For a final notice of old records connected with the church, we may mention a matter of less importance, but one which we can hardly realise, in these days of religious liberty, when everyone is “a law unto himself” in matters of faith, and even largely in practice. The parish book of the adjoining Thimbleby, which is in the soke of Horncastle, shews that, as late as the year 1820, the parish officials ordered all paupers, in receipt of parish relief, to attend the church services, on pain of forfeiting the aid granted; and cases are named where the payment was stopped until the offender had given satisfaction. The State Papers Domestic of 1634 show that, at Horncastle, there was a like strictness. Luke Burton of this town was fined 1s. for being “absent from divine service,” and again a like sum as “absent from prayers.” Even “a stranger, a tobacco man,” was fined 1s. for the same offence; and 3s. 4d. for “tippling in time of divine service.” John Berry, butcher, was fined 1s. “for swearing.” Simon Lawrence, for selling ale contrary to law, was fined 20s.; the same “for permitting tippling, 20s.;” while for “selling ale without a licence,” William Grantham and Margaret Wells were “punished upon their bodies.” (State Papers Domestic, vol. 272, No. 23, Chas. I.) [Picture: Ancient Scythes in St. Mary’s Church] RECTORS AND VICARS. We here give a list of these as compiled by Canon J. Clare Hudson, in his 1st volume of the _Horncastle Parish Register Book_, 1892. A.D. RECTORS. 1236–7 Geoffrey de Leueknor by the Bishop of Carlisle (admitted on condition it be found the same church with the churches of [Wood] Enderby, and [High] Toynton and another, which Osbert the last rector held, be one benefice). 1239–40 (Delegates of the Pope in a dispute between G. parson of the church of Horncastre and Francis, parson of the church of [West] Askeby, concerning the church of Askeby, decide that G[eoffrey] and his successors, are to hold the church of Askeby, and pay to Francis annually for life 27 marks sterling, and the bishop confirms this ordinance) 1246 Adam de Kirkby. 12-- Ralph Tulgol. 1275 Hugh de Penna (otherwise Hugh de la Penne, Assize Roll, 4 Ed. I. _Lincs._ _Notes & Queries_, iv, p. 220). 1295 John de Langton. 1305 Gilbert de Haloughton. 1313 Peter de Galicia. VICARS. 1334 Robert de Bramley. 13-- William de Hugate. 1349 Simon de Islep, _resigned_ in 1349, on becoming Archbishop of Canterbury. 1357 William de Hugate, presented by Gilbert, Bishop of Carlisle, on exchange. 1369 John de Rouceby. 1388 William Stryckland.