6. Exeate busto auspice Christo. Tho Lodington LL.D. Vic. H. P. 1717. The fourth bell previous to being recast bore this inscription: Fac et spe. Henri Penn Fusor Peterburgensis. The benefice is a vicarage, in the presentation of the Bishop of Carlisle, valued in the King’s books at £14. 4_s._ 2_d._ The registers commence in the year 1559. In them are contained the following singular entries: “On the vth daie of October one thousand six hundrete & three, in the first yere of our Souvraine Lord King James was holden in Horncastle Church a solemnn fast from eight in the morning until foure a clock in the afternoone by five preachers vidz. Mr Hollinhedge vicar of Horncastle, Mr Turner of Edlington, Mr Downes of Lusbye, Mr Phillipe of Salmonbye, Mr Tanzey of Hagworthingha’, occasioned by a general and most feareful plague yt yeare in sundrie places of this Land, but especially upon the Cytie of London. Pr. me Clementem Whitelock.” “Thomas Gibson Clerk Master of the Free Schoole of Newcastle uppon Tine one of the Chapleines of the Right Reverend Father in God Barnabas by Divine P’vidence Lo. Bpp. of Carliol, presented by the said Lo. Bpp. was inducted into the Vicarage of Horncastle, April the xiiij 1643.” “The said Mr. Thomas Gibson being outed of Horncastle by Cromwell Commissiner removed to Nether Toynton, lived ther one yeare. After returne again taught some gentlemen sonnes in his owne house, was afterwards called to ye schoole at Newark where he continued one yeare, then was importuned to Sleeford whether he went the week after Easter 1650, continued there until May ye first 1661 then the King being restored he returned to his vicaridge and was by Doctor Robet Sandeson Bishop of Linkcoln made Preban of Sant Marie Crake Poule in the Church of Linkcoln,” “Septr. 28, 1662. “Memorandum the Day and yeere above written that the Booke of Common Prayer lately set forth by the Authority of the King’s Majestie and his court was read in the Parish Church of Horncastle by me Thomas Gibson Vicar there, and freely and willingly assented unto according to an act of Parliament in that case made and provided. In witness whereof the said Mr. Gibson with other of the inhabitants whose names are hereunto subscribed have sette their hands. THO: GIBSON, Vicar. JOHN HARDING, Parrish Clerk” [Picture: Seal of the Grammar School at Horncastle] THE GRAMMAR SCHOOL.