patrons of the benefice; the patronage, within late years, being
transferred to the Bishops of Manchester, after the creation of that See
in 1848.

At an earlier date, being an appendage to the Manor of Horncastle, this
demesne would be owned at one period by Gerard and Ralph de Rhodes; and
this is shewn by the following records among the Final Concords, date 3rd
Feb., 1224-5, whereby an agreement was arrived at between Henry del
Ortiay and Sabina his wife, on the one part, and Ralph de Rhodes on the
other part, as to certain lands in Moorby, Enderby, Horncastle, and other
parishes, that the said Henry and Sabina should recognise the said lands
as belonging to the said Ralph; he, on his part, granting to them other
lands there, specially designated, they rendering to him "therefor by the
year, one pair of gilt spurs, at Easter, for all service and exaction."
{203a} This agreement was settled "at the court of the Lord the King at
Westminster on the morrow of the purification of the blessed Mary, in the
9th year of King Henry III. {203b}

In the old records, Testa de Nevill (circa 1326-28), it is stated that
"the churches of Horncastre, Askeby (West Ashby), Upper Thinton (High
Toynton), of Meringes (Mareham-on-the-Hill), and of Hinderby (Wood
Enderby), are of the gift of the lord; and Osbert, the parson, holds them
of King Richard."

In _Domesday Book_ it is stated that at the time of the Conqueror, there
were "400 acres of wood pasturage" in the parish, a sufficient reason for
its designation. Like Moorby, it was among the manors seized by the
Conqueror, for his portion of the plunder taken from our Saxon
forefathers. In Saxon times the Thane, Siward, had land here; which was
given by the Conqueror to his steward, Robert Despenser, brother of the
Earl Montgomery. {203c}

CONINGSBY.

This is a large village, about 8 miles from Horncastle, in a southerly
direction. It is bounded on the north by Tattershall Thorpe, on the west
by Tattershall, on the south by Wildmore, and on the east by Tumby and
Mareham-le-Fen. Its area is 3,442 acres, including the hamlet of
Hawthorn Hill; rateable value 5,160 pounds; population 1,192. Apart from
a limited number of shops and three inns, the people are engaged mainly
in agriculture. The soil is mostly a light sand, with a subsoil of
gravel deposits and clay. The nearest railway station is at Tattershall,
distant about 1.5 miles.

The owners of over 50 acres are Lord