st side is a skeleton being drawn from
the tomb by two angels, doubtless emblematic of the "death unto sin and
new birth unto righteousness," accomplished in baptism. On the north
face is the virgin and child, with the sun and moon in the corners above.
On the south side is a figure in long vestment, apparently sitting on an
altar, much defaced. On the west are six figures, much defaced, in the
attitude of prayer. At the four angles are quatrefoiled niches, having
at their bases, alternately, a crowned head and a mitre. This may have
been of the 14th century. The shaft is square and modern, with columns
at the angles.

The communion plate is modern, except the paten, which bears the
inscription "Matthew Sympson, M.A., instituted Rector of Moorby, Feb. 28,
1705, collated Prebendary of Lincoln, June 25, 1718, Rector of Wenington,
May 29, 1728." The present Rector is the Rev. R. C. Oake, late Vicar of
Broughton, Manchester. The rectory of Moorby is consolidated with the
vicarage of Wood Enderby.

By deed dated Nov. 24th, 1855, the guardians of the poor, by consent of
the ratepayers, gave certain land in Moorby for the site of a parish
school to the minister, churchwardens, and overseers, and their
successors; and more recently a school district has been formed for the
parishes of Moorby, Wood Enderby, Claxby, and Wilksby; the school, which
was built in 1855, being enlarged in 1872, to provide the accommodation
required by this union.

Moorby was one of the "thousand four hundred and forty-two manors" which
William the Conqueror took as his own portion, when he divided the lands
of England among his Norman followers. Being in the Soke of Horncastle,
it was doubtless granted, along with that manor, and those of West Ashby,
High Toynton, and several others, to Adelias or Alice de Cundi, daughter
of William de Cheney, Lord of Caenby ann Glentham, and wife of Roger de
Cundi. As she took part against King Stephen, in favour of the Empress
Maud, he took the property from her; but eventually restored it to her,
on condition that she should demolish her castle at Horncastle; this
however was only for life, the estates again reverting to the crown.
Henry II. made a grant of them to Gerbald le Escald, a Fleming noble, who
was succeeded by his grandson and heir, Gerard de Rhodes. His son, Ralph
de Rhodes, in the reign of Henry III., sold the manors to Walter
Mauclerke, Bishop of Carlisle, and until recently the patronage o