{117a} Two different things were formerly meant by the term “graduale,” or “grayle.” (1) It was the name given to the Communion Chalice, or Paten, probably from the “Sangraal,” or holy vessel, said to have been found in the chamber of “the last supper,” of our Lord, by Joseph of Arimathæa, and in which he afterwards collected the blood (sang-reale, or King’s blood), from the wounds of the crucified Saviour. This vessel, in Arthurian romance, was said to have been preserved in Britain, and to have possessed miraculous properties. The legend has been finely adopted by our late Poet Laureate in the “Quest of the Holy Grayle,” among his “Idylls of the King.” (2). The name was given to a part of the service of the Mass in pre-Reformation times, which was called the “Gradual,” or grail, because it was used at the steps (“gradus”) of the chancel. As the inscription on the first-named of these Kirkby tombs mentioned the gift of a “Missal,” or mass book, it is probable that the “gradual” here mentioned was this portion of the mass book, and not the Communion Chalice, or Paten. The Communion plate of Kirkby does not appear to be very old. {117b} The writer of these Records has also a copy of this engraving, it is dated 1800, and has the initials, E. C. The church is represented with the roof fallen in, the porch closed by rails, south wall of nave, with two 3-light windows, in a dilapidated## condition, a priest’s door in chancel, with two 2-light windows above it, a shabby low tower, with pinnacles, scarcely rising above the roof, the whole overgrown with weeds; and churchyard and grave-stones in a neglected state. {119} In the reign of Ed. I. it was complained that the too powerful Abbot of Kirkstead erected a gallows at Thimbleby (being patron of that benefice), where he executed various offenders (“Hundred Rolls,” p. 299), and Simon de Tumby had gallows at Ashby Puerorum, of which there is probably still a trace, in “Galley Lane” in that parish. (“Hundred Rolls,” 1275). {121} The Kings held property in this neighbourhood late in the 16th century. By will, dated Jan. 23, 1614, Edwd. King, of Ashby, bequeathed to his son John the manor house of Salmonby, and it was not till 1595 that the Hall of Ashby de la Laund was built. {122} This conduit still exists. “Linc. & Q.” vol. iv. p. 131. {123a} At Greetham there is a field called Gousles, or Gouts-leys. We find the same in Gautby. “St. Peter at Gowt’s,” in Lincoln; and “Gaut” is a common term for the outlets of fen and marsh drains. {123b} There is in Hameringham a Baldvine gaire, given by the clerk to the Revesby Monks. See notes on Hameringham. {123c} The name Massenge is not a common one, but we find that Thomas Masinge was presented to the Vicarage of Frampton, by King Philip and Queen Mary, 6 August, 1556 (‘Lincolnshire Institutions,’ “Linc. N. & Q,” vol. v., p. 165.)