A peculiar rustic ceremony, which used annually to be observed at this place, doubtless derived its origin from the Floral games of antiquity. On the morning of May-day, when the young of the neighbourhood assembled to partake in the amusements which ushered in the festivals of the month of flowers, a train of youths collected themselves at a place to this day called the May Bank. From thence, with wands enwreathed with cowslips, they walked in procession to the may-pole, situated at the west end of the town, and adorned on that morning with every variety in the gifts of Flora. Here, uniting in the wild joy of young enthusiasm, they struck together their wands, and scattering around the cowslips, testified their thankfulness for that bounty, which widely diffusing its riches, enabled them to return home rejoicing at the promises of the opening year. That innovation in the manners and customs of the country, which has swept away the ancient pastimes of rustic simplicity, obliterated about forty years ago this peculiar vestige of the Roman Floralia.
In the fields on the south side of the town, the ground abounds with fragments of cinerary urns, and several perfect ones have also there been discovered. From these circumstances, together with the appearance of the soil, it seems certain that in this part the Romans used to burn their dead on the funeral pile. Of the urns found, only two are known to exist in the neighbourhood; one being in the collection of Sir Joseph Banks, at Revesby Abbey, the other in the possession of Mr. Crowder, an inhabitant of the town.
It is much to be regretted for the advancement of researches into local antiquities that the chief part of the urns, coins, fibulæ, and other Roman vestiges discovered at Horncastle, have been sold to strangers who have visited the town, or to dealers elsewhere. The coins which have been found here are numerous, and though chiefly of small brass and denarii ærei of the lower empire, yet they include many extremely fine and varied specimens of the earlier imperial coins, both of a larger size and of other metals, several of which are in the possession of different individuals in the town. Amongst these may be particularized the silver coins of Vespasian, L. Septimius Severus, Alexander Severus, and Volusianus; the large brass of Trajan; and the middle brass of Caligula, Claudius, Nero, Trajan, Hadrian, Domitian, Antoninus Pius, Faustina the elder, Marcus Aurelius Antoninus, and Faustina the younger. The small brass and denarii ærei form nearly a complete series of the emperors from Gallienus to Valentinanus the second, and include also within that period, coins of some of the tyrants of Britain and Gaul. Beside these are some others in the collection of the late Reverend Charles L’Oste, now possessed by his son, but unfortunately no memoranda exist by which they are to be distinguished from those obtained at other places. This gentleman also had in his collection several fibulæ and stiles which had been discovered here.
A British coin found at this place has on its concave side the horse and symbolic circles; on the convex is the representation of an animal apparently intended for a stag, with similar ornaments around it, as the other side possesses. Many of the early English silver currency have been found here, and also a specimen of the Scottish coinage of David the second.
In deepening the bed of the river Bane, to complete the navigation, in 1802, an ornamental brass spur, part of a brass crucifix, and a dagger, were found together at a short distance from the north bason of the navigation. The spur is now lost; the part of the crucifix and the dagger are in the possession of the author.
THE CHURCH.
From the silence of the Domesday Book respecting a church at this place, it may be concluded that there was not one erected when that survey was made; there however appears to have been one in the reign of Richard the first. [29a]
The present structure, which is dedicated to Saint Mary, stands in the centre of the town, and possesses but few attractions for the antiquary or the architect. It consists of a square tower, a nave and chancel, with north and south aisles. Being for the most part built with the soft and imperfectly aggregated sand-stone of the neighbourhood, which yields easily to the moisture of the atmosphere, it has suffered much from the effects of time; and the decayed parts being repaired with brick gives to the building a motley and unprepossessing appearance.