Great Coates Church ~ Pictures & History of St. Nicolas Church
This post is slightly different for two reasons. Firstly it is my local church and secondly it it is my first trip with my new camera and lenses. Yes folks, your host’s modest hoard of Shekels has taken a battering and I hope you appreciate the difference 
So here are the results and a brief historical guide to St. Nicolas Church in Great Coates Lincolnshire.
It should be noted, contrary to my book on the history of churches and most internet sources, there is no H in the name, we’ve used both for internet search purposes
It’s really quite beautiful and something of a privilege to have only minutes away from where I live. The sense of history one feels when you touch the oldest parts of the walls seems so at odds with the modern cars driving by - they should be horse and carts.
Here is a beautiful stone carved cross which is on the apex of the roof and is a shot which would not have been possible were in not for the new equipment set up - likewise this fabulous Gargoyle which is actually high on the top of the tower
The tower itself dates back to the 15th century with the Anglican parish registry dates going back to 1653.
The nave is even older dating to the 14th century.
Inside there are two commemorative brasses in memory of the Barnardiston family who were Lords of the Manor in Medieval and Stuart times.
Thomas de Barnardiston got the Manor of Great Cotes by marrying the daughter of Robert de Willoughby.
Their son, Sir Thomas de Barnardiston, fought with Edward III and served as Knight of the Shire for Lincoln in 1357.
After the civil war the estate was sold to the Sutton family, who still own large parcels of land in the area (remember them in my missing priory quest and indeed Tea at the Vicarage when I actually spoke to an Estate Manager at Sutton Estates )
The news that it came into the hands of the Sutton family also explains a question I had yesterday, why is there an R and an S in metalwork on the side ? It seems it’s to commemorate Sir Richard Sutton who helped with major renovation on the church.
So there we have it, the shot below shows the frontal aspect, not quite taking in the whole building which, as usual, is partially hidden by unimaginatively placed trees
St Nicholas Church Great Coates
This is a nice shot which shows, once again, the frontal aspect by taken from the side where the light was better (hear that, I think I’m David Bailey now)
Saint Nicholas
Hope you enjoyed the brief tour and if you have any other information or have visited St Nicolas yourself please do leave a comment
All the best
Rod
Scroll down for more information and more pictures
See Our Complete List Of Churches in Lincolnshire
Femme Fatale said,
July 21, 2009 @ 11:13 am
Rod,
Splendid,
the wallet battering was obviously worth it,
if only to achieive to the long range shots.
It is amazing what is on your doorstep, we should all take a leaf out of your book and see what is around us.
Why is the clock blue?
FF
xx
Rod said,
July 21, 2009 @ 11:44 am
FF,
thanks for that, much appreciated.
We should all look about us you’re right ! It’s amazing how many people travel all over without even knowing what’s on their own doorstep.
I could kick myself with the clock because I think it’s dated (relatively modern) and I can’t remember, it stood out for me as well, also I just got back from there a short while ago to see your comment !
Cheers
Rod
Little Brother said,
July 21, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
Rod,
Awesome, welcome to the world of Canon!! Great results…our verdict?
LB
Rod said,
July 21, 2009 @ 6:04 pm
LB,
thanks for that nad all the help with getting it sorted, much appreciated.
I’m happy with the results !
Cheers
Rod
Annie Flinn said,
July 21, 2009 @ 6:14 pm
Another armchair adventure from Goldeneye. Sometimes we must make investments if we want to assure quality. Remember that before you go off to eastern Europe to purchase a wife.
Annie
the dinosaur said,
July 21, 2009 @ 6:34 pm
Rod, that’s a very interesting gargoyle, are there any more similar ones round the church?
Rod said,
July 21, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Annie,
hope you’re not getting bored of them yet !
I’ll mail order the bride, that way if I don’t like the look of her I can send her back under The Distance Selling Regulations and get a full refund
Best
Rod
Rod said,
July 21, 2009 @ 7:27 pm
Dino,
I thought it was a nice one, the rest are pretty much the same. There’s not a lot of them, there are some carved heads arounds the doorway but they were too worn to make good pictures.
Now that I know that a gargoyle is only a gargoyle if it spouts water (or was intended to) then I need a name for what most people still refer to generically as a gargoyle - a carved head or face etc
Cheers
Rod
the dinosaur said,
July 21, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
Rod, I have been consulting my extensive personal library
, according to a 1903 Dictionary of Terms in Art: the term gargoyle originated from the french “gargouille” a dragon or monster, the common form of these practical but also decorative rainwater spouts, it has long been accepted as the descriptive word for all their forms- human or animal. The depiction of a human face anywhere else as an architectural feature seems to be termed “a mask”. If anyone more qualified knows any different I too would be interested to learn the correct terminology.
Rod said,
July 22, 2009 @ 8:25 am
Dino,
a goldmine of information - as ever - well played sir.
I like the term ‘mask’
I suspect there could be others . . .
Best
Rod
Annie Flinn said,
July 22, 2009 @ 7:15 pm
Good idea on the mail order bride. I have been thinking of the post you did some time ago on the brides for sale. The pictures still haunt my dreams/nightmares.
Annie
Colin Coates said,
September 14, 2009 @ 10:05 pm
May I ask what the connection to the name Coates is. I see the original Cotes in the info. But why is the area called great Coates
Email if you know
Thanks
Colin Coates
Ontario Canada
(family originated in Port Sea)
Rod said,
September 15, 2009 @ 7:15 am
Hi Colin,
I’m not sure whether there is anything specific in the change other than simply change of spelling over time.
As you say, originally it was Great Coates, and indeed Little Cotes just down the road.
Cheers
Rod
Amiguru said,
May 14, 2010 @ 10:29 pm
Rod,
Here are some ‘goings-on’ in 1345
“Thomas de Bernardeston, who had summoned John de Heighling in the Common Bench for failure to repair 4 perches of a river wall in Great Cotes for the preservation of lands there against the floods of the river Humber, whereby two hundred acres of meadow of the said Thomas were flooded between the years 10 and 16 Edw. III.
The said Thomas recovered damages, and the said John was in mercy. Afterwards in the King’s Bench the said John asserted that there had been divers errors in the proceedings in the Common Bench, first in that the said Thomas brought a writ of trespass when a writ of reparare facias properly lay, secondly in that the justices allowed the issue to be one of law only and not of injury, no answer as to trespass being made, and thirdly in that, whereas issue was taken on the fact that John and his tenants and his predecessors in liis estate had always repaired the said walls.
It was found that the said John had never repaired the said walls, and lastly in that the judgment of the court which held that John ought to repair the walls and that Thomas should recover damages, was not warranted by a writ of trespass. The said Thomas denied error in any of the aforesaid points.”
Sounds like lawyers lining their pockets to me. I expect you could predict the outcome, Barnardison won.
Thomas wanted his land protecting by John but he presumably had to invent the helicopter to avoid trespass.
Regards,
Neville
Rod said,
May 15, 2010 @ 9:07 am
Neville,
fascinating and a glimpse into life at the time - it also shows how some things never change.
There was much complaint a while ago when the Freshney flooded and the work, or rather lack of it, that had been done in the interest of flood prevention was called into question !
Great stuff
Best
Rod
Amiguru said,
May 15, 2010 @ 4:37 pm
Postmarked from Grimsby at 7.30pm, 14 July 1908 to Mrs. H. White, Cheapside, Waltham.
Message reads: “Dear D, You will be wondering about us, I know we are mad. I hope L gets better. W told me about your been at Gy, will write and tell you all particulars soon. How is H? Love to you both, your loving CLB.”
Old Postcard of Great Coates in Lincolnshire circa 1908
Regards,
Neville
Victoria said,
August 9, 2010 @ 10:40 am
I have been compiling stuff about the Barnardistons since 1960’s as I went to church with them all looking down at me from their monuments. The only time have managed to get to Great Coates the church was shut! Would love to see a picture of thge brasses.
With regards to the Freshney, this dispute carried on for a few hundred years, in the reign of Edward I the people of Grimsby wanted to divert its course so as more water flowed into the haven, Barnardistons refused, until in the 1500’s the Barnardistons agreed to let the town have free access to the water as long as they kept the banks in good order and their villagers could load and unload from the river without paying any fees.
Rod said,
August 9, 2010 @ 11:42 am
HI Victoria.
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site, if I get into the church at some point I’ll take some pictures of the brasses and put them on the site for you.
All the best
Rod
Peter Mullins said,
August 9, 2010 @ 12:52 pm
I can put a brochure about the brasses in the post for Victoria if she lets me have her address at p dot m dot mullins at virgin dot net. The church is normally open during the day but the brasses are not usually on display. If Victoria or Rod let me know when they are coming, we can make sure it is open and get the replicas out for her or him to see.
Victoria said,
August 9, 2010 @ 3:32 pm
Thank you very much Peter - have contacted you.
Peter Mullins said,
August 9, 2010 @ 4:10 pm
It is in the post, Victoria. The National Lottery paid for us to be able to print 2000 of them.
Rod said,
August 9, 2010 @ 7:37 pm
Peter,
thanks for that, really appreciated
Best
Rod
Victoria said,
August 10, 2010 @ 5:21 pm
It arrived today! What service! Thank you very much - they are wonderful. I will be writing to you shortly.
Amiguru said,
August 13, 2010 @ 11:17 am
Obviously, I don’t know what information Victoria has nor indeed what is on the leaflet that Peter kindly sent her but thought I would add, (by courtesy of Rod), this rather pleasant ‘birds-eye-view’ together with some more obscure snippets from J.G. Hall’s ‘Notices of Lincolnshire 1890′.
Of the Barnardiston family he says, “……This family is also remarkable for having given rise to the appellation of ‘Roundhead’. During the civil commotions under Charles I., the London apprentices, says Rapin, wore the hair of the head cut round, and the Queen, observing out of the window Samuel Barnardiston among them, cried out ’see what a handsome round head is there.’ Hence comes this name which was first publicly used by Captain Hugle.”
“The site of the mansion of the Barnardistons, with a portion of the moat, may yet be traced a little to the west of the church.”
Of the Rector of Great Coates, Arthur Bransby he adds “The entries in the church register during the ministry of the above clergyman from the year 1733, to the time of his death in 1752, are models of neatness, the writing being of the most beautiful description.”
First entry from the register - “Valentine Ashby and Ann Ashton was marride ye 10th. Of June[1653]”
“1668 - Buryed, May 31, Elizabeth Bainbridge, a poore mayd. Buryed July 14th, Thomas Baker, a lame, Bob-ridden youth.”
I have never heard of ‘bob ridden’, perhaps others will enlighten me.
Regards,
Neville
Stan said,
August 22, 2010 @ 10:57 am
Hello Rod, ive just come across your site. I live in the Wybers area so find some of your topics very interesting indeed. Keep up the good work ………. Stan
Rod said,
August 22, 2010 @ 6:22 pm
Hello Stan,
thanks for the comment and welcome to the site.
Appreciate the kind words and pleased you found something of interest on the site and I hope to bring plenty more of the same to the site
All the best
Rod
Barry said,
August 22, 2010 @ 10:06 pm
Hi Rod. Stan passed details of your site to me - I am a Churchwarden at St Nicolas so was very interested in what you had to say. I know that our Team Rector, Peter, has assisted with information on both St Nicolas & St Michael’s. Personally, I am very keen that St Nicolas should be “available & accessible” to anyone in the community who wants to discover more about our heritage so please do not hesitate to ask!
Rod said,
August 23, 2010 @ 8:27 am
Barry,
many thanks indeed - very much appreciated.
The church is a credit to all involved - a beautiful place.
All the best
Rod
Peter Mullins said,
August 23, 2010 @ 8:56 pm
I’m delighted by the quotation about Arthur Bransby. He does seem to have had his fans. His grave slab (in the chancel floor against the south wall) gives him a perfect chit: ‘a man of infinite wit, an admirable preacher, a polite companion and a steady friend’; all that an beautiful hand writing too.
Rod said,
August 24, 2010 @ 8:22 am
Peter,
somehow, reading that, you just know you would have liked the man !
Best
Rod
Rod said,
September 4, 2010 @ 9:17 am
Great Coates Church: 3rd picture replaced
Rod said,
September 5, 2010 @ 7:53 pm
Great Coates Church new photographs
Taken this evening, a few different angles - just looking for some slightly different shots
Great Coates Church Spire
Great Coates Church Door
Hope you like them
All the best
Rod
stan said,
September 6, 2010 @ 10:56 am
Hey fine photographs there Rod. Have you heard that resident pheasant whilst you,ve been there. Its sure got a loud squawk, i,ve heard it quite a few times.
Stan.
Rod said,
September 6, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
Stan,
thanks for that, much appreciated.
I’ve not heard the pheasant but they do have a habit of scaring me to death when I’m out walking and in a world of my own !
Cheers
rod
Rod said,
September 9, 2010 @ 8:25 am
Great Cotes Picture Update:
Here’s the tower of St Nicolas’ peeping out over the trees last night with a superb colour laden sunset
St Nicolas at Night
Victoria said,
September 28, 2010 @ 11:09 am
I was interested to see the bit about the name Roundhead, it is also supposed to have been used by one David Hyde - “On December 29, David Hyde an officer who had been in the army in the north, drew his sword against the mob and swore that he would “cut the throats of these ‘Roundhead’ dogs that brawled against the Bishops”. It is said that this was the first utterance of the name Roundhead, but Officer Hyde most probably heard the Queen as she called from her window”
Samuel was in trouble throughout his life, after the Rye House Plot he wrote seditious letters about Judge Jeffereys, the letters were seized at his house and he was brought to trial before Jeffereys(!) and Jeffereys said “It is high time for all mankind, that have any Christianity, or sense of Heaven and Hell, to bestir themselves, to rid the nation of such caterpillars, such monsters of villainy as these are”
There were a few noteable Barnardistons - one was a Serjeant-at-law renowned for sleeping through debates!
Rod said,
September 28, 2010 @ 4:36 pm
Victoria,
many thanks for that - very interesting indeed and much appreciated
Best
Rod
stan said,
April 15, 2011 @ 10:24 am
Many thanks to the people responsible for the upkeep of this fine church. Also many thanks for it being left open during the day time. This enables myself and other people to spend a few mins inside alone.
Stan.
Rod said,
April 15, 2011 @ 11:24 am
Stan,
I second that !
Best
Rod
Barry said,
April 18, 2011 @ 9:36 pm
Thanks for that Stan, delighted to hear that keeping it unlocked during the day is found useful.
Rod said,
August 31, 2011 @ 7:46 pm
The Cemetery just before dusk