Building record MLI53380 - Church of St Michael, Buslingthorpe

Summary

Parish church dating from the 13th century, with 14th century alterations. The church was restored with large parts rebuilt in 1835, by Edward James Willson. It was declared redundant in 1984.

Type and Period (1)

  • (Medieval to Modern - 1200 AD to 2050 AD)

Protected Status/Designation

Full Description

The Church of St Michael has an Early English west tower and chancel arch. The remainder of the structure was rebuilt in 1835. The church was declared redundant in 1984. {1}{2}{3} Parish church dating from the 13th century, with 14th century alterations. The church was restored with large parts rebuilt in 1835, by Edward James Willson. It is constructed of coursed limestone rubble, with yellow brick and ashlar dressings, and has slate roofs with stone coped gables. The church is comprised of a western tower, nave and chancel. The two stage 14th century tower has a plinth and offset to the belfry with pyramidal slate roof. The north wall of the nave which is in brick, has a 14th century recut three light window having cusped heads to the lights and flat lintel. The east and two south nave wall windows match the north nave window but are 19th century in date. The south doorway is single chamfered with pointed head and hood mould. Above the door is a blank panel with hood mould over. Inside the church, the tower arch is single chamfered and pointed, without capitals. The 14th century chancel arch has octagonal responds and capitals and is double chamfered. All fittings are 19th century except for the font which has reused octagonal bowl. In the upper lights of the east window are small panels of 14th century stained glass. In the north-east corner of the nave is a late 13th century recumbent effigy of a knight, feet resting on a lion, head resting on a cushion supported by angels. The figure wears chain mail, helmet and surcoat with rowell spurs, and rests on a tomb chest with a frieze of quatrefoils containing shields. On a ledge at the top of the chest is an inscription. Set in the west wall of the nave is a tapering limestone tombstone with Lombardic inscription round the edge. It retains a brass depicting a demi-figure of a knight in chain mail and surcoat, head resting on a pillow with ogee corners and mailed hands holding a heart. Beneath is the matrix for a second now vanished shield shaped panel. This early 14th century brass to Richard de Boselyngthorpe is one of the earliest military brasses in England. For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate entry in the National Heritage List for England. {4}{5}{6} Fragments of 14th century stained glass survive in the church's east window. The pieces show oak foliage with borders, and a heraldic shield, thought to be that of Robert Deyville, who was rector of Buslingthorpe between 1349 and 1369. The fragents had originally been located in the south windows and upper part of the east window, though were gathered together during Willson's rebuilding. {7} Historic graffiti at this church was recorded in May 2014 by the Lincolnshire Medieval Graffiti Project. The survey identified a small number of historic marks, the majority of which were found on the knight's monument to Sir John de Buslyngthorpe. These marks included a pair of tiny shield outlines, part of a possible archer's profile outline, and a beast's head with neck crown. {8}{9}

Sources/Archives (9)

  •  Index: Lincolnshire County Council. Sites and Monuments Record Card Index. TF 08 NE: Y.
  •  Index: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Card Index. TF 08 NE: 7.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: John Charles Cox. 1924. Little Guide: Lincolnshire (Second Edition). p.89.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Nikolaus Pevsner and John Harris, with Nicholas Antram. 1989. Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (Second Edition). p.202.
  •  Index: Department of the Environment. 1985. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. 1/1.
  •  Website: Historic England (formerly English Heritage). 2011->. The National Heritage List for England. http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/. 1359510.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Penny Hebgin-Barnes. 1996. The Medieval Stained Glass of the County of Lincolnshire. p.62.
  •  Index: Lincolnshire Medieval Graffiti Project. 2013->. Lincolnshire Medieval Graffiti Project Surveys. -.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Matthew Champion. 2015. Medieval Graffiti: The Lost Voices of England's Churches. -.

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Location

Grid reference Centred TF 07944 85159 (16m by 8m) Surveyed
Civil Parish BUSLINGTHORPE, WEST LINDSEY, LINCOLNSHIRE

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Record last edited

Mar 25 2026 1:18PM

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