In Domesday Cuningesbi, is a considerable village on the banks of the river Bane, about eight miles from Horncastle. The manor, which was once possessed by the Marmions of Wintringham, has for many years belonged to the Heathcote family, and is now the property of Sir Gilbert Heathcote, Baronet, of Normanton in Rutlandshire. The church consists of a tower of excellent masonry, a nave, two aisles, and a chancel. {48} The rectory, which is in the presentation of the lord of the manor, was for several years held by the Reverend John Dyer, the poet. It was here that he finished his didactic poem of “The Fleece.” He died at this place in 1758, and lies buried in the church; but there is no inscription to perpetuate his memory. A congregation of General Baptists was formed at this place, during the government of Cromwell: the society still exists, with an endowment for the minister. LANGRIVILLE AND THORNTON LE FEN. The lands composing these parishes were chiefly those sold by the commissioners appointed under the act for draining and enclosing Wildmore Fen; Langriville also contains the portion allotted to the Earl of Stamford and Warrington, in lieu of his manorial rights over Armtree and Wildmore. In 1812, an act of parliament was passed, rendering these lands, with others, parochial, and approximating these two parishes to the soke of Horncastle. POPULATION. Parishes. No. of In 1801 In 1811. In 1821. Families in 1588. Houses. Persons. Houses. Persons. Houses. Persons. Horncastle 164 424 2015 553 2622 672 3058 Thimbleby 40 50 224 65 316 75 384 West Ashby 44 67 297 76 370 91 378 Low Tointon 12 9 49 16 98 15 95 High 18 14 93 24 121 33 159 Tointon Mareham on 22 22 110 23 122 23 133 the Hill Roughton 30 23 110 22 106 23 110 Haltham 25 29 115 29 143 37 196 Wood 24 30 153 31 183 31 178 Enderby Moorby 19 24 79 24 105 21 118 Wilksby 6 9 54 9 53 9 58