{233} The Beks, who have been mentioned before in this volume, became a powerful and wealthy family. They attained to the honour of Knighthood, and Barony, married into families of good position, acquired the Constableship of Lincoln Castle, and were especially strong in Bishops; four members of the family being raised to the episcopate, one as Bishop of Lincoln, then the largest See in the Kingdom, another as Bishop of Durham. Of this last it is related that he was so enormously wealthy that his ordinary retinue consisted of 140 knights. Hearing that a piece of cloth was said to be “too costly for even the Bishop of Durham,” he at once bought it, and had it cut up into horse cloths. While he was staying in Rome, a Cardinal greatly admired his horses. He thereupon sent two of the best with his compliments, begging the Cardinal to take which he preferred. The cardinal _took both_; whereat the Bishop drily remarked, “He _has_ chosen the best.” {234} That a connection of Beks and Willoughbys with Kirkstead Abbey existed before this, is shewn by the following documents. Walter Bek, first Baron of Willoughby, by will, dated July 20, 1301, directed that his body should “be buried at Kirkstede, whereunto he gives his best horse (price 40 marks), his mail-coat, gauntlets, targe and lance,” and other accoutrements, Sir Willm. Willoughby being his executor. An old Charter exists (Harleian MS., 45. h. 14), by which “John Bek, Lord of Eresby, makes known to all sons of Holy Mother Church,” that he grants and confirms “to God and the Church of the blessed Mary of Kyrkested, and to the Monks there serving God, in pure and perpetual alms, all the gifts and confirmations, which (his) ancestors made to them”; one of the witnesses to this being “Dominus William de Wylcheby.” {235} By a curious coincidence, we find 120 years later, another William Hardigray, doubtless a descendant of this, occupying the post of master, with sundry “fellows” under him, of the Chantry of the Holy Trinity, at Spilsby; and to him, and his Institution, Sir William Willoughby, in 1406, granted certain lands in Scremby and elsewhere, to augment the endowment; a further bequest being made by Robert, Lord Willoughby, in 1452. (“History of Spilsby,” p. 46, by H. Cotton Smith.) {236} The Glovers would seem to have been of some antiquity in the neighbourhood. In an Inquisition, taken at Sleaford, A.D. 1506, as to the estate of Mawncer Marmeon, among the jurors is William Glover, of Panton. (Architect. Soc. Journal, vol. xxiii., pt. i., pp. 55 and 69). While, in another Inquisition taken at Spalding in the same year, among the jurors is Robert Glover (Ibidem); and in another Inquisition taken at Falkingham, 3 years later, we find Thomas Phillips of Stamford, and John Obys, clerk, seized of the manor of Casewick (Ibidem, p. 80). {237} The bricks of the former residence itself are said to have been used in repairing Baumber Church many years ago.