The abbot of Bardney had a pension from Sotby, as he also had from Edlington and other parishes in the neighbourhood. At the Lincolnshire Rising, in the reign of Hen. VIII., Thomas Yoell, parson of Sotby, though old and blind took a prominent part in the movement, along with the rectors of Low Toynton, Belchford, and others. In 1798, Thomas Roe was rector. The Rev. John Bainbridge-Smith, D.D., headmaster of the Horncastle Grammar School, held the rectory of Sotby, with that of Martin-by-Horncastle and the perpetual curacy of Baumber, from 1828 to 1854; he was also Honorary Chaplain to the Duke of Newcastle. He was succeeded at Sotby, by his son, John Bainbridge-Smith, and the latter rebuilt the chancel of the church, St. Peter’s, and made other improvements in 1858–9. The register dates from 1658. Among the entries is a record that in the year 1728, there were sixteen burials, but no cause for that excessive mortality is named. The second Rev. J. Bainbridge-Smith married a daughter of Judge Haliburton, of Nova Scotia, the author of “Sam Slick,” “The Old Judge,” “Nature and Human Nature,” &c. He was for some years chaplain at Smyrna. When the chancel was taken down in 1858, some interesting relics were discovered. A sepulchral arch was opened at the north-east end, supposed to lead to the burial place of the founder of the Pre-Conquest Church. It was constructed of grey stone. Three very ancient windows, also of grey stone, and blocked with rubbish, were opened, on the splays of which were found frescoes, the figures being, so far as they remained, very distinct. One was a crowned figure, seated, and holding a sceptre in his left hand, the right hand being stretched out in the attitude of judgment or command, but the lower part of the arm was wanting. Another was a female figure, with long tresses, and a robe with lengthy train behind. A third, was one figure complete, probably the Saviour, with the head only of another figure, facing him, probably the Magdalen; both heads being surrounded by a nimbus. The Saviour’s attitude, with uplifted finger, indicated the giving of some command, probably the _Noli me tangere_. The fourth subject was apparently a rude representation of the last supper, the Saviour being in the act of taking the cup. {184} Copies of these frescoes were made, and are preserved with the registers. The present writer has copies, from which this description is given.