{196a} Not many years ago there was preserved in the church of the not distant parish of Scopwick, a richly-embroidered satin pulpit cloth, probably a specimen of such work; but the Vicar, unfortunately, converted it into window curtains, and it has been lost. (Oliver, p. 72, n. 23.) {196b} The Harleian MS., in the British Museum, shows buxom dames shooting stags and boars with the bow, mounted astride on horseback. Italian and Dutch artists shew the same. Lady Superiors were wont thus to relieve the montony of conventual life. It is related of Queen Elizabeth, that when 60 years old, she shot four deer before breakfast. “Standard,” ‘leader,’ Oct. 12th, 1898. {197} There may be seen in Horncastle, at the house of Mr. Soulby Hunter, of Horncastle, a very beautifully-carved boss of stone, which was once in the roof of the Priory chapel, or church; it is circular, more than 2ft. in diameter, and 6 portions of arches branch off from it. Its size indicates that the fabric must have been on a large scale and lofty. There is also at the same house a finely-carved figure of a crouching lion, which may have formed part of a frieze, or cornice of the same building. {198} This stone consists of a square block, the carved device being a cross within a circle, on the four arms of which are letters, which, taking a central E as common to all, form the words “Lex Dei Est Vera,” ‘the law of God is true.’ The stone was taken to Lincoln, and placed in the west gable of a house built by the late Mr. E. J. Willson. (“Linc. N. & Q.” vol. i., p. 124). It was engraved in “Archæological Journal,” vol. ix., p. 97. {199} This Boulton was, for his crime, hanged at Lincoln; but his body brought to be buried in the old church. When the present church was built, his body was removed, with others, and re-interred in the churchyard. His remains are, locally, said to have differed from all the others, in that there were still large lumps of fat about the skeleton. This may probably be accounted for by the fact that he died in the full vigour of life. Some of the Boultons formerly resided at Hall-garth, Thimbleby; others lived at Sturton-by-Stow, and left moneys for the poor of that parish. {202} Thomas Welby, in his will, proved 18th August, 1524, desired “to be buried in the church of Stixwould, before the image of our Lady.” The Welbys are now one of the leading county families, yet we find this very name of “Thomas Welby of Moulton,” mentioned in the “Myntling MS.” of Spalding Priory, as among the bondmen of that monastery. 25 Edward III., (1352). Thomas Grantham, living at Newstead farm, Stixwould, 40 years ago, probably of the above Grantham family, was a great hunting man. His brother, Redding Grantham, is buried at Woodhall Spa. {203} For many of these particulars I am indebted to the account of Halstead Hall, by the Rev. J. A. Penny, given in “Linc. N. & Q.,” vol. iii., pp. 33–37.