, widdow, gave one silver plate to the communion table for ever.

Anno 1721.  Mrs. Dorothy Parker of Boston, gave to this church one brass candlestick of sixteen sockits, and to the poor widdows and widdowers of this town she gave sixty pounds, the interest or rents thereof to be given amongst them on St. John’s day, in Christmas, and St. James’s in July, yearly for ever.

Anno 1724.  Mrs Mary Waters, widdow, gave to the overseers of the poor, five pounds, to be by them put out at interest, and the said interest to be given to the poor yearly on Christmas day for ever.

“On the vth daie of October one thousand six hundrete & three, in the first yere of our Souvraine Lord King James was holden in Horncastle Church a solemnn fast from eight in the morning until foure a clock in the afternoone by five preachers vidz. Mr Hollinhedge vicar of Horncastle, Mr Turner of Edlington, Mr Downes of Lusbye, Mr Phillipe of Salmonbye, Mr Tanzey of Hagworthingha’, occasioned by a general and most feareful plague yt yeare in sundrie places of this Land, but especially upon the Cytie of London.

Pr. me Clementem Whitelock.”

“Thomas Gibson Clerk Master of the Free Schoole of Newcastle uppon Tine one of the Chapleines of the Right Reverend Father in God Barnabas by Divine P’vidence Lo. Bpp. of Carliol, presented by the said Lo. Bpp. was inducted into the Vicarage of Horncastle, April the xiiij 1643.”

“The said Mr. Thomas Gibson being outed of Horncastle by Cromwell Commissiner removed to Nether Toynton, lived ther one yeare.  After returne again taught some gentlemen sonnes in his owne house, was afterwards called to ye schoole at Newark where he continued one yeare, then was importuned to Sleeford whether he went the week after Easter 1650, continued there until May ye first 1661 then the King being restored he returned to his vicaridge and was by Doctor Robet Sandeson Bishop of Linkcoln made Preban of Sant Marie Crake Poule in the Church of Linkcoln,”

“Septr. 28, 1662.

“Memorandum the Day and yeere above written that the Booke of Common Prayer lately set forth by the Authority of the King’s Majestie and his court was read in the Parish Church of Horncastle by me Thomas Gibson Vicar there, and freely and willingly assented unto according to an act of Parliament in that case made and provided.  In witness whereof the said Mr. Gibson with other of the inhabitants whose names are hereunto subscribed have sette their hands.

Tho: Gibson, Vicar.
John Harding, Parrish Clerk”

THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.

The Grammar School is situated at the south-east corner of the church yard, and is a spacious and well-constructed edifice of brick.  It was founded and endowed by Edward Lord Clinton and Saye, the Lord High Admiral of England, under the authority of letters patent, dated the 25th of June, 1652.  By these letters it was ordained, that this institution should be denominated “The Free Grammar School of Queen Elizabeth, in the Town or Soke of Horncastle, of the foundation of Edward Lord Clinton and Saye,” for the education, training, and instruction of boys and youths in grammar, and to be appropriated to this object for ever.

The school was to be conducted by a master, and a sub-master, or usher: ten governors were also appointed and incorporated, with perpetual succession, and a common seal.  These governors were empowered on the death of any of their body, to elect others in their places; also to nominate the master and usher on any vacancy; and to make such statutes concerning the preservation and disposal of the revenues, as circumstances at any time might dictate.  Besides holding the endowments, they were authorized to purchase and receive lands and other possessions, not exceeding £40. per annum.

The estates by which the establishment is maintained, consist of houses and land situated at Horncastle, Hemingby, Sutton, Huttoft, and Winthorpe.  The lands in the last three named parishes being subject to inundations from the sea, the annual revenue is rendered precarious; but in the more favorable years it amounts to about £200.

THE RIVER BANE AND NAVIGABLE CANAL.

The river Bane, rising at the village of Ludford, takes its course in a direction nearly south to join its waters with those of the Witham.  After meandering through an extent of country about fourteen miles, it receives at Horncastle, the tributary stream of the Waring, and abundantly supplies the town, conveniently situated at the confluence of the two rivers.  From hence continuing a gently winding course, it washes Tattershall and its moorlands, before it falls into the larger river to increase its waters to the sea.

In the year 1792, an act of parliament was obtained for making the Bane navigable from the river Witham, through Tattershall to Horncastle. [35]  The act, after reciting the names of the original subscribers, incorporates them by the name of “The Company of Proprietors of the Horncastle Navigation in the County of Lincoln,” giving them perpetual succession and a common seal, and empowering them to raise £15,000. in three hundred shares of £50. each.  The interest of these was not to exceed £8. per cent.  No person was to be the possessor of less than one share, nor to hold more than twenty.  As circumstances might require, they were authorized to raise £1,000. more, by shares or mortgages of the tolls.

THE PRESENT STATE OF THE TOWN, FAIRS, MARKETS, &c.

Although this place was favored at an early period with a charter for a market, which in the time of Henry the eighth appears to have been well frequented, yet it remained for many years little more than a considerable village. [37]  From the earliest accounts it seems to have been gradually encreasing; but it was not until later years, when a new impulse was given to the agricultural interests of the country, that it began to exhibit material evidences of extention and improvement.

From a plan of the town drawn by Dr. Stukeley, in the year 1722, it appears at that period of time, now the lapse of a century, to have been little more than half its present extent.  This plan, not having been made from actual survey, cannot be considered as an accurate representation: nevertheless it is calculated to give a tolerable idea of the state of the town at the time it was executed.  It is traditionally asserted that at that period scarcely a brick house was to be found in the parish; the early erected dwellings being all constructed with clay walls and covered with thatch; thus evidencing that common character which Leland the antiquary assigns to the towns of this part.  The clay buildings have for the most part disappeared, and brick structures are now erected in their stead; and from the spirit of improvement which has lately been evinced, they will doubtless in a few years be entirely removed.  The rebuilding of many houses in the principal streets in a handsome manner, within the last twenty years, has given to the town an air of respectability; but the effect which would be produced by these buildings in its general appearance, is materially diminished by the narrowness and irregularity of the streets.  At this time the number of houses may be computed at about seven hundred, and of inhabitants, about three thousand five hundred.

There are now three fairs for horses, cattle and sheep, held here annually.  The first, which concludes on the twenty-second of June, has of late years declined very much, and though chartered for eight days seldom continues more than three.  The second, which terminates on the twenty-first of August, has long been celebrated as the largest fair for horses in the kingdom, perhaps it may be said in the world; it continues about ten days, being three days more than the time expressed in the charter.  To this fair are brought for sale horses of all descriptions from every part of the kingdom, to the number of many thousands; and beside the most extensive dealers of this country, there are to be found in the fair purchasers and dealers from different parts of the continent of Europe, and even from America.  The third fair, which is held on the twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth days of October, was removed to this place in 1768, from Market-Stainton, a decayed market town, about eight miles distant, two hundred pounds being given to the lord of the manor of that place, to permit the removal, one half of this sum was raised by subscription amongst the inhabitants of this town, the other by William Banks, Esquire, the then lessee of the manor.  The market is now held every Saturday, to which it was changed from Wednesday, the day mentioned in the charter, probably in consequence of the markets at Boston and Louth being also on that day; but the time at which the alteration took place cannot now be ascertained.

The education of the poor which has lately excited so much attention in various parts of the kingdom, has not been neglected here.  A school on the Lancasterian or British system was established at a public meeting held in October, 1813; and but a few days subsequently a meeting was held at the church, when it was resolved to establish also a school on the plan of Dr. Bell.  Early in the ensuing year, buildings were erected, and each system began to be acted upon.  Both schools are supported by voluntary contributions, and each contains about two hundred children.

THE SOKE OF HORNCASTLE.

At the time of compiling the Domesday record, there appears to have been included other parishes, in addition to those now comprised in this soke; but it cannot now be ascertained at what time the alteration took place. [41]  Beside the parish of Horncastle it at present contains the following townships:—Thimbleby, West Ashby, Low Tointon, High Tointon, Mareham on the Hill, Roughton, Haltham, Wood Enderby, Moorby, Wilksby, Mareham le Fen, and Coningsby.  To these have lately been added Langriville and Thornton le Fen, portions of the fen district, which had been sold by the commissioners appointed under an act of enclosure, and rendered parochial by act of parliament in 1812.  On the enclosure of these fens, under the act which was obtained in 1801, the whole of the parishes in this soke, excepting the two newly formed ones, had portions of land allotted to them, in lieu of their right of common.

West Ashby, High Tointon, Mareham on the Hill, and Wood Enderby, were formerly hamlets of the parish of Horncastle; but have for several years been considered as distinct parishes, and have appointed their own churchwardens and overseers of the poor.

THIMBLEBY,

In Domesday Book Stimelbi, and in old writings Thimelby, is about a mile north-west from Horncastle, the parishes adjoining each other.  The manor which in the reign of Charles the second was the property of Sir Robert Bolles of Scampton, is now possessed by Thomas Hotchkin, Esquire, of Tixover, in the county of Rutland, in the possession of whose ancestors it has been for many years.  In this parish is also the manor of Hallgarth, which formerly belonged to a family named Bolton; but is now the joint property of Richard Elmhirst, Esquire, of Uzzleby, and Mr. Kemp of Thimbleby.  The church rebuilt in the year 1744, is a small stone edifice, possessing a considerable share of architectural merit: a stone over the door points out the year in which it was rebuilt, but besides this it exhibits no other inscription. [42a]  The advowson of the rectory belongs to the lord of the manor.

WEST ASHBY,

In Domesday called Aschebi, and in old writings Askeby, is a parish adjoining to the north boundaries of that of Horncastle, from which town the village is about two miles distant.  In this parish is the manor of Ashby Thorpe, now belonging to the devisees of the late Mr. Joseph Rinder; but the possessor of that of Horncastle claims manorial rights over the other parts of the parish.  Previous to the dissolution of monasteries in the reign of Henry the eighth, the abbey of Kirkstead had a grange in this parish, which, in the fifth year of Edward the sixth, was granted amongst other estates to William Cecil Lord Burghley, Lord High Treasurer of England; and now forms part of the Ashby Thorpe estate.  The church consists of a tower, a nave with a north aisle, and a chancel. [42b]  The benefice is a curacy, in the presentation of the Bishop of Carlisle.

LOW TOINTON,

In Domesday Todingtune, and in old writings Nether Tointon, is about a mile eastward from the town of Horncastle, the parishes adjoining.  The manorial estates, which comprise nearly the whole parish, are the property of Lancelot Rolleston, Esquire, of Watnall, in the county of Nottingham, by whose ancestors it has been possessed for several generations.  The church, which is a small modern erection, being rebuilt in 1811, contains a very curiously sculptured font, and the following inscription on a plate of copper in the north wall:

Anciently written Maringe and Mayring, is about a mile and a half south-east from Horncastle, the parishes adjoining each other.  The manor once belonged to Edward Marsh, Esquire, of Hundle House, in the county of Lincoln, by a descendant of whom it was sold to William Hudson, Esquire, of Gray’s Inn.  In 1659 it was sold to a person named Duncombe, of whom it was purchased, in 1688, by Sir Edmund Turnor, of Stoke Rochford, Knight, and is now possessed by his descendant of the same names. [43]  The chapel is completely destitute of interest.  On repairing it, about fifteen years ago, two nobles of Edward the fourth, two angels of Henry the seventh, and several silver coins of different reigns, contained in a leathern purse, were discovered concealed in the wall.  The patron of the curacy is the Bishop of Carlisle.

ROUGHTON,

There also occur two other tablets; one to the memory of the Rev. Arthur Rockcliffe, who died in 1798, aged 71; the other to the memory of Charles Pilkington, Esq. who died in 1798, aged 75, and of Abigail his wife, who died in 1817, aged 80. [44]  The rectory, united to that of Haltham in 1741, is in the presentation of the Honorable and Reverend Champion Dymoke.

HALTHAM,

Called in the Domesday survey Holtham, is about five miles distant from Horncastle.  The manorial estates, which comprise almost the whole of the parish, once belonged to the Marmyons of Scrivelsby, and are now possessed by the Champion Dymoke, a descendant of the female branch of that family.  The church, which appears to have suffered much from time, has in its pristine state possessed a considerable share of architectural merit.  A large window at the eastern end contains very fine tracery, and at one time, together with some of the other windows, exhibited a large portion of stained glass, of which only one piece, containing the arms of La Warre, is now remaining. [45]  The rectory, united to that of Roughton in 1741, is in the presentation of the lord of the manor.

WOOD ENDERBY,

SONNET,
WRITTEN AFTER A VISIT TO THE GARDENS AT MAREHAM.

The church consists of a tower, a nave with north and south aisles, and a chancel. [47]  In the chancel is a tablet to the memory of the Rev. Henry Shepherd, who was rector of this parish thirty-four years, and died in January 1764, aged 62.  The advowson of the rectory belongs to the Bishop of Carlisle.

CONINGSBY,

In Domesday Cuningesbi, is a considerable village on the banks of the river Bane, about eight miles from Horncastle.  The manor, which was once possessed by the Marmions of Wintringham, has for many years belonged to the Heathcote family, and is now the property of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Baronet, of Normanton in Rutlandshire.  The church consists of a tower of excellent masonry, a nave, two aisles, and a chancel. [48]  The rectory, which is in the presentation of the lord of the manor, was for several years held by the Reverend John Dyer, the poet.  It was here that he finished his didactic poem of “The Fleece.”  He died at this place in 1758, and lies buried in the church; but there is no inscription to perpetuate his memory.  A congregation of General Baptists was formed at this place, during the government of Cromwell: the society still exists, with an endowment for the minister.

The lands composing these parishes were chiefly those sold by the commissioners appointed under the act for draining and enclosing Wildmore Fen; Langriville also contains the portion allotted to the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, in lieu of his manorial rights over Armtree and Wildmore.  In 1812, an act of parliament was passed, rendering these lands, with others, parochial, and approximating these two parishes to the soke of Horncastle.

BAUMBER.

The village of Baumber or Bamburgh is situated in the hundred of Gartree, about four miles northward of Horncastle, on the turnpike road leading from that place to Lincoln.  In the Domesday survey it is called Badeburgh, which perhaps may signify Bane-burgh, or a town on the Bane, that river forming the eastern boundary of the parish.  At the period of making that survey, Ulf and Gilbert de Gand are mentioned as proprietors. [53a]

The manor, together with the adjoining hamlet of Stourton parva, once belonged to Thomas Dighton, Esquire, whose daughter and heiress was married to Edward Clinton, second son of the first Earl of Lincoln.  On failure of male issue in the elder branch, the earldom devolved to the son of this Edward, whose successors afterwards had the Dukedom of Newcastle conferred on them.  These estates continued in the possession of this family until the latter part of the last century, when they were sold to Thomas Livesey, Esquire, of Blackbourn, in the county of Lancaster, whose son, Joseph Livesey, Esquire, the present proprietor, resides thereon, in an elegant mansion, which was completed in 1810.  Part of the residence of the Earls of Lincoln is still standing.

The church at Baumber with all its appurtenances, and eight oxgangs of land, were given by Gilbert de Gaunt to the monks at Bridlington, which grant Pope Innocent the fourth, and the Bishop of Lincoln confirmed. [53b]  It is now a donative, extrajudicial.  It was rebuilt about sixty years ago, and is a very neat brick structure, consisting of a tower, a nave with side aisles, and a chancel. [54]  Under the chancel is the vault of the Newcastle family, which was their place of sepulture previous to disposing of their estates in this parish.  Over the vault are the following inscriptions:

“Here lieth the Body of Francis Clinton al’s Fynes Esq. Grandson of Henry Lord Clinton Earl of Lincoln who departed this life Feb. 5 Anno Dom. 1681.”

“Here lieth the Body of Priscilla the Wife of Francis Clinton al’s Fynes Esq. who departed this life Febr. 15 Anno Dom. 1679.”

In the north aisle is a stone with this inscription in black letters around the verge:

“Orate p’ a’iabus Joh’es Eland armig’i Alicie et Elisabeth uxor ejusde’ qui Joh’es obijt xix die marcii aº d’ni millo cccclxxiii cuj’ q’rs a’iabs p’pciet’ de.”

In 1821, the population of this parish amounted to 319, and the number of houses to 51.

EDLINGTON.

At the time of forming the Domesday survey, this place, then called Tedlintune formed part of the soke of Horncastle; [55] but is now comprised in the hundred of Gartree.  It is very pleasantly situated about two miles northward of Horncastle, near to the road leading from that place to Lincoln.

The manorial estates comprising the chief part of the parish, are the property of Richard Samuel Short, Esquire, a descendant of a female branch of the family of that name, which he adopted on coming into possession of the estates.  The manor house, the seat of the proprietor, though not of regular architecture, acquires an agreeable effect from the grove in which it is situated.  From the house the prospect to the south-west, over the adjacent level country, is both extensive and pleasing.

The church is a small building possessing no claim to attention.  The vicarage is in the gift of the Duchy of Lancaster.  The rectorial tythes belong to the grammar school at Oakham, in the county of Rutland.

On under-draining a field in this parish, in the latter part of the year 1819, several heaps of ox bones were dug up, and with each heap an urn of baked clay, apparently of Roman manufacture; but unfortunately none of the urns were taken up whole.  To account for these relics being found here, it is probable that on this spot a Roman sacrifice had been celebrated, in honor of some deity, on the occasion of a victory, or in the exercise of other pagan rites.

Annexed to this parish is the hamlet or manor of Poolham, anciently called Polum.  It formed part of the barony of Gilbert de Gaunt until about the thirty-fifth year of Edward the first, when Robert de Barkeworthe died seized of it; [56a] and it appears to have been the residence of Walterus de Barkeworthe, who died in 1347, and was buried in the cloister of Lincoln cathedral.  Afterwards it was the residence of the family of Thimbleby, a branch of the Thimblebys of Irnham, [56b] who probably built the mansion house within the ancient moat, about the time of Henry the eighth.  The Savilles of Howley in the County of York, enjoyed the estate in the reign of Elizabeth, and in 1600, Sir John Saville, Knight, sold it to George Bolles, Esquire, citizen of London, whose descendant Sir John Bolles, Baronet, conveyed the same to Sir Edmund Turnor, of Stoke Rochford, Knight, and it is now the inheritance of Edmund Turnor, Esquire. [56c]

Within the moat, beside the mansion house, are the remains of a chapel, built of stone, a font, and a grave-stone with the date 1527.

In 1821, the parish of Edlington contained 37 houses, and 263 inhabitants.

TUPHOLME.

The village of Tupholme stands nearly a mile from the north bank of the river Witham, at the distance of seven miles west by north from Horncastle; and is contained in the hundred of Wraggoe. [57a]

In the time of Henry the second, an Abbey of premonstratensian canons, dedicated to the Virgin Mary, was founded here, by Allan de Nevill and Gilbert his brother, and endowed by them with their possessions in this place, together with estates in other parts of the county.  This abbey also had numerous benefactions in lands and churches, from other persons; and the king gave a canal, so large, that ships might pass between the Witham and Tupholme.  These gifts were confirmed to the abbot and canons, by charter, from Henry the third, in the twentieth year of his reign. [57b]  At the dissolution of monasteries, this abbey contained nine religious: and in the thirtieth year of Henry the eighth, the scite was granted to Sir Thomas Henneage.

Of the abbey, a wall only is now remaining, the upper part of which appears to have formed a side of the refectory or dining hall.  It contains lancet windows, and a small gallery, in which the person sat who read to the brethren during their meals: a practice which was common in all monasteries, and anciently in colleges.  The story beneath the refectory appears to have been vaulted, and was probably used as a cellar.  Adjoining to the ruins is a farm house, which has been built out of part of the materials.  The gate house, now gone, was standing when Dr. Stukeley visited this place in 1716.  A view of it is engraved in the Itinerarium Curiosum.

The manorial estate, comprising the whole parish, is the property of Robert Vyner, Esquire, of Gautby, by an ancestor of whom it was purchased in the early part of the last century.

SOMERSBY.

The church is a small building, consisting of a tower, nave, and chancel, and is void of architectural interest. [59]  In the wall at the end of the chancel is a plate of brass, on which is sculptured the representation of a person full robed, kneeling on a cushion, before a reading desk, in the sinister upper corner is a shield containing arms, and under the figure this inscription:

“The Topcliffes were an ancient family at Somersby, of which family Richard Topcliffe was the representative in 1592.  He was the eldest son of Robert Topcliffe, by Margaret, one of the daughters of Thomas Lord Borough, and married Jane, daughter of Sir Edward Willoughby, of Wollaton, Nottinghamshire, and had issue Charles his heir, and three other sons who died infants, and a daughter Susannah.  He was a most implacable persecutor of the Roman Catholics, so much so, that the use of the rack and other tortures were called Topcliffian customs.” [60]