{76} The Blunts (or Blounts) were an old Norman Family, who came over at the Conquest. The name is in the Rolls of Battle Abbey. Walter Blunt was created Baron de Mountjoy by Ed. IV. The fine church of Sleaford was built by Roger Blunt, in 1271, as appears from an old MS. found in the parish chest (“Saunder’s Hist.,” vol. ii. p. 252). Camden (“Britannia,” p. 517), says that they had a “a fine house” in his day (circa 1600), at Kidderminster, and he mentions Sir Charles Blunt, Knight, as having a fine seat at Kimlet in Salop, where their “name is very famous” (p. 542). The late Sir Charles Blunt used to visit Harrington in this neighbourhood, where the writer has met him, in days gone by, and enjoyed sport with his beagles. {78} Richard Gedney, in his will dated 1 April, 1613, speaks highly of Thomas Cheales of Hagworthingham, “Yeoman, whom he makes his trustee.” A junior branch of the Cheales family now reside at Friskney. The Rev. Alan Cheales still owns land here, now residing at Reading. He is the 11th in descent from Anthonie, who bought the property in 1590. {82} These are no longer to be found, but they were mentioned in a MS. belonging to Sir Joseph Banks, dated 1784. Another brief was for “ye first Fast day for ye Plague, 1665, the sum of 15s 6a” (August 2nd) “September ye 6th, ye 2nd Fast day for ye Plague 1665 . . . 13_s_ 7_d_ and 2_s_ more was added afterwards.” Six Fast days were mentioned, when money was collected “for ye Plague.” Among items, in the Church accounts, were:—“A sheet borne over the sacrament,” a “Kyrchuffe that our Lady’s coat was lapped in,” “to Peter Babbe for gilding the Trinity, iiiili xvis 0d.” “It for painting the Dancing geere,” (_i.e._ at the May-pole). “It for viii. pound of waxe for Sepulchre lights iiiis iiiid.” “It for ii. antiphoonies bought at Stirbridge faire (&c.) iiili xis 7d”; “It for thacking the steeple xs”; “To William Edwards for finding our Lady’s light viiiis iiiid”; “iiili xs given to finde yearly an obitt for the soul of Lawrence Clerke, . . . to say Dirige and Masse, . . . and for the bede roule,” &c. There are charges, for “vi gallons yearly of aile” for the ringers. The “Church corne, given of the good will of the inhabitants to the value of xxs viiid.” “Wessell (Wassail) for the young men.” “The town bull sold for iis viiid a quarter.” &c., &c. (“Lincs. N & Q.” vol. i. pp. 5–13). {83} There are mounds, and traces of a moat in a field in Langton, showing that there was formerly a large residence, probably the home of this branch of the Angevin family, who came over with the Conqueror. {84a} Gair means a triangular piece of land which requires ploughing a different way from the rest of the field. There was a Thomas Baudewin had lands in Coningsby in the reign of Henry III. 106. Coram Rege Roll, 42, Henry III. “Linc. N. & Q.” iv. p. 102.