ingtons, Clitherows, Rev. Richard Ward, and about
100 other proprietors hold smaller portions. We have mentioned the
influence of Sir Joseph Banks in the drainage and enclosure of the fens,
and on the completion of that important work in Wildmore Fen, in 1813,
some 600 acres were added to the soke of Horncastle, about 80 acres being
assigned to the manor, while the glebe of the Vicar was increased so that
it now comprises 370 acres.

We conclude this chapter with another record of the past, which should
not be omitted. It is somewhat remarkable that although Horncastle has
been connected with so many personages of distinction as proprietors, and
for about 600 years (as already shewn) with royalty itself, as an
appanage of the crown, it has only once been visited by royalty in
person. History tells {32a} that "on Sep. 12, 1406, Henry IV. made a
royal procession" from this town (probably coming hither from Bolingbroke
Castle, his birthplace), "with a great and honourable company, to the
Abbey of Bardney, where the Abbot and monks came out, in ecclesiastical
state, to meet him," and he was royally entertained by them. We may
perhaps assume that as his father, John of Gaunt, had a palace at
Lincoln, {32b} he was on his way thither, where also his half brother,
Henry Beaufort, had been Bishop, but was promoted two years before this
to the See of Winchester.

The nearest approach to another royal visit was that of the Protector,
Oliver Cromwell, which however was of a private character. Although
historians do not generally relate it, it is locally understood that,
after the Battle of Winceby, on Oct. 11, 1643, Cromwell personally came
to Horncastle to see that proper honours were paid, by the churchwarden,
Mr. Hamerton, to the body of Sir Ingram Hopton, slain on that eventful
day in single combat with Cromwell himself, who pronounced him to be "a
brave gentleman," he having, indeed, first unhorsed Cromwell. This visit
would seem to be further proved by the fact that a man, named John
Barber, died in Horncastle, aged 95, A.D. 1855 (or 1856), whose
grandfather remembered Cromwell, on that occasion, sleeping in the house
now called Cromwell House, in West Street (or rather an older house on
the same site); while in the parish register of West Barkwith there is an
entry of the burial of Nicholas Vickers, in 1719, with the additional
note that he "guided Cromwell over Market Rasen Moor," in his journey
northward after the b