Rod Collins

Hornecastre, or Horncastle as it is nowadays, is an ancient Roman market town in Lincolnshire.
Here are some interesting but random bits of historical information we’ve put together
Give it a read non-historical regulars - it’s not bad !

Horncastle Market ~ the Opening Night
18th October 1231
Walter Mauclerc, or the Bishop of Carlisle as he possibly preferred to be called, was granted the right by King Henry III to have a market on Wednesdays in Hornecastre. Added to that, once a year they could also hold a fair that could last up to seven days but had to be held in the same place.

Vagabonds Claiming Sanctuary !
22nd August 1232
The Sheriff was given a royal command to send “two coroners of his county” to Hornecastre to deal with a self-confessed “robber and malefactor” who is holed up in the church !
Quite what a Malefactor is supposed to do nowadays with all the churches locked is beyond me - another casualty of progress

P. de Rivall Comes a Cropper ?
25th February 1233
If I read my ancient English correctly then it would appear the aforementioned, P. de Rivall, was ordered by Henry III at Westminster to hand over the lands, and all assets connected to, that it seems he was granted initially by the King himself (Indian Giver ! )
The lucky beneficiary was Walter Mauclerc the Bishop of Carlisle (him again)
Quite what Mr de Rivall did to upset his majesty I know not so there’s no lesson to be learnt but if there was a lesson to be learnt it would be a salutary one !

‘Walt the Bishop’ Gets his Comeuppance
Our new friend the Bish seems not to have had everything his own way - the Tax Man Cometh !
He got stung in the vestibule for some 1,500 marks !Payable to the King’s Treasury in order to settle things seemingly past, present and future, pertaining to him and his heirs and the manor of Horncastre.
A lot of money but still . . . it’s easier for a camel to pass through . . .

Gilbert de Sedgrave - Greedy Guts !
A.D. 1233
Gilbert de Sedgrave was granted the corn and hay from the manor and soke of Horncastre “to sustain himself in the King’s service as long as it shall please the King”
To sustain himself, how much corn can one man eat ? The bishop seems to have lost out here and guess what ?
P. de Rivall popped up again to witness the document at Hereford - nefarious and incestuous lot they seem to me !

The Bishops Returns !
1234
Hero of the last piece, Gilbert de Sedgrave, no doubt thought this free food and livestock caper was a good wheeze but he must have underestimated the Bishop of Carlisle because a year later he had to give it all back ! and “without delay”
Easy Come - Easy Go

The Bishop Becomes Unassailable
14th July 1235
The cat in the hat seems to be going from strength-to-strength when the King, sitting in Westminster, (he could have been standing at the time but you know what I mean) commanded the The Barons of the Exchequer “do not vex the Bishop of Carlisle”
Anything they take, or have taken, will be returned.
Quite right the Bish shelled of 1,500 marks earlier - that’s enough for any man, even God’s man in Horncastle.
And to show gratitude the King ordered he be acquitted of the 10 marks at which he was ‘amerced’ (fined) by the Justices in Eyre at Lincoln

All historical facts are genuine, as are the quotes, my contributions should be obvious
What do you think to all that then ?
Pipe Rollingly Yours
Rod

PS: here’s Henry III in case you’ve forgotten what he looks like