We give elsewhere a list of the Incumbents of St. Mary’s, but we may here refer to probably the most distinguished of them all. A Patent Roll, of date 11 June, 1344 (18 Edward III.), states that Thomas, Bishop of Lincoln (N.B. This was Thomas Bec, consecrated July 7, 1342, died Feb. 1, 1346, buried in the north transept of the Cathedral), “by command of the Most Holy Father, Pope Clement VI., reduces the taxation of the church at Horncastle, with the chapels of Askeby (West Ashby), Upper Tynton (High Toynton), Maring (Mareham-on-the-Hill), and Wod Enderby, to the same church annexed, to the sum of 50 marks (£33 6s. 8d.), which were previously taxed at the immoderate sum of £77 sterling.” This is stated to be done “of the sincere love with which we value our very dear clerk, Master Simon de Islep, parson of the church aforesaid.” This is also confirmed to “his successors, parsons or rectors, of the said church. Witness the King, at Westminster.” The merits of this worthy, so valued by the Holy Father, not long afterwards received further recognition, since in 1350, only 6 years later, he was promoted to the highest dignity in the land, next to the sovereign himself, as Archbishop of Canterbury. {46} An earlier Rector, John de Langton, had been made Bishop of Chichester, A.D. 1305. These are the only incumbents of Horncastle who have attained the Episcopal Bench, (_Horncastle Register Book_, edited by Canon J. Clare Hudson, 1892). The promotion of the Rector, Simon de Islep, led to more than one lawsuit. The Bishop of Carlisle, being at that time heavily in debt, as Lord of the manor, to which, as has already been stated, the advowson of the church of St. Mary was attached, had in January, 1347–8 granted the manor to Hugh de Bole, and others, on their annual payment of £129 19s. 2½d, for three years. On the vacancy thus occurring the Bishop was summoned to appear at Westminster, before Justice John de Stonor, and others, to answer to William Widuking, of Saundeby, executor of the will of the said Hugh de Bole, who claimed, as tenant of the manor, the right to nominate to the vacant benefice. The Bishop resisted this claim, and the case was argued before the King’s Bench, in Hilary term, 1350, when the Bishop was defeated, the claim of William Widuking being allowed. (County Placita, Lincoln, No. 46. Pleas at Westminster, 24 Ed. III., roll 104.)