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

by George Weir

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

The church has been long since demolished. The benefice is a vicarage in the patronage of the Bishop of Lincoln.

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

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

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