Page:Highways and Byways in Lincolnshire.djvu/204

 CHAPTER XVI

ROADS NORTH FROM LINCOLN

Kirton-in-Lindsey—The Carrs—Broughton—Brigg—The North Wolds—Worlaby—Elsham—Saxby-All-Saints—Horkstow—South Ferriby—Barton-on-Humber—St. Peter's and St. Mary's—Greater care of Churches.

Of the three roads north from Lincoln we have spoken of the road on the ridge which is the continuation of the Cliff road on which we travelled from Navenby to Lincoln. The view is the notable thing on this road, for, though it looks down on a series of small villages below its western slope, Burton, Carlton, Scampton, Aisthorpe, Brattleby, Cammeringham, Ingham, Fillingham, Glentworth, Harpswell, Hemswell, Willoughton, Blyborough and Grayingham, all in a stretch of fourteen miles, it passes through nothing of importance but Kirton-in-Lindsey. This Kirton is a very old place, the manor being once held by Piers Gaveston, the favourite of Edward II., and later by the Black Prince. The office of Seneschal was filled at one time by the Burgh family of Gainsborough. The church is an interesting one, and has a richly carved and moulded west doorway. Leading from the nave to the tower is a very massive double Early English arch, resting on a large circular pillar, and two thick responds. The south doorway is like the western one, richly carved with tooth moulding. The porch is used as a baptistry. On the north wall of the nave is a wall-painting representing the seven sacraments and blood flowing from the crucified Saviour to each.

The road east of Ermine Street goes through any number of villages, for it goes on the low ground, and each parish runs up to the Ermine Street and has its portion of high ground or "cliff." Normanby Cliff, Owmby Cliff, Saxby Cliff, etc., and