Barlings Abbey Lincolnshire ~ History and Pictures
Barlings Abbey in Lincolnshire ~ What a Spot !
Another gem I found out about by accident and the perfect opportunity for a day out with my brother
Cracking !
This is another long forgotten Lincolnshire abbey site with only partial ruins remaining, partial though they may be they are staggeringly impressive.
Whilst only a fraction of the building remains there’s enough to leave you wondering how impressive it must have looked in its day. It’s much along the lines of previous sites I’ve visited such as Calceby Church and Tupholme Abbey.
History
Barlings Abbey was founded in 1154 by Ralph de Haya for Premonstratensian canons. Originally it was 300 feet in length and 180 feet high and to give an idea of scale what is left is about 30 feet in height !
An important character in Lincolnshire history is also very much connected with the priory - The last Abbot was Matthew Makarell (already sounds fishy to me) who was a key figure in the Lincolnshire Rebellion and took his place at the head of 20,000 men in 1536.
Sadly, and particularly for him, the Duke of Suffolk defeated them and Matthew Makarell was taken to London where he was hanged until dead !
A local tradition suggests he was hung from the abbey gate but in fact he met his end at the infamous Tyburn in London, March 1537.
Barlings Abbey Remains
Directions ~ How to get There
OS Coordinates Grid reference: TF 089 734
We took the road off the B1202 to Stainfield and up to Hardy Gang Wood. There is a public footpath just as the road turns round the wood.
The public bridle way goes alongside the monument but the ruins are privately owned. The owner very kindly allows access to the actual site so if you do visit please do repay the landowner by treating the area with the greatest of respect - thank you
An Ancient and Dilapidated Ruin
I felt the need to record my presence as part of the sites history with a picture - you could quite fairly ask quite why I should inflict such horrors on my long-suffering readers - and you’d be right of course but what else am I going to do with it ?
I got my brother to take the picture and it was nice to spend the day with him though sadly he is starting to suffer from the infirmities of old age so I need to help him along when visiting such places 
You may note that I look a little smug, well I’m not it’s contentment really . . . you see . . . I’m also amongst earthworks !
I may have some kind of medical condition I fear because I see earthworks everywhere now . . . it’s becoming an obsession.
You remember the film Sixth Sense . . . “I see dead people”
Well, I see earthworks, what’s more I can sniff them, out like a pig finds truffles
Finally a Duotone Image from Another Angle
It’s another truly inspiring spot that should be well known but sadly nobody, in general, has ever heard of it. It’s hard to keep writing about how you feel when standing at such spots as I fear becoming repetitious but the sense of history is overwhelming as is the feeling of luck and privilege that the site is not only still here but that I’m in a position to go there and revel in it.
As always I hope that this article will expand with comments so if you know anything of Barlings Abbey and the history behind it please do leave a comment (only original text please nothing copy and pasted from other sites - thank you).
Likewise if you’ve ever been there yourself or just have an opinion - feel free to share it.
The fields in the immediate area are ‘Earthwork City’ so there’s plenty more to find out I’m sure as there is about the connection with the Lincolnshire Uprising.
Revoltingly Yours
Rod
[Later Edit] This engraving kindly sent in by Brother Neville
1726 Engraving by Samuel Buck
Little Brother said,
October 26, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
Rod,
Nice one mate, a great day. Very productive!
Thanks
LB
Amiguru said,
October 28, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
Divining Rod,
I was about to suggest Barlings Abbey to you as I came across an engraving of it in LN&Q whilst looking for stuff re the Templars! One of us is psychic methinks but not sure which one
The engraving, (1726,) is by Samuel Buck. He and his brother Nathaniel did a lot for the recording of old ruins. Impressive as the bit in your pictures is, it shrinks a bit when you see the tower as it was then.
Do you do time travel?…… as it would be nice to have a photo of it in Buck’s time. Meantime I shall e-mail a scan of his engraving to you which you may like to add to this post.
regards,
Brother Neville
Rod said,
October 28, 2009 @ 8:40 pm
Brother Neville,
fantastic - many thanks and added already !
Imagine what the whole thing must have looked like.
I used to be physic but the tablets seem to have cleared it up, if only I could also get rid of that stubborn rash I’d be laughing !
I’ll avoid time travel Neville as one of only two things could happen . . .
I’d end up ruling the country or I’d get burnt at the stake
Best
Rodent
Annie Flinn said,
October 30, 2009 @ 6:05 pm
Rod,
Stay away from ruling the country (or county); it would reduce you to shambles, and then you would be a ruin amongst the ruin. We can’t have that, now can we?
Annie
Amiguru said,
December 28, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
Rod,
An extract from Bygone Lincolnshire - The Pilgrimage of Grace…….Scarey stuff
“…..Dr. Mackarel, the depose Abbot of Barlings, who came at the head of his canons, in armour, and a banner embroidered with a plough, a chalice, the Host, a horn, and the five wounds of Christ. He became the chief leader,
and is frequently referred to as Captain Cobler, the soubriquet of Melton, the shoemaker……..
The Chancellor of Lincoln, the tool or agent of Cromwell, and an object of special hatred, came to Horncastle, but was received with yells and shouts of execration, was dragged from his horse, beaten to death with staves, the body stripped, and his garment torn to shreds for distribution to the multitude……..
The whole county was now in a state of agitation and excitement, with beacons blazing and alarm bells ringing out,
all work suspended, and assemblages of armed men to be seen in every town and village……..”
We love beacons blazing don’t we Rod? So topical!
Regards,
le
N
Rod said,
December 28, 2009 @ 7:20 pm
Neville,
We love beacons blazing don’t we Rod
Not half captain !
That’s a fantastic tie in to the Abbey and to Horncastle, I’m a regular visitor to Horncastre and that kind of reception comes as no surprise to me - in fact I usually only escape by the skin of my teeth
Best
Rod