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Willoughby, Silk (St. Denis)

WILLOUGHBY, SILK (St. Denis), a parish, in the union of Sleaford, wapentake of Aswardhurn, parts of Kesteven, county of Lincoln, 2 miles (S. S. W.) from Sleaford; containing 227 inhabitants. This parish, in 1494 termed North Willoughby, received the adjunct Silk from the circumstance of a hamlet, anciently called Silkby, being about that period added to it. The manor was possessed by Sir William Armyn, at first keeper of the privy seal and vice-chancellor to Edward II., and afterwards lord chancellor, and bishop of Norwich; it remained in the family until 1662. The parish comprises by measurement about 2500 acres, and is situated on the road from Sleaford to Falkingham. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £14. 8. l½., and in the gift of the Earl of Dysart: the tithes have been commuted for £625, and the glebe consists of 11½ acres, with a house. The church is a handsome structure, with a well-proportioned tower and spire; the body is principally in the decorated English style, and the chancel of later date. In the latter are three stalls, some fine screen-work of wood, and fragments of ancient stained glass; the font is a rare specimen of the Norman style of interweaving arches. Some tumuli are visible.

Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.

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