March 2012

The Churchwardens, Sheila Mullenger & Doug Eke sincerely thank John Dudley for updating and printing the guidebook and for his excellent new photographs. Most of the information used was from a previous edition of the guidebook compiled by Mr. Roy Done with a foreword by Fr. Bernard Parsons (past vicar).

Many thanks to the Revd J. R. Moore for his foreword.

This edition updates the previous editions of 1983 & 2005

CONTENTS

FOREWORD 3 AN EARLY HISTORY 4 THE COLLEGE 5 BUILDING THE CHURCH 7 THE CHURCH 8 HOW THE CHURCH LOST ITS GLASS 11 THE BELLS AND CLOCK 12 EPITAPHS AND BRASSES 13 WALK WITH ME 16 ECCLESIASTICS BEFORE THE REFORMATION AND AFTER THE REFORMATION 20 GENEALOGY OF THE FOUNDER OF THE CASTLE AND LATER INHERITORS 21 CONJECTURAL PLAN OF CASTLE AND ENVIRONMENT CIRCA 1460 22 FLOOR PLAN OF CHURCH 23

Page 2 FOREWORD impressed by the voluminous space, and the light, which floods in prodigiously The Collegiate Church of the Holy Trinity, through the impressive acreage of , is an unparalleled gem of windows. The Ancaster stone looks as 15th century English architectural fresh as the day it was fashioned into splendour; a glorious monument to the place. vision and skill of its benefactors, designers and builders. Whilst Tattershall Castle is a splendid structure, it is only a relic of the past. It holds the distinctive position of being a Tattershall church, on the other hand, national treasure, which will hopefully continues to serve the purposes for dominate the surrounding Fenlands for which it was first designed. In the words many centuries to come, giving glory to of one of my predecessors, "It is still - as God. It stands impressive and proud, next it always has been and ever will be - the to Tattershall Castle, and was designed to Appointed Meeting Place between God supplement its founder's aspirations to and Man for this Parish of Tattershall develop a college. and Thorpe". It is the place where faithful Christians worship God, and encourage However, in this, the others to discover His mercy. It is the of the Realm, Ralph, 3rd Baron Cromwell, place from where God's word is preached did not see the fruits of his aspirations and His presence made known. It is the come to completion. Having been place where the communities Rites of granted the necessary charter in 1439 by Passage - Birth, Marriage and Death - King Henry VI to demolish the old are still celebrated. Norman building of St. Peter & St. Paul, and replace it with the present structure, In Jesus Christ's name, we extend to and establish a college as well, he died Visitor, Pilgrim and Worshipper alike, a in 1455 long before the great church very warm welcome, and are honoured was started. by your presence. May you enjoy the Church's history and the wonders of its Thankfully, other visionaries, namely architectural splendour. May you find it William Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, to be a place of spiritual refreshment, completed the ambitious project ensuring prayer and peace. that the building was completed to the original design. Feasting our eyes on it As the dedicated, faithful few, who strive today, we see, in the cruciform church, to maintain God's House in this place, one of the finest examples of pray for you, may you know the Father's Perpendicular styling in the country. blessing and be drawn ever nearer to Himself. Inside the church, you cannot fail to be

Page 3 AN EARLY HISTORY speculative ponderings is that the remains of a Roman road have been found in the midst

of some woods at Tumby. The earliest known During the summer months, thousands of archaeological discovery in our local area is visitors travel by road through to that of the ”Tattershall Trumpet” 28 inches the East Coast, to enjoy the fun of a holiday (71cms) long and curving upwards at the by golden sands. As they pass through end, it was made from hammered bronze, Tattershall they cannot help noticing one of soldered with tin, and was adorned along its Lincolnshire’s most prominent land marks, the lower edge with a “mane”. This instrument statuesque red brick castle. Now a property appears to be a goulish carnyx or warhorn, belonging to the National Trust and a popular and was dredged from the in place for picnicking sight-seeing families, and 1768. Legend has it that the Witham, being close to the magnificent Church of The Holy an east flowing river, was sacred, and was Trinity, standing in its cathedral-like splendour. worshipped by our primitive ancestors, who No guide to this majestic Collegiate Church called it “Grant Avon” or “Divine Stream.” The would be complete without a short history of trumpet once lodged at the British Museum, the local area with reference to the founding has now mysteriously disappeared, and they of the Castle, and the many people now have only a picture of it. responsible for much of the history of the The name Tattershall is probably derived from local area. Tatirsale or Tatersale from the Norse “Salr” It is said that the Romans, during their which means “A house of better class.” occupation of our country needed a road Thorpe, (now known as ) from the coast to and Ancaster, to was certainly in existence in Saxon times, and acquire stone from the quarries there; and it was later mentioned in the “Doomsday- that it passed through Tattershall, however no Book”. Tattershall itself is not mentioned until record survives to prove this, and it remains as merely speculation. It is, however, thought by some historians that Tattershall Park, the open area to the north-west of Tattershall was the Dorobrevis of the Romans, who used it as a Eudo, who fought at Hastings with the summer military camp, and evidence of two Conqueror, asked William 1 for some good encampments are proved by the discovery of wheat land so as to properly feed the child Roman coins at the sites. his wife (the Conquerors half sister) was The Romans were in occupation from 60 AD expecting. She gave birth to a son, a nephew when it is known that the ninth (Spanish) to the King, and he was given land in Legion was stationed at Lincoln, the nearest Lincolnshire to share with a comrade from known Roman settlement to Tattershall was the Conquest, called Pinco. They Bannovalum () G. J. Wilkinson’s subsequently divided their joint possessions, Tourists Guide of 1900 speculates that with Eudo gaining uncontested ownership of “Saltway”, a Roman road, was built connecting the Barony of Tateshale, Thorpe, and two Saltby (Leics.) with the coast near Wainfleet, thirds of Woodhall. The first Lord of the and that it passed through , Manor, he then took up residence at Sleaford and Tattershall. He further Tateshale, and died in 1139. speculates that a Roman road led from Eudo’s estates descended to Hugh Fitz Eudo, Tattershall, through Horncastle and (The Breton), and it was he who, in 1139 to Caister. The only fact among these

Page 4 founded the Cistercian Monastery and Abbey THE COLLEGE at Kirkstead; little remains today except the spiral staircase standing alone on Tattershall The Collegiate Church of The Holy Trinity was Park. His grandson, Philip died while in built on the site of a previous church, office as Sheriff and Governor of the Shire, in dedicated to SS Peter and Paul. It is impossible 1200. In 1201, Robert Eudo, his son and to tell when the original church was built, but it inheritor of the Estate, gave a well-trained was probably soon after the Conquest, and Goshawk to King John, and received in came to be used as the family Church of the return a grant to hold a market on Fridays, so Barony of Tattershall. The base and stem of it may be assumed that there was a sizeable the font, and a brass in the Chancel to Hugh community for it to have been worthwhile. de Goudeby, 1411, survive from the original The Butter-Cross still survives, and can be church. An altar in the present church is seen in the market place, the stone cross at dedicated to SS Peter and Paul to remind us of the top, however, has since been replaced. the original Parish Church.

His grandson, another Robert, and third in a line of seven successive Roberts, in 1231 On 14th July 1439, a licence was granted by obtained permission from King Henry III to King Henry VI to :- rebuild the family residence in stone, and this would be the first substantially fortified Ralph Cromwell, Knight. structure to be built on the site of the present Castle. Robert died in 1249, two other Henry Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester, Cardinal Roberts succeeded in their turn, the second of all . being called to Parliament as the Baron de Tateshale in 1297. He died in 1298. On the William Alnewick, Bishop of Lincoln. death of his grandson without male heirs in 1305, the Estate reverted to three Aunts. One John Scroope, Knight. 4th Baron Scroope of of the three, Joan, married Robert de , Bolton. who became the master of Tateshale but their two sons died, and the property went to Walter Hungerford, Knight. Baron and Admiral their daughter Alice, who married Sir William of the Fleet 1416. Bernak, Lord of Woodthorpe. Their son, who became Sir John Bernak, married Joan, Walter Talbois and William Paston, - members daughter of Robert, second Baron Marmyun. of the parish of Tateshale. He died in 1345, and history repeated itself, for his two sons died without heirs, and the This licence empowered them to convert the property passed to Maud, who married Sir Parish Church into a Collegiate Church or Ralph Cromwell. Sir Ralph was summoned College in “Honour of the Holy Trinity, The to Parliament in 1375, and he died in 1398. Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Peter The Apostle, St. His grandson, the third Baron Cromwell, was John The Baptist, and St. John The Evangelist,” also named Ralph, and he married Margaret and was granted “for the good state of King d’Eyncourt. It was this Ralph who was made Henry VI, and the said Sir Ralph Cromwell Lord High Treasurer of England in 1433 by during life, and afterwards for the health of King Henry VI, and who built the present their souls, of their parents, friends and Castle and Collegiate Church. He died on benefactors, but chiefly for the soul of Lady 4th January 1455, his wife Margaret having Maud Cromwell, sometime Lady of Tateshale, died the previous year, and they now lie in his grandmother.” the Chancel of the present Church. Ten acres of land were authorised on which to build mansion-houses and buildings for the

Page 5 Master and Chaplains, the clerks, choristers, Museum, and one is in the Bodleian Library at and the servants, with orchards and gardens, Oxford. The modern use of the word college and to rebuild the Almshouses. The Collegiate implies educational activity, but there is no body was to be a corporation with the power direct evidence of a school having existed in to acquire lands, tenements and other connection with the foundation. Although the revenues, ecclesiastical or secular to the value choristers were taught by the priests, and as £200 per year ( approximately £121,000.00 in early as 1460, the sons of the tenants were 2012), over and above the Church Benefice taught grammar with the choristers, probably and the yearly value of the Church, without in the building referred to as the Grammar payment of fee or fine to the Crown or the School; off the south side of the market-place. Lord of the Manor. The Establishment was to This two storied building, now ruined and consist of seven priests or chaplains, one of without its roof, can still he seen, built of the whom was elected to be the Master, or same brick as the Castle, and with similar Warden; six secular clerks; six choristers; and window stone-work and tracery to that of the thirteen poor people occupying the Church. Henry VII gave the manor to his Almshouse. The Warden, who was to be a mother Margaret Beaufort, Countess of graduate, was elected by the chaplains, and Richmond and on her death the Estate received the sum of £20 per annum reverted to the monarchy. On the dissolution (approximately £12,000.00 in 2012), and of the monasteries, Henry VIII passed the resided at Tateshale except for one month of estate passed to the Duke of Suffolk, having the year. The chaplains had £10 per year expressly stipulated that the College buildings (approximately £6,000.00 in 2012) each, and be demolished and carted away. There is no the Clerks received 10 marks (approximately doubt that the materials were then used in the £400.00 in 2012). Most of the clerks, however, construction of several houses in the Market received extra payment for performing such Place on the western side. The Lodge Farm duties as that of precentor, sacrist, and steward house, which is built of the same kind of of the household. Robert Lound served for a bricks as the Castle, has walls of immense long time as “lmpositor or Provost of the Choir,” thickness, and in which are stone mouldings and in 1503 was so old that he was allowed similar to those in the Church. to dwell outside the College bounds. He The College, as has already been mentioned, evidently possessed both musical and artistic was not educational, except in so far as its talents, for in 1495 he received 5s. 8d. choristers needed tuition in music and (approximately £182.00 in 2012) for the grammar. It was composed of a staff whose notation of chants, and 2s. 10d. (approximately principal duty was to serve the great church £92.00 in 2012) for writing, noting and and its chantry’s, and to say Masses for its illuminating a “Historia Transfiguracionis Jhesu founder, his King, his family and friends, and Christi.” his grandmother (In Cromwell’s will he left Although living a communal life, and bound money for 3000 mass’s to be said for those by the rules of the foundation, its members just mentioned). Thus we find, in addition to were secular, that is to say they were not the High Altar at the east end of the Chancel, monks, and their principle function lay in six lesser ones, two in the recesses of the serving the church, and saying mass at its stone screen, one to the north and a further altars for the souls of the founders and others two to the south of the screen (one of which is previously mentioned. But that they were also in the Lady Chapel) and the high alter in the engaged in the cultivation of their minds as Nave, making the total equal to that number well as of their lands was evident when of Warden and priests. Leland visited the College in the 16 Century. What the College building was like we can He noted a number of books in the library; six only guess. However, we can fix its site, for of the manuscripts are now in the British excavations, carried out when the Bowling

Page 6 Green next to the church was installed, BUILDING THE CHURCH revealed the gateway leading to the College precincts. Other remains including a large Building work started after the 3rd Baron Ralph amount of window tracery when the septic Cromwell had died and probably began about tank was installed at the Bowls Club. The 1470, the old church having been demolished, excavations also revealed, to the north side of and some of’ the stone being used for the the church, the bases of the towers at each foundations of the Castle outbuildings and in side of the gateway leading to the Collegiate the walls of the Nave in the present church. precincts, with a stretch of wall extending to Sir Ralph directed in his will that his body the two hexagonal towers at each end. A should he buried in the choir, and removed to wing appears to have stood north-west of the middle of the new church when it was these, while another wall ran south from the finished but this does not seek to have east tower along the edge of the collegiate happened. The earliest record of stone being enclosure with a semi-circular tower opposite bought for the construction work is (in today's the east end of the Church. To the south it is money value) the accounts of Richard assumed that a hall, cloisters and other Hollingsworth, clerk of the works of the college, buildings lay, and remains of the cloisters are when he received £832. 0s. 9d., mostly from Sir evidenced by the brickwork to be seen on the Thomas Tyrell for expenses, one item of which outside of the south wall of the Chancel. was for the purchase of stone from Hesilberg From the accounts we know that the Hall was and Willesford; in 1482 more stone was finished to the provision of dossers or bought and worked at Willesford to the value ½ hangings about 1457. From the College of £53. 2s. 2 d. It was brought by water to Tattershall via Martin Dyke and the River Statutes we know that the Warden was to Witham. Work at this time was coming to an have two chambers, each priest one, each pair end, for in the previous year glass for five of of clerks one, and the choristers a general the windows had been obtained. It is thought dormitory. There would also be kitchens and that the great tower, however, was not offices, Scriptorium and workshop, so we can completed until after 1500, although the bell- imagine a group of buildings resembling a frame was ordered in 1482. fifteenth century ”Hall” at one of the William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, Universities, a smaller version of the great Cardinal of England, and one of Lincolnshire’s College that William of Wainfleet built at most famous sons, was Sir Ralph’s friend and Oxford. The old ”Grammar” school, which can executor, and there is no doubt that the still be seen to the south of Tattershall market completion of the Church was carried out place, consisted of two rooms, one above the under his direction after Sir Ralph’s death. His other, giving it a likeness to the Grammar arms appear over the entrance to the north School at Wainfleet. porch, which was his personal gift, and they The choristers had to be educated, and their were on the former south porch, which was lmpositor, or Provost, might just as well have demolished with the college buildings. Above other lads under him while so employed. the north porch is a niche for a statue, and on Thus the 1460 Statutes not merely ordained the west side is a holy water stoup. During that the choristers were to rise early and say this period of active building at Tattershall, the Matins before going to the Grammar School, moving spirit on the spot was John Gigur, the but that a clerk or priest was to ”teach Warden. Big things had to go through the grammar to the choristers, and to all sons of hands of Tyrell and Leynton, but Gigur saw to tenants of the Lordship of Tattershall and of everything that was carried out at Tattershall, the College without charge.” and from an indenture between him and “Henry Halesbroke, carpenter of’ Tateshale” we learn that the almshouses were being rebuilt in 1486, and a timber framed structure, 172ft.

Page 7 long and 19ft. wide formed as a long gallery or being 100ft. It consists of four bays with passage, with thirteen chambers opening from clerestory and north and south aisles, which it, with a hall at one end and a chapel at the engage the western tower to form a other; known since that time as ”Gallery Row”. processional way beneath it. There is a long Chancel with a south door, formerly GALLERY ROW opening into the Cloisters, now bricked-in outside. Another south door opens from the Lady Chapel in the South Transept, a further south door is still in place which Gallery Row opened into a now demolished south porch. On the northern side of the Church, the north porch still exists, and the great West Door is still in place. The internal length of the Nave is 109ft., and the Chancel 60ft. All walls are at least It has been altered over the years, and today two feet thick, and the stone screen, or Rood forms five two-roomed dwellings. In 1481 Loft, separating the Nave from the Chancel, is glass was obtained for five of the windows seven feet from east to west, without its from Staffordshire, at a cost of 42 shillings, buttresses. whilst in 1482 the accounts show details of The style is characteristic of the period and is items relating to finer and more costly glazing. entirely that known as perpendicular in which Robert Power of Burton-on-Trent supplied the great areas of wall space are occupied by windows depicting the story of the “Holy Cross,” large windows, with vertical lines of tracery. and of St. Jacob. The latter contained 94ft. of Tall slender pillars on unusually high bases glass, each costing 14d., whilst a window the form the arcades and all the mouldings are same size and cost, called “Credo” came from shallow. The most remarkable feature is the John Glassier of Stamford, who also supplied absence of cusping in the windows. The roofs four other windows at 8d. per foot. John are almost all original internally, though some Wymondswylde of Peterborough glazed a new timber was inserted in the roof of the window “De Historia Magnificat” containing Nave in 1893-7 and again in the 1990’s. 102ft. one for the West Window, containing Outside, the roofs were re-leaded in 1892-3 by 94ft., “de Ymaginibus” and three “de Clara Hugh Earl Fortesque and his Agent Walter Historia” of similar size. Thomas Wodeshaw Martin, their names and dates can be seen and Richard Twigge gave another 102ft. embossed on both North and South Transept window with the seven sacraments and two roofs. The Chancel roof was until the smaller ones with figures inside tabernacles. restoration work carried out in the late nineteen hundreds entirely original stone tile but this had to be replaced due water ingress problems. THE CHURCH The Angels on the brackets which support the beautifully carved arches in the Chancel are As you can see this is a very large building, holding in their left arms symbols representing and it stands and serves a small community. the Passion; one figure bears the Nails, We are a joint benefice with , Kirkby another the Cross, the Spear, the Reed, the on Bain and Roughton. Being know as the Crown of Thorns, the Scourge, the Hammer Bain Valley Group of Churches. The Priest –in- and the last figure bears the Sponge. Charge lives in and the On the south side of the Chancel, in the Assistant Curate resides in Coningsby. sanctuary, are three stone stalls of very fine The church is cruciform in shape, and 180ft. workmanship, and a Piscina, above which can 6ins. long, with the width of the transepts be seen a squint now blocked with a piece

Page 8 wood, which enabled the High Altar to be seen from the Cloisters. Above is a cornice charged with various animals. The stone stalls were for the Priest, Deacon and Sub -Deacon to rest upon whilst, the ”Gloria in Excelcis”, and other parts of the Mass were chanted. The Piscina is a stone basin formed within a recess to the left of the stalls, with an orifice connecting directly to a drain, so that such portions of the consecrated elements that were not consumed would be carried off by the drain to prevent their pollution by irreverent hands. Other Piscina can be seen The NAVE and ROOD LOFT in a recess on the north side of the stone screen, next to the Altar now kept by the Royal British Legion, on the right hand side of the Altar dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul, in the stone screen, and in the Chapel in the South Transept dedicated to Our Lady.

Between the Nave and the Chancel, as previously mentioned, is a handsome Rood-Loft, or stone screen, formerly presenting centrally a large crucifix, with the images of the Holy Virgin and Saint John on each side. A winding stair leads up to it, and the Epistle and Gospel were read from the two stone desks in the projection, called the NAVE ALTAR pulpitum, on the east side. Today the Organ is installed in the Rood- loft, and prevents access to the Pulpitum. On much of the paving was also taken away, and each side of the entrance, facing the Nave, are was replaced by a Ralph Gibson at his own recesses for altars, the Altar to the left, being expense. On the outside of the south wall of dedicated to SS Peter and Paul, preserving the the Chancel, below the level of the high-up link with the original Church. The Tudor Rose windows are traces of stonework which with foliage is exquisitely sculptured at each evidently supported the vaulted ceiling of the corner of the archway on the Chancel side, cloisters, which were necessary to the service above the original door. This loft was the gift, of the church and, like it, would be stone-built. in 1524, of Robert de Whaley, who was buried The pulpit still remains in the Nave, and is beneath its archway in 1528. ornamented at the base with rich old carved The high square pews of oak, which were work; on its panels have been inscriptions once in the Nave, were removed in 1822; which are now almost obliterated. The Font at

Page 9 Robert Power - Burton on Trent John Glasier - Stamford John Wymondeswalde - Peterborough Richard Twygge - Possibly the West Midlands Thomas Wodshawe - Possibly the West Midlands were engaged to produce its stained glass. It was a gallery that depicted the story of the Christian faith - its history in Old and New Testaments, and its legends from the lives of Saints - and also providing an heraldic record of the man to whose great generosity the whole Collegiate Church and establishment owed its origin, Sir Ralph Cromwell. Our services are mostly held in the Chancel, this being the only part that is heated and is sealed both to preserve heat and keep out the bats, which have colonies in the roof the North Porch and parts of the Nave.

ALTAR DEDICATED TO SS PETER and PAUL A link to the original Norman church

the west end of the south aisle is of early English type, a circular howl, scooped in an octagonal un-sculptured block, supported by an ornamented octagonal base, and is raised three steps above the pavement. It is quite probable that the base and stem survive from the original Parish Church. The main impression that the Church gives is that it was fully designed before it was begun, and that, although it was certainly many years before it was completed, the original design, even of details, was preserved, uninfluenced by changing tastes. The result is a very splendid and perfect piece of fifteenth- century ecclesiastical architecture which, although nowadays seeming a little drab, it must be remembered that, in its prime, it presented a very different appearance from that which it does today; the windows, by their THE FONT - The base and stem survive from size and number, formed the outstanding the original Norman church feature of the Church, and every one glowed with colour.

Page 10 unruly lot) to resist its removal on the HOW THE CHURCH appointed day. But Lord Fortesque, who then LOST IT’S GLASS had the Manor, with the aid of Mr. Banks of Revesby, was too quick for them, and the glass In the eighteenth century the church came was hurriedly removed a day before the close to meeting the same fate that befell its threatened demonstration against its removal. College; and we have the extraordinary However, because of the haste in which it was example of the stained glass being removed removed, no proper plan was ever kept of the from the Church and sold for £40.00. The Vicar composition of the windows at the time, Samuel Kirkshawe, complained in The glass thus illegally removed, some of 1737 that the Church was too dark and that which was taken to Burghley House, where it he could not see to read his homilies with can now be seen in two of the windows in such dark stuff in the windows, and could it the Dining Hall, a further portion is installed in not be replaced by clear glass? Nothing seems Warwick Castle, and the majority can now be to have happened until 1754, when the Earl of seen in St. Martins Church, Stamford. It was Exeter offered to take the stained glass, and fifty years before the glass found its way back replace it with new clear glass. The villagers to the chancel and during this time the objected strongly to this removal of part of Chancel stood open to the elements, with the their heritage, and threatened to enlist the aid consequent destruction of the return stalls, rich of the Witham Boatmen (always a rough and screens and ornamental works.

THE CHANCEL. What little remains of the stained glass can be seen in the East Window

Page 11 Accounts for this period show expenses for THE BELLS AND CLOCK glass, square leading and glazing work, probably for the Nave only: From the records we know that the bell-frame 1757 was ordered in 1482 when the tower must 126 ft. Sq. ledeing £1-11-6 have still been in the process of being built, 62 doz. glass squares £1- 0- 8 but the earliest date recorded on any of the 1758 bells is 1691. Until 1935, there were only five Robert Stephenson £0-10-0 bells, but the present number 1 was cast from Glasing work £0-17-6 the metal head-stocks of the other five, and £0- 4-0 hung to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of The Earl of Exeter could have replaced the King George V and Queen Mary. The rest of Chancel windows with clear glass for the sum the bells are inscribed thus; of £40, and indeed had agreed to do so, but Lord Fortesque’s Steward defaulted on the No. 2 Daniel Hedderly, founder, 1752. ”Glory promise; ”as it would only please the people, to the only God in the highest.” who have no concern in the matter, as the Chancel belongs entirely to my Lord.” The view No. 3 Daniel Hedderly, founder, Tho. Peacock. being held, (illegally) by many throughout the C.W. 1752. country in the eighteenth century, that the

Chancel of the Estate Church was the property No. 4. C. & G. Mears, founders, 1857. of the Lord of the Manor, although how this gave Fortesque the right to deprive the rest of the Church of its glass is not clear. What little No. 5. Tobious Morris Cast Mee 1691. remained of the glass after the disaster, most of it being rescued from local houses was No. 6. Tobious Morris Cast Mee 1691. made up into 28 panels, in a very fragmentary manner to fit the lower part of the East The bells are rung from the floor of the Nave, Window. In 1988 the window was in such a there being no ringing-chamber, and the reach sorry state, that urgent repair/restoration had to of the bell-ropes is said to be one of the be carried out. All the glass was removed and longest in the country. There is a Carillion eventually taken to the Stained Glass studio of connected and in regular use, enabling all six Keith Barley in York. Here the glass was re- bells to be rung by one person. The Church leaded where necessary and cleaned. This also has a set of 25 hand-bells which are rung work took about 18 months and eventually the regularly by the Tattershall and Coningsby panes were set in their own phosphor-bronze Church Hand-bell Ringers. frames and refitted. These frames were strengthened and the glass cleaned in 2011.. The present clock-works were presented by the Canon Sutton, M.A., Rector of Brant Broughton, Easter 1924. At that time Rev. Wm. Dixon was Vicar, Churchwardens were G. P. Shipworth and J. Wells, Verger E. Butters, and all have recorded the event on the walls in the clock- chamber.

Canon James Day, Rector until June 1980, obtained the organ from St. Paul’s Church, , when it became redundant.

Page 12 EPITAPHS AND BRASSES

In the North Transept are six fine monumental brasses previously distributed about the Church. There were at least twenty-one brasses present when Gervase Holles visited the Church when writing his “Notes on Churches” in 1642, but the rest have sadly disappeared. The brasses in the North Transept are as follows :-

1. William Moor, B.D., 1456. A Warden / Provost of the College, he is depicted in Mass vestments, with his hands in prayer.

2. Joan, Lady Cromwell, 1479. The Lady is depicted in rich costume trimmed with fur, and her effigy is surrounded by figures of Saints. There were formerly shields at the four corners, but these have now disappeared.

3. Maud, Lady Willoughby d’Eresby, 1497. The corner shields here are also missing, but the life-sized figure of the Lady is very fine. New clock drive Again there are attendant Saints.

4. A Warden of the College, 1510-20, possibly John Cyger. A large effigy of a priest, wearing the round cap of a Doctor of Divinity, cassock, surplice; and fur tippet. This is a fine brass of an unusual type.

5. William Symson, died 1519. A priest in Mass vestments, with his feet standing on a flowery mound. He was chaplain to Edward Hevyn, but the effigy was engraved earlier, c.1490(?). Edward Hevyn was Steward to Margaret, Countess of Richmond who was Henry VII’s mother

6. Ralph, Baron Cromwell, Lord High Treasurer of England, founder of the college, died 1455, and his wife Margaret (effigy lost), died 1454. Brass engraved 1470

7. The last remaining brass is to be found Redundant clock drive in the centre of the Chancel; of Hugh de Goudeby, 1411, it is a small full length figure

Page 13 of a civilian. He was supervisor or steward to of this College, who died January 29th, 1519.” Ralph, the second Baron Cromwell; and this brass is older than the Church in which it now ”Here lies Edward English, Master of Arts, lies, having been removed from the Norman Fellow and Precentor of this College, and vicar Church before its demolition. of Burwell Church, who died March 17th, 1522.” The North Transept was enriched by Edward Hevyn, the Steward to Margaret, Countess of ”Pray for the soul of Master Robert Sudbury, Richmond and King Henry V11’s mother, who Bachelor of Divinity, late Rector of ...... ; and late had the estate of Tattershall in 1487, and Precentor and Fellow of this College, who died within the Chapel in the North Transept was December 19th, 1482.”. once a marble, on which this epitaph was written: The gravestone of the Rev. Michael Taylor is in “Have mercy on the soule good Lorde we pray the centre Aisle of the Nave, and the Latin Of Edward Hevyn laid here in sepulture. inscription is worthy of translation: Which to Thine Honour this chappell did array, ”Here lies Michael Taylor, for more than forty And pavement of marble long to endure, years a most watchful Pastor of this Church, With ceilng , desk, perclose, and purtrayture, he died July 5th 1730 aged 72. He was Servant of late to the excellent Princesse, endowed with pious learning and youthful Mother of King Henry, of Richmond, Countess.” piety. He was to the last an energetic preacher, divinity shone on his brow, he was As the word perclose in the epitaph infers, this benevolent to the poor with almost daily chapel was separated from the rest of the charity. He bore his illness as was fitting with church by a screen; the lower of panel, the strong courage, passing from sorrow to his upper of open tracery work of wood. The wished for goal, he longed to die and be with pillars between it; and the Nave bear signs of Christ, he died, as he lived, piously full of days.” having formerly sustained some erection of this kind, and some ancient woodwork in the cabinet on the North side may have been used for this purpose. All the decorations of this chapel have been ruthlessly destroyed as appears by marks left on the walls. It is now railed off, and the remaining brasses have been placed inside. Possibly the slab on the north wall of the Chancel is of a civilian kneeling before a prayer desk, in a tabard, and it may be a portion of Edward Hevyn’s memorial. There are several epitaphs of people who have been buried in the church:- ”Here lies Thomas Gibbon, Master of Arts, late Rector of Wiberton, Fellow and Precentor of this College, who died January 6th 1506.”

”Pray for the soul of Lord Henry Porter, late Joan, Fellow of this College of Tattershall, and Lady Cromwell Precentor of this Church, who died March 12th, 1519.” ”Here lies Edward 0akey, late one of six clerks

Page 14 BRASSES IN THE NORTH TRANSEPT

5. Joan, Lady Cromwell, died 1490. 1. William Symson, chaplain to Brass engraved mid to late 1490’s Edward Hevyn, died 1519 but effigy engraved earlier, c.1490 (?). 6. Maud, Lady Willoughby, died 1497. Edward Hevyn was Steward to Brass engraved mid 1470’s about Margaret, Countess of Richmond 20 years before she died. and Henry VII’s mother. There is also a brass, commemorating 2. William Moor, Provost 1456 Hugh de Gouldeby, dated 1411, under the carpet by the steps in the Chancel. This 3. A Priest c 1510. Probably John brass is thought to have been made in Cyger, 3rd Provost of the college. Boston and pre-dates the present church.

4. Ralph, Baron Cromwell, Lord High Item 7 is a clock mechanism that pre Treasurer of England, founder of dates 1653 the college, died 1455, and his wife Margaret (effigy lost), died 1454. Brass engraved mid 1470’s

North

4 5

3 6

2 7

1 Railings

Page 15 29

28 N 31 32 30 27 Diagramatic Possible site plan of the 33 of the Collegiate cloisters and Church 26 the Priest’s 25 Vestry 24

22 23 23 20 15 21 18 19 17 34 35 14 16 36 13 38 37

12 39

10 11 40

9 8 6 41 42 7 43 45 44

4 46 2 5 3 3 1

Page 16 Index to plan of church 25 The pulpit. 26 Position of a missing memorial

brass. 1 West Door 27 Thought to be where Lord 2 Toilets Cromwell and his wife were buried. 3 Two carved figures. 28 High Altar. 4 Tower. 29 Great East Window. 5 Entrance door to the tower. 30 Piscina. 6 North Door 31 The sedilia. 7 Holy Water Stoup. 32 Site of a “Squint”. 8 Entrance to North Porch. 33 Collegiate Chapter entrance door – 9 Money Box, Postcards & Guides now sealed up. 10 North Aisle. 34 One of the 7 alters. 11 Nave. 35 South Transept. Containing the 12 Position of original Nave screen. Lady Chapel 13 Nave Altar. 36 South Transept Door and site of an old porch 14 Six of the Memorial brasses. There were originally 22 in the church 37 Staining, possibly caused by the but the rest were stolen/sold or heating apparatus when the just vandalised. transept was used as a school between 1786 and 1830. 15 The old church clock. 38 Ventilation stones originally in the 16 North Transept. chancel. 17 British Legion Altar & Standards 39 Pulpit – this is older than the 18 Altar dedicated the church’s present church and was in the Norman predecessor SS Peter & original church. Paul., altar recesses with Piscina 40 South Aisle. 19 Altar recesse with Piscina. 41 South Door 20 Organ 42 Site of South Porch 21 Stone screen with Rood Loft or 43 Tom Thumbs grave. Pulpitum Magnum. 44 Font – it is thought by some that 22 This projection retains two stone the bowl is older than the pedestal. reading desks and the Epistle and Gospel would have been read 45 Heritage Centre Refreshment area from here. 46 Kitchen 23 English rose emblems in the corner of the arch behind the For an explanation of terms please see curtain. next page 24 The Choir or Chancel.

Page 17 Piscina Collegiate In some Christian churches, a sacred container Involving, belonging to, appropriate to, or or basin that holds holy water, used to carry it being a college, including its students away after ablutions have been completed. and their pursuits. Stoup Font A basin for holy water in a church. A large container in a Christian church Nave that holds the water sprinkled in baptisms The long central hall of a cross-shaped church, often with pillars on each side, where the Squint congregation sits. A Squint is also known as a Hagioscope Altar which is a small opening through a Chancel arch or wall, to enable worshippers in an Aisle A raised, typically flat-topped structure or area or Side Chapel to see the elevation of the where religious ceremonies are performed. Host. It can also be a type of Chancel window. The table or other raised structure in a Christian church on which the bread and wine Hagioscope of Communion are prepared. A narrow opening in an interior wall of a Transept church that allows members of the The part of a cross-shaped church that runs at congregation seated at the sides to see the right angles to the long central part nave. altar

Stone screen with Rood Loft or Pulpitum Magnum. A crucifix, especially one mounted at the TOM THUMB’S GRAVE can be seen in the entrance to the choir or chancel of a pavement near the font, and his house church. can be seen on the roof of a house on the west side of the market place. Chancel An area of a church near the altar for the use of clergy and choir, often separated from the nave by a screen or steps. Pulpit A raised platform or stand in a Christian church that is used by the priest or minister for preaching or leading a service Sedilia A set of three seats placed near the altar of a Christian church and often recessed into the wall, used by priests celebrating Tom Thumb’s grave Mass or Communion.

Page 18 We have a beautiful Church, and we believe that we should hand it on to our children in the same or better worthy state as we received it from our fathers. We work hard and conscientiously to do this. Every Saturday to Wednesday inclusive from Easter Sunday until the end of September, (volunteers being available) we run a refreshment and souvenir stall with second hand books cakes and jam also being available, the proceeds help towards the running costs of this magnificent building. Many visitors, having just negotiated the steps to the top of the Castle and down again, visit the Church for a welcome cup of tea. We are not assisted by the National Trust, the Government, the Church Commissioners, or any other outside body. Like any other Parish Church we have to be entirely self-supporting and like any other Parish Church, we pay our share towards the Diocesan Budget, and contribute our share towards the extension of Christ’s Kingdom in other lands, so ...... Please, if you have enjoyed your tour of our Church, give generously...... and if you pay tax, Gift Aid envelopes are available by the postcard stand near the main door.

“Freely have Ye received! Freely give!”

Page 19

ECCLESIASTICS BEFORE THE REFORMATION

1423 Gilbert Bernake, Parson of Tattershall. 1444 ...... Warde, first Provost. 1456 William Moor, second Provost. 1471 John Gygur, third Provost, member of the Corpus Christi Guild. 1517 Henry Hornby, forth Provost, member of the Corpus Christi Guild. 1519 Sir William Symson, Chaplain

AFTER THE REFORMATION 1610 Edward Berry 1627 William Howe 1652 John Caxton 1663 Samuel Doud 1669 Steven Young 1689 Michael Taylor 1731 Matthew Alexander 1735 Samuel Kirkshaw 1751 William Gibson 1782 J. Samson 1798 James Langhorne 1814 Thomas Roe 1819 R. Waldo Sibthorpe 1823 Samuel Hillyerd 1846 Mortimer Thomas Latham 1892 Ebenezer Bailey Churchill 1898 F. M. Yglesias 1920 W. M. Dixon 1937 G. L. Richards 1940 Edward G. Easton 1942 Norman W. Hopper – Rural Dean & Rector of Coningsby 1946 G. D. K. Clowes 1949 E. Michell 1950 Sydney E. Allso 1954 N. W. Hopper (Rural Dean to Dec. 1954) 1959 Samuel Salter 1965 James Day 1980 Martin Percival 1982 Bernard Parsons 1995 John Moore 2011 Interregnum 2012 Canon Alec Boyd (Priest-in-Charge)

Page 20

GENEALOGY OF THE FOUNDER OF THE CASTLE AND LATER INHERITORS

Eudo & Pinso. Joint feudal Lords. Eudo - d. 1189 (First Lord after separation of joint ownership) Hugh - (Fitz-Eudo. Est. Cistercian Mon. at Kirkstead) Robert - d. 1175 Philip - d. 1200 Robert - d.1212 (Gave K. John Goshawk & obtained grant for market, 1201). Robert - d. 1249 (Built first Castle) Robert - d. 1272 Robert - d.1298 (1st Baron to Parliament 1297) Robert - d. 1303 Robert - d. 1305 Robert - d. 1307 No male heirs – Estate to 3 Aunts Joan & Robert de Driby Both sons died – Estate to Alice + Sir Wm. Bernack. d. 1389 Sir John Bernack + Joan Both sons died – Estate to daughter Maud + Sir Ralph Cromwell. D 1398 2nd Baron Cromwell. D. 1416 Ralph Cromwell + Margaret de Eyncourt. Lord High Treasurer of England. Built Church & Castle. d. 1454. Maud Lady Willoughby + Lord Willoughby. (Beheaded 1471 – Estate to Crown) Margaret Countess Richmond – (from Henry VII to his mother in 1487) No heirs – reverted to Crown. 1520 given to Charles, Duke of Suffolk. 2 infant sons died – to Crown. 1551 given Edward Lord Clint. d. 1584. Henry. d. 1616 Thomas. d. 1618 Theophilus. d. 1667 Edward. d. 1692 No heir. To cousin Bridge + Hugh (created Baron Fortesque & Lord Clinton. d. 1751) Matthew (½ brother) d. 1785 Hugh. Earle Fortesque. d. 1841 Hugh. 2nd Earl Fortesque. Lord Curzon. National Trust.

Page 21

Conjectural plan of the Castle and environment circa 1460

1. Mill race 18. Gate-house 2. Weir 19. Porch to Hall 3. Mill 20. Hall 4. Dike 21. Great Tower 5. Market place 22. Offices 6. Bargate 23. Chapel 7. New dike 24. Mural towers 8. Outer moat or ward dike 25. Bridge to garden and tilt yard 9. Bridge to outer bailey 26. Dike to 10. Outer bailey 27. River Bain 11. Great stable 28. Fish ponds 12. Cut between inner and outer moats 29. Church 13. Inner moat 30. College 14. Bridge to middle ward and gate-house 31. Almshouses 15. Buildings in inner ward 32. Estimated extent of cloisters 16. Guard house 33. Grammar School 17. Bridge to inner ward

Page 22 Page 23