CONINGSBY,

In Domesday Cuningesbi, is a considerable village on the banks of the river Bane, about eight miles from Horncastle. The manor, which was once possessed by the Marmions of Wintringham, has for many years belonged to the Heathcote family, and is now the property of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Baronet, of Normanton in Rutlandshire. The church consists of a tower of excellent masonry, a nave, two aisles and a chancel. [50] The rectory, which is in the presentation of the lord of the manor, was for several years held by the Reverend John Dyer, the poet. It was here that he finished his didactic poem of “The Fleece.” He died at this place in 1782, and lies buried in the church; but there is no inscription to perpetuate his memory.

LANGRIVILLE AND THORNTON LE FEN.

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

POPULATION. [54]

Parishes.	No. of Families in 1588.	In 1801.		In 1811.
Parishes.	No. of Families in 1588.	Houses.	Persons.	Houses.	Persons.
Horncastle	164	424	2015	553	2622
Thimbleby	40	50	224	65	316
West Ashby	44	67	297	76	370
Low Tointon	12	9	49	16	98
High Tointon	18	14	93	24	121
Mareham on the Hill	22	22	110	23	122
Roughton	30	23	110	22	106
Haltham	25	29	115	29	143
Wood Enderby	24	30	153	31	183
Moorby	19	24	79	24	105
Wilksby	6	9	54	9	53
Mareham le Fen	87	98	383	104	487
Coningsby	221	302	1301	326	1658

BAUMBER.

The village of Baumber or Bamburgh is situated in the hundred of Gartree, about four miles northward of Horncastle, on the turnpike road leading from that place to Lincoln. In the Domesday survey it is called Badeburgh, which perhaps may signify Bane burgh, or a town on the Bane, that river forming the eastern boundary of the parish. At the period of making that survey, Ulf and Gilbert de Gand are mentioned as proprietors. [55]

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

The church at Baumber with all its appurtenances, and eight oxgangs of land, were given by Gilbert de Gaunt to the monks at Bridlington, which grant Pope Innocent the fourth and the Bishop of Lincoln confirmed. [56a] It is now a donative, extrajudicial. It was rebuilt about sixty years ago, and is a very neat brick structure, consisting of a tower, a nave with side aisles, and a chancel. [56b] Under the chancel is the vault of the Newcastle family, which was their place of sepulture previous to disposing of their estates in this parish; but although they still retain the church, none of the family have been buried there since 1794. Over the vault are the following inscriptions:

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

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

In the north aisle is a stone with this inscription around the verge;

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

In 1811, the population of this parish amounted to 290, and the number of houses to 51.

EDLINGTON.

At the time of forming the Domesday survey, this place, then called Tedlintune formed part of the Soke of Horncastle; [57] but is now comprised in the hundred of Gartree. It is very pleasantly situated about two miles northward of Horncastle, near to the road leading from that place to Lincoln.

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

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

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

Annexed to this parish is the hamlet or manor of Poolham, anciently called Polum. It formed part of the barony of Gilbert de Gaunt until about the thirty-fifth year of Edward the first, when Robert de Barkeworthe died seized of it; [58a] and it appears to have been the residence of Walterus de Barkeworthe, who died in 1374, and was buried in the cloister of Lincoln cathedral. Afterwards it was the residence of the family of Thimbleby, a branch of the Thimblebys of Irnham, [58b] who probably built the mansion house within the ancient moat, about the time of Henry the eighth. The Savilles of Howley in the County of York, enjoyed the estate in the reign of Elizabeth, and in 1600, Sir John Saville, Knight, sold it to George Bolles, Esquire, citizen of London, whose descendant Sir John Bolles, Baronet, conveyed the same to Sir Edmund Turnor, of Stoke Rochford, Knight, and it is now the inheritance of Edmund Turnor, Esquire. [58c]

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

In 1811, the parish of Edlington contained 27 houses, and 189 inhabitants.

SOMERSBY.

The village of Somersby is pleasantly situated on the wolds, in the hundred of Hill, at about the distance of six miles east from Horncastle.

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

The manorial estates, which comprise the whole parish, have for many years been the property of a family named Burton. The present proprietor is William Raynor Burton, Esquire, which latter name he assumed on coming into possession of the estates on the death of his uncle, Robert Burton, Esquire, of Lincoln.

On the south side of the church, near to the porch, is an elegant stone cross, which having escaped both the ravages of time, and the destruction of the Puritans, remains in so perfect a state as to be justly esteemed of unrivalled excellence and beauty. The extreme height of it, including the subcourse, is fifteen feet. The shaft is octagonal, and decorated with a capital, surmounted by a coronal of small embattlements. The cross, with its pediment, which rises from this, is ornamented on the south face with the representation of the crucified founder of the christian faith, and on the opposite side with that of the virgin and child.

The church is a small building consisting of a tower, nave, and chancel, and is void of architectural interest. [60b] In the wall at the end of the chancel is a plate of brass, on which is sculptured the representation of a person full robed, kneeling on a cushion before a reading desk, in the sinister upper corner is a shield containing arms, and under the figure this inscription:

“Here lyeth GEORGE LITTLEBVRY of Somersby seventh Sonne of Thomas Littlebvry of Stainsbie Esq. who died the 13 daye of Octob. in ye yeare of our Lord 1612 being abovt the age of 73 yeares.”

The shield contains these arms:—1. Two lioncels statant guardant in pale Quarterly, 1 and 4, Barry of six; 2 and 3 A bend. 3. Three shark bolts. 4. A mullet between three crescents, a dexter canton. On the fesse point a rose for difference.

Against the skreen between the nave and chancel is a marble tablet surmounted by a shield containing the arms of Burton, Sable, a chevron argent, between three owls argent, ducally crowned or; the crest, an owl argent, crowned as before. Under the arms is this inscription:

“Here lieth Mrs. KATH. BURTON Daughter of Richard Langhorne Esq. She died Aug. 25 A.D. 1742. Also ROBERT BURTON Esq. Citizen of London, Husband of the said Mrs. Katherine Burton. He died Nov. 30 1753.”

The advowson of the rectory belongs to the lord of the manor.

In a woody dell in this parish is a spring, gently bursting from the rock, called Holy-well, but the name of the saint to whom it was dedicated is not preserved.

According to the returns of 1811, this village at that time contained 14 houses and 73 inhabitants.

SCRIVELSBY.

About two miles south of Horncastle, on the road leading from that place to Boston, stands the village of Scrivelsby, which is included in the Hundred of Gartree.

At the time of compiling the Domesday survey, it appears that part of this parish, then called Scrivelesbi, was annexed to the Soke of Horncastle, which was then retained by the conqueror. [62] By the same record, the manor appears to have been then holden by Robert de Spenser, but by what service is not said. How it passed from De Spenser to the family of Marmyon; whether by inheritance, or escheat of the crown, and subsequent grant, cannot now be ascertained. It was however shortly after in the tenure of Robert Marmyon, whose male descendants enjoyed the same until the twentieth year of Edward the first, 1292, when Philip the last Lord Marmyon died seized of this manor, holden by barony and the service of champion to the kings of England on their coronation day; [63a] and seized also of the castle of Tamworth in Warwickshire, held therewith as parcel of his barony, but by the service of knight’s fees, to attend the king in his wars in Wales. [63b] This Philip had only female issue, and between them his great estates here, in Warwickshire, Leicestershire, and elsewhere, were divided. By this partition, the manor and barony of Scrivelsby were allotted to Joan, the youngest daughter, by whose grand-daughter and heir the same passed in marriage to Sir John Dymoke, who, with Margaret his wife, had livery thereof in the twenty-third year of Edward the third.

At the coronation of Richard the second, Sir John Dymoke claimed in right of his wife, to perform the office of champion; but this right was counterclaimed by Baldwin Freville, who as lord of Tamworth, also claimed to perform that service; but the commissioners of the court of claims, deciding in favor of Sir John Dymoke, he performed that office; and from that period to the present time, nearly five hundred years, their male issue have continued in possession of the same inheritance. The present champion, Lewis Dymoke, Esquire, is the sixteenth of his family, from Sir John Dymoke, who has inherited that high and singular office.

The chief part of Scrivelsby Court, the ancient baronial seat, was destroyed by fire, between fifty and sixty years ago. In the part consumed was a very large hall, on the pannels of the wainscottings of which were depicted the various arms and alliances of the family, through all its numerous and far traced descents. The loss has been in some degree compensated for, by the addition which the present proprietor has recently made, to those parts which escaped the ravages of the fire.

The church is a small building, consisting of a nave, with a north aisle, and a chancel. At the eastern end of the aisle are two tombs, on one of which is the figure of a knight, in chain armour, cross-legged; on the other that of a lady, with a lion at her feet. By the side of these is the tomb of Sir Robert Dymoke, who was champion at the coronations of Richard the third, Henry the seventh, and Henry the eighth; by the last of whom he was made a knight banneret. On the top of the tomb is a plate of brass, on which is sculptured his figure in full armour, in a recumbent posture, with his helmet under his head, and a lion at his feet. Above him is a shield, containing arms, and under him is the following inscription:

“Here liethe the Body of sir Robert Demoke of Screvelsby knight & baronet who departed owt of this present lyfe the xv day of Apryl in y^e yere of our lord god mdlxv upon whose sowle almighte god have m’ci Amen.” [64]

The shield contains these arms:

1. Dymoke. Sable, two lions passant in pale argent, ducally crowned or.

2. Marmyon. Vairè, a fesse gules, frettè or.

3. Hebden. Ermine, five fusils in fesse gules.

4. Rye. Gules, on a bend argent three ears of rye proper.

5. Welles. Or, a lion rampant double tailed sable.

6. Engaine. Gules, a fesse dauncette between six crosselets or.

7. Waterton. Barry of six ermine and gules, three crescents sable.

8. Hastings. Or, a manche gules.

9. Ludlow. Azure, three lions passant guardant in pale, argent.

10. Sparrow. Argent, six martlets sable, three, two and one; on a chief indented gules, two swords in saltire, points upwards, proper, between two lions heads erased.

Beside these arms, the sides and ends of the tomb were ornamented with others contained in eight shields of brass, none of which are now remaining.

On the floor of the aisle is a stone which has once contained a brass figure, with corner shields and an inscription, all which are now gone.

On the floor at the south side of the communion table is a plate of copper, on which is this inscription:

“Under this Stone lyes Sir Charles Dymoke, Knight, who was Champion at the Coronation of King James the 2d. On his left hand lyes the Lady Dymoke; next to her, the Honourable Lewis Dymoke, their youngest son; next to him lies Capt. Dymoke, the eldest son of Sir Charles, who died in France; next to him, Mrs. Dymoke, Daughter of Sir Charles; at the head of Sir Charles, lyes Mrs. Eliz. Dymoke, the youngest daughter of Sir Charles Dymoke.”

On the floor at the north side of the communion table, is a stone, containing this inscription:

“Here lyeth the Body of the Honourable CHARLES DYMOKE Esq. of Scrielsby, Champion of England, who departed this life the 17th day of January, and in the year of our Lord, 1702.

“This Gravestone was laid at the proper cost and charge of His widow, Jane Dymoke, and in the year 1726.”

Against the south wall of the chancel is a very handsome marble monument, ornamented with a bust of the individual whose memory it perpetuates, at the top is a shield containing the arms of Dymoke, with the crest, a sword erect; and underneath is the following inscription:

“Near this place lieth Interr’d the Body of the Honorable LEWIS DYMOKE, Esq. late Champion of England, who performed that service at the Coronation of King George the 1st and King George the 2d. He was the youngest Son of Sir Charles Dymoke and Eleanor his wife, eldest Daughter of the first Lord Rockingham. He departed this Life on the 5th of February, 1760, in the 91st Year of his Age.”

On the north side of the chancel is a mural tablet containing this inscription:

“Sacred to the Memory of the Honourable JOHN DYMOKE of Scrivelsby, in this county, Champion of England, who performed that service at the Coronation of His Majesty George 3d, and whose body lieth interred in a Vault near this place: He departed this life, March 6th, 1784. Aged 52 years.”

Against the south wall is the following inscription on a small marble tablet:

“Sacred to the Memory of LEWIS JONES, Esquire, of Great Hale in this County, who departed this Life May 1st 1786. Aged 71 Years.”

The rectory, united in 1741 to that of the adjoining village of Dalderby, is in the presentation of the lord of the manor.

On the inclosure of Wildmore Fen, pursuant to an act of parliament obtained for that purpose in 1801, a portion thereof was allotted to this parish, in lieu of right of common.

By the returns of 1811, this parish at that period contained 22 houses, and 126 inhabitants.

BOLINGBROKE.

SITUATION, &c.

Bolingbroke, a decayed market town, is distant about eight miles south east from Horncastle, and gives name to the soke wherein it is situated. The town is seated on a clear, rapid brook, from which the name is derived, and which runs along a peculiar deep recess of rugged sand-stone hills, which suddenly terminate at the northern border of the adjacent fen district. Embayed amid these deep declivities, and having but one narrow outlet into the level land, it is a matter of no surprize that its importance as a place of security was not overlooked in the feodal times, when it became further strengthened by a castle.