THE TOWN.

The parish of Tattershall contains about 1555 acres of land, and the hamlet of Tattershall Thorpe about 2589 acres, the principal part of which is the property of the lord of the manor.

The town has derived considerable benefit from the navigable canal, which passes through it from the river Witham to the town of Horncastle.  A fine bridge of three arches having been thrown over the Witham, in the place of the ferry, with a turnpike road to Sleaford, has also contributed to the improvement of the place.

From a manuscript account of the diocese of Lincoln, taken in the year 1588, it appears that at that period Tattershall contained 236 families, and the hamlet of Tattershall Thorpe 68.  By the returns made in the year 1821, it appears that the number of houses in Tattershall was 120, and of inhabitants 627: Tattershall Thorpe, at the same time, contained 39 houses, and 269 inhabitants.

There are two fairs holden annually at this place; one on the fifteenth of May, the other on the twenty-fifth of September.  The market is now held on Friday weekly.

In the market place stands an octagonal column or shaft, which was once surmounted by a cross.  The cross has however long since been removed and an urn substituted in its place.  On three of the shields with which this column is ornamented these arms are sculptured, viz. Cromwell, Cromwell and Tateshall quarterly, and Cromwell and Tateshall impaling Deincourt.  The arms on the fourth shield are obliterated.

TOWER ON THE MOOR.

On an extensive moor, about four miles north of Tattershall, and about six miles south west of Horncastle, stands the remain of a brick building, called from its situation the Tower on the Moor.  It was built by the Lord Treasurer Cromwell, and is supposed to have been an appendage to the castle at Tattershall, from which place it is plainly visible, by reason of the flatness of the intervening country. [96]

Tower on the Moor

Of this tower only an octangular turret remains, to which fragments of the walls adhere; it is about sixty feet in height, and contains winding stairs of brick, now in a very ruinous condition.  Traces of the fosse, by which it was surrounded, are still visible.

GEOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY
OF THE
SOKE AND NEIGHBOURHOOD OF HORNCASTLE.

GEOLOGY.

Although the Soke of Horncastle does not possess much variety in its geological structure, yet a considerable diversity is to be found in the formation of the adjacent elevated country, called the wolds.  On the annexed map the denudations of the various strata in this district are traced out, and distinguished by different colours: the order of stratification is also exemplified by a section, of imaginary elevation, but on the same scale as the map with respect to horizontal distance.  The section too shows a greater extent than the map to the east, where, on account of the dip of the strata towards that quarter, it is necessary to commence the description; although in point of distance it cannot be properly considered within the prescribed limits of this work.

Geological Map

The tract of marsh land between the sea and the wolds, (No. 1.) consists principally of unstratified clay, with admixtures of sand, and various marine depositions.  These circumstances, together with the old sea banks, evidence that this mass of earth has been left by the gradual receding of the ocean.

On the west of these marshes is the rough elevated denudation of chalk, (No. 2.) which forms the highest stratum of the wolds, and gently dips underneath the marshes; for in boring in them for water the chalk is always found.  The chalk is of two colours, white and red, each lying in regular strata, which alternate frequently, the red bearing but a small proportion to the white.  In the white, compact seams of flint, of a light grey color, from two to six inches thick, are often met with.  In the chalk several extraneous fossils are found.

The stratum immediately below the chalk, (No. 3.) is a coarse, brown, pebbly sand, consisting of quartz and oxyd of iron, varying in thickness from six to ten yards, and of uncertain appearance at its denudation.  While the different strata in these parts were exposed to the action of the water, the sand would naturally be more affected by that element than the superincumbent stratum of chalk; and the latter being thus left projecting, would from the decomposing effects of the atmosphere, crumble down, and form those various declivities which now present themselves to view.

Beneath the sand is a bed, about fourteen yards in thickness, (No. 4.) containing equal proportions of oolite limestone and calcareous clay of a light grey colour.  In some parts the stone is divided by the clay into regular strata, whilst in others it occurs in large detached pieces imbedded in the clay.  Fossil shells, and lumps of pyrites, or sulphuret of iron, are frequently met with in the stone.

The next stratum (No. 5.) consists of grains of quartz, for the most part agglutinated into sandstone of different degrees of induration, and varying in colour from a light grey to a dark brown, whilst in some parts loose sand predominates.  In the grey variety of this stone, marine shells of different kinds, are found in great abundance: in the brown they occur very seldom, and not at all in the sand.  This stratum is considerably thicker than the two incumbent ones.

Beneath this is the shale, [98] (No. 6.) which generally makes its appearance in vallies; but it no where exhibits a denudated termination.  On sinking a shaft in the parish of Woodhall, about six miles south-west of Horncastle, it was found to be one hundred and fifty yards in thickness.  A great variety of organic remains are also found in this stratum.

Under the shale is a stratum of forest marble, which denudates about sixteen miles westward of Horncastle.

The last division to be considered is an alluvial collection of earth, almost entirely consisting of the spoils of the neighbouring strata in a state of decomposition, wherein however detached pieces of the different strata are to be found unaltered.  From this it appears that when these parts were deluged by the water, the current set in from east to west.  As the chalk and the shale would present the largest surfaces to the erosion of the water, they would be more extensively acted upon than the other strata: hence the greatest part of the alluvial deposition consists of white marle and blue; the former (No. 7.) being of the least specific gravity, has covered the hills, while the latter with sand and gravel (No. 8.) occupies the lower parts.

NATURAL HISTORY.

In the department of Natural History, this district possesses but little which is deserving of particular notice.

Of Birds there are none which can now be considered peculiar to this part, the drainage of the fen lands having entirely banished the great variety of aquatic birds which used, previous to that event, to be found here.

The Plants, indigenous to this district, are very numerous.  From a list of several hundreds which are to be found in the neighbourhood, the following interesting ones are selected.

Botanical Names.

English Names.

Where found.

Arabis thaliana

Codded mouse-ear

Horncastle

Asplenium adiantum nigrum

Black maiden-hair

Tattershall

Asplenium ruta muraria

Wall-rue

Somersby Church

Atropa belladonna

Deadly nightshade

Miningsby

Borago officinalis

Borage

West Ashby

Butomus umbellatus

Flowering rush

Horncastle, Thornton

Carduus marianus

Milk thistle

Stovin Wood, Kirkstead

Chlora perfoliata

Yellow centaury

Edlington

Chironia pulchella

Small chironia

Horncastle

Cistus helianthemum

Little sunflower

Scrivelsby

Comarum palustre

Purple marsh-cinquefoil

West Ashby furze-hill

Convallaria majalis fl. pl.

May-lily (double flower)

Highall Wood

Daphne laureola

Spurge laurel

Poolham

Digitalis purpurea

Purple fox-glove

Holbeck, Salmonby,

Drosera longifolia

Long leaved sun-dew

Tattershall

Drosera rotundifolia

Round-leaved sun-dew

Tattershall

Empetrum nigrum

Blackberried heath

Moor

Erica cinerea

Fine-leaved heath

Ditto

Erica tetralix

Cross-leaved heath

Ditto

Galeobdolon luteum

Yellow nettle

Tetford Wood

Gentiana amarella

Autumnal gentian

Greetham, Hemingby

Gentiana pneumonanthe

Calathian violet

Tattershall-park, Moor

Malaxis paludosa

Marsh tway-blade

Moor

Nuphar lutea

Yellow water-lily

West Ashby

Nymphæa alba

White water-lily

Ditto

Ophrys apifera

Bee orchis

Mareham-le-fen

Orchis conopsea

Aromatic orchis

Thimbleby, Edlington

Orobus tuberosus

Wood peas

Daw Wood

Oxalis acetosella

Wood sorrel

Tetford Wood

Paris quadrifolia

Herb Paris

Ditto

Parnassia palustris

Grass of Parnassus

Horncastle

Pinguicula vulgaris

Butterwort

Ditto

Polygonum bistorta

Greater bistort

Horncastle

Sanicula Europea

Sanicle

Stovin & Tetford Woods

Saponaria officinalis

Soapwort

Baumber, Horncastle

Spirea filipendula

Dropwort

Bridle road to Hemingby

Turritis hirsuta

Hairy tower mustard

High Tointon

Vaccinium oxycoccus

Cranberry plant

Moor

Minerals occur rarely in this part, and in very small quantities.  Lumps of sulphuret of iron in the oolite stratum; earthy oxide of iron and a singular blue pulverulent mineral, which is a carbonate of iron containing some earthy impurities, in a valley at Salmonby; and a stalactitic oxide of iron in the ferruginous gravel; comprise all the varieties which have yet been found.

Although Organic Remains are to be found in some parts of this district in considerable quantities, yet they do not include many varieties.  The following list of those now in the possession of the author, comprises one of almost every species which has yet been found.

From the Chalk Stratum.  No 2.

Teeth of the Squalus or Shark.

An Impression of a Vertebræ.

A Terebratula subundata.

A Terebratula subrotunda.

A cast within some bivalve Venus.

A cast within a Terebratula semigloboso.  Sowerby’s Mineral Conchology, 15.

An Inoceramus Cuvierii.

An Echinus.

From the Oolite Stratum.  No. 4.

An Ostrea, curious and not named.

A bivalve, not named.

A piece composed of the Serpula auricula.

From the Sand Stone Stratum.  No. 5.

Ad Ammonites, curious and not named.  It is without a keel; else like Ammonites inflatus.

A Cardita.  Sowerby’s Mineral Conchology, 197.

An Inoceramus.

An Unio.

A Terebratula approaching glaber.

A Terebratula approaching acerminatus.

A Lucina concentrica.

A cast within a bivalve, not named.

A cast within a Trochus.

A cast within a Trigonia.

A cast within a Venus.

A cast within a Pecten.

A cast within a Cardium.

Several Bellemnitæ.

From the Shale or Clunch Clay.  No. 6.

An Os Femoris of the Ichthyosaurus or Giant Lizard.

Several Vertebræ of the same animal.

An Ammonites, not named.

A Venus equales.  Sowerby’s Mineral Conchology, 21.

A Cardita.

An Ostrea crista galli.  Linnæus.

An Ostrea under valve, with a cast of the inside of the upper valve.

A Gryphæa bullata

A Gryphites incurva.  Sowerby’s Mineral Conchology, 112, 1 and 2.

An Ammonites seratus.  Sowerby’s Mineral Conchology, 24.

An Inoceramus Cuvierii hinge.

An Unio hybrida.  Sowerby’s Mineral Conchology, 154, fig. 2.

Several Unios.

A piece composed entirely of shells, the chief part of which are the Serpula auricula.  It also contains an inside cast of a small turretted shell.

A Tellina.

A Pentacrinite.

A Mytilus.

Several Bellemnitæ.

From the beds of Ferruginous Gravel in Alluvium of Shale.  No. 3.

A Tooth of the Elephant or Mastodon.

An Inoceramus Cuvierii.

An Ostrea, with a cast of the upper valve.

A cast of an Unio indistinct.

A chama.

A cast of Shell, not named.

An Echinus.

Several bellemnitæ.

A Madrepore.

An Alcyonium.

An Astarte.

A part of a Spongites.

An impression of a Cactus, or an Euphorbia, or some other Oriental plant.  Sowerby’s Mineral Conchology, 40.

A piece of Wood similar to the Fossil Wood of Wooburn, Bedfordshire.

In the valley at Salmonby, near to the spot where the earthy oxide of iron is found, is a chalybeate spring, the water of which is of the same nature as that of Tunbridge, but much stronger.

 
 

Printed by Weir and Son,
            Horncastle.

FOOTNOTES.

[4a]  Taciti Breviarum Vitæ Cn. Julii Agricola. sec. xx et xxi.

[4b]  Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum, p. 28.

[5a]  The Roman road from Lincoln to Horncastle did not vary materially from the present road between these places.  Another Roman way branched from this road at the distance of about four miles from Horncastle, leading nearly in a straight line to Caistor, and from thence to the Humber: it bears the name of the High Street, and several tumuli are to be seen on its sides.

[5b]  Leland’s Collectanea, tom 1, part 2, p. 509.

[6a]  Domesday, folio 339.

[6b]  Adelias de Cundi, was the daughter and heiress of William de Cheney, Lord of Cavenby and Glentham in the county of Lincoln, at the time of the conquest.  By her husband Roger de Cundi, whom she survived, she had a daughter and heiress Agnes, afterwards married to Walter, son of Walter de Clifford, of Clifford Castle, in the county of Hereford.  Dugdale vol. ii. p. 336.  Monast. Ang. vol. ii p. 646 a n. 50.

[6c]  Dugdale’s Baronage, p. 39.

[6d]  Hund. Rot. 19.  Hornc. Wap.

[7a]  On the eastern boundary of the parish is a place called Hangman’s Corner, where those convicted of capital offences in the court of the manor were executed.

[7b]  Cart. Rot. 14 et 15. H.3.

[7c]  Hund. Rot. ut antea.

[7d]  Mag. Rot. 17. H.3.

[8a]  Cart. Rot 18.  Ed. 1. m. 39 12.  Ed. 2 no. 17.

[8b]  Pat. 14 Ric. 2. pars. 1 m. 3.

[8c]  Cart. Rot. 25 H. 6.

[8d]  Parliamentary Survey, made in the years 1647 and 1648.

[8e]  Robert Aldrich was born at Burnham in Buckinghamshire, educated at Eton, and elected a scholar of King’s college, Cambridge, in 1507, where he took the degree of M.A. afterwards became proctor of the university, schoolmaster of Eton; fellow of the college, and at length provost.  In 1523 he was one of those who were sent out by the university of Cambridge to preach in different parts of the nation, as the judges now go their circuits.  In 1529 he retired to Oxford, where he was incorporated B.D.  About the same time he was made archdeacon of Colchester.  In 1534 he was installed canon of Windsor, and the same year he was appointed register of the most noble order of the garter.  July 18, 1537, he was consecrated bishop of Carlisle.  He was a correspondent of Erasmus, who termed him when young, “blandæ eloquentiæ juvenis,” and appears to have associated with him during his residence at Cambridge.  Leland was his familiar acquaintance, and gives him a high character for parts and learning.  He was the author of a volume of epigrams, and several theological treatises.

[9a]  Cart. Rot. 16 Car. 2.

[9b]  Memoirs of Sir Edward Fynes Clinton, Annual Register 1772, Characters, p. 2.

[9c]  Fenman’s Vade Mecum, Harleian MS. No. 4127.

[11a]  Clarendon, Rapin, and Hume.

[11b]  Ludlow’s Memoirs.

[12]  Vicar’s Parliamentary Chronicle.

[15a]  Vicars’s Parliamentary Chronicle.

[15b]  Ibid.

[16a]  Intercepted letter from Sir William Widdrington.  Rushworth’s Collections, 8vo. edit. vol. v. 78.

[16b]  Ibid.

[17a]  Vicars’s Parliamentary Chronicle.

[17b]  Ibid.

[18]  Some say this was a Captain Portington, who afterwards told Cromwell that he aimed at his nose, when he hit his horse on the head.  Life of Cromwell.  See also Ludlow, Vicars, and Hume.

[19a]  The road adjoining to Winceby field bears the name of Slash Lane, where it is traditionally related great numbers of the royal army were slaughtered, owing to their retreat being obstructed by a closed gate.

[19b]  Vicars’s Parliamentary Chronicle.

[19c]  Ibid.

[20a]  Vicars’s Parliamentary Chronicle.

[20b]  This anecdote the author has repeatedly heard from several of the old inhabitants of the town.

[20c]  October 11, 1643.

[21]  It is said accompanied by Sir William Widdrington.  Rapin.

[22]  Dr. Stukeley has incorrectly described this fortress as a complete parallelogram: Gough, too has erroneously stated it to have enclosed twenty acres.

[23]  The Roman youth were first instructed in the game of Troy Town by Ascanius, called also Julus, the son of Æneas, and from him the maze in which it was performed took the name of Julian Bower.  A very animated description of this game is given by Virgil in the fifth book of his Æneid.  See also Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum, p, 91.

[26a]  “Ecclesia de Horne Caster, & de Askeby, & de superiore Toynton, & de Mering, & de Hinderby sunt de donac’oe d’ni Regis, & Osbertus Persona tenet eas de dono Regis Ricardi.”  Testa de Nevill.

[26b]  See the note in page 28.

[27a]  This shield is merely painted in a cavity where a brass has been fixed.

[27b]  In the Harleian collection of manuscripts, in the British Museum, is a volume of Lincolnshire Church Notes, taken about the year 1640, by Mr. Gervase Holles, a native of Great Grimsby, and a representative of that place in several parliaments.  Beside noticing the above monument and epitaph, it contains the following account of arms and inscriptions at that time in this church, not a vestige of which is now remaining.

In Fenestra Insulæ borealis.

Orate pro a’ia Thomæ Coppuldike Armig. & D’næ Margaretæ Consortis suæ fundatoris Gildæ Cantar . . . Fenestram fieri fecit Ano Dni. 1526.

In superiori Fenestra boreali Cancelli.

G. a Lyon passant guardant Arg.

Sa. 3 Flowres de lize betw: 6 Crosses botony fitchy Arg.

G. a Crosse sarcely Arg.

Beke.

In Fenestra Orientali Insulæ Australis.

Orate pro benefactoribus artis sutorum, qui istam Fenestram fieri fecerunt sc’æ Nenianæ cum sera et catena.  Item sc’i Crispinus & Crispinianus cum instruments Calcearis.

Fenestræ borealis superius.

Empaled.  Sa. 2 lyons passant arg. crowned or

Dymoke.

Empaled.  Or a lyon ramp. double queue sa.

Welles.

Empaled.  Quarterly.  Arg. a chevron betw. 3 bulles passant sa.

Empaled.  Quarterly.  B. a fesse betw. 3 goates heads erased arg.

Empaled.  Quarterly.  Argent a chevron gobony sa.

Empaled.  Quarterly.  Arg. on a bend G. 3 roses arg.

Tourney.

Quarterly.  Arg. a chevron betw 3 griphons heades erased G.

Tilney.

Quarterly.  Arg 3 bars G. over all a bend engrayled sa

Ros.

Quarterly.  Quarterly or and G. a border sa. bezanty

Quarterly.  Arg. 2 crosses botony fitchy B. semy of flowres de lize

Rochford.

Quarterly Ermine and chequy or and G.

Gipthorpe.

Arg. a chevron betw. 3. roses G.

Taylboys, &c.

Fenestra Australis superior.

G. a fesse betw. 3 waterbougets ermine

Meres.

Empaled.  Marchant’s Marke

Empaled.  Arg on a bend G 3 ferniers of the first

Hic jacet Francisca filia primogenita Petri Frescheville de Staveley in Com. Derb. Arm. [ex priore uxore sua Elizabetha filia Gervasii Clifton de Clifton in Com. Nott. Militis] et quondam Uxor Gervasii Holles de Burgh in Com. Linc. Militis, cui peperit Freschevillum Holles, & Margaretum gemellos, & Franciscum Holles filium juniorem. Obijt Horncastell.

Harleian MS. No. 6829, p. 241.

[29]  It is observable that Cromwell is here stiled the arch-rebel, although at the time mentioned he was only a colonel, and by no means an illustrious individual in the war.  The date given to the battle is wrong, it having been fought on the 11th of October; and the signal defeat of the royalists is diminished in its importance, by stiling the conflict a skirmish.

[35]  The same Act also empowered the commissioners of the river Witham, in conjunction with the Horncastle and Sleaford Navigation Companies, to complete the navigable communication between the Witham and the Fosdike canal through the High Bridge at Lincoln.

[37]  “Horne Castelle, as far as I can lerne, is now most builded withyn the Circuite of an old waullid Toune, or sum hughe Castel, as apperith from divers Ruines of a Waulle.  It hath one fair Paroche Chirch.  Alluitur Bano et Verino qui paulo infra op Banum.  Dr. Thybleby of the Queen’s College hath Landes aboute the olde Walles of Horn Castelle.  Warig risith of divers springis aliquot passuum millibus ab oppido.  Pons ibidem super Verinum flu.  The market is very good and quick occupiers in the town.”  Leland’s Itinerary, vol. 7. p. 51.

[41]  Domesday, folio 339.

[42a]  Mr. Holles, in the Church Notes before quoted, mentions the following inscription at this place, which now no longer exists:

On a Gravestone.

Hic jacet Gulielmus Brackenburgh, & Emmotta uxor ejus, qui quidem Gulielmus obiit 6 die Januarii An’o D’ni 1476 quorum a’iabus p’pitietur Deus Amen.

The pictures of themselves upon the stone, & of ten children, all in brasse.

Harleian MS. No. 6829, p. 177.

[42b]  Mr. Holles. notices the following arms and inscriptions on the bells in this church, the first of which are now gone, the latter still remaining:

FenesBorealCancelli.

Sa. a crosse betw. 4 cinquefoyles arg.

Campane.

[1]  Sit nomen Domini benedictum.

[2]  Intonat e cœlis vox campana Michaelis.

[3]  Sum rosa pulsata mundi Maria vocata.

Ibid. p. 342.

[43]  From the information of E. Turnor, Esq. F.S.A.

[44]  Mr. Holles notices the following arms once in this church, but now gone:

Fenestra Australes Cancelli.

G. 3 lyons passant guardant or

England.

Verry a fesse G. fretty or

Marmyon.

Argent a plaine crosse B.

Or a lyon rampant purpure

Lacy.

Chequy or & G. a chiefe ermyne

Tateshale.

In Campanili.

Arg. a sword sheathed proper, a buckler appt. with girdle wrapped, hilte pomel, & neuf or

Harleian MS. No. 6829, p. 244.

[45]  In the windows were the following arms when this church was visited by Mr. Holles:

In Fenestris Cancelli.

Verry a fesse G. fretty d’or

Marmion.

G. a Crosse sarcely Arg.

Beke

Sa. 2 lyons passant arg. crowned or,

Dymoke.

Or a lyon ramp. double queue sa.

Welles.

Sa. 3 Flowres de lize betw: 6 crosse crosselets fitchy arg.

G. 3 bars ermyne

Kirketon.

Barry of 6 or and sa.

Fenestræ boreales.

B. a lyons head erased betw. 6 crosses botony arg.

Touthby.

Arg. 2 bars G. a border sa.

Dymoke each lyon charg’d sur l’espale with an annulet

Dymoke.

Ermyne on a bend G. a cinquefoil or

G. crosse crucilly fitchy a lyon rampant arg.

La Warre.

Or a lyon rampant double queue sa.

Welles.

In Fenestræ australes.

G. 3 waterbougets arg.

Ros.

Or on fesse G. 3 plates

Huntingfield.

Quarterly or and G. a border sa. bezanty

Rochfort.

Rochfort with a garbe in the 2d quarter arg.

Rochfort.

Rochfort with an annulet in the 2d quarter arg.

Rochfort.

Or a manche G.

Hastings.

G. a bend ermyne

Ry.

Rochfort with an eagle displayed in the 2d quarter arg.

Rochford.

Arg. fretty of 6 pieces G. a canton ermyne

In Fenestra borealis Navis.

G. crosse crucilly fitchy a lyon rampant arg.

La Warre.

Arg. on a bend G. 3 gryphons heads erased or

In Campanili.

Joh’es Staines W. Jo.

Harleian MS. No. 6829, p. 245.

[47]  The following arms and inscriptions, now gone, are noticed by Mr. Holles, as being in this church when visited by him:

In Fenestra Australi.

Empaled.  Arg. on a crosse sa.

Empaled.  Arg. a crosse G. a bezant

Empaled.  Arg. a crosse sa.

Empaled.  Quarterly arg. and G. on the 1st and 4th quarters a popinjay vert. membred and beked G.

In Fenestra Occidental ex sinistra Campanilis.

Orate pro a’ia Joh’is Tott, Agnet, & Helene uxorem ejus, & specialiter pro Andrea Tott Artium Baccalaureo, qui istam Fenestram lapidari, nec non vitreari fecit.

Sup Fulchrum ex p’te Australia

Quarterly Ufford & Beke

Willughby,

3 Crosses portate

2 Chevrons betw. 3. roses

A crosse

A lyon passant

Domus mea domus Orationibus vocabitur. 1591.

Harleian MS. No. 6829. p. 213.

[48]  By the following extract it appears that in the time of Mr. Holles, the windows of this church abounded with stained glass, of which not a single vestige is now remaining.

In Fenestris Orientali Cancelli.

Quarterly.  Verry a fesse G. fretty d’or

Marmyon.

Quarterly.  Sa. 2 lyons passant arg. crowned d’or

Dymoke.

Empaled.  G. a frett of 8 pieces d’or

Empaled.  B. 3 garbes d’or

G. a lyon rampant d’or

Sa. a sword in pale arg.

Sa. 2 lyons passants arg. crowned d’or

Dimoke.

Arg. 3 flowres de lize bet. 6 crosse crosselets fitchy sa. a border G.

Hillary.

Arg. a playne crosse G.

G. a playne crosse arg.

Tumulus lapidus

Hic jacet Anna fillia Thomæ Dymoke Militis D’ni . . . et Margaretis consortis suæ quæ obiit Ao. D’ni 1462 &c. &c.

Empaled.  Verry a fesse G. fretty or

Marmion.

Empaled.  Or a lyon rampant double queue sa

Welles.

In muro boreali eræ sculptum.

Orate pro a’ia M’ri. Joh’is de Croxby, quondam Rectoris istius ecclesiæ, qui dedit annualem redditum xxs annuatim impetuum, et in secunda feria primæ hebdommadæ quadragessimæ habitantibus in Conningsby sc’am formam evidentiæ suæ distribuendorum.

This charity hath ceased for many yeares, the evidence having been sacrilegiously stolne out of that monument within the wall, as by the loosening of the plate of brasse may appeare.

In Fenestra Occidentali Capellæ Orientalis.

Orate pro a’iabus . . . Hatcliffe . . . Uxis suæ

Fenestram.

Sa. 3 welles arg. bis

Wellis.

Empaled.  Sa. 3 welles arg.

Wellis.

Empaled.  B. 2 bars d’or over all a lyon rampant

Hatcliffe.

Sa. a sword in pale arg.

Arg. a fesse daunce betw. 3 talbots heades erased sa.

Arg. a fesse betw. 3 cootes sa.

B. 2 bars d’or over all a lyon rampant G.

Hattecliffe.

Orate pro bono statu H. Wellis notoria publici . . . Hatcliffe uxoris suæ et sequelis eorum . . . hanc fenestram fieri fecerunt A’no D’ni 1460.

In superioribus Fenestris Borealibus.

G. a cinquefoil peirced betw. 8 crosse crosselets d’or

Umframville.

Quarterly.  Sa. a cross engrayled d’or . . . Ufford.

Quarterly.  G. a crosse sarcely arg. . . . Beke.

Willughby.

G. 3 waterbougets arg.

Ros.

Or a lyon rampant double queue sa.

Welles.

Arg. a crosse patonce G.

Arg. a chiefe G. over all a bend engrayled B.

Chequy or and G. a chiefe ermyne

Tateshale.

Ermyne a fesse G.

Bernake.

Arg. a chiefe G. over all a bend B.

Crumwell.

Sa. 2 lyons passant arg. crowned or

Dymoke.

Or on fesse G. 3 plates

Huntingfield.

Quarterly or and G. a border sa. bezanty

Rochford.

G. a crosse molyn arg.

Beke.

Quarterly or and G. a border sa. bezanty on the 2d quarter a garbe arg.

Rochford.

Quarterly &c. an annulet on the 2d quarter

Rochford.

B. crucilly a lyon rampant arg. bis

Argent 3 shell snayles sa.

Dymoke Crumwell Holland

Quarterly France and England a label of 3 arg.

Quarterly France and England a label of 3 ermyne

In Fenestra Orientali.

Orate pro a’iabus fratrum & sororum Gildæ be’æ Mariæ de Cunningsby, qui istam fenestram fieri fecerunt.

This is a fayre Window, adorned with the Genealogy of the Kinges of Israel and Judah, David lying along through the whole bottome, from whose roote branch out the several stems.  In one part of it below the Picture of King Edward the first, crowned, &c. &c.

Edwardus primus regnavit annos . . .

Orate pro Matilda de Padeholme, et Alicia

On a Gravestone.

Hic jacet D’nus Thomas Butler, quondam Capellanus Gildæ be’æ Mariæ Cunningsby, qui obiit 10 die Mensis Decembris, A’no D’ni 1510.  Cujus aiæ &c. &c.

On another.

Pray for the Soule of John Smith of Cunsby sometimes M’chant of the Staple of Calis, which died in the yeare of our Lord God 1470, & Jonet his Wife which died the 24th Day of November in the yeare of our Lord God 1461.

And all good people that this Scripture reade or see
For theire soules say a Paternoster, Ave-Maria, & a creed for Charity.

On another the pourtraytures of a man and his two wives on either side of him in brasse with this inscription vizt.

Pray for the soules of Richard Whetecroft of Coningsby M’chant of the Staple at Calice & sometimes Lieutenant of the same, & Jane & Margaret his Wives, which Richard deceased the 23d day of November, Ao. D’ni 1524.

In the Parlour of the Parsonage House.

Arg. a crosse engrailed G. betw. 4 waterbougets sa.

Bourchier.

Quarterly & Quartered with Quarterly . . . Gules billetty d’or a fesse arg.  Crumwell and Tateshale

Lovayne.

B. a manche d’or

Empaled.  Sa. 3 lyons Passant guardant arg.

Dymoke.

Empaled.  Sa. 2 lyons passant arg. crowned d’or

Empaled.  Dymoke

Empaled.  Marmyon

Verry a fesse G.

Marmyon.

Or a lyon rampant double queue sa.

Welles.

Empaled.  A coate defaced

Empaled.  Welles

Empaled. Verry a fesse G.

Empaled.  B. a manehe d’or

All these Escocheons are in 2 Windowes, in which two Windowes also are these Verses:

Alme Deus cœli Croxby tu parce Johanni
Hanc ædem fieri benefecit sponte Jo Croxby
Anno Milleno quater. c. L. x. quoq. terno.

In the other Windowes.

Barry of 6 ermyne and G. 3 crescents sa.

Waterton.

Quarterly Ufford & Beke

Willughby.

Verry a fesse G.

Marmyon.

Ermyne 5 fusils in fesse G.

Hebden.

Arg. a crosse sarcely sa.

Empaled.  Quarterly Crumwell & Tateshale

Crumwell.

Empaled.  B. a fesse betw. 6 billets d’or

Deyncourt.

Empaled.  Dymoke

Empaled.  Welles

Sa. an arming sworde pile in poynte arg.

Empaled.  Arg 3 bulls passant

Empaled.  G. on a chevron arg. 3 pomeis

Empaled.  Arg. a fesse dauuce betw. 3 talbots heads erased sa.

Empaled.  Arg. a fesse betw. 3 cootes sa.

Harleian MS. No. 6829, p. 178 to 182.

[53a]  Domesday, folio 354.

[53b]  Burton’s Monast. Ebor. p. 215.

[54]  The following arms and inscriptions, now gone, were in this church when it was visited by Mr. Holles.

In Fenestra.

Arg. a plaine crosse G.

G. a fesse betw. 6 crosselets botony fitchy arg. charged with as many mullets or pierced G.

Sa. a bend betw. 6 mullets or pierced G.

Briton.

In the Church on a flat marble stone in Saxon Characters.

ICI : GIST : MARGARETA : DE : LACI : QE : FVLA : FEME : GWILLEAMA : DE ; MOVSTE . . .

Harleian MS. No. 6829. p. 177.

[55]  Domesday, folio 331.

[56a]  Escheat Rolls.

[56b]  Cook C. Herald, MS.

[56c]  From the information of E. Turnor, Esq. F.S.A.

[57a]  Tupholme is not mentioned either in the Domesday survey or Testa de Nevill.

[57b]  See the Charter in Dugdale’s Monasticon, p. 596.

[59]  The windows were formerly embellished with the following heraldic bearings in stained glass, of which no vestiges are now existing.

In Boreali Fenestra Chori.

Arg. 3 chaplets with roses gules

Lascels.

G. 3 mascels argent

G. 4 fusils in fesse arg. a border engrailed or

Nevill.

Harleian MS. No. 6829, p. 140.

[60]  Lodge’s Illustrations, vol. ii. 191.

[61a]  Domesday, folio 331.

[61b]  In the forty-second and forty-third years of Henry the third, Philip Marmyon had grants of a market, fair, and free warren, at his manor of Scrivelsby.  In the ninth year of Edward the first, he showed that he had those rights, and that of gallows at Scrivelsby, with the other privileges incident to one of the great barons of the realm; and also right of free warren in the soke of Horncastle.

[62]  On account of the present possessor of the manor of Scrivelsby being a clerk in orders, his son, Henry Dymoke, Esquire, was allowed to perform the service at the coronation of His present Majesty George the fourth, in 1821.  The following is a description of the ceremony on that occasion.

Before the second course was brought in, the Champion, in his full suit of armour, mounted on a horse richly caparisoned, appeared under the porch of the triumphal arch, at the bottom of the Hall.  Every thing being in readiness, the procession moved in the following order:

Two Trumpets with the Champion’s Arms on their banners.

The Sergeant-Trumpeter, with his Mace on his shoulder.

Two Sergeants at Arms, with their Maces on their shoulders.

The Champion’s Two Esquires, in half armour, one on the right hand bearing the Champion’s lance, the other on the left hand with the Champion’s target, and the arms of Dymoke depicted thereon.

A Herald, with a paper in his hand containing the challenge.

The Deputy Earl Marshal, on Horseback, in his Robes and Coronet, with the Earl Marshal’s Staff in his Hand, attended by a Page.

THE CHAMPION, on Horseback, in a complete Suit of Bright Armour, with a Gauntlet in his Hand, his Helmet on his Head, adorned with a Plume of Feathers.

The Lord High Constable in his Robes and Coronet, and Collar of his Order, on Horseback, with the Constable’s Staff, attended by two Pages.

Four Pages, richly apparelled, attendants on the Champion.

At the entrance into the Hall, the Trumpets sounded thrice, and the passage to the King’s table being cleared by the Knight Marshal, the Herald with a loud voice proclaimed the Champion’s Challenge, in the words following:

“If any person, of what degree soever, high or low, shall deny or gainsay our sovereign lord King George the fourth, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, defender of the faith, son and next heir to our sovereign lord King George the third, the last king, deceased, to be right heir to the imperial crown of this United Kingdom, or that he ought not to enjoy the same, here is his Champion, who saith that he lieth, and is a false traitor, being ready in person to combat with him, and in this quarrel will adventure his life against him on what day soever he shall be appointed.”

Whereupon the Champion threw down his gauntlet; which, having lain a short time upon the ground, the Herald took it up, and delivered it again to the Champion.

They then advanced to the middle of the Hall, where the ceremony was again performed in the same manner.

Lastly, they advanced to the steps of the throne, where the Herald (and those who preceded him) ascending to the middle of the steps, proclaimed the challenge in the like manner; when the Champion having thrown down his gauntlet and received it again from the Herald, made a low obeisance to the King: whereupon the Cupbearer, having received from the Officer of the Jewel-House, a Gold Cup and Cover filled with Wine, presented the same to the King, and his Majesty drank to the Champion, and sent to him by the Cupbearer the said Cup, which the Champion (having put on his gauntlet) received, and having made a low obeisance to the King, and drank the Wine; after which, making another low obeisance to his Majesty, and being accompanied as before, he departed out of the Hall, taking with him the said cup and cover as his fee.

[63]  In this inscription Sir Robert Dymoke is, by mistake of the sculptor, styled knight and baronet instead of knight banneret.

[68]  “Vir illustris in consilio, strenuus in prælio, princeps militæ in Angliæ, et in omni regno ornatissimus.”  Wever’s Fun. Mem. p. 366.

[70]  The MS. vol. of Church notes, so often before quoted, contains the following description of this castle:—

“The castle of Bullingbrooke was built by William de Romara, Earle of Lincolne, and ennobled by the birth of King Henry the 4th, who from thence took his sirname.  Heretofore it was a famous structure, but now gone much to ruine and decay.

“The towne standes in a bottome, and the castell in the lowest part of it, compassed about with a large moat fed by springs.  It is most accessible on the south-west part, the rest being encompassed by the hills.

“As for the frame of the building, it lieth in a square, the area within the walls conteyning about an acre and a half, the building is very uniforme.

“It hath 4 stronge forts or ramparts, wherein are many roomes, and lodgings: the passage from one to another lying upon the walles, which are embattled about.  There be likewise 2 watch-towers all covered with lead.  If all the roomes in it were repayred, and furnished [as it seemes in former tymes they have bin] it were capable to receyve a very great prince with all his trayne.

“The entrance into it is very stately over a faire draw-bridge.  The gatehouse a very uniforme, and strong building.  Next within the porter’s lodge is a payre of low stayres, which goe downe into a dungeon, in which some reliques are yet to be seene of a prison-house.  Other 2 prisons more are on either side.

“The building itselfe is of a sandy stone hewen of a great square out of the rockes thereby, which though it abide the weather longe, yet [in processe of tyme] it will moulder, especially if wett gett within it, which hath bin the decay of many places of the wall where the roofe is uncovered.

“There be certaine roomes within the castle, [built by Queen Elizabeth of freestone] amongst which is a fayre great chamber with other lodgings.

“In a roome in one of the towers of the castle they usually kept their auditt once by the yeare for the whole Dutchy of Lancaster, having ever bin the prime seate thereof, where all the recordes for the whole countrey are kept.

“The constable of the castle is Sir William Mounson Lord Castlemayne, who receaveth a revenue out of the Dutchy lands of £500. per annum, in part of payment of £1000. yearely given by the king to the Countesse of Nottingham his lady.

“One thinge is not to be passed by affirmed as a certaine trueth by many of the inhabitants of the towne upon their owne knowledge, which is, that the castle is haunted by a certain spirit in the likenesse of a hare: which att the meeting of the auditors doeth usually runne betweene their legs, and sometymes overthrows them, and soe passes away.  They have pursued it downe into the castleyard, and seene it take in att a grate into a low cellar, and have followed it thither with a light, where notwithstanding that they did most narrowly observe it [and that there was noe other passage out, but by the doore, or windowe, the roome being all close framed of stones within, not having the least chinke or crevice] yet they could never finde it.  And att other tymes it hath been seene run in at iron-grates below into other of the grotto’s [as their be many of them] and they have watched the place, and sent for houndes, and put in after it; but after a while they have come crying out.”

Harleian MS. No. 6829, p. 162.

[71]  The following arms and inscriptions were in the windows of this church when it was visited by Mr. Holles.

In Fenestra Orientali Cancelli.

G. 3 lyons passants gardants d’or a labell of 3 each charged with 3 floures de lize of the second

Comes
Lancastr.

Empaled.  Castile and Leon quarterly
Empaled.  France & England quarterly

A label of 3 arg. each charged with 2 de lizes sa.

Or a lyon rampant purpure

Lacy.

B. 3 garbes d’or

Meschines.
Com. Cestr.

Quarterly.  Sa. a crosse engrayled d’or
Quarterly.  G. a crosse molyn arg.

Ufford
Beke

Willughby.

Argent a fesse G between 3 bugles trippant sa.

In Fenestra Orientali ad dextram Navis.

B. 6. lyoncels rampant d’or. 3. 2. 1.
Lancaster.

Longspeee.

England, and France quarterly.
Lacy.
G. 3 lyons passants arg. a labell of 3 d’or, each charged with a lyon rampant purpure

In 1ma Fenestra australi.

B. 3 garbes d’or

Meschines.

Chequy d’or & B a bend G.

Clifford.

Quarterly arg. & G. the 2d & 3d charg’d with a frette d’or over all a bend sa.

Spenser.

Femina gestans in veste sex leones aureos erectos una cum leone purpure conjunctos

Longespee.
Lacy.

In 2da Fenestra Australi.

G. a fesse verry betw. 3 leopards heads jesant floures de lize d’or

Cantilupe.

G. a crosse molyn arg.

Beke.

B. a fesse daunce betw: 10 billets d’or

Deyncourt.

In Campanili.

Quarterly France, and England

Quarterly or and G. a border sa. bezanty

Rochford.

Or, a chevron betw: 10 crosses botony sa.

Slight.

Orate pro bono statu . . . Ducis Aurelie.  Ad hoc Campanile . . . Ao. r. r.  Hen.

Quarterly.  Arg. a chevron betw: 3 martlets sa.
Quarterly.  Chequy or & G. on a chiefe arg. a lyon passant sa.

Harleian MS. No. 6829. p. 163.

[72]  Domesday, folio 351.

[74]  See the Charter in Dugdale’s Monasticon, vol. i. p. 822.

[76]  Stukeley’s Itinerarium Curiosum, p. 28.

[82]  Dr. John Taylor of Norwich was one of the earliest ministers appointed by Mr. Disney.  He held his appointment from about 1715, for 18 years, and at this place composed his justly valued “Hebrew Concordance,” in two vols. folio.

[86]  Itinerarium, p. 162.

[87]  Gough, and others who have copied from him, erroneously state this tower to be two hundred feet in height.

[90]  The principal part of the stained glass taken from this church was placed by the Earl of Exeter in the church of St. Martin, Stamford Baron, with some other richly stained glass, procured from the churches of Snape in Yorkshire, and Barnack in Northamptonshire.

[91a]  Joan Lady Cromwell was one of the daughters of Sir Richard Stanhope, and niece and co-heiress of the Lord Treasurer Cromwell.  She married Humphry Bourchier, third Son of the Earl of Essex, who was created Lord Cromwell, in the first year of Edward the fourth.

[91b]  Matilda Lady Willoughby was the other daughter of Sir Richard Stanhope, and niece and co-heiress of the Lord Treasurer Cromwell.

[92a]  Sepulchral Monuments, vol. ii p. 179.

[92b]  The MS. volume of Lincolnshire Church Notes, notices all the foregoing inscriptions, though not in a very correct manner.  It also contains the following account of inscriptions and arms in this church, which are now gone:

In the upper ende of the Chancell.

Next under another fayre monument of blew marble [as the former] the picture of one also inlayd in brasse, adorned rounde aboute with a border of curious workemanship in brasse, with the pictures and names of some prophets in the Old Testament, and of other saintes, and some Saxon kinges, as Edmund, Edward, Etheldred, Ethelbert, there is noe inscription, onely this ensuing escocheon upon either side of him.

Coat of arms

On the north Side under a Marble.

Orate pro a’ia M’ri Joh’is Gigur baccalaur.  Theologiæ custodis hujus collegii, ac etiam . . . Collegij Marton in Oxonia qui obijt 12º.die . . .

On the Wood Worke in the lower ende of the Quire, curiously carved in capital l’rs this,—

Ad honorem & gloriam Dei opt. Max. & decorum domus ejus hoc opus factum est Anno D’ni 1424.

In Fenestris.

The history of the passion depainted.  In another Hell’s torments, where are divers creatures bound together in a chayne; amongst whome one with a crowne, another with a mytre on his head, the divell tormenting them, and under them is written—

‘Sic affliguntur pœnis, qui prava sequuntur.’

The history of Hermogenes that raysed up devills, and of Guthlake [the saint of the fens] and of Catherina, who cast them into the sea, that Hermogenes and Philetus raysed.

The history of Cosdre with his decollation.

In Fenestris ex latere Australi.

Arg. a chiefe G. surtout a bend B.

Crumwell.

Quarterly.  Crumwell with chequy d’or and G. a chiefe ermyne

Tateshale.

G. a lyon rampant d’or

Fitz-Alane.

Arg. 3 cinquefoyles and a canton

Driby.

Bendy of 10 pieces arg. and G.

Ermyne a fesse G.

Bernake.

B. a fesse daunce betw: 10 billets d’or

Deyncourt.

G. 10 annulets d’or

Chequy d’or and G. a bend ermyne

Clifton.

Quarterly.—Crumwell and Tateshall

Empaled.  Arg. a chiefe G. surtout a bend B.

Crumwell.

Empaled.  Arg. a chevron B. a file with 3 lambeaux d’or

Barry of 6 arg. and B. a bend G.

Grey of Rotherfield.

Verry a fesse

Marmyon.

Arg. a chiefe G. surtout a bend B. a labell of 3 ermyne

Lozengy arg. and G.

Fitz-William.

Ex latere boreali.

Empaled.  Chequy d’or and G. a bendlet B.

Empaled.  Lozengy arg. and G.

Fitz-William.

B. a crosse patonce arg.

Party p. pale G. and sa. a lyon rampant arg. crowned d’or

Arg: 3 water-pots covered G. a border sa. bezanty

Monboucher.
[ut opinor.]

Empaled.  Arg. a chiefe G. over all a bend B.

Empaled.  Party p, pale G. & sa. a lyon rampant arg. crowned d’or

Arg. a chevron betw: 3 pots covered G. a border sa. bezanty

Arg. a chiefe G. surtout a bend B. a labell of 3 d’or

Barry of 6 arg. and G. a bend engrayled d’or

Crumwell with a labell of 3 ermyne

In Fenestris utrimq. supra portas Australem et Borealem.

Orate pro a’ia Radulphi nuper D’ni de Crumwell & Tateshale Thesaurarij Angliæ, et fundatoris hujus Collegij.

The Roode Loft, 1524

G. a saltier arg. a file with 3 lambeaux B.

Nevile.

Lozengy sa. and erm. on a chiefe sa. 3 lillies arg.

Wainflet
Ep’us Wint.

Wainflet Ep’usWinton cujus insignia sculptata sup. utranq. porticum in saxo.

Thomas Howard gen. & Beatrix consors ejus vitriaverunt fenestram borealem in honore s’cæ Catherinæ, cujus passio ib’dm.

Empaled.  Arg. a chevron chequy d’or & G betw 3 flesh-hookes sa,

Empaled.  B. a fesse betw. 3 storkes arg.

Arg. a chevron betw. 3 catherine wheels d’or

Deyncourt sup. portam collegii.

Sup. crucem in foro ville Crumwell & Tateshall paling Deyncourt & p. se 3.

Gravestones in the Church.

Hic jacet Thomas Gibbon Artium Liberalium M’gr. Rector nuper de Wiberton Socius & precentor hujus collegij qui obijt 16º. die mensis Januarij An’o D’ni 1506 cujus &c.

Another.

Orate pro a’ia D’ni Henr. Porter capti quondam Socij Collegij de Tateshall ac præcentor ejusdem Eccl’ie, qui obijt 12º. die Martij An’o D’ni 1519.

Another.

Hic jacet Edwardus Okey nup. unus sex clericorum hujus Collegij qui obijt 29 die Januarij An’o D’ni 1519, cujus &c.

In Insula Australi.

Hic jacet Ric’us English artium liberalium Mgr. socius ac p’centor huj. Collegij & Vicarius Eccl’iæ de Burwell qui obijt 27º. die Martij A’o D’ni 1522.

Another.

Orate pro a’ia M’ri Rob’ti Sudbury sacræ Theologiæ Baccalaureus nuper Rector . . . ac quondam p’centor & socius hujus Collegij qui obijt 19º. Decembris An’o 1482.

Under the arched worke of the Partition betw. the Chancell and the body of the Church, this,

Orate pro a’ia Rob’ti de Whalley . . . hujus collegij qui hoc opus fieri fecit A’o D’ni 1528. cujus a’ie p’pitietur Deus.  Amen.

Within a Chapel on the North side, a fayre flat Marble, on which this Epitaph,

Have mercy on the soule [good Lord] we thee pray
Of Edward Hevyn, lay’d here in sepulture,
W’ch to thine honour this chappel did array
With ceeling, desk, perclose and pourtrayture,
And paviment of marble long to endure.
Servant of late to the excellent Princesse
Mother to King Henry, of Richmond Countesse.

The Armes on the Gravestone are

Empaled.  A chevron betw. 3 boares heades couped, having so many pomeis in their mouths; on the chevron a cresc . . . Hevyn

Empaled.  A chevron betw. 3 bulls heades . . . Hevyn