A History of Horncastle, from the earliest period to the present time
by J. Conway Walter · English · Gutenberg #30358 · 703,314 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: A History of Horncastle, from the earliest period to the present time
Author: J. Conway Walter
Release date: October 29, 2009 [eBook #30358]
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/30358
Credits: Transcribed from the 1908 W. K. Morton & Sons edition by David Price
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A HISTORY OF HORNCASTLE, FROM THE EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME ***
Transcribed from the 1908 W. K. Morton & Sons edition by David Price,
email ccx074@pglaf.org
[Picture: SEAL OF SIMON DE ISLIP. Vicar of Horncastle, 1349; Archbishop
of Canterbury, 1349-1366]
We are indebted for the engraving of this seal to the courtesy of Miss G.
M. Bevan, author of _Portraits of the Archbishops of Canterbury_,
published by Messrs. Mowbray & Co., London.
A
HISTORY OF HORNCASTLE,
FROM THE
EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME.
_ILLUSTRATED_.
BY
JAMES CONWAY WALTER,
AUTHOR OF
_Records of Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood_, _Parishes around
Horncastle_,
_The Ayscoughs_, _The Coitani_, _&c._, _&c._
HORNCASTLE:
W. K. MORTON & SONS, LTD., PRINTERS, HIGH STREET,
1908.
[Picture: Market Place and Stanhope Memorial]
PREFACE.
The following pages may truthfully be said to be the result of labours,
extending over many years, and of researches in directions too many to
tell.
Born within almost a mile of Horncastle, and only by a few months
escaping being born in it, since his father, on first coming to the
neighbourhood, resided for a time in Horncastle, {0} the author, from his
earliest years (except for periodical absences) has been connected with
the life, social or civil, of the place, probably more closely and more
continuously, than any other person living, in like circumstances.
The notes on which this compilation is based were begun more than 30
years ago. While writing a volume of _Records of more than_ 30 _Parishes
around Horncastle_, published in 1904; and, before that, while describing
about as many more, in a volume, _Woodhall Spa and Neighbourhood_,
published in 1899, he had constantly in view the crowning of the series,
by the history of the old town, round which these sixty, or more,
parishes cluster; the haunt, if not quite the home, of his boyhood, and
familiarized to him by a life-long connection.
For this purpose sources of information have been tapped in every
possible direction; of public institutions, the official records, and
title deeds, where available, have been carefully consulted; especially
should be here mentioned various deeds and charters, which are quoted in
Chapter II, from the archives of Carlisle Cathedral, which have not
hitherto been brought before the public, but of which the author has been
allowed free use, through the courtesy of the librarian. These are of
special value, from the long connection of the Manor of Horncastle with
the See of Carlisle.
In other cases the author has been allowed the privilege of more private
testimony; for instance, his old friend, the late Mr. John Overton (of a
highly respectable family, for generations connected with the town and
county), has most kindly given him the use of various family MS. notes,
bearing on parish and other matters. Mr. Henry Sharp has freely assisted
him with most varied information, derived from long years of connection
with the town, in public or private capacity. The late Mr. Henry
Boulton, ancestrally connected with various parts of the county, was
remarkable for a mind stored with memories of persons and things, in town
and neighbourhood, which he freely communicated to the author, who saw
much of him in his later years. While, last but not least, the late Mr.
William Pacey, whether in his "Reminisences of Horncastle," which he
contributed to the public newspapers, or in his personal conversations,
which the present writer enjoyed for many years, yielded up to him
treasure, collected by an indefatigable student of local lore, who
entered into such work _con amore_.
To all these the author would now fully, and gratefully, acknowledge his
indebtedness; but for them this work could not have been produced in
anything like its present fulness. In some of the matters dealt with, as
for instance in the accounts of the Grammar School, as well as in other
portions, he may fairly say, in the language of "the pious AEneas"
(slightly modified), "quorum pars (ipse) fui," (AEneid ii, 6); and in
these he has drawn not a few of the details from his own recollections.
In stringing these records together, of such varied character, and on
subjects so numerous, he cannot but be conscious that, in the endeavour
to give all possible information, and to omit nothing of real interest,
he may, on the other hand, have laid himself open to the charge of being
too diffuse, or even needlessly prolix. Others not sharing his own
interest in the subjects treated of, may think that he has occasionally
"ridden his hobby too hard." If this should be the judgment of any of
his readers, he would crave their indulgence out of consideration for the
motive.
These are the days of historic "Pageants," drawn from life, and with
living actors to illustrate them. We have also our "Gossoping Guides,"
to enable the tourist to realize more fully the meaning of the scenes
which he visits. From both of these the author "has taken his cue." He
had to cater for a variety of tastes; and while, for the general reader
he has cast his discriptions in a colloquial, or even at times in a
"gossoping," form, he believes that the old town, with its "Bull Ring,"
its "Maypole Hill," its "Fighting Cocks," its "Julian Bower," and other
old time memories, can still afford _pabulum_ for the more educated
student, or the special antiquary.
Like the composer of a Pageant play, his endeavour has been rather to
clothe the scenes, which he conjures up, with the flesh and blood of
quickened reality, than in the bare skin and bones of a dry-as-dust's
rigid skeleton. How far he has succeeded in this he leaves to others to
decide; for himself he can honestly say, that it has not been from lack
of care, enquiry, or labour, if he has fallen short of the ideal aimed
at.
[Picture: Signature of J. Conway Walter]
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. PAGE
PART I--PREHISTORIC. Horncastle--its infancy 1
PART II--THE DIMLY HISTORIC PERIOD 3
CHAPTER II.
RECORDS OF THE MANOR, &c., FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST 11
CHAPTER III.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH 33
CHAPTER IV.
THE CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY 57
CHAPTER V.
NONCONFORMIST PLACES OF WORSHIP.
The Wesleyans 64
The Primitive Methodists 71
The Independents 77
The Baptist Chapel 84
The New Jerusalem Church 86
CHAPTER VI.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS--THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 91
CHAPTER VII.
WATSON'S FREE SCHOOL 108
THE LANCASTERIAN AND THE BELL SCHOOLS 111
THE SCIENCE AND ART SCHOOL 112
CHAPTER VIII.
THE DISPENSARY 119
CHAPTER IX.
THE CANAL 126
THE RAILWAY 130
CHAPTER X.
WORKHOUSE OR UNION 133
THE COURT HOUSE 135
THE STANHOPE MEMORIAL 136
THE CLERICAL CLUB 137
THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE 139
THE CORN EXCHANGE 140
THE WHELPTON ALMHOUSES 142
THE DRILL HALL 145
CHAPTER XI.
HORNCASTLE WORTHIES, &c. 151
ODDITIES 160
PUBLICHOUSES 161
APPENDIX.
THIMBLEBY 165
WEST ASHBY 176
HIGH TOYNTON 180
MAREHAM-ON-THE-HILL 183
LOW TOYNTON 185
ROUGHTON 188
HALTHAM 190
MAREHAM-LE-FEN 192
MOORBY 198
WOOD ENDERBY 201
CONINGSBY 203
WILKSBY 207
LANGRIVILLE 209
THORNTON-LE-FEN 210
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Mammoth Tooth 5
Hammer Head 7
North-east corner of the Castle Wall 9
Plan of Horncastle, 1819 15
Plan of Horncastle, 1908 23
St. Mary's Church 35
Brass of Sir Lionel Dymoke in St. Mary's Church 42
Ancient Scythes in St. Mary's Church 48
The Old Vicarage 55
Holy Trinity Church 59
Wesleyan Chapel 65
Wesleyan Day Schools 69
Interior Congregational Chapel 79
The New Jerusalem Church 87
Rev. Thomas Lord 90
The Grammar School 93
Lord Clynton and Saye 97
Successive Head Masters of the Grammar School, from 1818 101
to 1907
The Seal of the Grammar School 105
The Market Place 109
St. Mary's Square 113
Bridge Street 117
High Street 121
The Bull Ring 123
The Canal 127
On the Canal 129
The Court House 135
The Stanhope Memorial 137
Watermill Road during the Flood, Dec 31, 1900 141
West Street during the Flood, Dec. 31, 1900 143
Conging Street during the Flood, Dec. 31, 1900 145
The Stanch 147
Old Thatched Inn in the Bull Ring 163
St. Margaret's Church, Thimbleby 171
The Manor House, West Ashby 177
All Saints' Church, West Ashby 179
St. John the Baptist's Church, High Toynton 181
St. Peter's Church, Low Toynton 187
St. Helen's Church, Mareham-le-Fen 193
Wesleyan Chapel, Mareham-le-Fen 197
St. Michael's Church, Coningsby 205
CHAPTER I.
PART I--PREHISTORIC. HORNCASTLE--ITS INFANCY.
In dealing with what may be called "the dark ages" of local history, we
are often compelled to be content with little more than reasonable
conjecture. Still, there are generally certain surviving data, in
place-names, natural features, and so forth, which enable those who can
detect them, and make use of them, to piece together something like a
connected outline of what we may take, with some degree of probability,
as an approximation to what have been actual facts, although lacking, at
the time, the chronicler to record them.
It is, however, by no means a mere exercise of the imagination, if we
assume that the site of the present Horncastle was at a distant period a
British settlement. {1a} Dr. Brewer says, "nearly three-fourths of our
Roman towns were built on British sites," (Introduction to _Beauties of
England_, p. 7), and in the case of Horncastle, although there is nothing
British in the name of the town itself, yet that people have undoubtedly
here left their traces behind them. The late Dr. Isaac Taylor {1b} says,
"Rivers and mountains, as a rule, receive their names from the earliest
races, towns and villages from later colonists." The ideas of those
early occupants were necessarily limited. The hill which formed their
stronghold against enemies, {1c} or which was the "high place" of their
religious rites, {1d} and the river which was so essential to their daily
existence, of these they felt the value, and therefore naturally
distinguished them by name before anything else. Thus the remark of an
eloquent writer is generally true, who says "our mountains and rivers
still murmur the voices of races long extirpated." "There is hardly
(says Dr. Taylor {2a}) throughout the whole of England a river name which
is not Celtic," _i.e._ British.
As the Briton here looked from the hill-side, down upon the valley
beneath him, two of the chief objects to catch his eye would be the
streams which watered it, and which there, as they do still, united their
forces. They would then also, probably, form a larger feature in the
prospect than they do at the present day, for the local beds of gravel
deposit would seem to indicate that these streams were formerly of
considerably greater volume, watering a wider area, and probably having
ramifications which formed shoals and islands. {2b} The particular names
by which the Briton designated the two main streams confirm this
supposition. In the one coming from the more distant wolds, he saw a
stream bright and clear, meandering through the meadows which it
fertilized, and this he named the "Bain," {2c} that word being Celtic for
"bright" or "clear," a characteristic which still belongs to its waters,
as the brewers of Horncastle assure us. In the other stream, which runs
a shorter and more rapid course, he saw a more turbid current, and to it
he gave the name "Waring," {2d} which is the Celtic "garw" or "gerwin,"
meaning "rough." Each of these names, then, we may regard as what the
poet Horace calls "nomen praesente nota productum," {2e} they are as good
as coin stamped in the mint of a Cunobelin, or a Caradoc, bearing his
"image and superscription," and after some 17 centuries of change, they
are in circulation still. So long as Horncastle is watered by the Bain
and the Waring she will bear the brand of the British sway, once
paramount in her valley.
These river names, however, are not the only relics of the Britons found
in Horncastle. Two British urns were unearthed about 50 years ago, where
is now the garden of the present vicarage, and another was found in the
parish of Thornton, about a mile from the town, when the railway was
being made in 1856. The latter the present writer has seen, although it
is now unfortunately lost. {2f}
These Britons were a pastoral race, as Caesar, their conqueror, tells us,
{2g} not cultivating much corn, but having large flocks and herds, living
on the milk and flesh of their live stock, and clad in the skins of
these, or of other animals taken in the chase. The well-watered pastures
of the Bain valley would afford excellent grazing for their cattle, while
the extensive forests {2h} of the district around would provide them with
the recreations of the chase, which also helped to make them the skilled
warriors which the Romans found them to be. {3} Much of these forests
remained even down to comparatively recent times, and very large trees
have been dug up, black with age, in fields within four or five miles of
Horncastle, within very recent years, which the present writer has seen.
Such were some of the earlier inhabitants of this locality, leaving their
undoubted traces behind them, but no "local habitation" with a name; for
that we are first indebted to the Romans, who, after finding the Briton a
foe not unworthy of his steel, ultimately subjugated him and found him
not an inapt pupil in Roman arts and civilization. Of the aptitude of
the Briton to learn from his conquerors we have evidence in the fact,
mentioned by the Roman writer Eumenius, that when the Emperor Constantius
wished to rebuild the town Augustodunum (now Antun) in Gaul, about the
end of the 3rd century, he employed workmen chiefly from Britain, such
was the change effected in our "rude forefathers" in 250 years.
We may sum up our remarks on the Britons by saying that in them we have
ancestors of whom we have no occasion to be ashamed. They had a
Christian church more than 300 years before St. Augustine visited our
shores. They yet survive in the sturdy fisher folk of Brittany; in those
stout miners of Cornwall, who in the famed Botallack mine have bored
under the ocean bed, the name Cornwall itself being Welsh (_i.e._
British) for corner land; in the people who occupy the fastnesses of the
Welsh mountains, as well as in the Gaels of the Scottish Highlands and
the Erse of Ireland. Their very speech is blended with our own. Does
the country labourer go to the Horncastle tailor to buy coat and
breeches? His British forefather, though clad chiefly in skins, called
his upper garment his "cotta," his nether covering his "brages," scotice
"breeks." Brewer, _Introduction to Beauties of England_, p. 42.
PART II--THE DIMLY HISTORIC PERIOD.
The headquarters of the Roman forces in our own part of Britain were at
York, where more than one Roman Emperor lived and died, but Lindum, now
Lincoln, was an important station. About A.D. 71 Petillius Cerealis was
appointed governor of the province by the Emperor Vespasian, he was
succeeded by Julius Frontinus, both being able generals. From A.D. 78 to
85 that admirable soldier and administrator, Julius Agricola, over-ran
the whole of the north as far as the Grampians, establishing forts in all
directions, and doubtless during these and the immediately succeeding
years, a network of such stations would be constructed in our own
country, connected by those splendid highways which the Romans carried,
by the forced labour of the natives, through the length and breadth of
their vast empire.
Coins of nearly all the Roman Emperors have been found at Horncastle; one
was brought to the present writer in the 1st year of the 20th century,
bearing the superscription of the Emperor Severus, who died at York A.D.,
211.
NOTE ON ANCIENT COINS FOUND AT HORNCASTLE.
The following list of Roman and other coins found at Horncastle, has been
supplied by the Rev. J. A. Penny, Vicar of Wispington, who has them in
his own possession.
Consular, denarius, silver.
OEs grave, or Roman as, heavy brass.
Augustus, quinarius (half denarius). B.C. 27-A.D. 14.
Claudius, brass, of three different sizes. A.D. 41-54.
Vespasian, denarius, silver. A.D. 69-79.
Domitian, brass. A.D. 81-96.
Nerva, brass. A.D. 96-98.
Trajan, brass, of two sizes. A.D. 98-117.
Hadrian, brass. A.D. 117-138.
Antoninus Pius, denarius, silver. A.D. 138-161.
Faustina I., his wife, brass.
Lucius Verus, brass. A.D. 161-169.
Marcus Aurelius, brass. A D. 161-180.
Faustina II., his wife, brass.
Caracalla, denarius, silver. A.D. 211-217.
Julia Saemias, mother of Emperor Heliogabalus, denarius, silver. A.D.
218-222.
Gordian III., denarius, silver. A.D. 238-244.
Philip I., brass. A.D. 244-249.
Hostilian, denarius, silver. A.D. 249-251.
Gallienus, brass. A.D. 253-268.
Salomia, his wife, brass.
Victorinus, brass (Emperor in West). A.D. 253-260. (10 varieties).
Marius, brass (Emperor in West). A.D. 267.
Claudius II. (or Gothicus), brass. A.D. 268-270.
Tetricus I., brass (Emperor in Gaul). A.D. 270-273.
Tetricus II., brass (Emperor in Gaul). A.D. 270-274.
Probus, brass. A.D. 276-282.
Diocletian, copper, a new kind of coin named a "follis." A.D. 284-305.
Maximian, copper, a "follis." A.D. 286-305.
Alectus, brass (Emperor in Britain). A.D. 293-296.
Constantius Chlorus, brass. A.D. 305-306.
Maxentius, copper, a "follis." A.D. 306-312.
Constantine the Great, brass. A.D. 306-337.
Crispus, brass. A.D. 326.
Magnentius, brass (Emperor in Gaul and Britain). A.D. 350-353.
Constantine II., brass (struck in London). A.D. 337-340.
Constans, brass. A.D. 337-350.
Constantius II., brass. A.D. 337-361.
Valens, brass. A.D. 364-378.
Gratian, brass. A.D. 375-383.
Theodosius I., brass. A.D. 379-395.
Arcadius, brass (Emperor in East). A.D. 395-408.
Honorius, brass (Emperor in West). A.D. 395-423.
Byzantine coin, bronze, date not known exactly but later than Honorius,
so showing that the Romans held Horncastle against Saxon invaders.
[Picture: Mammoth Tooth from gravel of River Bain, south of Horncastle.
Weight 2-lbs 6-oz., length 5.25-in., breadth 6.5-in., thickness 2-in.]
A Roman milestone was discovered in the Bail, at Lincoln, in 1891, {5a}
inscribed with the name of Marcus Piavonius Victorinus, who commanded in
Gaul and Britain, and which must have been set up during his period of
office, about A D. 267. The site of this was the point of intersection
of the two main streets, which would be the centre of the Roman Forum at
Lindum, one of these streets leading to Horncastle; from Horncastle also
there branched off, as will be hereafter noted, several main Roman roads.
As Horncastle stands on the banks of the river Bain it has been taken by
Stukeley, the antiquarian, and by others following him, {5b} to have been
the Roman Banovallum or "Fort on the Bain," mentioned by the Roman
geographer of Ravenna; {5c} although, however, most probably correct,
this is a mere conjecture. On the road between Horncastle and Lincoln we
have the village of Baumber, also called Bamburgh, and this latter form
of the name might well mean a "burgh," or fort, on the Bain, the river
running just below the village. The two names, however, might well exist
at different periods. It may be here mentioned that this form, Bamburg,
is found in _Harleian Charter_ 56, c. i, B.M., dated at Wodehalle,
December, 1328.
Tacitus, the Roman historian, {5e} tells us that the Romans "wore out the
bodies and hands of the Britons in opening out the forests, and paving or
fortifying the roads," and we can well imagine that those skilled
generals would see the advantageous position for a stronghold in the
angle formed by the junction of the two rivers, and would employ the
subjugated Britons of the locality in constructing, it may be, at first
only a rude fort, protected on two sides by the streams and in the rear
by a "vallum," or embankment, and that on the site thus secured and
already a native stronghold, they would, at a later period, erect the
"castrum," of which massive fragments still remain, testifying to its
great strength.
These remains, indeed, in almost their whole course can be traced through
present-day gardens and back premises, shewing the four sides of an
irregular parallelogram. Their dimensions, roughly speaking, are on the
north and south sides about 600-ft., by about 350-ft. at the eastern, and
300-ft. at the western end, their thickness being about 16-ft. The
material employed was the Spilsby sandstone, obtainable within five
miles, cemented by course grouting poured into the interstices between
the massive blocks. These walls inclose a portion of the High Street as
far eastward as the site of the present Corn Exchange, westward they
include the present manor house and form the boundary of the churchyard
in that direction. On the north they run at the back of the houses on
that side of the Market Place, and on the south they extend from St.
Mary's Square, past the Grammar School, and through sundry yards,
parallel with the branch of the canal, which is the old Waring river.
The masonry of these walls, as now seen, is very rude. It is supposed
that, originally as built by the Romans, they had an external coating of
neat structure, but this has entirely disappeared, it is still, however,
to be seen in the wells, which are next to be described.
In a cellar, south of the High Street, at a baker's shop, and close to
the eastern wall of the castle, is a Roman well; there is another close
to the north-east angle of the castle walls, in what is called Dog-kennel
Yard, and a third just within the western wall, near the present National
Schools. Thus, although the two rivers were without the castle walls,
the Roman garrison was well supplied with water.
The Roman roads branching from the town were (1st) the "Ramper," {6a} as
it is still called, running north-west, and connecting it with the Roman
station Lindum; from this, at Baumber, {6b} distant about 4 miles, a
branch running northwards led to the Roman Castrum, now Caistor; (2nd)
north-eastwards _via_ West Ashby, being the highway to Louth, the Roman
Luda; (3rd) eastwards, by High Toynton, Greetham, &c, to Waynflete, the
Roman Vain-ona; (4th) southward, by Dalderby, Haltham, &c., to Leeds
Gate, Chapel Hill, and there crossing the river Witham to Sleaford and
Ancaster, the Roman Causennae, situated on the great Roman Ermin Street.
This also was continued to another Roman Castrum, now Castor, near
Peterborough; (5th) south-west, by Thornton, &c., to Tattershall, locally
supposed to have been the Roman Durobrivae, and where traces of a Roman
camp still remain.
Besides these Roman _viae_ and Roman coins, quite an abundance of Roman
pottery has from time to time been unearthed, and fragments are
continually being found in gardens in the town. A collection of these,
probably cinerary urns, was preserved until quite recently in the library
of the Mechanics' Institute, where the writer has frequently seen them,
{7a} they varied in height from 8 inches to 18 inches. Unfortunately,
for lack of funds, that institution was broken up about 1890, the books
were stowed away in a room at the workhouse, a valuable collection, and
the urns were sold by the late Mr. Joseph Willson, who acted as sole
trustee. Other Roman relics have been fragments of mortars of white
clay, found on the site of the present union, one bearing the word
"fecit," though the maker's name was lost. Portions also of Samian ware
have been found, one stamped with a leopard and stag, another bearing
part of the potter's name, ILIANI; with fragments of hand-mills, fibulae,
&c. {7b} The present writer has two jars, or bottles, of buff coloured
ware, of which about a dozen were dug up when the foundations of the
workhouse were being laid in 1838, they are probably Samian, a friend
having exactly similar vessels which she brought from Cyprus. The writer
has in his possession the head of a porphyritic mallet which was found in
a garden in the south of the town a few years ago, it is probably Roman;
the handle, which would be of wood, had entirely disappeared; it is much
"pitted" through damp and age, is 6.5 inches long and weighs 3-lb. 9-oz.
[Picture: Hammer Head, found near the Wong, length 6.625-in., width
3.875-in. weight 3.5-lb.; of porphyry from the Cheviot region, Neolithic
period. The stone was probably part of a large boulder]
A discovery of further interesting Roman relics of another kind was made
in 1896. The owner of a garden near Queen Street, in the south-eastern
part of the town, was digging up an apple tree when he came across a fine
bed of gravel. Continuing the digging, in order to find the thickness of
this deposit, his spade struck against a hard substance, which proved to
be a lead coffin. After this had been examined by others invited to
inspect it, without any satisfactory result, the present writer was
requested to conduct further investigation. The coffin was found to be
5-ft. 2-in. in length, containing the skeleton, rather shorter, of a
female. A few days later a second coffin was found, lying parallel to
the first, 5-ft. 7-in. in length, the bones of the skeleton within being
larger and evidently those of a male. Subsequently fragments of decayed
wood and long iron nails and clamps were found, showing that the leaden
coffins had originally been enclosed in wooden cases. Both these coffins
lay east and west. A description was sent to a well-known antiquarian,
the late Mr. John Bellows of Gloucester, and he stated that if the lead
had an admixture of tin they were Roman, if no tin, post-Roman. The lead
was afterwards analysed by Professor Church, of Kew, and by the
analytical chemist of Messrs. Kynoch & Co., of Birmingham, with the
result that there was found to be a percentage of 1.65 of tin to 97.08 of
lead and 1.3 of oxygen, "the metal slightly oxidised." It was thus
proved that the coffins were those of Romans, their "orientation"
implying that they were Christian. It should be added that three similar
coffins were found in the year 1872, when the foundations were being laid
of the New Jerusalem Chapel in Croft Street, within some 100 yards of the
two already described; and further, as confirmatory of their being Roman,
a lead coffin was also found in the churchyard of Baumber, on the
restoration of the church there in 1892, this being close to the Roman
road (already mentioned) between the old Roman stations Banovallum and
Lindum. Lead coffins have also been found in the Roman cemeteries at
Colchester, York, and at other places. {8}
As another interesting case of Roman relics found in Horncastle, I give
the following:--In 1894 I exhibited, at a meeting of our Archaeological
Society, some small clay pipes which had recently been dug up along with
a copper coin of the Emperor Constantine, just within the western wall of
the old castle, near the present Manor House. They were evidently very
old and of peculiar make, being short in stem with small bowl set at an
obtuse angle. They were said at the time to be Roman, but since tobacco
was not introduced till the reign of Elizabeth that idea was rejected.
In the year 1904, however, a large quantity of fragments of similar clay
pipes were found in the ruins of the Roman fort of Aliso, near Halteren
on the river Lippe, in Western Germany, some of rude structure, some
decorated with figures and Roman characters. They were lying at a depth
of 9 feet below the surface, and had evidently lain undisturbed since the
time of the Roman occupation. From the marks upon them it was manifest
that they had been used, and it is now known from the statements of the
Roman historian Pliny, and the Greek Herodotus, that the use of narcotic
fumes was not unknown to the Romans, as well as to other ancient nations;
the material used was hemp seed and cypress grass. In the Berlin
Ethnological Museum, also, vessels of clay are preserved, which are
supposed to have been used for a like purpose. This discovery, then, at
Horncastle is very interesting as adding to our Roman remains, and we may
picture to ourselves the Roman sentinel taking his beat on the old castle
walls and solacing himself, after the manner of his countrymen, with his
pipe. (An account of this later discovery is given in a German
scientific review for August, 1904, quoted _Standard_, August 12, 1904).
Of what may be called the close of this early historic period in
connection with Horncastle there is little more to be said. The Roman
forces withdrew from Britain about A.D. 408. The Britons harried by
their northern neighbours, the Picts and Scots, applied for assistance to
the Saxons, who, coming at first as friends, but led to stay by the
attractions of the country, gradually over-ran the land and themselves in
turn over-mastered the Britons, driving them into Wales and Cornwall.
The only matter of interest in connection with Horncastle, in this
struggle between Saxon and Briton, is that about the end of the 5th
century the Saxon King Horsa, with his brother Hengist, who had greatly
improved the fort at Horncastle, were defeated in a fight at Tetford by
the Britons under their leader Raengeires, and the British King caused
the walls to be nearly demolished and the place rendered defenceless.
(Leland's _Collectanea_, vol i, pt. ii, p. 509).
[Picture: North-east corner of the Castle Wall, in Dog-kennel Yard]
The Saxons in their turn, towards the close of the 8th century, were
harassed by marauding incursions of the Danes, {9} which continued,
though temporarily checked by Kings Egbert and Alfred, through many
years, both nations eventually settling side by side, until both alike in
the 11th century became subject to their Norman conquerors. The traces
of these peoples are still apparent in Horncastle and its soke, since of
its 13 parish names, three, High Toynton, Low Toynton and Roughton have
the Saxon suffix "ton"; three, Mareham-on-the-Hill, Mareham-le-Fen and
Haltham terminate in the Saxon "ham," and six, Thimbleby, West Ashby,
Wood Enderby, Moorby, Wilksby and Coningsby have the Danish suffix "by."
The name of the town itself is Saxon, Horn-castle, or more anciently
Hyrne-ceastre, _i.e._ the castle in the corner, {10} or angle, formed by
the junction of the two rivers; that junction was, within comparatively
modern times, not where it is now, but some 200 yards eastward, on the
other side of the field called "The Holms," where there is still a muddy
ditch.
So far our account of the town has been based mainly upon etymological
evidence, derived from river and place names, with a few scanty and
scattered records. As we arrive at the Norman period we shall have to
deal with more direct documentary testimony, which may well form another
chapter.
CHAPTER II.
RECORDS OF THE MANOR, &c., FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST.
A recent historian {11a} has said "In the 13th century the northern
counties of England were so unsettled that there was little security
north of the Humber, and in 1250 the powerful Bishop of Carlisle found it
necessary to buy the manor of Horncastle (his own residence in the north,
Rose Castle, having been destroyed by marauders), and the Pope granted
him the Parish Church (of Horncastle) for his use;" {11b} but we can
carry our history back to a considerably earlier period than this. As a
former Roman station, doubtless, and of even earlier origin than that,
Horncastle had become a place of some importance, and so, even before the
Norman conquest the manor was royal property, since _Domesday Book_
states that King Edward the Confessor bestowed it upon his Queen, Editha.
Edward died January 5, 1066, and his possessions naturally passed to his
successor, the Conqueror. Its subsequent history for a few years we do
not know, but in the reign of Stephen the manor was held by Adelias, or
Adelidis, (Alice or Adelaide) de Cundi, daughter of William de Cheney
{11c} (a name still known in the county), who was Lord of Glentham and
Caenby, two parishes near Brigg. She had a castle in this town, the site
of which is not now known, but it was probably a restoration in whole, or
in part, of the old fortress. She took part against the King in his
quarrel with the Empress Maud, and her estates were confiscated by
Stephen, they were, however, subsequently restored to her on condition
that she should demolish her castle.
On her death the manor reverted to the crown and was granted by Henry II.
to a Fleming noble, Gerbald de Escald, who held it for one knight's fee.
{12a} He was succeeded by his grandson and heir, Gerard de Rhodes, {12b}
whose son, Ralph de Rhodes, sold it to Walter Mauclerk, {12c} Bishop of
Carlisle, and Treasurer of the Exchequer under Henry III. In the reign
of Richard II. Roger la Scrope and Margaret his wife, with Robert Tibetot
and son, his wife, as descendants of Gerbald de Escald, {12d} put in a
claim for the manor and obtained letters patent, by which the episcopal
possessor was bound to do them homage, but this was only for a brief
period, and they then disappear from the scene.
The manor remained a possession of the bishops of Carlisle until the
reign of Edward VI., when, by licence of the King, it was sold by Bishop
Aldrich in 1547 to Edward, Lord Clinton. {12e} In the reign of Mary he
was compelled to re-convey it to the see of Carlisle. {12f} Queen
Elizabeth took a lease of it under the then possessing bishop, in which
she was succeeded by James I. He assigned it to Sir Edward Clinton,
knt., but through neglect of enrolment this became void. {12g} In the
reign of Charles II. the former charters were renewed, {12h} and the
bishops of Carlisle remained lords of the manor until 1856, when it was
transferred, with the patronage of some of the benefices within the soke,
to the Bishop of Lincoln. Thus from the reign of Edward the Confessor to
that of Charles II., a period of about 600 years, broken by brief
intervals of alienation, Horncastle was connected with royalty.
The lease of the manor was held, under the bishops of Carlisle by Sir
Joseph Banks and his ancestors for nearly a century, the lease of Sir
Joseph himself being dated 21 March, 1803, and renewed 1 June, 1811. He
died in 1820 and was succeeded by his relative the Honble. James Hamilton
Stanhope and, three years later, by James Banks Stanhope, Esq., then a
minor, who, at a later period (in 1885) transferred all his rights to his
cousin, the late Right Honble. Edward Stanhope, whose widow became lady
of the manor and at whose death, in 1907, the lordship reverted to the
Honble. Richard Stanhope, son of the present Earl Stanhope. Mr. Banks
Stanhope died January 18th, 1904, aged 82, having been a generous
benefactor to Horncastle and the neighbourhood.
We have here given a very condensed account of the ownership of this
manor from the reign of Edward the Confessor to the present time, a
period of nearly 840 years. Having had access to the episcopal archives
of Carlisle, so long connected with Horncastle, we are able to confirm
several of the above details from documents still existing, which we now
proceed to do.
It has been stated that the manor of Horncastle was conferred upon Queen
Editha by her husband, Edward the Confessor. In confirmation of this we
find the following: In the reign of Charles I. the Vicar of Horncastle,
Thomas Gibson, presented a petition claiming tithe for certain mills
called "Hall Mills," with a close adjoining called "Mill Holmes," as
belonging to the glebe. The tenant, William Davidson, resisted, arguing
that he had paid no tithes to the previous vicar, Robert Holingshed, that
the mills were erected before the conquest and were part of the jointure
of Queen Editha, as stated in _Domesday Book_, and were therefore part of
the manor, not of the vicar's glebe. The result is not recorded, but
doubtless the tenant was right. {13a} The passage here quoted from
_Domesday Book_ is the following: "In Horncastre Queen Editha had 3
carucates of land, free of gelt. This land is now 4 carucates. The King
has there 2 carucates in demesne (_i.e._ as his manor), with 29 villeins
and 12 bordars, who have (among them) 3 carucates. There are 2 mills
worth 26s. yearly, and 100 acres of meadow. In King Edward's time the
annual value was 20 pounds, now it is 44 pounds." {13b} These two mills
and the meadow were doubtless those in dispute between the vicar and
tenant in the reign of Charles I., the date of _Domesday_ being about
1085, or 540 years earlier. They were plainly part of the royal manor
and not at all connected with the glebe.
All this, however, proves that the manor of Horncastle belonged to King
Edward the Confessor before the conquest, and 360 acres of it were
assigned to his consort, Queen Editha. The expansion of the 3 carucates
into 4, mentioned in _Domesday Book_, was probably (as in many other
recorded cases) due to the reclamation of land hitherto waste in flood or
forest.
On the death of King Edward in 1066 the royal demesnes naturally passed
to his successor and kinsman, William the Conqueror, and in due course to
the successive Norman kings of his line.
The connection of Horncastle with the sovereign is shown in various ways.
Documents relating to the earlier kings are naturally rare, since for
many years law courts were hardly yet established, the royal power being
rather that of "might" than of "right." {13c} Even the sale, or
devising, of property could only be legally effected by the king's
licence. Among the Carlisle papers connected with Horncastle is one
which shows that a matter which in modern times would be settled by the
parish overseers, or more recently by the Urban Council, was to be
formerly carried out only by the royal sanction. There is a Patent Roll
of the 13th year of King Richard II. (pt. 1, m. 3) entitled "Concerning
the paving of Horncastre," and running as follows:--"The King to the
Bailiff and proved men of the vill of Horncastre, greeting. Know, that
in aid of paving your said vill, of our special grace we have granted to
you, that from the day of the making of these presents to the end of 3
years, you may take, for things coming to the said vill for sale, the
customs underwritten." Then follows a long list of articles for sale, of
which we can only specify a few here, viz.: "For every horse load of
corn, 0.25d., for every dole of wine, 2d.; for every pipe of ditto, 1s.;
for every hide, fresh, salt, or tanned, 0.25d.; for 100 skins of roebucks
(it seems that there were wild deer in those days), hares, rabbits,
foxes, or squirrels, 0.5d.; for every horse load of cloth, 0.5d.; for
every cloth of worstede, called 'coverlyt,' value 40s., 1d.; for every
100 of linen web of Aylesham, 1d.; for every chief of strong cendal
(silk) 1d.; for 100 mullets, salt or dry, 1d.; for every cart of fish,
1d.; for every horse load of sea fish, 0.25d.; for every salmon, 0.25d.;
for every last of herrings (12 barrels), 6d.; for every horse load of
honey, 1d.; for every wey of tallow (256 lbs.), 1d.; for every milstone,
0.5d.; for 1,000 turfs, 0.25d. For every other kind of merchandise not
here specified, of value 5s. and over, 0.25d.; and the term of 3 years
being ended, the said customs shall cease. Witness the King, at
Westminster, 9 Nov., 1389."
Truly the kingly government was a paternal one to take cognizance of such
petty local matters. The "coggle" pavement of Horncastle is often
complained of, but at least it had the royal sanction.
A Roll of the 18th year of Edward III. (m 8), dated Westminster, 28 June,
1344, is directed "to his very dear and faithful John de Kirketon, Fitz
Hugh de Cressy," (and others) assigning them "to choose and array 100 men
at arms in the County of Lincoln," and (among others) "6 hoblers in the
vill of Horncastre, to be at Portsmouth, to set out with the King against
Philip VI., de Valesco (Valois)." This was the beginning of the campaign
of Edward and his son the Black Prince, which terminated with the
glorious battle of Cressy and the capture of Calais. "Hoblers" were a
sort of yeomanry who, by the terms of their tenure of land were bound to
keep a light "nag" for military service.
A Domestic State Paper of Queen Elizabeth (Vol. 51, No. 12, III) contains
the "Certificate of the town and soke of Horncastle to the artycles of
the Queen's Majesty's most Honorable Pryvye Councell," dated 27 June,
1569, shewing what "soldiers were furnished and went forth under Captaine
Carsey." These were formerly the well-known local troops called
"trainbands." The paper contains, further, accounts of payments for
"towne common armour, jerkyns, swords, daggers, corslettes, 1 caline
(piece of ordnance), conduct money (_i.e._ hire money), pioneers,
victuals," &c. Accounts rendered by Thomas Hamerton, Arthur Patchytt,
Thomas Raythbeake (all formerly well known names in the town), and
others.
The head of the Carsey family was the owner of the Revesby Abbey Estate,
and as such was lesse of the manor of Horncastle under the Bishop of
Carlisle. They sold their property, in 1575, to Thomas Cecil, son of
Lord Treasurer Burleigh.
There is another Carlisle document in connection with these trained bands
among the same Domestic State Papers of Queen Elizabeth (Vol. 199, No.
7), in which the Earl of Rutland writes to Anthony Thorold, sheriff, that
he has instructions "from the Lords of the Counsaile to put in strength
the power of the realme for the maritime counties," and he asks him to
"choose captaines for the yet untrained companies, and to supply the
place of Mr. John Savile for Horncastle." N.B.--The Saviles owned
Poolham Hall in Edlington. On this (State Papers, Eliz., Vol. 199, No.
72) the Earl writes to Mr. Valentine Brown that he thinks him "meete to
supply the place for Horncastle," dated London, 29 March, 1586-7. Sir
Valentine Brown was of Croft and East Kirkby, and Treasurer of Ireland;
he married the daughter of Sir John Monson, ancestor of the present Lord
Oxenbridge.
Among the Domestic State Papers of Charles I. (Vol. 376, No. 123), is a
petition from the inhabitants of Horncastle to Sir Anthony Irbie, Knt.,
sheriff of the county, complaining that the town was over-rated for the
payment of "ship-money," and praying for a reduction of the same. The
county was charged 8,000 pounds. This rate, levied to maintain the navy,
created widespread dissatisfaction and eventually led to the revolution.
It was included among the grievances against which public protests were
made in 1641. The five judges who pronounced in its favour were
imprisoned, and Hampden received a wound in a skirmish with Prince
Rupert, from which he died, June 24, 1643. Petitions were also presented
to Sir Edward Hussey, sheriff, 1636-7, as given in Domestic State Papers,
Charles I., Vol. 345, No. 42.
[Picture: Horncastle map]
It has been already stated that in the reign of Stephen this manor was
held by Adelias, or Adelidis, de Cundi. How this came about is not quite
clear, whether it was inherited from her father, William de Cheney, who
was probably among the Normans invited to immigrate by Edward the
Confessor, since it would seem that at the time of the conquest he was
already a large owner in the county, or from her husband, Robert de
Cundi, a Fleming, probably named from the town and fortress of Conde on
the frontier of France, situated on the Scheldt, in the department du
Nord. There is, however, evidence to show that she had other possessions
of considerable value apparently in her own right in Nottinghamshire and
Kent, as well as Lincolnshire. {16a} She is described by the old
chronicler, Geoffrey Gairmar, {16b} as a great patroness of learning and
literature.
The Cheneys, or Chesneys, were apparently of foreign extraction, as
implied by their appellation "de Casineto." They had considerable
influence at various periods, one of them being knighted, another made a
baron by Queen Elizabeth. {16c} One, Robert de Cheney, was a powerful
Bishop of Lincoln (A.D. 1147-67) and built one of the finest castles in
England, the ruins of which still remain in the Palace grounds at
Lincoln. {16d} The Cheney pedigree is given in _The Genealogist_ of
July, 1901. They seem to have settled in Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire,
as well as in Lincolnshire. Sir Thomas Cheney, K.G., was Lord Warden of
the Cinque Ports in the latter part of the 16th century. The Cheneys
fell into decay towards the end of the 17th century, and at the beginning
of the 18th century we find them in trade at Boston. About 1750 William
Garfit of Boston married Mary, daughter of Thomas Cheney, and the name,
as a Christian name, still survives in that family. The Cheneys, we may
add, were among the ancestors of the Willoughbys, {16e} and the parish of
Cheneys, in Bucks., doubtless named after them, is now the property of
the Duke of Bedford.
The granddaughter of Adelias de Cundi, Agnes, {16f} married Walter, son
of Walter de Clifford of Clifford Castle, Hereford. Walter Clifford is
named in the first great charter of Henry III. (A.D. 1216), along with
the great nobles Walter de Lacy, William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby,
William, Earl of Albemarle, and others.
William de Cheney, already mentioned as father of Adelias de Cundi, was
"Lord of Caenby and Glentham," and Walter de Clifford also is mentioned
in the charters of Barlings Abbey as giving to that monastery lands in
Caenby and Glentham, along with the above Walter de Lacy. The great
feature of the reign of Stephen was the large number of castles erected
by lords who were almost more powerful than their sovereign, and Adelias
built her castle at Horncastle, where she resided in great state until,
on her favouring the cause of the Empress Maud, daughter of the previous
king, Henry I. (whereas Stephen was only his nephew), her lands were
confiscated, and, as we have already seen, only restored on condition
that her castle was demolished. {17a} This restoration was, however,
only for life and on her demise the manor reverted to the crown.
The manor was next granted by Henry II. to Gerbald de Escald, a Flemish
noble. {17b} This is shewn by a record still preserved at Carlisle,
dated 1274-5. In the reign of Edward I. an inquisition was made at
Lincoln, before 12 jurors of the soke of Horncastle, among the
Commissioners being John de Haltham, Anselm de Rugthon (Roughton), Thomas
de Camera (_i.e._ Chambers) of Horncastre, the King's Justices and
others, when it was declared that "the Lord Henry III., the father of
King Edward who now is, once had the manor of Horncastre, and he
enfeoffed Gerbald de Escald, a knight of Flanders, thereof, for his
service, viz., by doing one knight's fee for the Lord the King."
Gerbald was succeeded by his grandson and heir, Gerard de Rhodes. This
is shewn by a Carlisle document. {17c} A dispute arose between Hugh, son
of Ralph (surname not given) and Gerard de Rhodes, concerning the manor
and soke of Horncastle, the advowson of the church, &c., which were
claimed by the said Hugh; but a compromise was effected, 400 marks being
paid to Hugh, and Gerard de Rhodes left in undisputed possession.
It has been thought probable that this Ralph, father of Hugh, was
Ranulph, Earl of Chester, who was lord of the manors of Revesby and
Hareby, and had other possessions in the neighbourhood. He, it is
supposed, held the manor of Horncastle, as trustee, during the minority
of Gerard. Gerard was, in due course, succeeded by his son and heir,
Ralph de Rhodes, in the reign of Henry III. This again is proved by a
Feet of Fines, {17d} which records an "agreement made in the court of the
Lord King at Westminster (3 Feb., A.D. 1224-5), between Henry del Ortiay
and Sabina his wife on the one part, and the said Ralph de Rhodes on the
other part," whereby the former acknowledge certain lands and
appurtenances in Horncastle and its soke to be the property of the said
Ralph, and he grants to them, as his tenants, certain lands; they, in
acknowledgement, "rendering him therefor, by the year, one pair of gilt
spurs at Easter for all service and exactions."
We have now reached another stage in the tenure of this manor and find
ourselves once more at the point where the present chapter opened.
Hitherto the manor had been held "in capite" (or "in chief") of the king
by lay lords, or, in the two cases of Queen Editha and Adelias de Condi,
by a lady; but in this reign Walter Mauclerk, the third Bishop of
Carlisle, purchased the manor from Ralph de Rhodes. He was himself a
powerful Norman and held the office of Treasurer of the Exchequer (a
common combination of civil and ecclesiastical duties in those days), but
now he and his successors were bound "to do suit and service to Ralph and
his heirs." This purchase is proved by a Lincoln document called a "Plea
Quo Warranto," which records a case argued before the Justices Itinerant,
in the reign of Edward I., when it was stated that Ralph de Rhodes
"enfeoffed Walter Mauclerk to hold the church, manor and appurtenances in
Horncastre, to him and his heirs, of the gift of the said Ralph." {18a}
That the Bishop, although an ecclesiastic, was bound to do service to the
heirs of Ralph is shown by another document, {18b} in which John, son of
Gerard de Rhodes, a descendant of Ralph, makes a grant to certain parties
of "the homage and whole service of the Bishop of Carlisle, and his
successors, for the manor (&c.) of Horncastre, which Gerard, son of
Gerard my brother, granted to me." This is dated the 13th year of Edward
I., 1285, whereas the actual sale of the manor took place in the reign of
Henry III., A.D. 1230, and was confirmed by the king in the same year.
{18c}
We have called this another stage in the tenure of this manor and for
this reason, an ecclesiastic of high rank, with the authority of the Pope
of Rome at his back, was a more powerful subject than any lay baron, and
this influence soon shewed itself, for while the lay lords of the manor
had been content with doing their service to the king, and exacting
service from those holding under them, the Bishop of Carlisle, in the
first year of his tenure, obtained from the king three charters,
conferring on the town of Horncastle immunities and privileges, which had
the effect of raising the town from the status of little more than a
village to that of the general mart of the surrounding country. The
first of these charters gave the bishop, as lord of the manor, the right
of free warren throughout the soke {18d}; the second gave him licence to
hold an annual fair two days before the feast of St. Barnabas (June 11),
to continue eight days; the third empowered him to hang felons. An
additional charter was granted in the following year empowering the
bishop to hold a weekly market on Wednesday (die Mercurii), which was
afterwards changed to Saturday, on which day it is still held; also to
hold another fair on the eve of the Feast of St. Laurence (Aug. 10th), to
continue seven days. {18e}
We here quote a few words of the original Carlisle charter, as shewing
the style of such documents in those days: "Henry to all Bishops,
Bailiffs, Provosts, servants, &c., health. Know that we, by the guidance
of God, and for the health of our soul, and of the souls of our ancestors
and descendants, have granted, and confirmed by this present charter, to
God, and the church of the blessed Mary of Carlisle, and to the Venerable
Father, Walter, Bishop of Carlisle," &c. It then goes on to specify,
among other privileges, that the bishop shall have "all chattells of
felons and fugitives, all amerciaments and fines from all men and tenants
of the manor and soke; that the bishop and his successors shall be quit
for ever to the king of all mercies, fines (&c.), that no constable of
the king shall have power of entry, but that the whole shall pertain to
the said bishop, except attachments touching pleas of the crown, and that
all chattells, &c., either in the king's court, or any other, shall be
the bishop's." Then follow cases in which chattells of Robert Mawe, a
fugitive, were demanded by the bishop, and 24 pounds exacted from the
township of Horncastle in lieu thereof; also 40s. from William, son of
Drogo de Horncastre, for trespass, and other fines from Ralph Ascer,
bailiff. Robert de Kirkby, &c., &c. The same document states that the
bishop has a gallows (furcae) at Horncastle for hanging offenders within
the soke; and, in connection with this we may observe that in the south
of the town is still a point called "Hangman's Corner."
These extensive powers, however, would hardly seem (to use the words of
the charter) to have been "for the good of the souls" of the bishop or
his successors, since they rather had the effect of leading him to the
abuse of his rights. Accordingly, in the reign of Edward III., a plea
was entered at Westminster, before the King's Justices, {19a} by which
John, Bishop of Carlisle, was charged with resisting the authority of the
king in the matter of the patronage of the benefice of Horncastle. That
benefice was usually in the gift of the bishop, but the rector, Simon de
Islip, had been appointed by the king Archbishop of Canterbury and, in
such circumstances, the crown by custom presents to the vacancy. The
bishop resisted and proceeded to appoint his own nominee, but the
judgment of the court was against him.
A somewhat similar case occurred a few years later. {19b} Thomas de
Appleby, the Bishop of Carlisle, and John de Rouseby, clerk, were
"summoned to answer to the Lord the King, that they permit him to appoint
to the church of Horncastre, vacant, and belonging to the king's gift, by
reason of the bishopric of Carlisle being recently vacant." It was
argued that John de Kirkby, Bishop of Carlisle, had presented Simon de
Islip to that benefice, afterwards created Archbishop of Canterbury, and
that the temporalities (patronage, &c.) of the Bishopric of Carlisle
therefore (for that turn) came to the king by the death of John de
Kirkby, bishop. The said bishop, Thomas de Appleby, and John de Rouseby
brought the case before the court, but they admitted the justice of the
king's plea and judgment was given for the king.
We have said that although Walter Mauclerk, as Bishop of Carlisle, bought
this manor from Ralph de Rhodes, he and his successors were still bound
to "do suit and service" to Ralph and his heirs, and in the brief summary
with which this chapter opened we named Roger le Scrope and Margaret his
wife, with Robert Tibetot and Eva his wife, among those descendants of
Ralph de Rhodes. We have fuller mention of them in documents which we
here quote. In a Roll of the reign of Edward I., {19c} John, son of
Gerard de Rhodes, says "Know all, present and future, that I, John, son
of Gerard, have granted, and by this charter confirmed, to the Lord
Robert Tibetot and Eva his wife (among other things) the homage and whole
service of the Bishop of Carlisle, and his successors, for the manor of
Horncastre, with appurtenances, &c., which Gerard, son of Gerard my
brother, granted to me, &c., to have and to hold of the Lord the King . .
. rendering for them annually to me and my heirs 80 pounds sterling."
While in another Roll {20a} of the reign of Richard II., the king states
that having inspected the above he confirms the grants, not only to the
said "Robert Tybetot and his wife Eve," but also "to our very dear and
faithful Roger le Scrope and Margaret his wife," recognizing them, it
would seem, as descendants of the earlier grantee, Gerbald de Escald,
from whom they all inherited.
Of these personages we may here say that both Tibetots and Le Scrope were
of high position and influence. The name of Thebetot, or Tibetot, is
found in the Battle Abbey Roll, as given by the historians Stow and
Holinshed; {20b} with a slight variation of name, as Tibtofts, they were
Lords of Langer, Co. Notts., and afterwards Earls of Worcester. {20c}
According to the historian, Camden, John Tibtoft was Lord-Lieutenant of
Ireland under Henry VI., created by him Earl of Worcester, but executed
for treason. {20d} His successor, John, was Lord Deputy under Edward IV.
{20e} The last of the Tibetots, Robert, died without male issue; his
three daughters were under the guardianship of Richard le Scrope, who
married the eldest daughter, Margaret, to his son Roger. This is the one
named above in connection with Horncastle. The Tibetot property of
Langer, Notts., thus passed to the Le Scropes, and continued in that
family down to Emanuel, created Earl of Sunderland by Charles I., AD.
1628. {20f} Castle Combe in Wiltshire was one of their residences, {20g}
but their chief seat was Bolton in Richmondshire. {20h} William le
Scrope was created Earl of Wiltshire by Richard II., but beheaded when
that king was dethroned and murdered, in 1399. {20i} Richard le Scrope
was Archbishop of York, but condemned by Henry IV. for treason. {20j}
The name Le Scrope also appears in the Battle Abbey Roll of the
Conqueror. Thus in both Tibetots and Scropes Horncastle was connected
with families who played a considerable part in public life.
In the reign of Edward VI. there was a temporary change in the ownership
of this manor. Among the Carlisle Papers is one {20k} by which that king
grants permission to Robert Aldrich, Bishop of Carlisle, to sell "to our
very dear and faithful councellor, Edward Fynes, K.G., Lord Clinton and
Saye, High Admiral of England, the lordship and soke of Horncastre, with
all rights, appurtenances, &c., to hold to himself, his heirs and assigns
for ever," and that he, the said Edward, "can give and grant to the said
Robert, bishop, an annual rent of 28 pounds 6s. 8d." We have, however,
in this case an illustration of the instability even of royal decrees, in
that on the demise of that worthy prince, to whom the realm and Church of
England owe so much, his successor, Queen Mary, in the very next year,
A.D. 1553, cancelled this sale, and a document exists at Carlisle {21a}
showing that she "granted a licence," probably in effect compulsory, to
the same Lord Clinton and Saye, "to alienate his lordship and soke of
Horncastle and to re-convey it to Robert Aldrich, Bishop of Carlisle."
His Lordship would, however, appear to have continued to hold the manor
on lease under the bishop, and to have acted in a somewhat high-handed
manner to his spiritual superior, probably under the influence of the
change in religious sentiment between the reigns of "the bloody Mary,"
and her sister Elizabeth of glorious memory. For again we find a
document {21b} of the reign of the latter, in which the Bishop of
Carlisle complains to Sir Francis Walsingham, the Queen's Commissioner,
of a "book of Horncastle," which the Earl of Lincoln (the new title of
Lord Clinton and Saye) had sent to him "to be sealed," because (he says)
the earl, by the words of the grant, had taken from him "lands and tithes
of the yearly value of 28 pounds 6s. 8d.," the exact sum, be it observed,
above specified as the rent to be paid by Lord Clinton and Saye to the
bishop, Robert Aldrich. Of this, he asserts, "the see of Carlisle is
seized and the earl is not in legal possession by his lease now 'in
esse.'" {21c} He wages his suit "the more boldly, because of the
extraordinary charges he has been at, from the lamentable scarcity in the
country, the great multitude of poor people, and other charges before he
came had made him a poor man, and yet he must go on with it . . . the
number of them which want food to keep their lives in their bodies is so
pitiful. If the Lord Warden and he did not charge themselves a great
number would die of hunger, and some have done so," dated Rose Castle, 26
May, 1578.
His lordship, however, did one good turn to the town of Horncastle in
founding the Grammar School, in the 13th year of the reign of Elizabeth,
A.D. 1571, although (as we shall show in our chapter on the school) this
was really not strictly a foundation but a re-establishment; as a grammar
school is known to have existed in the town more than two centuries
earlier.
We have one more record of Lord Clinton's connection with the town, from
which it would appear that the Priory of Bullington, near Wragby, and
Kirkstead Abbey also had property in Horncastle. A Carlisle document
{21d} shows that in the reign of Edward VI. Lord Clinton and Saye
received a grant of "lands, tenements and hereditaments in Horncastle,
late in the tenure of Alexander Rose and his assigns, and formerly of the
dissolved monastery of Bollington; also two tenements, one house, two
'lez bark houses' (Horncastle tanners would seem even then to have
flourished), one house called 'le kylne howse,' one 'le garthing,' 14
terrages of land in the fields of Thornton, with appurtenances lying in
Horncastle, &c., and once belonging to the monastery of Kyrkestead."
As in other places the Clinton family seem to have been succeeded by the
Thymelbys, of these we have several records. An Escheator's Inquisition
of the reign of Henry VIII., {22a} taken by Roger Hilton, at Horncastle,
Oct. 5, 1512, shewed that "Richard Thymylby, Esquire, was seized of the
manor of Parish-fee, in Horncastre, held of the Bishop of Carlisle, as of
his soke of Horncastre, by fealty, and a rent of 7 pounds by the year."
He was also "seized of one messuage, with appurtenances, in Horncastre,
called Fool-thyng, parcel of the said manor of Parish-fee." {22b} The
said Richard died 3 March, 3 Henry VIII. (A.D. 1512). This was, however,
by no means the first of this family connected with Horncastle. Deriving
their name from the parish of Thimbleby, in the soke of Horncastle, we
find the first mention of a Thymelby in that parish in a post mortem
Inquisition of the reign of Edward III., {22c} which shews that Nicholas
de Thymelby then held land in Thimbleby under the Bishop of Carlisle,
A.D. 1333; but nearly a century before that date a Lincoln document {22d}
mentions one Ivo, son of Odo de Thymelby, as holding under the Bishop in
Horncastle, in the reign of Henry III., A.D. 1248.
Further, in the reign of Edward I., as is shewn by a Harleian MS., in the
British Museum, {22e} Richard de Thymelby was Dean of Horncastle; Thomas,
son of the above Nicholas de Thymelby, presented to the benefice of
Ruckland in 1381, John de Thymelby presented to Tetford in 1388, and John
again to Somersby in 1394, {22f} and other members of the family
presented at later periods. The family continued to advance in wealth
and position until in the reign of Edward VI. it was found by an
Inquisition {22g} that Matthew Thymelby, of Poolham (their chief
residence in this neighbourhood), owned the manor of Thymbleby, that of
Parish-fee in Horncastle and five others, with lands in eight other
parishes, and the advowsons of Ruckland, Farforth, Somersby and Tetford.
He married Anne, daughter of Sir Robert Hussey. Other influential
marriages were those of John Thymelby, "Lord of Polum" (Poolham), to
Isabel, {22h} daughter of Sir John Fflete, Knt. (circa 1409); William
(probably) to Joan, daughter of Sir Walter Tailboys (circa 1432), {22i} a
connection of the Earl of Angus; Matthew's widow marrying Sir Robert
Savile, Knt. {22j}
[Picture: Plan of Horncastle, 1908--from the Ordnance Survey]
In connection with the marriage of William to Joan Tailboys we may
mention that the base, all that now remains, of the churchyard cross at
Tetford bears on its west side the Thimbleby arms "differenced" with
those of Tailboys, the north side having the Thimbleby arms pure and
simple. {24a}
Another important marriage was that of Richard Thimbleby (A.D. 1510) to
Elizabeth, daughter and co-heir of Godfrey Hilton of Irnham Manor near
Grantham, through which alliance that property passed to the Thimblebys.
It had been granted to Ralph Paganel by the Conqueror, afterwards passed
to Sir Andrew Luterel, Knt., and later to Sir Geoffrey Hilton, Knt.
Richard Thimbleby built Irnham Hall; he was succeeded by his son and
heir, Sir John Thimbleby, who thus became the head of the family, which
has in later times become almost extinct. This fine mansion, in the
Tudor style of architecture, standing in a deer park of more than 250
acres, was destroyed by fire, Nov. 12, 1887, being then owned by W.
Hervey Woodhouse, Esq., who bought it of Lord Clifford's son. {24b}
Turning again to the Carlisle documents we find one of the reign of
Edward III., {24c} giving an agreement made in the King's Court at
Westminster (20 Jan., 1353-4), "between Thomas, son of Nicholas de
Thymelby, plaintiff, and Henry Colvile, knt., and Margaret his wife,
deforciants," whereby, among other property, the latter acknowledge that
certain "messuages, one mill, ten acres of land (_i.e._ arable), two
pastures, and 7 pounds of rent, with appurtenances, in Horncastre,
Thimilby, and Bokeland (_i.e._ Woodhall), are of the right of the said
Thomas; and for this the said Thomas gives to the said Henry and Margaret
200 marks of silver."
Another document of the same reign, {24d} of date 1360-1, states that
Gilbert de Wilton, Bishop of Carlisle, "gives 60s. for the King's licence
to remit to Thomas son of Nicholas de Thymelby, and John his younger
brother, the service of being Reeve (_i.e._ Bailiff) of the Bishop, and
other services, which are due from him to the said Bishop for lands and
tenements held of the said Bishop in Horncastre," and elsewhere. Another
document, {24e} dated a few years later, shews an agreement made at
Westminster, between Thomas Thymelby and his brother John, on the one
part, and Frederick de Semerton and Amice his wife, deforciants,
concerning four tofts, certain land, and 7 pounds of rent, with
appurtenances, in Horncastre and contiguous parts, by which "the said
Frederick and Amice acknowledge these (properties) to be of the right of
the said Thomas and his brother," and for this Thomas pays them 100 marks
of silver. Two other Carlisle documents of considerably later date refer
to members of this same family of Thymelby, but are chiefly of value as
introducing to us a new name among Horncastle owners of land.
A Chancery Inquisition {24f} taken at Horncastle, 24 Sept., 1612, shews
that "John Kent, of Langton, was seized in his manor of Horncastell, with
the appurtenances, called Parish-fee, and certain messuages, cottages,
land and meadows in Horncastell (and elsewhere), lately purchased of
Robert Savile and Richard Thymelby," and "held under the Bishop of
Carlisle by fealty," . . . that "the said John Kent died 19 Sept., 1611,
and that William Kent, his son, is next heir."
We have already seen that, about 60 years before, the widow of Matthew
Thymelby had married Sir Robert Savile; he belonged to an old and
influential family now represented by Lord Savile of Rufford Abbey,
Notts., and the Earl of Mexborough, Methley Park, Yorkshire. By the
aforesaid marriage the bulk of the Thymelby property passed to the
Saviles, and like the Thymelbys they had their chief residence, in this
neighbourhood, at Poolham Hall, owning among many other possessions the
aforesaid sub-manor of Parish-fee in Horncastle, which, as we have seen,
was sold by their joint action to John Kent of Langton. We have already
had mention of a John Savile who was apparently captain of the "trained
band" connected with Horncastle in the reign of Elizabeth, A.D. 1586 (see
p. 14); Gervase Holles mentions this John Savile as joint lord of
Somersby with Andrew Gedney, and lord of Tetford in the same reign.
(_Collectanea_, vol. iii, p. 770).
From another document {25a} it would seem that, some 10 or 11 years
later, Richard Thymelby and Robert Savile were involved in a more than
questionable transaction with regard to the property thus transferred.
Among the Carlisle papers is a Petition in Chancery, of which we here
give the text, slightly abridged, as it is remarkable, and fittingly
brings to a close our notices of the Thymelbys in connection with
Horncastle.
To the Right Honble. Sir Francis Bacon, Knt., Lord Chancellor of England.
Complainant sheweth, on the oath of your petitioner, Evan Reignolds, of
St. Catherine's, Co. Middlesex, gent., and Joan his wife, that, whereas
Richard Thymelby, some time of Poleham, Co. Lincoln, Esq., deceased, was
seized of the manors of Poleham, Thimbleby, Horsington, Stixwold,
Buckland, Horncastle, Edlington (&c.), and tenements in Langton,
Blankney, Baumber, and in one pasture inclosed for 1000 sheep, called
Heirick (High-Rig, in Woodhall, near Poolham) pasture, &c., whereof
Robert Savile was seized for life, conveyed the same to his father-in-law
Robert Savile . . . the said Richard Thymelby, going up to London,
negotiated to sell the property to one Richard Gardiner, and for 2,300
pounds engaged, at his desire, to convey all to John Wooton, the 2,300
pounds was paid to Richard Thymelby and bargain settled July 15, 6
Elizabeth (A.D. 1564). {25b} A dispute arose in the following year
between Richard Thymelby and Robert Savile, which was submitted to
arbitrators (Feb. 15, 7 Elizabeth), who ordered Richard Thymelby to pay
Robert Savile 1,500 pounds, and Robert Savile should then convey all to
Richard Thymelby. The 1,500 pounds was paid and afterwards the two
"confederated to defraud the said Richard Gardiner and conveyed the said
manors to John Kent." The judgment of the court is not given, but
neither of the defendants, surely, cut a very creditable figure, and
Richard Thymelby, suitably, we must admit, passes from the scene.
Of the Saviles we may here give a few more particulars. Gervase Holles,
the antiquary, mentions in his _Collectanea_ (vol. iii, p. 770) John
Savile, Esq., as Lord of the Manor of Tetford, in this neighbourhood, in
the reign of Elizabeth, and as joint Lord of Somersby with Andrew Gedney,
Esq. (of the latter and his wife there is a very fine sepulchral monument
in the church of the adjoining parish of Bag Enderby). The most
distinguished literary member of the family was Sir Henry Savile, a
learned mathematician, Fellow and Warden of Merton College, Oxford, and
Provost of Eton; a munificent patron of learning, founding Professorships
of Astronomy and Geography at his University; he wrote a _Treatise on
Roman Warfare_, but his great work was a translation of the writings of
St. Chrysostom, a monument of industry and learning; he was knighted by
James I., and his bust is carved in stone in the quadrangle of the
Bodleian Library at Oxford, among those of other benefactors. Charles I.
conferred the Earldom of Sussex on Thomas, Lord Savile of Pontefract.
Several members of the family were Seneschals, or Stewards, of Wakefield.
George was created Marquis of Halifax, another was Baron of the
Exchequer. The name is given in the Conqueror's Roll of Battle Abbey
(A.D. 1066), Hollinshed's version, as Sent Ville, in Stow's version as
Sant Vile, while a Chancery Inquisition (of 18 Henry VII., No. 46,
_Architectural Society's Journal_, 1895, p. 17) gives it as Say-vile, and
on the analogy of Nevill, formerly de Nova-villa, we may perhaps assume
that the original form was de Sancta-villa (or "of the Holy City"); which
may well have been adopted by one who had made a pilgrimage to
Canterbury, Rome, or Jerusalem itself.
I should, however, add that a member of the family, Miss Elizabeth J.
Savile, who has herself dug to the roots of the genealogical tree, gives
a different version of their origin. According to her they are descended
from the Dukes de Savelli, who again trace their lineage from the still
more ancient Sabella in Italy. When John Savile, 2nd son of Sir John
Savile, travelled in Italy in the time of James I., the then Duke de
Savelli received him as a kinsman. Of this family were the Popes
Honorius III. and Honorius IV. A MS. Visitation in the British Museum
says "It is conceived, that this family came into England with Geoffrey
Plantagenet, rather than with the Conqueror, because there are two towns
of this name on the frontiers of Anjou, both of which were annexed to the
crown of England when the said Geoffrey married Maud, sole daughter and
heir of Henry I." This is said to have been taken from the Savile
pedigree in the keeping of Henry Savile of Bowlings, Esq., living in
1665. The Saviles of Methley trace their descent, in the male line, from
this Sir John Savile of Savile Hall. One branch, the Saviles of
Thornhill, are now represented in the female line by the Duke of
Devonshire, and the Savile Foljambes, one of whom is the present Lord
Hawkesbury. The Saviles of Copley, now extinct, are represented by the
Duke of Norfolk, and a younger branch by the Earls of Mexborough. The
opinion that they came from Anjou is generally accepted, the authorities
being _Yorkshire Pedigrees_, _British Museum Visitations_, Gregorovius,
uno frio, Panvinio, and other chroniclers.
We now proceed to notice the other persons, of more or less repute, who
were at various periods owners in Horncastle. In the 3rd year of King
John we find Gerard de Camville paying fees for land in Horncastle by his
deputy, Hugo Fitz Richard, to the amount of 836 pounds, which was a large
sum in those days. {26a} He was sheriff of the county, A.D. 1190, along
with Hugo. {26b} The name, however, is more known for the celebrated
defence of Lincoln Castle by Nicholaia de Camville against the besieging
forces of King Stephen in 1191, and again in her old age against Henry
III., assisted by Louis, Dauphin of France. An ancestor of William de
Camville is named in the Battle Abbey Roll, among those Normans who came
over with the Conqueror.
William de Lizures and Eudo de Bavent are also named as paying similar
fees, though to smaller amounts. The de Lizures were a powerful
Yorkshire family, who inter-married with the De Lacys of Pontefract
Castle and inherited some of their large estates. {27a} Among these, one
was the neighbouring manor of Kirkby-on-Bain, which would seem to have
passed to the Lady Albreda Lizures; {27b} they probably derived their
name from the town of Lisieux, near Harfleur in Normandy. We soon lose
sight of this family in England, and they seem to have migrated northward
and to have acquired lands in Scotland. The name De Lizures is common in
Scottish Cartularies, for instance in the Cartulary of Kelso, p. 257
(_Notes & Queries_, series 2, vol. xii, p. 435). In 1317 William and
Gregory de Lizures were Lords of Gorton, and held lands near Roslyn
Castle, Edinburgh (_Genealogie of the Saint Claires of Roslyn_, by Father
Augustin Hay, re-published Edinburgh, 1835), [_Notes & Queries_, 3rd
series, vol. i, p. 173].
The De Bavents were also a distinguished family, their connection with
Horncastle survives in the name of a field in the south of the parish, on
the Rye farm, which is called "Bavent's Close." A few particulars of
this family may not be without interest. The earliest named are Richard
de Bavent in 1160, {27c} and Eudo de Bavent in 1161, {27d} as holding the
manor of Mareham-le-Fen, in the extreme south of the Horncastle soke,
under Henry II., "by service of falconry." {27e} Eudo (about 1200) gave
"to God, the Cathedral, and Chapter of Lincoln," his lands in the north
fen of Bilsby. {27f} The family seem to have gradually increased their
possessions in this neighbourhood. In 1290, under Edward I., we find
Jollan de Bavent holding lands in Billesby and Winceby, as well as
Mareham. {27g} In 1319, under Edward II., Robert de Bavent holds his
land in Billesby of the King by the service of supplying "3 falcons for
the royal use," {27h} and, under Edward III., certain trustees of Peter
de Bavent, by his will, transfer the manor of Mareham to the convent of
Revesby, to provide a monk who shall daily throughout the year say masses
"for the souls of the said Peter and Catherine, his wife, for ever."
{27i} Truly "L' homme propose, et Dieu dispose," for from this time
forward we hear little of the Bavents. They may "call their lands after
their own names," "Bavent's Close" survives, but of the whilom owner we
can only say, in the words of Coleridge:
The knight's bones are dust,
And his good sword rust,
His soul is with
The saints, we trust.
Another family of distinction connected with Horncastle was that of the
Angevines. Among the Carlisle documents is one {27j} shewing that a
trial was held at Horncastle (A.D. 1489-90), in which Sir Robert Dymoke,
Knt., and William Angevin, Esq., recovered possession of 400 acres of
land, with tofts and appurtenances, in Horncastle and its soke, from John
Hodgisson and his wife, John Cracroft, Gervase Clifton (of Clifton) and
others. This family probably acquired their name thus: William the
Conqueror brought to England from Normandy a body of troops called the
"Angevine auxiliaries" (from the province of Anjou), and their
descendants were granted lands in various parts of the kingdom. One
family especially seems to have adopted this name, which was variously
spelt as Angevine, Aungelyne, Aungeby, &c.; they settled in various parts
of this county at an early period, and Horncastle being a royal manor
they naturally were located in this neighbourhood. We find traces of
them at Whaplode in the south, Saltfleetby in the north, and
Theddlethorpe midway, in the 12th and 14th centuries. {28a} Among
Lincoln records is the will of Robert Angevin, Gent., {28b} of Langton by
Horncastle, dated 25 April, 1545, in which he requests to be buried in
the Church of St. Margaret (then a much larger edifice than the present);
he leaves to his son land in Hameringham, and to his widow, for life, and
his four daughters, lands in Burnsall, Hebden, Conyseat and Norton, in
the County of York. His brother, John Angevin, resided at West Ashby,
then a hamlet of Horncastle. William Angevin, Gent., of Theddlethorpe
{28c} is named in the official list of Lincolnshire freeholders made in
1561, and the name also appears in the Visitation of 1562, but all traces
of the family disappear before the time of the commonwealth.
The same Carlisle document {28d} mentions Thomas Fitz-William as
concerned in the said dispute, as being a Horncastle proprietor; while,
further, another Carlisle document of the time of Henry VIII., shows that
Thomas Fitz-William, Esq., was seized of one capital messuage, 6 other
messuages, 4 tofts and 100 acres of land in Horncastle, held of the Prior
of Carlisle, and John Fitz-William was his heir. {28e} The Fitz-Williams
again were a very ancient and distinguished family, the name is found in
the Battle Abbey Roll of William the Conqueror. The family claim descent
from Sir William Fitz-Goderic, cousin of King Edward the Confessor. His
son, Sir William Fitz-William, has been said (as the name might imply) to
have been really a natural son of William the Conqueror himself, {28f}
but the more generally accepted version is that Fitz-Goderic was his
father. Sir William Fitz-William accompanied the Duke of Normandy to
England as Marshal of his army, and for his bravery at the battle of
Hastings the Conqueror gave him a scarf from his own arm. A descendant,
in the reign of Elizabeth, was thrice Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; he was
also Governor of Fotheringhay Castle when the unfortunate Queen Mary of
Scotland was imprisoned there, and before she was beheaded she gave him a
portrait of herself, which is still preserved at Milton House, near
Peterborough, one of the seats of the Earls Fitz-William, who now
represent the family, Baron of Milton being their second title. A Patent
of Edward IV. (A.D. 1461) {28g} shows that Richard Fitz-William had the
privilege granted to him by that King of "free warren" at Ulceby, near
Alford.
An Inquisition in the reign of Henry VII. {29a} (A.D. 1502) shows that
Thomas Fitz-William held the manors of Mavis Enderby, Maidenwell and
Mablethorpe. The list of magistrates for the county in the reign of
Henry VIII. {29b} contains the name of George Fitz-William along with
Lionel Dymoke, Lord Willoughby, and others; while an Inquisition held
five years later {29c} shews that Thomas Fitz-William held the
aforementioned manor of Ulceby, by the "service of 1 falcon annually to
the King." Sir William Fitz-William in the same reign {29d} was Lord
High Admiral. John Fitz-William is named in the Herald's list of county
gentry in the 16th century as residing at Skidbrook, a hamlet of
Saltfleet Haven, {29e} and William Fitz-William, Esq., supplied "one
lance and two light horse" when the Spanish Armada was expected to invade
England, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. {29f} William Fitz-William of
Mablethorpe {29g} married, in 1536, Elizabeth daughter of Sir Robert
Tyrwhitt, of Kettlethorpe, a member of a very old Lincolnshire family,
still owning property in this neighbourhood; and in 1644 Sir William
Wentworth, {29h} a scion of a younger branch, married Elizabeth, daughter
and co-heir of Thomas Savile, of Wakefield, whose family we have already
mentioned as connected with Horncastle.
In 1620 the head of the Fitz-William family was created an Irish Peer; in
1742 the 3rd Baron was made Baron Milton in the peerage of Great Britain;
and, 4 years later, Earl Fitz-William. In 1782, on the death of his
uncle, the last Marquis of Rockingham, the Earl of that day succeeded to
the Yorkshire and Northamptonshire estates of the Wentworths, and in 1807
they took the name of Wentworth as an affix. In the early part of the
19th century the name became again connected with Horncastle, when Earl
Fitz-William, grandfather of the present Earl, hunted the local pack of
foxhounds, which were kept in Horncastle, in what is still called
Dog-kennel Yard, at the back of St. Lawrence Street. An old friend,
formerly practicing as a Doctor in Horncastle, but lately deceased, has
told the writer that he remembered seeing the Earl's hounds breaking
cover from Whitehall Wood, in the parish of Martin.
There is one more Carlisle document deserving of quotation as it is of a
peculiar nature. A Patent Roll of the reign of Elizabeth, {29i} A.D.
1577, records that a "pardon" was granted to "Sir Thomas Cecil, Knt., for
acquiring the manor of Langton (by Horncastle) with appurtenances, and 30
messuages, 20 cottages, 40 tofts, 4 dove-cotes, 40 gardens, 30 orchards,
1,400 acres of (cultivated) land, 100 acres of wood, 100 acres of furze
and heath, 200 acres of marsh, 40s. of rent, and common pasture, with
appurtenances, in Horncastle, Thimbleby, Martin, Thornton and Woodhall,
from Philip Tylney, Esq., by fine levied without licence." This was a
somewhat extensive acquisition. We have already recorded a more than
questionable transaction in the transfer of land by Richard Thymelby and
Robert Savile, A.D. 1564, and this transaction of Sir Thomas Cecil, 13
years later, seems also to have been in some way irregular, since it
needed the royal "pardon."
There is nothing to show who this Philip Tylney was, who acted on this
occasion as vendor, but Sir Thomas Cecil was the son of the great Lord
Treasurer Burghley, who was Secretary of State under Edward VI., and for
40 years guided the Councils of Queen Elizabeth. Sir Thomas himself was
a high official under Elizabeth and King James I.; he was knighted in
1575, received the Order of the Garter in 1601; under James I. he was
made Privy Councillor, and having succeeded his father as Baron Burghley,
was created by James Earl of Exeter. His brother Sir Robert also held
high office and was made in 1603 Baron Cecil, in 1604 Viscount
Cranbourne, in 1605 Earl of Salisbury. Thomas Cecil died Feb. 7, 1622,
aged 80, and was buried in Westminster Abbey. He married 1st Dorothy,
daughter of John Nevil, Lord Latimer, and 2nd, Frances, daughter of Lord
Chandos. He was, doubtless, a man of large ideas and great ambition, his
royal mistress was herself Lady of the manor of Horncastle, and
Horncastle having thus been brought under his notice, he may have been
too grasping in compassing his purposes. The Revesby Charters {30a} show
that he purchased that estate in 1575.
We may add that the Cecils were descended from an ancient family located
in Wales soon after the Norman Conquest, and acquired large possessions
in the reign of King Rufus; the 14th in descent was David Cecil of
Stamford, Sergeant at Arms to King Henry VIII., he was grandfather to the
1st Lord Burghley. {30b} The present representatives of this old family
are the Marquis of Exeter of Burghley House, Stamford, and the Marquis of
Salisbury of Hatfield House, Herts.
We have now reached the end of a somewhat lengthy series of owners
formerly connected with Horncastle, its manor, and its soke, bringing us
down to the early part of the 17th century, and we think that few towns,
of its size, could show such a record of distinguished names. The
information available as to more recent periods is more meagre. The
Bishops of Carlisle continued to hold the manor down to the year 1856,
and various parties held leases of it under them, they themselves
residing here from time to time, {30c} until the episcopal palace was
demolished in 1770, when the present Manor House was erected on its site.
We have already stated that Queen Elizabeth leased the manor from the
Bishop of Carlisle of that date, she was succeeded in the lease by King
James I., who transferred it to Sir Henry Clinton, but owing to a legal
error in that transaction, it proved void. One of the said Bishops in
the next reign was Dr. Robert Snowden, whose family were located in this
neighbourhood, his son being Vicar of Horncastle. Abigail Snowden
married Edward, son of Sir Edward Dymoke, Knt., in 1654, and Jane Snowden
married Charles Dymoke, Esq., of Scrivelsby Court; the former belonged to
the, so called, Tetford branch of the Dymokes, who have of late years
also succeeded to the Scrivelsby property. Bishop Robert Snowden granted
a lease of the Horncastle manor to his kinsman, Rutland Snowden, and his
assignees for three lives; but this would appear to have been afterwards
cancelled, owing to the "delinquency" of the first grantee. {31a} The
name of this Rutland Snowden appears in the list of Lincolnshire Gentry
who were entitled to bear arms, at the Herald's Visitation of 1634. {31b}
A break in the continuity of the sub-tenure of the manor here occurs, but
not of long duration. The family of Banks are next found holding the
lease, under the said bishops; the most distinguished of them being Sir
Joseph Banks, the eminent naturalist, and patron of science in almost
every form; who visited Newfoundland in pursuit of his favourite study;
accompanied Captain Cook in his voyage to the South Seas; visited Iceland
with Dr. Solander, the pupil of Linnaeus; made large natural history and
antiquarian collections; {31c} became President of the Royal Society; and
was largely instrumental in forming the schemes for the drainage and
inclosure of the fens; and other works of public utility. His family
acquired the Revesby Abbey estates in 1714, and were closely connected
with Horncastle for more than a century, as he died in 1820.
One of his ancestors, also Joseph, was M.P. for Grimsby and Totnes;
another, also Joseph, had a daughter, Eleonora, who married the Honble.
Henry Grenville, and was mother of the Countess Stanhope. Through this
last connection, on the demise of Sir Joseph, the leased manor passed, as
the nearest male relative, to Col. the Honble. James Hamilton Stanhope,
who served in the Peninsular War and at Waterloo. He died three years
later, in 1823, and was succeeded by the late James Banks Stanhope, Esq.,
then a minor, and afterwards M.P. for North Lincolnshire; who, some years
ago, transferred all his manorial rights to the Right Honble. Edward
Stanhope, 2nd son of the 5th Earl Stanhope, and M.P. for the Horncastle
Division. He died 22 December, 1898, and his widow, the Honble. Mrs.
Stanhope of Revesby Abbey, became Lady of the Manor; this, on her decease
in 1907 reverting to the family of the Earl Stanhope, of Chevening Park,
Sevenoaks, Kent, in the person of his son, the Honble. Richard Stanhope,
now residing at Revesby Abbey.
In 1856 the manoral rights of the Bishops of Carlisle were transferred to
the See of Lincoln, and the Bishop of Lincoln is now _ex officio_ Patron
of the Benefice. The head of the Stanhope family is still the chief
owner of property in Horncastle; other owners being the Vicar with 92
acres, the representatives of the late Sigismund Trafford Southwell with
67 acres, representatives of the late W. B. Walter (now Majer Traves)
with 58 acres; while Coningtons, Clitherows, Rev. Richard Ward, and about
100 other proprietors hold smaller portions. We have mentioned the
influence of Sir Joseph Banks in the drainage and enclosure of the fens,
and on the completion of that important work in Wildmore Fen, in 1813,
some 600 acres were added to the soke of Horncastle, about 80 acres being
assigned to the manor, while the glebe of the Vicar was increased so that
it now comprises 370 acres.
We conclude this chapter with another record of the past, which should
not be omitted. It is somewhat remarkable that although Horncastle has
been connected with so many personages of distinction as proprietors, and
for about 600 years (as already shewn) with royalty itself, as an
appanage of the crown, it has only once been visited by royalty in
person. History tells {32a} that "on Sep. 12, 1406, Henry IV. made a
royal procession" from this town (probably coming hither from Bolingbroke
Castle, his birthplace), "with a great and honourable company, to the
Abbey of Bardney, where the Abbot and monks came out, in ecclesiastical
state, to meet him," and he was royally entertained by them. We may
perhaps assume that as his father, John of Gaunt, had a palace at
Lincoln, {32b} he was on his way thither, where also his half brother,
Henry Beaufort, had been Bishop, but was promoted two years before this
to the See of Winchester.
The nearest approach to another royal visit was that of the Protector,
Oliver Cromwell, which however was of a private character. Although
historians do not generally relate it, it is locally understood that,
after the Battle of Winceby, on Oct. 11, 1643, Cromwell personally came
to Horncastle to see that proper honours were paid, by the churchwarden,
Mr. Hamerton, to the body of Sir Ingram Hopton, slain on that eventful
day in single combat with Cromwell himself, who pronounced him to be "a
brave gentleman," he having, indeed, first unhorsed Cromwell. This visit
would seem to be further proved by the fact that a man, named John
Barber, died in Horncastle, aged 95, A.D. 1855 (or 1856), whose
grandfather remembered Cromwell, on that occasion, sleeping in the house
now called Cromwell House, in West Street (or rather an older house on
the same site); while in the parish register of West Barkwith there is an
entry of the burial of Nicholas Vickers, in 1719, with the additional
note that he "guided Cromwell over Market Rasen Moor," in his journey
northward after the battle. He may well, therefore, have taken
Horncastle on his way.
CHAPTER III.
Having, so far, dealt with the more or less conjectural, prehistoric
period of Horncastle's existence in Chapter I, and with the Manor and its
ownership in Chapter II, we now proceed to give an account of the town's
institutions, its buildings, and so forth. Among these the Parish
Church, naturally, claims precedence.
ST. MARY'S CHURCH.
This is probably not the original parish church. There is no mention of
a church in _Domesday Book_, and although this is not quite conclusive
evidence, it is likely that no church existed at that date (circa 1085
A.D.); but in Testa de Nevill (temp. Richard I.) we find "Ecclesia de
Horncastre," named with those of (West) Ashby, High Toynton, Mareham
(-on-the-Hill), and (Wood) Enderby, as being in the gift of the King;
{33a} while at an Inquisition post mortem, taken at Horncastle, 8 Richard
II., No. 99, {33b} the Jurors say that "the Lord King Edward (I.), son of
King Henry (III.), gave to Gilbert, Prior of the alien Priory of
Wyllesforth, and his successors, 2 messuages, and 6 oxgangs (90 acres) of
land, and the site of the Chapel of St. Laurence, with the appurtenances,
in Horncastre," on condition that they find a fit chaplain to celebrate
mass in the said chapel three days in every week "for the souls of the
progenitors of the said King, and his successors, for ever." This chapel
probably stood near the street running northwards from the Market Place,
now called St. Lawrence Street, though, a few years ago, it was commonly
called "Pudding Lane." It is said to have formerly been a main street
and at the head of it stood the Market Cross. Bodies have at various
times been found interred near this street, indicating the vicinity of a
place of worship, and, when a block of houses were removed in 1892, by
the Right Honble. E. Stanhope, Lord of the Manor, to enlarge the Market
Place, several fragments of Norman pillars were found, which, doubtless,
once belonged to the Norman Chapel of St. Lawrence. {34}
The date of St. Mary's Church, as indicated by the oldest part of it, the
lower portion of the tower, is early in the 13th century. "It is a good
example of a town church of the second class (as said the late Precentor
Venables, who was a good judge) in no way, indeed, rivalling such
churches as those of Boston, Louth, Spalding or Grantham; nay even many a
Lincolnshire village has a finer edifice, but the general effect, after
various improvements, is, to say the least, pleasing, and it has its
interesting features. The plan of the church (he says) is normal; it
consists of nave, with north and south aisles; chancel, with south aisle
and north chantry, the modern vestry being eastward of this; a plain low
tower, crowned with wooden spirelet and covered with lead. Taking these
in detail: the tower has two lancet windows in the lower part of the west
wall, above these a small debased window, and again, above this, a
two-light window of the Decorated style, similar windows on the north and
south sides, and at the top an embattled Perpendicular parapet. The
tower opens on the nave with a lofty arch, having pilaster buttresses,
which terminate above the uppermost of two strings; the base is raised
above the nave by three steps, the font being on a projection of the
first step. This lower portion of the tower is the oldest part of the
church, dating from the Early English period. The chamber where the
bells are hung is, by the modern arrangement, above this lower
compartment, and is approached by a winding staircase built on the
outside of the southern wall, a slight disfigurement."
There are six bells, with the following inscriptions:--
(1) Lectum fuge. Discute somnum. G. S. T. W. H. Penn, Fusor, 1717.
(2) In templo venerare Deum. H. Penn nos fudit. Cornucastri.
(3) Supplicem Deus audit. Daniel Hedderley cast me. 1727.
(4) Tho. Osborn fecit. Downham, Norfolk. 1801. Tho. Bryan and D. Brown,
Churchwardens.
(5) Dum spiras, spera. H. Penn, Fusor, 1717. Tho. et Sam. Hamerton
Aeditivi.
(6) Exeat e busto. Auspice Christo. Tho. Loddington, LL.D., Vicar H P.
1717.
Near the south Priest's door, in the chancel, a bell, about 1 ft. in
height, stands on the floor, unused; this was the bell of a former clock
in the tower. The "Pancake Bell" is rung on Shrove Tuesday, at 10 a.m.;
the Curfew at 8 p.m., from Oct. 11 to April 6, except Saturdays, at 7
p.m., and omitting from St. Thomas's Day to Plough Monday. The "Grammar
School Bell" used to be rung daily, Sundays excepted, at 7 a.m., but of
late years this has been discontinued, the Governors refusing to pay for
it.
The fabric of the nave is of the Decorated style, though modern in date,
with Perpendicular clerestory, having five three-light windows, on the
north and south sides. The arcades are of four bays, with chamfered
equilateral arches, springing from shafted piers; the capitals of the two
central ones being ornamented with foliage of a decorated character; the
others being plain. Each aisle has three three-light windows, of
decorated style, in the side wall, and a fourth at the west end; these
are modern, the north aisle having been re-built in 1820 and the south
aisle in 1821. There are north and south porches.
The chancel arch is modern, the carving of its caps being very delicate.
On the north side the outline of the doorway, formerly leading to the
rood loft, is still visible, and below, on the west side of the chancel
wall, is a well-carved statue bracket of floriated character, which was
transferred from the chancel, and on the south side a still older one,
much plainer.
[Picture: St. Mary's Church]
The east window of the chancel is said to be an enlarged copy of the east
window of the neighbouring Haltham Church. It has five lights, with
flamboyant tracery above, and is filled with rich coloured glass, by
Heaton, Butler & Bayne; the subjects being, on the north side, above "The
Annunciation," below "The Nativity;" 2nd light, above "The Adoration,"
below "The Flight into Egypt;" central light, above "The Crucifixion,"
below "The Entombment;" next light, on south, above "Women at the
Sepulchre;" below "Feed my Lambs;" southernmost light, above "The
Ascension," below "Pentecost." In the upper tracery are "Censing Angels"
and "Instruments of the Passion." This window cost about 280 pounds and
is dedicated to the memory of the late Vicar, Prebendary W. H. Milner,
who was largely instrumental in the restoration of the church, in 1861,
and died Oct. 3, 1868. In that restoration the architect was the late
Mr. Ewan Christian, and the contractors for the work Messrs. Lea & Ashton
of Retford. The cost of the restoration of the chancel was defrayed by
J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., as Lord of the Manor and Lay Rector, the rest
being done by subscriptions amounting to about 4,000 pounds.
The present organ was originally designed by Mr. John Tunstall, and built
by Messrs. Gray & Davidson, of London, at a cost of about 400 pounds. As
re-constructed by Mr. Nicholson, of Lincoln, it contains 3 manuals, a
fine pedal organ with 45 stops, and more than 2,500 pipes. It cost more
than 2,000 pounds, 1,350 pounds of which was contributed by the late
Henry James Fielding, Esq., of Handel House, Horncastle. At a later date
a trumpet was added, costing 120 pounds, the result being probably as
fine an instrument as any in the county. For many years the organist was
Mr. William Wakelin, whose musical talent was universally acknowledged;
on his unfortunate sudden death, on March 1st, 1908, he was succeeded by
Mr. Hughes, recently Assistant Organist of Ely Cathedral.
Beneath the east window is a handsome carved Reredos of Caen stone,
somewhat heavy in style, having five panels, two on each side containing
figures of the four evangelists, the central subject being "The Agony in
the Garden." In this the figure of the Saviour is exquisitely designed;
below are the three sleeping disciples, while above are two ministering
angels, one holding a crown of thorns, the other the "cup of bitterness."
The panels have richly crocketed canopies, the central one being
surmounted by a floriated cross. They are filled with diaper work, and
the supporting pilasters are of various-coloured Irish marbles. The
whole was designed by C. E. Giles, Esq., cousin of the late Vicar,
Prebendary Robert Giles.
In the jamb, south of the Communion Table, is a Piscina; in the north
wall a square aumbrey and a curious iron-barred opening, which was
probably a Hagioscope for the Chantry behind. The present Vestry in the
north-east corner is modern, built on the site where there was formerly a
coalhouse, and, at a later date, a shed for the town fire-engine.
The Chancel has an arcade of three bays on the south side, filled with
good 14th century carved oak screen work, separating it from the
south-side chapel, said to have been anciently called "The Corpus Christi
Chapel," and has two bays on the north, the easternmost being occupied by
the organ, separating it from St. Catherine's Chantry; {36} the other
having similar screen work. In the south wall of the chancel are a
Priest's door and three four-light Perpendicular windows, with a fourth
in the east wall. Gervase Holles states that he saw in this south-east
window figures of St. Ninian, with lock and chain, and of Saints
Crispinus and Crispinianus with their shoe-making tools. {37a} It is
probable, therefore, that the old glass of the window was supplied by a
shoemaker's guild. The window is now filled with good coloured glass by
Heaton, Butler & Bayne, dedicated to the memory of the late Vicar, Rev.
Arthur Scrivenor, who died 27 August, 1882, aged 51 years. It is of
peculiar design, the subjects being chosen to represent his life of
self-denying labour. There are four lights with eight subjects taken
from St. Matthew's Gospel, arranged in two tiers, as follows--(1) "Come
ye blessed of my Father;" (2) "I was an hungred and ye gave me meat;" (3)
"I was thirsty and ye gave me drink;" (4) "I was a stranger, and ye took
me in;" (5) "Naked, and ye clothed me;" (6) "I was sick, and ye visited
me;" (7) "I was in prison, and ye came unto me;" (8) "These shall go into
life eternal." There are eight compartments in the upper tracery,
containing the emblems of the four evangelists, and two angels, and the
Alpha and Omega.
In the north chancel wall are a Priest's door, two five-light windows,
and one of three lights, with, at the east end, a two-light window, all
modern. Here, externally, the parapet of St. Catherine's Chantry is
embattled and enriched with panel work, and rises above the level of the
rest of the wall. The clerestory of the chancel has six three-light
windows on the south side, and five on the north. The easternmost on the
north was inserted and made larger than the others in 1861, and, at a
later date, was filled with good coloured glass by Heaton, Butler &
Bayne, as a public memorial "To the glory of God, and in memory of
Barnard James Boulton, M.D., who died March 15 1875." He was an active
member of the restoration committee in 1861. The subjects are, in the
western light, "The cleansing of the leper" in the centre, "Letting down
the paralytic through the roof," in the eastern light, "The healing of
blind Bartimaeus."
In the nave the second window from the west end of the south clerestory
is a memorial of the late Mr. W Rayson, builder, filled with good
coloured glass. In the south aisle of the nave, the easternmost window
is a good specimen of coloured glass by Heaton, Butler & Bayne, erected
by public subscription in January, 1901, "To the glory of God, and in
grateful commemoration of the 18 years' ministry of Canon E. F.
Quarrington," who resigned the Vicarage in 1900. The cost of this window
was about 80 pounds , the subject is "The Sermon on the Mount." The
Saviour is represented as addressing the people, grouped around Him, of
all classes, soldiers, Pharisees, disciples, travellers, young men,
women, and children, with the city in the background. In the tracery
above are angels, with rich ruby wings, in attitudes of adoration.
The window next to this is filled with coloured glass, by Clayton & Bell,
to the memory of Mrs. Salome Fox. In the upper tracery are the Alpha and
Omega, with the date of erection "Anno Dm'ni MDCCCXCVII." In the central
light below is the risen Saviour, seated on a throne, holding the emblem
of sovereignty, with the inscription over His shoulders "Because I live
ye shall live also." In each side light are three angels in adoration.
An inscription runs across the three lights, "I am he that liveth and was
dead, and, behold, I am alive for evermore." Beneath are three square
compartments, representing (1) three women, (2) three soldiers, (3) the
apostles SS. John and Peter at the sepulchre, with the inscription "Who
shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre?" and again,
below all, "To the glory of God, and in loving memory of Salome Fox, who
died June 26, 1883, aged 65." This cost about 85 pounds.
The window at the west end of this aisle, by Heaton, Butler & Bayne, was
filled with coloured glass, by the late Mr. Henry Boulton, in memory of
his first wife, being partly paid for by a surplus of 40 pounds remaining
from what was collected for the chancel east window, and the rest (about
40 pounds more) by Mr. Boulton himself. The subject is the Saviour's
baptism in the Jordan.
In the north aisle of the nave, the easternmost window was erected in
1902, at a cost of 98 pounds, from a bequest of the late Mr. Charles Dee,
as a memorial of his friend the late Mr. Robert Clitherow. The subject
is "The good Samaritan," who, in the central light, is relieving the
wounded wayfarer; while, in the side lights, the Priest and Levite are
represented as passing him by. In the two upper quatrefoils are angels
holding scrolls, with the inscriptions (1) "Let your light so shine
before men," (2) "That they may see your good works." An inscription
runs across the three lights, "Blessed is he that provideth for the sick
and needy, the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble;" and, below
all, "To the glory of God, and in memory of Robert Clitherow, a truly
Christian gentleman, by his faithful servant." {38} The artists were
Messrs. Clayton & Bell.
The next window to this, also by Messrs. Clayton & Bell, is considered
the best specimen of coloured glass in the church. It was erected by
public subscription, largely through the exertions of the late Mrs.
Terrot, then of Wispington Vicarage, near Horncastle, her husband, the
Rev. Charles Pratt Terrot, a clever artist and learned antiquary,
supplying the design. It is inscribed "To the glory of God, and in
memory of Frederick Harwood, formerly churchwarden, who died March 12,
1874, aged 51 years." Mr. Harwood was an indefatigable church worker,
and died suddenly, after attending a Lent service, when he occupied his
usual seat, near this window. It is of three lights, the subjects being
six, (1) the centre light illustrates "Charity;" a female figure above,
holding one child in her arms and leading others; while below is "Joseph
in Egypt, receiving his father, Jacob." (2) The west light illustrates
"Faith," a female above, holding a cross and bible, and below "Abraham
offering his son Isaac." (3) The east light illustrates "Hope," a female
above, leaning upon an anchor, and below "Daniel in the den of lions."
The grouping of the subjects and arrangement of the canopies are
admirable.
The west window in the same aisle contains a handsome memorial, by
Preedy, of the late Vicar, Prebendary Robert Giles. It is of three
lights, the subjects being from St. Peter's life: (1) the south light
shewing "The net cast into the sea," "Depart from me, &c."; (2) the
central light, Peter's commendation by the Saviour, "Thou art Peter,
&c."; and (3) the north light, Peter's release from prison, "Arise up
quickly, &c." The tabernacle and canopy work are good. The cost of this
was about 140 pounds. Mr. Giles succeeded Prebendary Milner, as Vicar,
and died 12 July, 1872.
The two lancet windows in the lower part of the west wall of the tower,
which were enlarged at the restoration, are filled with good coloured
glass. They bear no inscriptions but are memorials of deceased younger
members of the families of the late Dr. B. J. Boulton, and of the late
Mr. Richard Nicholson. The southern one represents "The Good Shepherd,"
carrying a lamb in his arms; the northern, "Suffer the little children to
come unto me," shewing the Saviour receiving little children into his
arms. Within the tower is also placed a List of Benefactors of the town;
also a frame containing the Decalogue, supported by two painted figures,
life-size, representing Aaron with his censer, and Moses with his rod; on
one side of this is the Lord's Prayer, on the other the Apostles' Creed.
{39a}
The roof of the nave, for some years hidden by a flat whitewashed
ceiling, is of Spanish chestnut, with finely carved figures of angels,
which support the intermediate principals. In front of the tower arch
stands the Font, of caen stone, on octagonal base; the bowl has 8
elaborately carved panels, in three of which are engraved, on scrolls,
the words "One Lord," "One Faith," "One Baptism." {39b} The Pulpit, at
the north-east corner of the nave, is also of Caen stone, in similar
style, with four decorated panels, having, beneath the cornice, the
inscription "He that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully;" the
book-rest is supported by the figure of an angel, with outspread wings.
The Reading Desk, on the opposite side, consists of open tracery work,
carved in modern oak. The Lectern, an eagle of brass, was presented, in
1901, by the Misses Walter, in memory of their father, Mr. Joseph Walter,
for many years church warden. {39c} The seats in the chancel have
handsomely carved poppy heads, and are placed east and west, instead of,
as formerly, north and south, facing west.
On the south side of the chancel arch, in the west face of the wall, is a
small stone, bearing the names of "Thomas Gibson, Vicar. John Hamerton
and John Goake, Churchwardens, 1675." On the south wall of the chancel
south chapel is also an illuminated sheet of iron bearing the following
inscription to the same Vicar:--"Sacred to the memory of the Rev. Mr.
Thos. Gibson, A.M., 44 years Vicar of this parish. He lived in such
times when Truth to the Church, and Loyalty to the King met with
punishment due to the worst of crimes. He was by the rebellious powers
carried away prisoner four times from the garrison of Newark for a
dissenting teacher, afterwards sequestrated, and his family driven out,
by the 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 22, 1678." {40a} Above this is a shield, containing three
storks, proper, on an argent field; and with a stork, as crest.
On the north clerestory wall of the nave are tablets in memory of Jane,
wife of Thomas Taylor, to the east; in the centre to Thomas Taylor,
Surgeon, and Margaret his wife, to Mary Anne, wife of Thomas Hardy
Taylor; and to the west of these, to Anne, wife of Erasmus Middleton, to
Erasmus Middleton, and to their daughter, Grace, wife of James Weir, and
to James Weir, who died Dec. 15, 1822. On the south clerestory wall,
westward, is a tablet to the memory of Thomas Bryan, Hannah his wife, and
their son Edward, all interred at Scrivelsby; another, to the east, is in
memory of Edward Harrison, M.D., his wife, and his brother, erected by
his nephew.
In the north aisle of the chancel is a modern, canvas, lozenge-shaped,
framed copy of an older memorial, formerly painted on the south wall, on
which are depicted the arms of Sir Ingram Hopton, with this
inscription:--"Here lieth the worthy and memorable Knight, Sir Ingram
Hopton, who paid his debt to nature, and duty to his King and country, in
the attempt of seizing the arch rebel (Cromwell) in the bloody skirmish
near Winceby, Oct. 6, 1643." {40b} The motto is Horatian (the first
lines from Odes iii., xiv., 14-16; the other two from Odes iv., ix.,
29-30).
Nec tumultum,
Nec mori per vim, metuit, tenente
Caesare terras.
Paulum sepultae distat inertiae,
Celata virtus.
Close to this, and above the arch leading into the nave, are a number of
scythes, some with straight wooden handles, attached to the wall, which
are said to have been used at the Winceby fight. {41a}
On the wall of the north aisle, nearest the archway into the chancel, on
a small slab of Purbeck marble, is a brass of Sir Lionel Dymoke, kneeling
on a cushion; on either side were formerly small shields displaying the
arms of Dymoke, Waterton, Marmyon, Hebden and Haydon; {41b} and on small
brasses were the figures of two sons and three daughters. Parts of these
are now lost. The figure of Sir Lionel is in the attitude of prayer,
from his left elbow issues a scroll with the inscription "S'cta Trinitas,
unus Deus, miserere nob." Beneath is another inscription, "In Honore
s'cte et individue trinitatis. Orate pro a'i'a Leonis Dymoke, milit' q'
obijt xvij die me'se Augusti, Ao D'ni Mo cccccxix. Cuj' a'i'e p' piciet,
de.' Amen." Below this monument, in the pavement, is a brass, now
mutilated, of the same Sir Lionel Dymoke, wrapped in a shroud, with two
scrolls issuing from the head, the lettering of which is now effaced.
Beneath is an inscription also now obliterated, but which Mr. Weir gives
as follows:--
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 sit venie spes.
The actual suit of armour worn by this Sir Lionel Dymoke was formerly in
the church, since in the evidence taken after the "Lincolnshire Rising,"
in 1536, it was shewn that "one Philip Trotter, of Horncastle," took it
from the church, and himself wore it, while carrying the standard at the
head of the insurgents (State Papers Domestic, Henry VIII., vol. xi, No.
967) {42a}
[Picture: Brass of Sir Lionel Dymoke, in St. Mary's Church]
In the Harleian MS. in the British Museum, among his "Lincolnshire Church
Notes," Gervase Holles (circa 1640) mentions several other arms and
inscriptions, as then existing, which are now lost. {42b}
In the pavement of the former vestry, in the south chancel aisle, is a
slab with the inscription running round it, "Here lyethe the boyddes of
Thomas Raithbeck & Arne his wyf, ye founders of the Beid hous. Departed
thys world, in ye fayth of Christ, ye last day of October, in ye yere of
our Lord, MDLXXV." In the pavement at the east end of the south aisle of
nave is a slab bearing the names of William Hamerton and his wife
Elizabeth, and westward of this another slab, in memory of "Sarah
Sellwood, wife of Henry Sellwood, Esq., {42c} who died Sep 30, 1816, aged
28 years." The late Poet Laureate, Alfred, afterwards Lord Tennyson,
married Mr. Sellwood's daughter Emily Sarah, the marriage being
solemnised at Shiplake after the family had left Horncastle. The
Laureate's elder brother, Charles Tennyson, married another daughter,
Louisa, afterwards taking the additional name of Turner. He held the
vicarage of Grasby near Caistor.
Other monuments are, on the wall of the south aisle, a tablet inscribed
"To the memory of Elizabeth Kelham, only surviving child of Richard
Kelham, Rector of Coningsby. She was pious, virtuous, and charitable,
and died 26 Feb., 1780, aged 58. Reader, imitate her example. Erected
by Robert Kelham, her nephew, as a grateful acknowledgment of her regard
towards him." On the north wall of the chancel is a marble tablet in
memory of "George Heald, Armiger, e Consultis Domini Regis, in Curia
Cancellaria. Obiit 18 May, 1834." Inscriptions below are to his wife
and daughter. Another tablet, of black marble, records the death of
Elizabeth, first wife of the Rev. John Fretwell, Curate, Dec. 4, 1784,
and of his son, Matthew Harold, Sept. 11, 1786. {44a} Another tablet is
in memory of "Clement Madeley, DD., 42 years Vicar, who died Good-Friday,
1845, aged 73;" also of his wife Martha, who died 1807, and of his son
Houghton, who died 1838, erected by his daughter, M. A. Dymoke, {44b}
wife of Rev. John Dymoke, Champion.
In a glass covered case in the north aisle of the chancel are three
volumes of Foxe's _Book of Martyrs_, 1632 edition, these were formerly
chained to a desk, and parts of the chains remain. They were given by
Nicolas Shipley, gentleman, in 1696, who also presented a brass
chandelier of 24 sockets; he was among the benefactors to the poor of the
town. The present glass case and desk on which the case rests, were
given by the late Vicar, the Rev. A. Scrivenor. Along with these vols.
are "The History of the Old and New Testaments, gathered out of sacred
scripture and writings of the fathers, a translation from the work of the
Sieur de Royaumont, by several hands. London, printed for R. Blome, I.
Sprint, John Nicholson and John Pero, 1701." There are some good old
engravings of "The Work of Creation," "The Temptation and Fall of Man,"
"The Expulsion from Paradise," "The Murder of Abel," "Ishmael Banished,"
&c. The first of these is dedicated to "Her sacred Majesty, Mary, by the
grace of God, Queen of England, Scotland, France, Ireland, &c., by Her
Majesty's most obedient servant Richard Blome." The next is dedicated to
"Her sacred Majesty Katherine, Queen Dowager of England," by the same;
another is dedicated to "Her Royal Highness Ann, Princess of Denmark;"
and other plates are dedicated to various Lincolnshire worthies, some of
these are rather damaged, and the fine old bible is imperfect.
Various old documents may here be quoted, which give items of interest
connected with this church. In _Lincolnshire Wills_, 1st series, edited
by Canon A. R. Maddison, F.S.A., 1888, is that of James Burton of
Horncastle, of date 9 June, 1536, which mentions the lights burnt in the
church at that time before different shrines; these were in all 23, of
which 7 were in honour of the blessed virgin, one was called "The light
of our Lady of Grace," another "Our Lady's light at the font." Mention
is also made of a "St. Trunyan's light;" this last saint is connected
with a well at Barton-on-Humber, but nothing further is known of him
under that name. It has been suggested that it is a corruption of St.
Ninian (_Lincs. Notes & Queries_, vol. i, 149), and in connection with
this it is interesting to refer to the fact that Gervase Holles, whose
description of Horncastle windows we have already quoted, states that
there was a window to St. Ninian placed in the chancel south aisle, by
the Guild of Shoemakers. Here, then, it is possible, the "St. Trunion's"
or St. Ninian's "light" may have been burned, as the emblem of some
whilom Horncastrian's faith.
A Chancery Inquisition post mortem, 19 Richard II., No. 83 (11 Dec.,
1395), shows that Albinus de Enderby and others assigned a messuage, with
appurtenances, in Horncastle, to pay a chaplain to say daily masses in
the church of the blessed Mary, for the soul of Simon de Dowode, and
other faithful deceased. Wood Enderby was at that time a chapelry
attached to Horncastle Church.
The right of sanctuary, enjoyed by felons, who sought refuge in a church,
was a very ancient institution, dating from Saxon times, and only
abolished by James I., in 1621, because the great number of churches in
the country rendered it so easy a matter for highwaymen, then very
numerous, to avail themselves of the privilege, that justice was too
often defeated and crime encouraged. According to custom, if the
offender made confession before a coroner, within 40 days, and took the
prescribed oath at the church door, that he would quit the realm, his
life was spared. A Close Roll, 13 Henry III., Aug. 22, 1229, states that
the King, at Windsor, commands the Sheriff of Lincolnshire (Radulphus
filius Reginaldi) to send two coroners to see that a robber who keeps
himself in the church at Horncastle abjures the kingdom, (_Lincs. Notes &
Queries_, vol. i, p. 49). It is a somewhat curious coincidence, that a
similar document, of date 16 Henry III., Aug. 22, 1232, only three years
later, records a similar incident; and the malefactor is ordered to "make
the assize, and abjuration of the kingdom, according to the custom of the
land and according to the liberties granted to Walter, Bishop of
Carlisle," (_Lincs. Notes & Queries_, vol. iv, p. 58). We have the
explanation of this later instruction in a Memoranda Roll of 4 Ed. III.,
1330, which states that Henry III. granted, by charter dated 16th July,
in the 15th year of his reign, to Walter, Bishop of Carlisle, and his
successors, that they should claim "all chattels of felons and fugitives
within their manors," the crown giving up all claim to the same in their
favour; and the case is added of Robert Mawe, a fugitive, whose chattels
were demanded by the Bishop, and 34 pounds exacted on that account "from
the township of Horncastre."
It is remarkable that the two cases, above quoted, should have occurred
at the same date, August 22. An explanation of this has been suggested
in the fact that an old calendar shows that August 22 was a day sacred to
St. Zaccheus; and as that saint set the example of restoring four-fold
what he had unlawfully taken, that day may have been selected for the
robber to surrender his chattels in reparation of his offence. A not
improbable explanation, however, may be found in the fact that the great
August fair, established by Royal Charter, closed on August 21st, and
unruly characters were often left, as dregs of such gatherings in the
place, murders even being not uncommon. By charter of the same king the
Bishop of Carlisle had power to try felons at Horncastle, and a spot on
the eastern boundary of the parish is still known as "Hangman's Corner,"
where those who were capitally convicted in his court were executed.
We give elsewhere a list of the Incumbents of St. Mary's, but we may here
refer to probably the most distinguished of them all. A Patent Roll, of
date 11 June, 1344 (18 Edward III.), states that Thomas, Bishop of
Lincoln (N.B. This was Thomas Bec, consecrated July 7, 1342, died Feb.
1, 1346, buried in the north transept of the Cathedral), "by command of
the Most Holy Father, Pope Clement VI., reduces the taxation of the
church at Horncastle, with the chapels of Askeby (West Ashby), Upper
Tynton (High Toynton), Maring (Mareham-on-the-Hill), and Wod Enderby, to
the same church annexed, to the sum of 50 marks (33 pounds 6s. 8d.),
which were previously taxed at the immoderate sum of 77 pounds sterling."
This is stated to be done "of the sincere love with which we value our
very dear clerk, Master Simon de Islep, parson of the church aforesaid."
This is also confirmed to "his successors, parsons or rectors, of the
said church. Witness the King, at Westminster." The merits of this
worthy, so valued by the Holy Father, not long afterwards received
further recognition, since in 1350, only 6 years later, he was promoted
to the highest dignity in the land, next to the sovereign himself, as
Archbishop of Canterbury. {46} An earlier Rector, John de Langton, had
been made Bishop of Chichester, A.D. 1305. These are the only incumbents
of Horncastle who have attained the Episcopal Bench, (_Horncastle
Register Book_, edited by Canon J. Clare Hudson, 1892).
The promotion of the Rector, Simon de Islep, led to more than one
lawsuit. The Bishop of Carlisle, being at that time heavily in debt, as
Lord of the manor, to which, as has already been stated, the advowson of
the church of St. Mary was attached, had in January, 1347-8 granted the
manor to Hugh de Bole, and others, on their annual payment of 129 pounds
19s. 2.5d, for three years. On the vacancy thus occurring the Bishop was
summoned to appear at Westminster, before Justice John de Stonor, and
others, to answer to William Widuking, of Saundeby, executor of the will
of the said Hugh de Bole, who claimed, as tenant of the manor, the right
to nominate to the vacant benefice. The Bishop resisted this claim, and
the case was argued before the King's Bench, in Hilary term, 1350, when
the Bishop was defeated, the claim of William Widuking being allowed.
(County Placita, Lincoln, No. 46. Pleas at Westminster, 24 Ed. III.,
roll 104.)
Seventeen years later, on the death of John de Kirkby, Bishop of
Carlisle, who had presented Simon de Islep to Horncastle, the
temporalities of the bishopric for the time lapsed to the King; and
Thomas de Appleby, the succeeding Bishop, with John de Rouceby, clerk
(who afterwards became Rector of Horncastle), were summoned to answer to
the King, that the King be allowed, through the said lapse, to appoint to
the vacant Benefice of St. Mary. The Bishop and John de Rouceby brought
the case before the court, but they admitted the justice of the King's
plea, and judgment was given for the King. (De Banco Roll, 41 Ed. III.,
in. 621.) Apparently, as a compromise, the King appointed John de
Rouceby. This John de Rouceby, while Rector of Horncastle, was murdered
on the high road to Lincoln in 1388, (_Horncastle Register Book_, p. 2).
We may here observe, that in the above documents, the Incumbent of St.
Mary's Church is styled "Parson" or "Rector," not, as he is at the
present day, "Vicar." On this change of status we are able to give the
following particulars. Among the Bishop "Nicholson MSS.," which are in
the custody of the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle, and consist of extracts
from the old "Bishops' Registers," it is stated (vol. iv, p. 349) that
Bishop Stern of Carlisle, under agreement with the Bishop of Lincoln (Dr.
Robert Sanderson) in 1660, appropriated the Rectorial appurtenances of
the Benefice of St. Mary to the See of Carlisle. This, however, would
seem to be only a confirmation, or renewal, of what had been done long
before, since as far back as 1313, the Bishop of Carlisle petitioned the
Pope, to allow the church revenues of St. Mary, Horncastle, to be
appropriated to that See, which had been "wasted by war and other
calamities;" the Rector of the day only stipulating for a _pensio
congrua_ being reserved to him for his lifetime. (Carlisle Episcopal
Registers, xix, p. 181 b). This was repeated about 1334 (_Ibid._, p.
187, a. Quoted _Horncastle Register Book_, p. 2). The title Rector
accordingly disappears and from about 1400 only that of Vicar is used,
the Bishops of Carlisle themselves having become the "Rectors." Early in
the 19th century (21 March, 1803) the Bishop of Carlisle leased the
manor, with appurtenances, to Sir Joseph Banks, and his representatives
are now Lay Rectors.
The appointment of one of the early Rectors is a sample of the abuses
connected with Papal supremacy in those times. Peter de Galicia was
nominated Rector in May, 1313, he was a foreigner and probably drew his
income without ever residing at Horncastle. Having influence at the
Papal Curia, he negociated for the Bishop of Carlisle the transfer of the
Rectorial appurtenances of Horncastle to that See; only, as has been
stated, taking care that he had his own _pensio congrua_. Becoming
dissatisfied with the benefice he ultimately exchanged it for the Rectory
of Caldbeck in the diocese of Carlisle. These proceedings are given at
length in Bishop de Kirkby's Register; his Italian name was Piero de
Galiciano. He was succeeded in 1334 by Robert de Bramley, Rector of
Caldbeck. (Carlisle Episcopal Registers, quoted _Lincs. Notes &
Queries_, vol. v, pp. 244-5).
Horncastle was one of the centres of disturbance at the time of the
"Lincolnshire Rising" (already referred to) or "Pilgrimage of Grace," in
1536, and St. Mary's Church was the main cause of the local agitation.
William Leche, brother of the parson of Belchford, was a ringleader in
the town. The plundering of churches, by the King's "visitors," for the
"valor ecclesiasticus," on the plea of regulating ceremonial, but more
really with a view to replenishing the royal coffers, was the great
grievance with the people. Much evidence on the subject is found among
State Papers Domestic, vol. xi, 28 Henry VIII. One witness, Edward
Richardson of Thimbleby, states that William Leche, on Tuesday, 2nd Oct.,
"stirred the people to rise to save the church jewels from the Bishop's
officers," who were acting by the King's orders, the Bishop being the
King's confessor. Robert Sotheby of Horncastle, being sworn before Sir
Anthony Wyngffeld and Sir Arthur Hopton, says that "David Benet, a wever,
rang the comon bell," to rouse the people. The said Robert stated that
he and William Bywater, being churchwardens, were going to see the work
of the plumbers, and in the meantime the said Davy rang the common bell;
and that "William Leche was the first begynner and sterer of the whole
rysinge there." The mob marched about with a standard, carried by Philip
Trotter, clad in the armour of Lionel Dymoke, which he had taken from the
church of St. Mary. The devices on the standard were "a plough," to
encourage the husbandmen; the "challice and Host," because the church
plate and jewellery were to have been taken away; the "wands" were to
encourage the people "to fight in Cristis cause;" the "horn" betokening
Horncastle.
About 100 persons marched to Scrivelsby, and threatened to drag out
Edward Dymoke, the sheriff, and other gentlemen. The sheriff, Thomas
Dymoke, Robert Dighton, and one Saundon, afterwards went into the field,
and conversed with Leche, who said the Rising was because the Visitors
would take the church goods. The mob took the old gentleman, Sir William
Saundon, and "harried him forth by the arms towards Horncastell, till
from hete and weryness he was almost overcum." A horse was brought for
him by one Salman of Baumbrough, but one of the rebels strake the horse
on the head, so that both horse and rider fell to the ground, and they
then said he must "go afote as they did." He was afterwards confined in
the "Moot Hall," at Horncastle, and "they sware him, whether he woll, or
no." Many witnesses testified to the activity of Leche, in going to
private houses and inducing the men to join, and that the gentlemen only
joined from fear of violence. Richard Mekylwhite of Horncastle was
accused by Thomas Lytellbury, that he was "a great procurer" (of men),
and was "one of the causers of George Wolsey's death," (a servant of the
late Cardinal Wolsey).
William Leche, with a great company, went to Bolingbroke, to take the
Bishop's Chancellor, Dr. John Rayne, who was lying there, sick; he was
brought on horseback to Horncastle amid cries of "kill him! kill him!"
He begged Philip Trotter to save him, who said he would do what he could;
the Chancellor gave him xxs., but he in effect did the reverse of helping
him. On reaching the outskirts of the town, "many parsons and vicars
among" the rebels cried "kill him!" whereat William Hutchinson and
William Balderstone, of Horncastle, "pulled him viantly of his horse,
kneling upon him, and with their staves slew him." The Vicar of Thornton
gave xvs. to the rebels. The Vicar of Horncastle, at that time John
Haveringham, seems to have avoided being mixed up with this movement, as
many of his brethren were. The whole affair barely lasted a week, and it
does not appear that the church plate suffered. The King issued a
proclamation from Richmond, 2 December following, that he pardoned all
except the wretches in ward at Lincoln, T. Kendal the Vicar of Louth, and
William Leche of Horncastle.
For a final notice of old records connected with the church, we may
mention a matter of less importance, but one which we can hardly realise,
in these days of religious liberty, when everyone is "a law unto himself"
in matters of faith, and even largely in practice. The parish book of
the adjoining Thimbleby, which is in the soke of Horncastle, shews that,
as late as the year 1820, the parish officials ordered all paupers, in
receipt of parish relief, to attend the church services, on pain of
forfeiting the aid granted; and cases are named where the payment was
stopped until the offender had given satisfaction. The State Papers
Domestic of 1634 show that, at Horncastle, there was a like strictness.
Luke Burton of this town was fined 1s. for being "absent from divine
service," and again a like sum as "absent from prayers." Even "a
stranger, a tobacco man," was fined 1s. for the same offence; and 3s. 4d.
for "tippling in time of divine service." John Berry, butcher, was fined
1s. "for swearing." Simon Lawrence, for selling ale contrary to law, was
fined 20s.; the same "for permitting tippling, 20s.;" while for "selling
ale without a licence," William Grantham and Margaret Wells were
"punished upon their bodies." (State Papers Domestic, vol. 272, No. 23,
Chas. I.)
[Picture: Ancient Scythes in St. Mary's Church]
RECTORS AND VICARS.
We here give a list of these as compiled by Canon J. Clare Hudson, in his
1st volume of the _Horncastle Parish Register Book_, 1892.
A.D. RECTORS.
1236-7 Geoffrey de Leueknor by the Bishop of Carlisle
(admitted on condition it be found the same church with
the churches of [Wood] Enderby, and [High] Toynton and
another, which Osbert the last rector held, be one
benefice).
1239-40 (Delegates of the Pope in a dispute between G. parson
of the church of Horncastre and Francis, parson of the
church of [West] Askeby, concerning the church of
Askeby, decide that G[eoffrey] and his successors, are
to hold the church of Askeby, and pay to Francis
annually for life 27 marks sterling, and the bishop
confirms this ordinance)
1246 Adam de Kirkby.
12-- Ralph Tulgol.
1275 Hugh de Penna (otherwise Hugh de la Penne, Assize Roll,
4 Ed. I. _Lincs._ _Notes & Queries_, iv, p. 220).
1295 John de Langton.
1305 Gilbert de Haloughton.
1313 Peter de Galicia.
VICARS.
1334 Robert de Bramley.
13-- William de Hugate.
1349 Simon de Islep, _resigned_ in 1349, on becoming
Archbishop of Canterbury.
1357 William de Hugate, presented by Gilbert, Bishop of
Carlisle, on exchange.
1369 John de Rouceby.
1388 William Stryckland.
1401 Thomas Carleton, Chaplain.
1445 Robert Somercotes.
14-- John Eston.
1492 John Ffalconer.
1517 Richard Denham.
1524 Barnard Towneley.
1531 Robert Jamys, Chaplain.
1535 John Havringham.
15-- Arthur Layton.
1538 Peter Wallensis.
1557 Henry Henshoo, or Henshaw.
1560 Clement Monke. {50}
1584 Francis Purefey.
1587 Richard Foster.
1593 John Jackson.
1595 Robert Hollinhedge.
1634 Thomas Gibson.
1678 John Tomlinson.
1678-9 Thomas Loddington.
1724 James Fowler.
1779 Joseph Robertson.
1802 Clement Madely.
1845 Thos. James Clarke.
1853 Wm. Holme Milner.
1868 Robert Giles.
1872 Arthur Scrivenor.
1882 Edwin Fowler Quarrington.
1900 Alfred Edgar Moore.
For some of the earlier details I am indebted to the Rev. W. O.
Massingberd.
The Parish Registers of Horncastle are of some interest. They date from
1559, the year following the "Injunction" issued by Queen Elizabeth (the
3rd of its kind) ordering the regular keeping of such records; similar,
earlier, though less stringent, orders having been made in 1538, 1547 and
1552. Besides the records of baptisms, marriages and burials, there are
occasional notes on peculiar passing events, which we may here notice.
One of these occurs in 1627, "Upon Monday, beinge the xxviijth day of
January was a great Tempest of Winde, the like hath not often been in any
age; like wise upon Friday the 4th of November 1636 in the night time
there happened a more fearful (wind than) before.
Mr. Weir, in his _History of Horncastle_, quotes a note (folio 42 b of
the Register): "On the vth daie of October one thousand six hundred and
three, in the ffirst yere of oure Sov'aigne Lord King James was holden in
Horncastell Church a solemnn fast from eight in the morning until fower a
clock in the after noone by five preachers, vidz. Mr. Hollinghedge, Vicar
of Horncastell, Mr. Turner of Edlington, Mr. Downes of Lusbye, Mr.
Philipe of Solmonbye, Mr. Tanzey of Hagworthingha', occasioned by a
generall and most feareful plague yt yere in sundrie places of this land,
but especially upon the Cytie of London. p'r me Clementem Whitelock."
(Parish Clerk.)
We may observe that at this time there perished in London more than
30,000 persons; but the great plague, or "black death," occurred 61 years
later (1664-5), which carried off from 70,000 to 100,000 persons.
Between these periods, and previously, various parishes in our
neighbourhood suffered from this visitation; for instance at Roughton,
which is in the soke of Horncastle, there were 43 burials, including
those of the Rector and two daughters, in the year 1631-2; while in the
adjoining parish of Haltham (also in the soke) although there was no
increase of mortality at that date, there had been 51 deaths in the year
1584; there being a note in the register for that year, "This yeare
plague in Haltham." The turn, however, for Horncastle came in the year
1631, when the register shows that between May 3 and Sep. 29, there were
no less than 176 deaths; in one case 7 in a family (Cocking), 5 in a
family (Halliday), in other cases 4 (Joanes), and again (Hutchinson) 4,
(Fawcitts) 4, (Cheesbrooke) 4, &c. In August alone there were 86 deaths,
and not a single marriage through all these months, whereas the following
year there were only 25 deaths in the whole twelve months. Truly
Horncastrians were, at that dread time, living with the sword of Damocles
hanging over them. A note in the margin in this year is as follows,
"Oct. 5th, buryalls since July 23, 144; burialls since Easter 182."
We have already given the history of the Vicar, Rev. Thos. Gibson, he is
referred to in the two following notes in the Register. At the end of
folio 81a (1635) we find, after the signature of himself and
churchwardens, "Thomas Gibson, Clerk, Master of the free school of
Newcastel uppon Tine, one of the Chapleins of the Right Reverend Father
in God Barnabas, by Divine P'vidence Lo. Bpp. Carliel, presented by the
said Lo. Bpp., was inducted into this Vicarage of Horncastel April xiiij,
1634." At the end of folio 85a (1639) after similar signatures is this:
"The sd Mr. Thomas Gibson, being outed of Horncastle by Cromwell's
Commissioners, removed to Nether Toynton, lived there one yeare, after
restored againe, taught some Gentlemen sonnes in his owne house, was
afterward called to ye scole at Newark, where he continued one yeare,
then was importuned to Sleeford, whether he went ye week after Easter
1650, continued there until May ye first 1661; then, the King being
returned, he returned to his Vicaridge, and was by Doctor Robert
Sanderson, Bishop of Linkcoln made Preban of Saint Mairie Crakepoule in
the Church of Linkcoln."
It may be observed that the spelling in those times, the entries
doubtless being often made by the parish clerk, was rather phonetic than
orthographic. Many names occur which still survive, but here spelt
variously, for instance Fawssett has been a name well known in Horncastle
in modern times in a good position, in town and county, here we find it
in generation after generation as Fawcet, Fawset, Faucitt, &c. The name
Raithbeck is of continual occurrence, it is now probably represented by
Raithby. Castledine occurs several times, being probably the phonetic
form of the modern Cheseltine. The present name Chantry appears as
Chauntry. Palfreyman, or Palfreman, occurs on several occasions, they
were of a respectable family in the county, William Palfreyman being
Mayor of Lincoln in 1534; Ralph Palfreyman, clerk, was presented to the
Benefice of Edlington, by his brother Anthony, merchant of the Staple,
Lincoln, in 1569.
In folio 69a (1628) is the entry "Tirwhitt Douglas, daughter unto Mr.
George Tirwhitt, christened Jan. 8." Her father George Tyrwhitt was a
scion of the old county family of the Tyrwhitts of Kettleby, Stainfield,
&c., by Faith, daughter of Nicholas Cressy of Fulsby, who married
Frances, daughter of Sir Henry Ayscough, of another very old county
family. She was named Douglas, though a female, after her kinswoman,
Douglas, daughter of William, first Lord Howard of Effingham. Her sister
married Sir Edward Dymoke of Scrivelsby. She herself is mentioned among
the benefactors to the poor of Horncastle, as leaving a charge of 10s. on
a farm at Belchford, as an annual payment, on her death in 1703.
Another name of frequent occurrence, though now extinct, is that of
Hamerton. John Hamerton (as already stated) is mentioned, with John
Goake, on a tablet inserted in the wall on the south side of the chancel
arch, as being churchwarden in the vicariate of Thomas Gibson, in 1675,
and throughout the early registers successive generations of this family
are recorded. They may have been humble scions of the Hamertons, of
Hamerton, Yorkshire, a branch of whom were among the landed gentry near
the Scottish border; but at Horncastle they were engaged in trade. John
Hamerton, christened Dec. 10, 1575, whose probable father, another John
Hamerton, was buried Sep. 3, 1584, married Feb. 2, 1613, Grace Broxholme,
whose father John Broxholme is described as "Gent" in 1611. Thomas
Hamerton in 1603 was a draper, another Thomas Hamerton in 1613 was a
"yoman," John in 1615 was a tanner, Thomas in 1606 and 1617 was a tanner,
Robert son of Thomas in 1619 was a tanner, William in 1620 was a glover.
In 1630, Thomas, buried Jan. 24, is designated "Mr." On June 16, 1633,
Katherine Hamerton is married "by Licence" to George Colimbell. A rise
in status is indicated by the two latter entries, and accordingly, in the
records of the neighbouring parish of Edlington we find "Geo. Hamerton,
gent., and Sarah Hussey married July 21, 1699;" the Husseys being
probably connected with the county family, the head of which was Lord
Hussey of Sleaford. The John Hamerton, churchwarden in 1675, was born
Jan. 22, 1636, son of John and Dorothy Hamerton. The marriage of the
parents is not given in the register, the father therefore probably
married an "outener," as they are provincially termed. The interesting
point however in connection with this family is, that although they have
long ago been extinct, they have left their mark behind them still
surviving in the town. Near the junction of East Street with South
Street there still exists at the back of the second shop, in the former
street (a repository for fancy needlework), a room lined with good oak
wainscoting, with finely carved mantelpiece, over which is an
inscription, richly carved in relief, with the letters "Ao Di" to the
left, and to the right the date "1573;" while above, in the centre, are
the initials "J H" and "M H;" separated by a floriated cross and
encircled by a wreath. This would doubtless be John Hamerton and his
wife Mary (or Margaret) Hamerton, the original builders of the house.
Two doors beyond is Hamerton Lane, and the title deeds, which the present
writer has inspected, show that the whole of this block of buildings now
forming five shops and two private residences, once formed one large
dwelling place, belonging to the Hamerton of that day, with a frontage in
East Street of more than 20 yards, and in South Street of 70 or 80 yards,
with extensive back premises and gardens attached. The J.H. and M.H., of
whom we have here such interesting relics, were probably the grandfather
and grandmother of the John Hamerton of the time of the Commonwealth and
Charles II., and the extent of the buildings occupied by them show that
they were wealthy.
Tanning was at one time the chief trade of the town, there being within
the writer's recollection several tan yards, now no longer existing. The
Bain water was said to be specially suited for this purpose. We have
seen that several of the Hamertons were tanners, and they had evidently
prospered in their calling.
One more name in the register deserves a brief notice, that of Snowden
(spelt there Snoden). We have, at various dates, from 22 Oct. 1629,
onwards, the baptisms of the whole family of Mr. Rutland Snowden, and the
burials of some of them. The Snowdens were originally a Notts. family,
of the smaller gentry class, but Robert Snowden, third son of Ralph
Snowden, of Mansfield Woodhouse, became Bishop of Carlisle, and, ex
officio, Lord of the Manor of Horncastle. The Bishops of Carlisle had,
as has been already stated, a residence in Horncastle, near the present
Manor House, and the Bishop's widow, Abigail, probably resided there. In
her will, dated 15 April, 1651, and proved 7 May in the same year, she
mentions her sons Rutland and Scrope; there was also another son Ralph.
Rutland married on Xmas day, 1628, Frances, widow of George Townshend,
Esq., of Halstead Hall, Stixwould, and Lord of the Manor of Cranworth,
Norfolk, by whom he had a large family. His granddaughter, Jane Snowden,
married Charles Dymoke, Esq., of Scrivelsby; she died childless and
founded and endowed the village school and almshouses at Hemingby.
Another granddaughter, Abigail, married Edward Dymoke, younger son of Sir
Edward Dymoke, of Scrivelsby, as shewn by the register there, on 18 July,
1654, and she thus became ancestress of the Tetford branch of the
Dymokes, now also of Scrivelsby.
Rutland Snowden, who graduated B.A. at Christ's College, Cambridge,
1617-8, took his M.A. degree at St. John's College, Oxford, 1623, and was
admitted a member of Gray's Inn in the same year. He was buried at
Horncastle, 1654 (_Lincs. Notes & Queries_, vol. iv, pp. 14-16). That
was a period of national disturbance, and the people of Horncastle, with
the Winceby fight of 1643, were more or less drawn into the vortex.
Abigail Snowden, widow of Bishop Robert of Carlisle seems to have been
brought into much trouble, owing to her son, Rutland, having espoused the
Royalist cause. Among Exchequer Bills and Answers (Chas. I., Lincoln,
No. 86) is a petition shewing that Francis, Bishop of Carlisle, leased to
Rutland Snowden and his assignees, for three lives, the manor, lands,
parsonage, and other premises at Horncastle, on payment of 120 pounds.
Subsequent proceedings would seem to imply that this lease was previously
granted to the said Abigail herself, as shewn by the following: "To the
Honourable the Commissioners for compounding with delinquents. The
Humble Petition of Abigail Snowden, widow, sheweth that Richard Milborne,
late Bishop of Carlisle, did, 22 Sep., 1623, for valuable consideracions,
demise the manor and soke of Horncastle (parcel of ye lands of ye
Bishopricke) unto your petitonr, during the lives of Rutland Snoden,
Scroope Snoden, and George Snoden, and for the life of the longest of
them; that the said demise being allowed good unto her by the trustees .
. . yet hath bene, and is, sequestrated, for the delinquensie of the said
Rutland Snoden . . . the petitioner prayeth . . . that your petitioner
may have releife . . . as to you shall seem meet. And yr petitioner will
praie, &c. Abigail Snoden, 24 Nov., 1650." A note adds that the matter
was "Referred to Mr. Brereton, to examine and report."
It was reported on by Peter Brereton, 31 Jan. following (Royalist
Composition Papers, 1st series, vol. 58, No. 515). As this is a fair
sample of the treatment by the Parliamentary officials of Royalist
"delinquents" and their friends, we here give further particulars.
A similar petition was presented by "John Bysse, gent." (given in
Royalist Composition Papers, 1st series, vol. 8, No. 167). Further,
Abigail Snowden bequeathed her interest in the above lease to Thos.
Toking, who was of Bucknall and of Ludgate Hill, London. Accordingly,
two years later, we have another attempt at recovery, as follows: "To the
Honourable Commissioners for compounding with Delinquents. The humble
petition of Thomas Toking, of Co. Lincoln, gent., sheweth, that a lease
was made to him by Abigail Snowden, widow, deceased, of the manor, &c.,
&c., which had been sequestered many years, for the delinquency of
Rutland Snowden . . . and that he (T. Toking) has more to offer, for the
clearing of his title. He prays therefore for a commission of enquiry.
21 Oct., 1652." Reply: "not sufficient proof."
The said Thos. Toking again petitions, stating, that he is willing, to
avoid further trouble, to submit to "a reasonable composition." This is
again "referred to Mr. Brereton," 7 Feb., 1653. On 21 Sep., 1653, the
order was issued that "the Petitioner be admitted for compounding."
Again "Referred to Mr. Brereton." The result, however, was that Mr.
Thomas Toking died before obtaining the "relief" petitioned for.
N.B. Besides the "delinquency" of having "adhered to, and assisted, ye
forces against the Parliament," it was charged against Rutland Snowden
that he had "more wives than one." He "rendered his estate in fee" at
Horncastle, in Nov., 1645, for which his fine, at one-tenth was 188
pounds (Royalist Composition Papers, 1st series, fol. 113). His son, a
second Rutland Snowden, was among the Benefactors of Horncastle, as he
bequeathed to the poor of the town, 1682, "one house of the yearly rent
of 26s.," to be "paid in bread, 6d. every other Sunday;" a considerably
larger sum at that time than now.
We find the names of Rutland Snoden of Horncastle, and Scrope Snoden of
Boston, in the list of Lincolnshire Gentry, entitled to bear arms, made
by the Heralds, at their Visitation in 1634; along with other well known
names in the neighbourhood, such as Dymoke, Heneage, Laugton,
Massingberd, Tyrwhitt, &c. (_Lincs. Notes & Queries_, vol. i, p. 106).
The Snowden arms are said, in Yorke's _Union of Honour_, to have been
"Azure a lion rampant, or." (_Lincs. Notes & Queries_, vol. iv, p. 16).
[Picture: The Old Vicarage]
The Vicarage of St. Mary's Church formerly stood at the north-east corner
of the churchyard, forming part of a block of small houses. It was a
poor residence, but occupied until his death in 1845, by the Vicar,
Clement Madely, DD. The whole block was, about that time, taken down,
the space being, later on, covered with the present substantial
buildings. His successor, Rev. T. J. Clarke, rented a good house in
South Street, now occupied by Mrs. Howland. Mr. Clarke was succeeded by
the Rev. W. Holme Milner, in 1853, and he built the present vicarage.
St. Mary's Churchyard was closed, for burials, in 1848, when the
churchyard of Holy Trinity was consecrated.
We here give a list of the Church Plate, which is more than usually
valuable.
1. Paten, silver, 15 oz. 2 dwt., given by Mrs. Hussey, 1718. *
2. Paten lid, silver, 2 oz. 2 dwt., old, no date.
3. Paten, pewter, no date.
4. Chalice, silver gilt, 7 oz., old, no date.
5. Chalice, silver gilt, 13 oz. 4 dwt. In memoriam, J.H., 1879.
6. Chalice, silver gilt, 13 oz. 2 dwt. *
7. Flagon, silver, 59 oz., given by Susannah Lascells, 1741.
8. Flagon, silver, 58 oz. 2 dwt., given by Susannah Lascelles, widow,
Christmas, 1743. *
9. Alms basin, silver, 6 oz. 6 dwt., given by Thomas Hargreaves, Esq.,
1735. T.M.H. on handle.
10. Alms Basin, silver, 7 oz. 6 dwt., given by Clement Madely, vicar,
1835.
11. Paten, silver gilt, 13 oz. In Memoriam, J.H. 1879.
12. Paten, silver. 4 oz. 2 dwt., no date. *
13. Cruet with silver stopper, H.T.C. 1872.
Those marked with asterisk are used at Holy Trinity Church.
We cannot here omit our tribute to the energy, liberality, and taste of
the various parties connected with the restoration of St. Mary's Church,
begun in 1859, and happily completed in April, 1861. With a persevering
vicar, in Prebendary W. H. Milner, undaunted by difficulties, to head the
movement; a working committee, no less resolute, to support him (among
whom figured foremost the late Dr. J. B. Boulton and Mr. F. Harwood);
with an architect of cultivated taste and wide experience, in Mr. Ewan
Christian; and with the able contractors, Messrs. Lee & Ashton, to carry
out his designs; and with a body of subscribers, headed by the Lord of
the Manor, J. Banks Stanhope, Esq., all doing their best; the work was
bound to be a marked success, of which all might be proud. St Mary's now
probably approaches nearer to its original conception (if it does not,
indeed, surpass it) than it has ever done in recent times. Erected, as
it first was, in an age marked by "zeal" for church construction, even if
sometimes "without knowledge;" stimulated, perhaps in an unwholesome
degree, by the prevalent superstition and mariolatry, we yet feel bound,
considering the noble structures which those builders have transmitted to
us, (as Prior the poet says) to be "To their virtues very kind, and to
their faults a little blind." But, as to the restoration in the present
instance, few, save the older ones among us, who remember the condition
into which the fabric had lapsed, can realise the great changes which
were effected, or the advantages secured to present worshippers. The
space formerly wasted by a western vestibule, with its boarded partition,
and baize-covered doors, leading into nave and aisles, reducing by
several feet the length of sitting space; the basement of the tower shut
off, and occupied only by the bell ringers, who are now removed to the
chamber above; the chancel aisles unused for seats and partially blocked
up; the high square pews, rising in tiers westwards, roomy enough for
undisturbed slumber; above all, the heavy galleries, with pews, made by
faculty private property; all these arrangements so curtailed the
accommodation, that the congregation, at its best, could be little more
than half what it has been in recent years; while the _tout ensemble_,
not omitting the flat whitewashed ceiling, put up, it has been said, by a
kind lady, because the vicar, sensitive to cold, felt the draughts
through the fine wooden roof thus hidden above, had an effect the very
opposite of stimulating devotion, bad alike for minister and people.
Under the restored condition, with sixty additional seats provided in the
tower, the south chancel aisle also seated, and every available space
utilized, there is now ample accommodation for some 800 worshippers, and
on special occasions more than 1,200 have been seated (the late Mr. W.
Pacy counted about 1,250 passing out at the evening service at the
re-opening in April, 1861); while the services, and the surroundings, are
alike calculated to inspire feelings of reverence, with hearty
earnestness of worship; this is the result mainly due to the "decency and
order" effected through the care and self-denying efforts of the
restorers, for which all should be grateful.
We should here add that in the year 1892, it being found that decay had
occurred in the walls and other parts of the church, about 150 pounds was
raised by subscription, and once more the fabric was put into a complete
state of repair.
CHAPTER IV.
THE CHURCH OF HOLY TRINITY
Was built in the years 1847 and 1848, as a Chapel of Ease to St. Mary's
Church, in the vicariate of the Rev. T. J. Clarke, at a cost of about
2,500 pounds; 500 pounds having been bequeathed towards that purpose by
his predecessor, Dr. Clement Madely, and the rest being raised by public
subscriptions. The foundation stone was laid April 6, in the former
year, by Sir Henry Dymoke, Bart., the Queen's Champion. The roof of the
nave was reared Oct. 12, and the cross on the east end of the chancel
erected Nov. 25, in the same year. The church and churchyard were
consecrated by Dr. Kaye, Bishop of Lincoln, April 27, 1848; his Lordship
preaching at the opening service in the morning, and Dr. Percy, Bishop of
Carlisle (as Patron {57a} of the Benefice) in the afternoon. The
architect was Mr. Stephen Lewin, of Boston (author of _Churches of the
Division of Holland_, 1843, &c) Mr. Hind, of Sleaford, being the
contractor for the work.
It was a condition of Dr. Madely's bequest that the church should be
commenced within two years of his death, which occurred on Good Friday,
March 21, 1845. This fortunately was just (but only just) effected {57b}
in time to secure the bequest.
When the churchyard of Holy Trinity was consecrated that of St. Mary's
was closed, with the exception of some private vaults; both these burial
grounds being closed in 1888, when the public cemetery was opened; the
church part of which was consecrated on Nov. 7th, in that year, by the
Bishop of Lincoln, Dr. King.
The church is in the Early English style, consisting of nave, chancel,
north and south aisles, north porch, high open belfry with one bell, and
has sittings for 400 persons. The materials of the structure are white
brick, with dressings of Ancaster stone. It was considerably improved in
1887, and, more recently, in 1895.
The windows in the north and south aisles are plain small lancets, in
pairs; 5 pairs on the south side, and 4 pairs, with porch door, on the
north. The north and south arcades have 5 bays, with narrow
perpendicular arches, except the easternmost, on both sides, which are
wider, with a view to future transepts; the octagonal columns of brick
have nicely carved stone capitals. The clerestory windows above, 5 on
each side, are alternately quatrefoils and inverted triangles. The roof
is of a very high pitch, slated externally, and internally of deeply
stained deal. The principals of the chancel roof are ornamented with
deeply cut dog-tooth pattern. The choir is rather narrow, and without
aisles. At the east end of the north aisle is the vestry, the doorway
leading to it having a richly carved arch, supported by twin pilasters,
with carved capitals; the porch doorway has also a richly carved arch,
with dog-tooth moulding, and clusters of pillars below.
The east window in the chancel is of 3 lights, and is an enlarged copy of
the beautiful Early English east window of Kirkstead Abbey Chapel; with
triple columns between, and, on either side of the lights, having richly
carved capitals; the wall space above being also elaborately carved with
floriated pattern. It was fitted with coloured glass, by an anonymous
donor, in memory of the Rev. T. J. Clarke, in whose vicariate, as has
been stated, the church was built. The subjects are, running across and
in the centre, the Nativity, the Crucifixion, and Transfiguration; above
being the Resurrection, and Christ sitting in glory; and in the lower
row, our Lord as the Good Shepherd, the Man of sorrows and the Light of
the world.
In the chancel walls, north and south, are triple windows in the same
style, but with plain columns and white glass. Below the east window is
a stone Reredos, having four panels with decorated arches on each side,
north and south; with a central canopy of 3 compartments, nicely carved,
and plain cross in the centre. This was carved and designed by Messrs.
F. Bell & Son, of Horncastle. The Reredos was due to a movement
originating with the Girls' Club, then under the management of Miss Agnes
Armstrong; assisted by contributions from members of the choir, a
considerable sum of money being raised by them, for altar frontals and
other fittings in the chancel. These, and other additions, were
dedicated by the late vicar, Prebendary E. F. Quarrington, on All Saints'
day, Nov. 1, 1895.
The Organ, on the north side of the choir, is a good instrument. In the
early days of the church an old organ was transferred from St. Mary's
Church and placed at the west end, but this was sold in 1869, and for
some years a harmonium was used in the choir. The present instrument was
the work of Messrs. Foster & Andrews, of Hull, and has one manual, with
pedals.
The Pulpit, on the south of the lofty chancel arch, is of stone, having 5
panels with dog-tooth borders, illuminated in gold and various colours;
and having, within central circles, figures of SS. Matthew, Mark, Luke
and John, the fifth having the cross with the inscription "Feed my
sheep." The Reading Desk, on the north, is part of the chancel sedilia;
this, with the Lectern, slightly carved, in front of it, and all the
sittings, are of pitch pine, stained.
At the west end of the south aisle is a plain lancet window of one light.
The window corresponding to this, in the north aisle, has good coloured
glass, in memory of the late Hugh George, M.D., who died in 1895. It has
two subjects (1) The healing of the lame man by SS. Peter and John, at
the beautiful gate of the temple, and (2) Luke, the beloved physician,
ministering to St. Paul, in prison at Rome.
The west window is of two lights, narrow lancets with circular window
above, having quatrefoil tracery. These are filled with coloured glass,
given by the late Miss Lucy Babington of The Rookery, Horncastle, in
memory of her parents, brothers and sister. The subject in the upper
"Rose" window is the Holy Dove descending; those in the window below are
(1) our Lord's Baptism, (2) His commission to the disciples, "Go ye, and
baptize all nations;" (3) The baptism of a Jew (St. Paul), and (4) The
baptism of a Gentile (Cornelius). {59}
[Picture: Holy Trinity Church]
Below this window, and in keeping with the subjects above, stands the
Font, on a plain octagonal base. The bowl is circular and larger than
that in St. Mary's Church. It is supported by 8 carved pilasters at the
angles, with a central one; rising from these are narrow arches with
dog-tooth moulding.
In the eastern part of the churchyard lie the remains of four successive
vicars of Horncastle, and the wife of a fifth. A coffin-shaped stone,
adorned with a full-length floriated cross, has this inscription: "Thomas
James Clarke, M.A., Vicar of Horncastle, died 14th May, 1853. Is any
among you afflicted, let him pray." This stone was put down by the Rev.
Edmund Huff, who was curate at the time of Mr. Clarke's death, and
afterwards Rector of Little Cawthorpe near Louth.
An upright stone, the head forming an inverted overhanging arch,
ornamented with dog-tooth pattern (copied from a panel in the church
pulpit), has the inscription: "W. H. Milner, Vicar of Horncastle, died
October 3rd, 1868, aged 64." Within the arch is a Calvary Cross, on the
steps of which are these words "He that believeth in Me hath everlasting
life." On the base of the stone is a quotation from the Burial Service,
"Blessed are the dead, which die in the Lord, &c." Near this a massive
decorated cross bears the inscription: "Robert Giles, Vicar of
Horncastle, died July 12th, 1872. Jesu, Mercy." This is an exact
reproduction of a granite cross in Willoughby churchyard, erected to the
memory of the late Archdeacon Giles, the vicar's brother.
A grass grave, surrounded by a kerb, has resting upon it a full-length
plain Latin cross, along the arms of which is inscribed "Jesu Mercy."
Surrounding the kerb is the inscription "Arthur Scrivenor, M.A., Vicar of
Horncastle, born January 13th, 1831, died August 27th, 1882." "Never
resting, never tiring, in the endless work of God;" the latter words
being a quotation from Dr. Mansel's _Life of Bishop Wilberforce of Oxford
and Winchester_.
Very near the last tomb is the grave of the wife of the late Vicar of
Horncastle, Prebendary E. F. Quarrington, now Rector of Welby, near
Grantham; the plain slab bears the inscription "At rest, Nov. 25, 1888."
The following biographical notes may not be without interest. The Rev.
T. J. Clarke was a remarkable man; born in this neighbourhood, in a
humble rank of life (his widowed mother occupying a cottage in Woodhall,
where, to his honour, he frequently visited her, and supported her,
during his vicariate), he was apprenticed as a boy to a tradesman in
Leeds. A lady upon whom he attended, as she made purchases in the shop,
noticed his intelligence; the result being that she sent him, at her own
expense, to be educated at a good school, and, in due time, assisted him
to enter at St. John's College, Cambridge, where he took Double Honours,
and obtained a Fellowship. He was afterwards appointed to the Vicarage
of Penrith, Cumberland, thus coming under the notice of the Bishop of
Carlisle, who, as Patron, presented him to the Vicarage of Horncastle, on
the death of Dr. Madely in 1845. With Mr. Clarke's arrival in Horncastle
it was felt that a new era in church life had begun. He threw himself
with characteristic energy into every kind of work, and at one time had 3
curates. To him was due the erection of Holy Trinity Church, and a great
multiplication of Church services. The old vicarage, a poor house close
to St. Mary's churchyard, was pulled down, and he rented the house in
South Street, with extensive gardens, which afterwards became the
residence of Major Armstrong and now occupied by Mrs. Howland.
Notwithstanding his heavy parochial work Mr. Clarke (as the present
writer can testify) kept up his classical and mathematical studies. He
was also devoted to music, and a very skilful performer on the flute.
Although these were relaxations from his more serious parochial labours,
the amount of mental work involved eventually told upon his health, and
in the 8th year of his vicariate it became perceptible, even in his
pulpit utterances, that his mind was affected. He had married a
Cumberland lady, but all her care and attention was unavailing; he
gradually collapsed into a condition of melancholy, scarcely roused by
anything except the music of his piano. {60} The end inevitable was seen
to be approaching, but unfortunately Mr. Clarke by his own act
anticipated it. Being accidently left alone for a few moments he took a
pistol, which he had concealed in a drawer, walked out into the garden
and shot himself, the overwrought brain rendering him no longer
accountable for his actions.
Of his successor, the Rev. Prebendary W. H. Milner, who, like Mr. Clarke,
had held preferment in the diocese of Carlisle, we have only to say that
he was an able man of business, carried on the work of the church with
great energy, and introduced many reforms. He built the present
vicarage. He was the last vicar nominated by the Bishop of Carlisle. Of
the next two vicars it may be said that their tenure of office was all
too short, hard faithful labour cutting off the Rev. Robert Giles (as we
have before stated) in 1872, after a vicariate of only 4 years; while the
Rev. Arthur Scrivenor died, after 10 years work in the parish, in his
51st year, in 1882. Canon E. Fowler Quarrington succeeded him, and held
the vicarage during 18 years, when he was transferred, in 1900, to the
Rectory of Welby, near Grantham. The Rev. Prebendary Alfred Edgar Moore,
formerly Vicar of Messingham, near Brigg, began his vicariate in 1900,
being inducted into the benefice on August 24, in that year.
Horncastle, we may here add, has been well served by its Curates.
"Comparisons are (proverbially) odious," we will not therefore refer to
any of these in recent years; but we may take three typical cases of men
whose memory is still green and redolent of good work.
In the latter years of the amiable vicar, Dr. Madely, he needed an active
assistant, and such was the Rev. William Spranger White, of Trinity
College, Cambridge, a member of a family of position, the head of which
was his uncle, Sir Thomas Wollaston White, of Wallingwells Park, Worksop,
High Sheriff 1839, and formerly of the 10th Hussars. Mr. White possessed
independent means and was very generous. He was of a most sympathetic
nature, and became greatly beloved by all classes. He worked hard in the
parish from his ordination in 1833 to 1849. {61} In that year he was
selected by the Marchioness of Lothian, to take charge of an Episcopalian
Church, which her Ladyship built and endowed at Jedburgh, Roxburghshire.
The church was opened with an octave of services, which were attended by
the great Doctor Hook of Leeds, who had recommended Mr. White to her
Ladyship. The father of the present writer, and many leading clergymen
from this neighbourhood, and various parts of England and Scotland,
attended the opening services. Mr. White remained there for some years,
and married the eldest daughter of Lord Chancellor Campbell, who resided
at Hartrigg House, near Jedburgh. This marriage led to his subsequent
return to England, being appointed by the Lord Chancellor to the Rectory
of St. Just, near Land's End, Cornwall; at a later date promoted to the
Vicarage of Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster, Worcestershire; and
finally in 1859 to the Rectory of Potterhanworth, near Lincoln, of which
cathedral he was made an Honorary Canon, in recognition of his generous
gifts towards cathedral improvements. Here he did excellent work until
his death in 1893. {62}
We next take two of the well chosen curates of the Vicar, T. J. Clarke,
who were contemporaries at Horncastle; Charles Dashwood Goldie of St.
John's College, Cambridge, where he took Mathematical Honours in 1847,
was ordained as Curate of Horncastle in 1848. An able preacher and
indefatigable worker in the parish, he at once made his mark, not only in
the town, but in the neighbourhood; he and his beautiful wife being
welcome guests in many a rectory and vicarage. He was also a man of good
social position and private means, and occupied a good house with large
garden on the north side of West Street (then called Far Street),
belonging to the late Mrs. Conington, within some 120 yards of the
railway station, now occupied by Mr. Sills, and named "The Chestnuts."
Mr. Goldie being curate at the time when Holy Trinity Church was built
presented the carved oak chairs within the communion rails. After
leaving Horncastle he was appointed to the vicarage of St. Ives, in the
diocese of Ely. The Goldies were an old Manx family; Col. Goldie, his
brother, of the Scotts Guards Regiment, being President of the House of
Keys, the local parliament. Their residence in that island is "The
Nunnery," near the town of Douglas, so called from the ruin close at hand
of an ancient priory, said to have been founded by St. Bridget in the
sixth century. Mr. Goldies' nephew is the present Sir George Dashwood
Tanbman Goldie, Privy Councillor, K.C.M.G., F.R.G.S., &c, formerly of the
Royal Engineers, but latterly holding various Government appointments,
director of several expeditions in West Africa, having travelled in
Egypt, the Soudan, Algiers, Morocco, &c., and attended the Berlin
Conference in 1884, as an expert on questions connected with the Niger
country, where he founded the Royal Chartered Company of Nigeria. His
latest honour (1905) is the Presidency of the Royal Geographical Society,
in succession to Sir Clements P. Markham, K.C.B., &c.
The Rev. Thomas Castle Southey (a relative of the poet) was Fellow of
Queen's College, Oxford, where he took Classical and Mathematical Honours
in 1847. He was ordained in the same year, and held the curacy of
Horncastle from that year till 1849. He was an able and scholarly
preacher and persevering worker in the parish. On leaving Horncastle he
became Incumbent of the Episcopal Church at Montrose, N.B., which he held
for six years, when he became Assistant Curate of St. Paul's Church,
Brighton, under the Rev. Arthur Wagner; then Curate of the church of St.
Thomas the Martyr at Oxford; then Vicar of Wendron, Cornwall, and
afterwards of Newbold Pacey, near Leamington, in 1868. After leaving
Horncastle he was invited by the Governors, as an able scholar, to
examine the Horncastle Grammar School, then a considerably larger school
than it has been in later years, with a large number of day boys, and
also boarders from London, many distant parts of the country, and even
from Jersey and the continent.
As this is the last chapter in which we shall deal with church matters,
we may here say that a Clerical Club, with valuable library and news
room, was established in the town in the year 1823. At that time there
was a numerous community of country clergymen living in the town; a
dozen, or more, villages in the neighbourhood having no official
residence in their parishes; thus a Clerical Club became a convenient
institution for social intercourse, and valuable papers were often read
at their meetings. This ceased to exist at the close of the 19th
century, when the books were transferred to the Diocesan Library at
Lincoln. In order to enable these country incumbents to maintain a town
residence, they, in several cases, held a plurality of benefices, which
would hardly be allowed in the present day. Even the Vicar of
Horncastle, Dr. Madely, also held the Vicarage of Stickford, distant more
than a dozen miles; another clergyman was Rector of Martin, Vicar of
Baumber, and Rector of Sotby, several miles apart; while a third held the
Perpetual Curacy of Wood Enderby, 4 or 5 miles to the south-east of the
town, with the Curacy of Wilksby adjoining, and the Chapelry of
Kirkstead, 5 or 6 miles to the west. Further, to eke out the family
income, his daughter found employment of a somewhat novel kind in the
service of the late Queen Victoria. Being in figure the exact size of
the Queen, her Majesty's dresses were all tried on this lady by the royal
dressmaker; and, as a portion of her remuneration, the cast-off clothing
of the Queen became her perquisite. On the occasion of the wedding of
one of her friends at Horncastle, the bride and her bridesmaids were all
attired in Queen's dresses.
In connection with the church is the "Young Churchmen's Union," of which
the Vicar is President. They have fortnightly meetings, in the Boys'
National School, at 8.15 p.m. There is also a Church Lads' Brigade, No.
1951, attached to the 1st Battalion, Lincoln Regiment, B 51. This was
enrolled Oct. 1st, 1901. The members are youths between the ages of 13
and 19; the present Lieutenant being H. W. Sharpe; Chaplain, the Vicar;
Assistant Chaplain and Correspondent, the Senior Curate. Entrance fee
1/6, subscription 1d. per week.
The Church National Schools are good substantial buildings, erected at
various periods, the Girls' School in 1812, the Infants' in 1860, and the
Boys' (at a cost of 1,000 pounds) in 1872; the total accommodation is for
300 children, the average attendance being about 250. The schools were
taken over by the Lindsey County Council, on April 1st, 1903.
CHAPTER V.
NONCONFORMIST PLACES OF WORSHIP.
There are in Horncastle five Nonconformist religious communities, the
Wesleyan, Congregational, Primitive Methodist, Baptist, and New Church or
Swedenborgian, each now having substantially built chapels, resident
ministers, with Sunday, and, in one case, Day Schools. Through the
courtesy of the Rev. John Percy, late Head Minister of the Wesleyan
Society, we are enabled to give a fairly full account of its origin and
growth, down to the present 20th century. As this is the most important
religious body in the town, next to the Church of England, although it is
not the oldest, we take the Wesleyans first. As will be seen in the
following account, this Society arose from a very small beginning, but at
the present time, with perhaps the exception of the Baptists, it is the
most numerous and influential body among Nonconformists. Although,
locally, rather fewer in numbers in recent years, than formerly, it is
generally growing, and in the year 1904, as published statistics show, it
acquired in the United Kingdom an addition of 10,705 full members, with
11,874 members on trial, and junior members 4,367; a total increase of
26,946.
THE WESLEYANS.
The founder of this Society was, as its name implies, John Wesley,
probably of the same stock as the great Duke of Wellington, whose family
name was variously written Wellesley, or Wesley. {64} We take the
immediately following particulars mainly from the _History of England_,
by Henry Walter, B.D. and F.R.S., Fellow of St. John's College,
Cambridge, Professor in the East India College, Hertford, Chaplain to the
Duke of Northumberland, &c., &c., himself a Lincolnshire man.
John and Charles Wesley were the second and third sons of Samuel Wesley,
Rector of Epworth, near Gainsborough; {65} John being born in 1703 (June
17), and Charles in 1708 (Dec. 18). John was educated at the
Charterhouse, and Charles at Westminster School. In due course they both
entered at Oxford University; John eventually being elected to a
Fellowship at Lincoln College, and Charles to a Studentship at
Christchurch. In 1725 John was ordained deacon of the Church of England.
He left Oxford for a time to act as his father's curate, Charles remained
as Tutor to his college. He, with some of his undergraduate pupils,
formed a custom of meeting on certain evenings every week for scripture
study and devotion, they carefully observed the Church's fasts and
festivals, and partook of the Holy Communion every Sunday. From the
strict regularity of their lives the name was given to them, by those who
were laxer in conduct, of "Methodists."
[Picture: Wesleyan Chapel]
In 1729 the Rector of Lincoln College summoned John Wesley to resume
residence at Oxford, and he became Tutor of the College. In this
capacity he was careful to look after the souls, as well as the
intellectual training, of those under his influence. The brothers began
missionary work in Oxford, about the year 1730, in which they were
assisted by a few other kindred spirits. They visited the sick and
needy, with the permission of the parish clergy, as well as offenders
confined in the gaol. This continued for some time, but gradually John
began to long for a wider field for his spiritual energies. He had
gathered about him a small band of equally earnest associates, and they
went out to Georgia, North America, in 1735, to work among the English
settlers and North American Indians. After two years John returned to
England, in 1737, and then began the work of his life.
It is said that he was a good deal influenced by the _De Imitatione
Christi_ of Thomas a Kempis (of which he published an abridged edition in
1777), {66a} also by Jeremy Taylor's _Holy Living and Dying_; and he
imputed his own conversion to his study of Law's _Serious Call_. His
"first impression of genuine Christianity," as he called it, was from the
Moravian sect, with whom he came in contact at Hirnuth in Saxony, which
he visited in 1738, after his return from America; but his complete
"conversion," he was wont to say, occurred at a meeting of friends, in
Aldersgate Street, London, where one of them was reading Luther's
_Preface to St. Paul's Epistle to the Romans_, the exact time being 8.45
p.m., May 24, 1738.
Though taking an independent course, and appointing only lay workers as
his agents, he regarded himself to the end of his days as an ordained
minister of the Church of England, and his society as still being a part
of it, and he urged all faithful Wesleyans to attend church service once
on Sunday, and to receive the Holy Communion at church, it being only
after his death that the society's secession became complete. {66b}
The first Wesleyan congregation of about 50 members, some of them
Moravians, was formed in London, where they met in Fetter Lane, once a
week; the first meeting being on May 1st, 1738, and from that day the
society of "Methodists" may be regarded as having begun. {66c} The birth
of the sect in Lincolnshire may be said to date from his visit to
Epworth, in 1742.
In 1743 he divided the whole county into two sections, or circuits, the
eastern and western. Of the eastern Grimsby was the head; this included
Horncastle, and gradually comprised some 15 other subsidiary centres,
extending from Grimsby and Caistor in the north, to Holbeach in the
south.
His earliest recorded visit to Horncastle was in 1759, when he addressed
a large concourse of people in a yard, supposed to be that of the Queen's
Head Inn, near the Market Place, on April 4th and 5th. On July 18th,
1761, he again preached here, and on July 18th, 1774, he addressed, as
his journal states, "a wild unbroken herd." On July 6th, 1779, he says
"I took my usual stand in the Market Place, Horncastle, the wild men were
more quiet than usual, Mr. Brackenbury, J.P., of Raithby Hall, standing
near me." This Mr. Robert Carr Brackenbury remained his firm friend
through life; and we may here add that he granted to Wesley the use of
his hay loft at Raithby for religious services, further securing the use
of it in perpetuity, by his will, to the Wesleyan body, so that the
curious anomaly has occurred that, when the hall was bought in 1848, by
the Rev. Edward Rawnsley, the house became the residence of an Anglican
clergyman, yet bound to allow the loft over his stable to be used for
nonconformist worship. In recent years the stable has been unused as
such and the loft made more comfortable, being furnished with seats,
pulpit, &c
Wesley, throughout his life, generally visited Horncastle every two
years, his death occurring on March 2nd, 1791. There is in Westminster
Abbey a mural memorial of John and Charles Wesley, having within a
medallion, the bust-sized effigies of the two brothers, beneath which is
inscribed the saying of Wesley, "The best of all is God with us." Below
this, within a panel, is a representation of John Wesley, preaching from
his father's tomb in Epworth churchyard. Beneath are two more quotations
from his own words, "I look upon all the world as my parish," and "God
buries His workmen, but carries on His work." At the head of the slab is
the inscription "John Wesley, M.A., born June 17th, 1703, died March 2nd,
1791. Charles Wesley, M.A., born December 18th, 1708, died March 29th,
1788."
The growth of the society was not rapid, and for some years was subject
to fluctuations. In 1769 Grimsby had 56 members and Horncastle 42,
including such well-known local names as Rayson and Goe. In 1774 Grimsby
had fallen to 32 members and Horncastle to about the same. In 1780
Horncastle had only 31 members, but the numbers had increased in the
neighbourhood; Kirkby-on-Bain having nearly as many as Horncastle, viz.
29, Wood Enderby 10, Hemingby 7, and Thimbleby 18; there being evidently
a greater readiness to accept the new teaching among the simpler rural
population.
In 1786 Horncastle was made the head of a circuit to itself, and in that
year the first chapel in the town was built, the whole circuit then
numbering 620 members. This chapel was near the site of the present
Baptist place of worship. A few years later the opposing barrier among
the upper class seems in some degree to have given way, as, in 1792, we
find the name of Joseph Bass, a "physician," as "leader." In 1800 there
was further growth in the country, Greetham having 21 and Fulletby 26;
among the latter occurring the still well-known names of Winn (Richard
and Elizabeth), 5 Riggalls, and 5 Braders. By this time there were 6
circuits formed in Lincolnshire, and congregations at Newark and
Doncaster.
Although there was a chapel at Horncastle there was no minister's
residence until after 1786. At that date John Barritt rode over from
Lincoln to preach, and finding no Wesleyan minister's house, he was taken
in and hospitably entertained by a Mr. Penistoun, who was "a great
Culamite." After staying the night with him he rode on next day to
Alford, for Sabbath duty. On the death of John Wesley (1791) his mantle
fell, and indeed, had already fallen, in several cases, on shoulders
worthy of the commission which he conferred upon them. The first
resident ministers were the Rev. Thomas Longley, Superintendent; the
above John Barritt was the second, and Richard Thoresby the third.
Hitherto it had not been a service free from difficulty, or even danger.
Itinerary ministers had to make their journeys on duty, often long and
wearying, on horseback, over bad country roads, even occasionally
incurring hardship and peril. In 1743 Mr. John Nelson was sent by Wesley
to Grimsby, and his journals describe severe labour and even persecution.
Another pioneer, Thomas Mitchell, was thrown by a mob into a pool of
water, and, when drenched, was painted white from head to foot. He was
afterwards thrown into a pond more than 12 feet deep, rescued and carried
to bed by friends, he was thrice dragged out of his bed because he would
not promise not to visit the place (Wrangle) again. Wesley himself, in
his journal (May 10, 1757) says "I preached to a mixed congregation, some
serious, others drunk;" but on the other hand, in 1764, he preached, when
the chapel "though having its galleries, was too small."
We have named John Barritt among the early Horncastle ministers. He was
preaching on one occasion at Boston, when a band of roughs forced their
way into the chapel and interrupted the service, driving some of the
congregation away. He had, however, a more serious experience, from
exposure to the roughness of the elements. He was riding to Boston,
apparently by a somewhat circuitous route, and a violent storm arose at
sea. When he was not far from the coast the sea bank gave way, the
country was inundated, vessels were even carried some distance inland,
Boston itself was deluged, and he might have been drowned, but that he
managed to reach some high ground, and arrived safely at Sibsey.
About this date, we are told, the progress of Wesleyanism excited the
jealousy of the clergy, not so tolerant as they are now, and a meeting
was held at the Bull Hotel, Horncastle, at which it was argued that the
"spread of Methodism was one of the causes of the awful irreligion"
prevalent, that the ministers were "raving enthusiasts, pretending to
divine impulse, and thus obtained sway over the ignorant."
John Barritt was re-appointed to Horncastle in 1801, as Superintendent,
his colleagues being Thomas Rought, John Watson, and Squire Brackenbury
as supernumerary, the latter was also, about this time, appointed head of
the society in Spilsby. {68a} J. Barritt was grandfather of Robert
Newton Barritt, who was very popular in Horncastle, 1882-1884. Wesley's
characteristic advice to him had been "When thou speakest of opinions, or
modes of worship, speak with coolness, but when thou speakest of
Repentance, Faith and Holiness, then, if thou hast any zeal, show it!"
and to these principles he was ever true.
Other ministers of note at different periods were George Shadford, a name
still surviving in the town; Charles Atmore, who wrote sundry Wesleyan
hymns; Thomas Jackson, a great scholar, twice elected President of the
National Conference; Digory Joll, grandfather of the present Mr. Watson
Joll (to whom the writer owes much of the information here utilized); and
to these we may add Benjamin Gregory, 1817; Robert Ramm and Robert
Bryant, 1830; {68b} Bryant was called a "son of thunder," from his great
energy.
In 1835 Leonard Posnet was a popular minister, not only in the town but
in the country around, being much appreciated by the farmers from his
intimate acquaintance with their avocation. He was followed (1838-1840)
by Joseph Kipling, grandfather of the now well-known Rudyard Kipling.
Joseph Clapham was a faithful minister from 1843 to 1845, and was
succeeded by (1845-1848) "Father" Crookes, "Preacher" Wood, and the
"saintly" Fowler, who was said to have made 900 converts.
Then followed Wright Shovelton, Martin Jubb, Peter Featherstone, Henry
Richardson, and others, among whom it would be invidious to make
distinctions. We may add that a famous missionary of this sect was
Thomas Williams, son of John Williams, a cabinet maker of Horncastle, the
latter being an active member of the Wesleyan Sunday School Committee.
His first wife, mother of the missionary, was Miss Hollingshead, who,
with her mother, kept a girls' school, near the Bow Bridge. A _History
of the Fiji Mission_, issued in 1858, says "The good ship Triton sailed
from England, Sep. 14, 1839, carrying out the Rev. T. Williams, and his
wife, to Lakamba, Fiji." They arrived there July 6, 1840. He there
built a mission house and chapel, where he laboured several years, the
mission growing in extent, until it was beyond his strength. In June,
1852, Mr. Moore was appointed as a colleague to relieve him of some of
the work, but again his health broke down, and he was obliged to leave,
after 13 years' hard labour, in July, 1853. He went to Australia and
took various charges in that country, being chosen President of the
Mission at Ballarat in 1873. He re-visited England in 1861, and again in
1881, returning to Ballarat, as a supernumerary, but still officiating.
The present writer well remembers the impression made by a lecture, given
by Rev. T. Williams, at the Bull Hotel, Horncastle.
[Picture: Wesleyan Day Schools]
Among the latest ministers of note has been the Rev. John Percy, who gave
up his charge as Superintendent in 1904, and was succeeded by the Rev. E.
Hayward, who left Horncastle on Thursday, Aug. 29, 1907, for work at
Bridlington; he was succeeded by Rev. John Turner, of Colchester, who was
6 years ago in Louth Circuit, {70a} the Rev. G. German Brown continuing
as assistant. He was succeeded by the Rev. M. Philipson, B.A., coming,
with his wife, since deceased (March 14, 1906), from Stanley, near
Durham, where they were the recipients of valuable presents on their
departure.
In recent years no member of the society has been more valued than the
late octogenarian, Mr. John Rivett, J.P., who died Sept 4, 1906. For
nearly 70 years he was a generous supporter of the cause; he represented
the district at no less than 13 Conferences, in various parts of the
country, and at the Leeds Conference, in 1882, he spoke for an hour and a
quarter in advocacy of its principles. Mr. Henry Lunn, of Horncastle and
West Ashby, is also well known, as, for many years, an able local lay
preacher and practical man of business; he was a representative at
Conferences in London and at Burslem.
Of the buildings in Horncastle, connected with this society, we have
gathered the following details. As already stated the first chapel was
erected in Cagthorpe about the year 1786. It stood a few yards to the
north of the present Baptist place of worship, which is close to the
north-west corner of the Wong. The early history of this first erection
is little known, but a letter written by Rev. T. Williams of Ballarat,
dated May 10, 1889, to the late Mr. W. Pacy, states that, after some
years, it was replaced by a larger building, of which the dimensions are
elsewhere given, as being length 54-ft., by width 36-ft., with 4 large
windows, having pointed heads, on the north side, and single windows on
the south and west; a small porch at the south-east corner, facing the
Baptist Chapel, giving entrance to the body and galleries; a door at the
south-west end for the use of the minister, opening near the pulpit,
which was at the west end; the eastern gable being the roadway boundary.
Of these "pointed" windows the Rev. T. Williams says, "the lancet
windows, with quarry panes, were a whim of Mr. Griggs Lunn and of my
father. Of this building some remains are still visible, to the height
of about 3 feet, in the south wall of Mr. Scholey's garden, about 50
yards to the north of the Baptist Chapel. Towards its erection a number
of masons, joiners, and others, who could not afford subscriptions, gave
their labours gratuitously. Two houses for ministers were also built
close by.
In 1836 a third chapel was begun, on a new site in Union Street (now
Queen Street), and was opened on Good Friday in the following year, the
interior fittings being transferred from the second building in
Cagthorpe.
In 1866 a movement was commenced, with a view to the erection of a still
larger chapel, and the present fine building was the result; opened in
1869, with accommodation for over 1,000 persons (1024), at a cost of
5,876 pounds. {70b} The Sunday School adjoining, with large class rooms
and infant school being built in 1875, at a further outlay of 2,578
pounds. The fittings of the chapel are of stained polished deal, the
gallery front and pulpit are white, picked out with gold, the latter
standing upon 4 round-headed arches of light and graceful design. A new
organ was erected soon after the opening of this chapel, at a cost of 300
pounds, and in 1883 the instrument was enlarged and improved.
In 1886 the Centenary of Wesleyanism was celebrated and the occasion was
marked by a strenuous effort to clear off the debt from the Horncastle
Circuit. This effort was supplemented by "Ye olde Englyshe Fayre,
houlden in ye Exchange Hall, Nov. 20, 21 and 22, MDCCCLXXXVIII;" and at a
tea gathering on March 12, 1889, it was stated that the original debt
had, in the previous two years, been reduced to 60 pounds, and since then
the whole had been cleared off, the exact sum raised being 1,526 pounds
2s. 4d.; while, as an evidence of the general prosperity of the Society,
the Chairman stated that in the last 24 years debts had, throughout the
country, been paid to the total amount of no less than 1,226,245 pounds.
{71a}
In 1860 a former foundry show room, in Foundry Street, built by the late
Mr. Tupholme, was acquired through the generosity of Mr. J. Rivett, to be
used as a mixed day school; it had one large general room, four
classrooms, and two large yards, and afforded accommodation for more than
400 scholars. The premises cost 450 pounds, but before the school was
opened some 1,300 pounds had been spent in adapting them to educational
purposes. This has now been superceded by an even more commodious
building in Cagthorpe, on the south branch of the canal, at the corner
near the Bow Bridge, opposite St. Mary's Square, at a cost of 2,500
pounds. It has a very large room for a mixed school, another for an
infant school, with classrooms and everything required, in accordance
with the latest conditions by Act of Parliament. The foundation stone
was laid June 22, 1904, and the school was formally opened Jan. 4, 1905.
A Young Men's Institute was established in the beginning of 1889, by the
Rev. G. White, then Superintendent Minister, for which the classroom of
the Sunday School was to be available for their use, every evening except
Sunday, supplied with daily papers, magazines, &c.; classes also being
held for the consideration of important subjects and for mutual
improvement; these are still continued. There is also a Wesley Guild,
which meets every Friday evening, in the band room, Queen Street, at 8
o'clock, during the winter months, and on the first Friday evening in the
month during the summer. Marriages are celebrated in this chapel. {71b}
THE PRIMITIVE METHODISTS.
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