[230b] The writer once found on Langton Hill, within a quarter of a mile of Horncastle, the rowell of a spur with very long spikes, which was probably lost by a fugitive Cavalier after the fight. He has also a pair of spurs which were ploughed up on the battle field; and he has also a pistol of peculiar construction, found in a ditch near Woodhall Spa, which had probably been lost by a fleeing trooper.
[231] There are more than 2000 place-names in England which contain this element: from the county names of Nott-ing-hamshire and Buck-ing-hamshire, to Wolsingham, to the North, in Durham; and Hastings on the South coast of Sussex.
[233] The Beks, who have been mentioned before in this volume, became a powerful and wealthy family. They attained to the honour of Knighthood, and Barony, married into families of good position, acquired the Constableship of Lincoln Castle, and were especially strong in Bishops; four members of the family being raised to the episcopate, one as Bishop of Lincoln, then the largest See in the Kingdom, another as Bishop of Durham. Of this last it is related that he was so enormously wealthy that his ordinary retinue consisted of 140 knights. Hearing that a piece of cloth was said to be “too costly for even the Bishop of Durham,” he at once bought it, and had it cut up into horse cloths. While he was staying in Rome, a Cardinal greatly admired his horses. He thereupon sent two of the best with his compliments, begging the Cardinal to take which he preferred. The cardinal took both; whereat the Bishop drily remarked, “He has chosen the best.”
[234] That a connection of Beks and Willoughbys with Kirkstead Abbey existed before this, is shewn by the following documents. Walter Bek, first Baron of Willoughby, by will, dated July 20, 1301, directed that his body should “be buried at Kirkstede, whereunto he gives his best horse (price 40 marks), his mail-coat, gauntlets, targe and lance,” and other accoutrements, Sir Willm. Willoughby being his executor. An old Charter exists (Harleian MS., 45. h. 14), by which “John Bek, Lord of Eresby, makes known to all sons of Holy Mother Church,” that he grants and confirms “to God and the Church of the blessed Mary of Kyrkested, and to the Monks there serving God, in pure and perpetual alms, all the gifts and confirmations, which (his) ancestors made to them”; one of the witnesses to this being “Dominus William de Wylcheby.”
[235] By a curious coincidence, we find 120 years later, another William Hardigray, doubtless a descendant of this, occupying the post of master, with sundry “fellows” under him, of the Chantry of the Holy Trinity, at Spilsby; and to him, and his Institution, Sir William Willoughby, in 1406, granted certain lands in Scremby and elsewhere, to augment the endowment; a further bequest being made by Robert, Lord Willoughby, in 1452. (“History of Spilsby,” p. 46, by H. Cotton Smith.)
[236] The Glovers would seem to have been of some antiquity in the neighbourhood. In an Inquisition, taken at Sleaford, A.D. 1506, as to the estate of Mawncer Marmeon, among the jurors is William Glover, of Panton. (Architect. Soc. Journal, vol. xxiii., pt. i., pp. 55 and 69). While, in another Inquisition taken at Spalding in the same year, among the jurors is Robert Glover (Ibidem); and in another Inquisition taken at Falkingham, 3 years later, we find Thomas Phillips of Stamford, and John Obys, clerk, seized of the manor of Casewick (Ibidem, p. 80).
[237] The bricks of the former residence itself are said to have been used in repairing Baumber Church many years ago.
[238a] Some anecdotes are told of this worthy. A friend, who, in his early years, received some tuition from him, relates that he once took him to the top of the church tower, and waving his arms around, exclaimed “All this should be mine, every inch of it.” He planted an apple tree, when each of his numerous progeny was born; two or three of which still bear fruit in the vicarage orchard. He is said to have been a skilful boxer, and to have thrashed a big bully at Thimbleby. Being accused by a clerical superior, of frequenting public houses, and drinking too much, he replied, “I am not the only man who has been accused of being a gluttonous man and a wine-bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners.” He was evidently well able to hold his own with tongue as well as fist, although the valuable patrimony slipt through his fingers.
[238b] He was intimate with Prout, De Wint, Cattermole, and other artists of his day, his own paintings in sepia being well-known and highly valued. The writer of these Records possesses several of them, and among them, the gift of Mr. Terrot, a painting of Stonehenge, the original of which was presented by the artist to King Edward, on his visit to Stonehenge, as Prince of Wales.
[238c] These capitals are still preserved in the vestry.