An ancient lease is mentioned in the year 842, by which " Ceolred abbot of Medeshamstede, and the monks, let to Wulford the land at Semprigaham (Sempringham) for her life, on condition that they gave, beside some other land, a yearly rent of 60 fother of wood, 12 fother of græfan, which may mean coals, 6 fother of turf, 2 Tuns full of clear ale, 2 slain cattle, 600 loaves, 10 miltan of Welsh ale, 1 horse, 30 shil-. lings and a nights lodging” (Turner's Anglo Saxen Chronicles Vol. 4. pa. 215,)

Johu Dalderby, bishop of Lincoln, by his deed bearing date at Bugden, anno 1303, granted licence to the schollars of the convent at Sempringham studying divinity or philosophy in St. Peter's parish in Stamford, to have a chaplain to celebrate in the private chapel there, saving the rights of the parish church of St. Peter

there.

Robert Lutterell, Rector of Irnham, gave, for the maintenance of the said schollars, the house which they inhabited, with several lands aud tenements in Ketton, Corismere and Casterton, in Rutlandshire; which was confirmed by John bishop of Lincoln; dated at Bugden, Novem ber, 1323.

VOL. III.

Near Sempringham in a ditch by the Roman road, was found a fragment of a large Roman urn, or vase, of fine light red earth, representing victory with a hare behind her, and part of a manipulus with a standard, wreaths &c. in bas relief, with many beads of different colours. "The Church,

Which has been much larger, having formerly had cross ailes, was built at different times, and of course displays different kinds of architecture. One saxon arch is particularly fine, and the arches over the windows are of the lancet form. The arch over the south door is ornamented

with zig-zag. The whole nave is saxon, or ner. man, but the steeple is gothic, and stands at the east end. A few years ago the south trancept and chancel were taken down. The font is octagonal, standing on a pedestal, the seats are part stalls, and part pews, and the steeple, which is a tower contains 3 bells. It serves as a parish church to Pointon and Birthorpe.

We noticed the following inscriptions.

On a marble monument at the east end of the nave. In memory of John Hicklin Hubbard Gent who died the 2nd of July, 1783, aged 51 years. Also of Susanna his wife, who departed

this life March 20, 1798, aged 72. In the N. E corner is cut in the wall: Sing praises unto the Lorde ve sanes of his.

Speravi N. C. ETER. C. R.

It is a vicarage which, with the chapel of Pointon, is valued at 21. 15s. 8d. Patron Lord Fortescue. The church is dedicated to St Andrew.

MODERN STATE.

4

Earl Fortescue is lord of the manor and chief owner. The parish contains about 2000 acres of land, the average rent of which is about 45 shitlings, per acre. The upland soil is a clay loam, chiefly pasture aud ancient inclosure; quick. hedge fences. The low land is also chiefly rich pasture well drained, moory clay soil, thefences mostly ditches. In this part of the Lordship were before the drainage of the fens, five decoys for catching Wild Fowl, which were fifty years ago in use, and of great value, three of them are now ozier or willow holts, the rest gra. zing land. The low ground we are now speaking of was, past the memory of man, private pro. perty, inclosed separately from the then adjoining open fen, and was a preserve for the

breeding as well as taking wild Fowl in monastic times.; the lowest part near the forty foot river is called Neslam fort Nash, a breeding place.

The principal proprietors of land are Lord Fortescue, W. Westmorland Esq. John Foulkes Esq. and J. Barker Esq.

Though there were formerly 5 decoys, at present Mr. Clifton, Mr. Kelham, and J. W, H. Burton Esq. have only each of them one.

The house once inhabited by the Clinton Family, was built out of the ruins of the monastery, and so were several houses in Bilingborough A great part of the parish is grazing land.

BIRTHORPE.

BIRTHORPE is in the wapentake of Aveland, in the parts of Kesteven, about 2 miles E. b. S. from Falkingham.

Here has been a chapel, within the memory o

man, it was a chapel to the vicarage of Sempringhim, but it is now down, and the inhabitants of Birthorp pay to the church at Sempringham. What may now be called a depopulated hamlet, is Ouseby, the scite of which is in Birthorpe; but there are no remains, only foundations, and which are situated near the ouze rivulet,

MODERN STATE.

The lord of the manor, and principal land own er of Birthorp, is Earl Fortescue. The parish contains about 440 acres of land, 140 of which are fen land. The sol is principally clay, and the average rent 40s. per acre..

The tithes were exonerated by act of Parlia ment, by land in lieu, at the inclosure of the fields A, D. 1768.

Birthorp is said by some to be a hamlet to Sempringham; it maintains its own poor, and pays to Sempringham church, but we think it: is now and always has been a distinct parish of itself.