LYNDON
Lindon (xii–xviii cent.); Lyndon (xiii cent.
onwards); Lindune (xiii cent.); Linden (xvi-xviii
cent.).
The parish of Lyndon covers an area of 911 acres,
and the population in 1921 was 103, the only parish
in the division that showed an increase over the 1911
return. The land falls from between 400 ft. to
350 ft. along the road from Manton to Edith Weston,
forming the northern boundary of the parish, to
about 200 ft. along the river Chater, which forms
the southern boundary. The subsoil is Upper Lias
and Inferior Oolite; the surface soil varies. In
digging a trench in 1780 to lay a drain talc was found
in the stiff blue clay, (fn. 1) and there are ancient stone pits. (fn. 2)
Lyndon lies in the by-road from Pilton to Manton.
It is a typical Rutland village, with large farm-houses
and thatched cottages picturesquely situated on the
northern slope of the Chater Valley. The older
houses near the church are of stone with stone or
thatched roofs, but near the Rectory, in the southern
part of the village, are several brick houses. The
Village Hall was built in memory of Ernest William
Proby Conant, lord of the manor, who died in 1920.
Lyndon: Old Cottages
Lyndon Hall, the seat of Capt. R. J. E. Conant,
M.P., which stands south of the church on the west
side of the village, was begun in 1665 and completed
in 1675 by Sir Abel and Thomas Barker, (fn. 3) but considerable additions were made on the west side, and
a porch erected on the north, about 1867. Except for
these additions, the house remains as when first
erected, and is an excellent example of the transition
between the Jacobean and the more pure classic
style of architecture which was then being gradually
adopted. It is a rectangular two-story building,
faced with ashlar, without wings or projections, the
corners emphasised by quoins, and with tall two-light
windows of the older type with mullions and transoms.
The stone-slated hipped roof has widely projecting
coved eaves, but is without gables or pediment, its
slopes being broken by small dormers. The windows
have moulded architraves, and the middle one on each
side on the upper floor, with the doorway below it,
has distinguishing architectural embellishments. The
north, east and south fronts, which are symmetrical
and of uniform design, are of much simple dignity,
depending for their effect upon the proper relation
of the several parts to one another and the use of
refined detail.
Some distance to the north of the Hall, on high
ground, is the Top Hall, a rather smaller building of
the same general character, but plainer in detail, said
to have been erected about ten years earlier. (fn. 4) The
walling is of ashlar, but without quoins at the angles or
architraves to the windows. The longer sides face
east and west, and there are modern additions on the
north side, where the entrance now is; the former
entrance doorway on the east side, opposite which are
tall gate piers surmounted by balls, is now blocked.
Two of the rooms on the ground floor are panelled
and there is a good oak staircase with turned balusters.
A portion of the older 17th-century house, with gabled
roof, remains at the north-west corner.
The nearest railway station is Manton, 2½ miles
west, on the Syston and Peterborough branch of the
London Midland and Scottish railway. Oakham is
5 miles to the north-west, Uppingham 6 miles southwest.
In disputes in 1621–5 about inclosures in the late
16th century the close called 'Breach' is mentioned. (fn. 5)
The Barker family was represented by some distinguished members. (fn. 6) Samuel Barker the Hebraist
married the daughter of the famous though unorthodox
divine William Whiston, who died at Lyndon Hall
and was buried at Lyndon. (fn. 7) Their son Thomas
married Ann, sister of Gilbert White of Selborne, (fn. 8)
in whose works Lyndon is often mentioned.
Manor
It is probable that LYNDON,
not separately mentioned in 1086,
was at that time one of the seven
berewicks of Hambleton (q.v.) and therefore royal
demesne. It must have been granted by the
Conqueror to the first Earl of Warwick, and he subinfeoffed the Montforts, who appear as mesne lords of
most of the Warwick lands in Rutland. (fn. 9)
From 1250 until the 15th century the Warwick
overlordship and the Montfort mesne lordship are
recorded. (fn. 10)
The undertenants probably from at least 1086 were
the local family of Lyndon, sometimes also called 'of
Easton' (co. Northants). Roland de Lyndon was
lord of Easton in 1086 (fn. 11) and his son Simon succeeded. (fn. 12) He mortgaged his lands after 1130 to
Robert, 'nepos of the bishop,' (fn. 13) grandfather of
William de Humez, Constable of Normandy. In 1167
Roland son of Simon was lord of Lyndon, (fn. 14) and
Simon, (fn. 15) presumably his son, married before 1194
Margaret, daughter of William de Otteringham.
William de Humez held the land at Easton, which in
1204 was claimed by Simon de Lyndon, grandson of
the above Simon. (fn. 16) Through the loss of Normandy,
William de Humez's connexion with England was
severed, and Simon was allowed to have his land on
payment of 300 marks. (fn. 16) Simon de Lyndon died
before 1217, when the custody of his lands was given
to Bartholomew Pecche, and later to the Bishop of
Salisbury. (fn. 17) Simon left three sons. Roland, apparently
the eldest, went to the Holy Land, and was reported
dead in 1221–2, when William de Cantilupe, who
had the custody of Peter de Montfort, the overlord,
seized the manor of Lyndon. (fn. 18) In 1227 the Bishop
received a renewal of the custody of Simon's land and
heirs with their marriage. (fn. 19) Alan, the second son, held
Easton, (fn. 20) Little Casterton and Lyndon, and presented
to Lyndon church after the reported death of his
brother. (fn. 21) Roland, however, returned with two other
pilgrims in 1231; they received hospitality from
Alan in that year and were never seen again. A body
was found in the river near Stamford and identified
by various acquaintances, including his sister Alina
and his 'amica' Emma (by whom he had a son), as
that of Roland. Grave suspicion fell on Alan, (fn. 22)
but he was holding Easton, Lyndon and Little
Casterton in 1236 and died in or before 1239. He
was a clerk, probably in minor orders, as he had a
wife Maud who survived him. (fn. 23) Richard, brother
of Roland and Alan, also a clerk, succeeded, (fn. 24) and
died about 1255 and was buried at Easton. (fn. 25) His
son and heir Simon (fn. 26) paid 80 marks in 1277 for two
knights' fees. (fn. 27) As Sir Simon de Lyndon, kt., he
demised the manors of Lyndon and Little Casterton
(q.v.) to Master Henry Sampson, who in 1285 released
his right to the king and queen, (fn. 28) to whom Simon also
conveyed them. (fn. 29) Lyndon was in the possession of
the Crown in 1285–7 (fn. 30) and was assigned to Queen
Eleanor (d. 1291), and she demised it to John de
Boghton of Northampton. In 1290, however, it was
granted as dower to Joan widow of Sir Simon de
Lyndon. (fn. 31) Joan possibly married Simon de Wappelade, who was returned in 1305 as tenant of the knight's
fee here. (fn. 32) The manor was held by Joan until her
death in 1310, when it reverted to Edward II, who
retained it until 1311. He then granted it to Ingelard
de Warley, keeper of his wardrobe. Ingelard demised
it to Reynold his brother, and they or their farmers
were in possession until 1315, (fn. 33) in spite of the revocation of the grant by the Lords Ordainers. (fn. 34) In 1315
and 1316 the manor and advowson were both in the
king's hands. (fn. 35) The manor was leased during
pleasure in the latter year to Edmund de Kendale;
and in the following March he received a grant for
6 years, quit of rent, for his sustenance during a
pilgrimage to the Holy Land. (fn. 36) Edward III on his
accession confirmed Edmund's custody of the land
in Lyndon that he held by grant of Edward II; (fn. 37)
but Edmund, it seems, failed to pay the farm (fn. 38) and
was deprived, and the estate was granted for life to
John de Montgomery, King's Yeoman and Usher of
the Chamber. (fn. 39) In 1335 Montgomery obtained a
confirmation of the grant to him for life of the manor
and advowson, (fn. 40) and in the same year a grant,
apparently in reversion, was made to Robert de Corby
and Joan his wife and the heirs of Robert for good
services to the queen mother and in exchange for
lands in Kent. (fn. 41) In 1348, after the death of John, the
manor was granted for life to Hugh de Montgomery,
apparently by error, which grant was surrendered.
The manor and advowson were thereupon again
granted to Robert de Corby in fee in 1348. (fn. 42) Robert
de Corby in 1358 obtained licence to enfeoff Roland
Daneys; (fn. 43) and Robert and Joan his wife made the
conveyance in the same year. (fn. 44) This manor and
advowson then descended (fn. 45) with the Daneys' manor
of Tickencote (q.v.) until 1433, (fn. 46) when John Daneys
died seised of both manors, leaving Robert his son
and heir. Robert died seised of the Lyndon estate
and it passed to his younger sister and co-heir
Elizabeth. (fn. 47) She married William Hasylden, who
survived her and died seised in her right in 1480,
when their son John succeeded. (fn. 48) Francis son and
heir of John Hasylden received licence of entry in
1509. (fn. 49) His daughter Frances and her husband
Robert Peyton had livery in 1522 and made a settlement of the manor and advowson in 1535 with reversion to the right heirs of Frances. (fn. 50) In 1553 Frances
as the widow of Robert Peyton, kt., with Robert
her eldest son and his brothers, conveyed the manor
and advowson to John Hunt, his heirs and assigns. (fn. 51)
John Hunt of Lyndon who received a grant of arms in
1585 (fn. 52) died seised of this estate in the following year,
leaving a son and heir Remige or Remigius, to whom
he had bequeathed the manor
in tail male, leaving the advowson to his son Thomas. (fn. 53)
Hunt of Lyndon. Azure a bend between six leopards' heads or.
Barker of Hambleton. Party fessewise and nebuly sable and or, with three martlets countercoloured.
Remige made a settlement
in 1617 of both manor and
advowson (fn. 54) and died seised in
1618, leaving two sons, Thomas
and Francis. Thomas (fn. 55) died
seised in 1624 leaving a widow
Ann and three sons, Edward
his heir, Thomas and John. (fn. 56)
Edward, with his wife Elizabeth and his mother and
brothers, (fn. 57) conveyed the
manor in 1634 to feoffees for Valentine Saunders of
Chiswick. His grandson Valentine was sequestrated
in 1646 for delinquency, into which condition he
claimed to have been 'inveigled' in 1642, at the age
of 17. (fn. 59) He married Ann, sister of Sir Francis Mannock, and settled the property in 1649 and 1652, (fn. 60)
and in 1654 sold it to Hugh Audley, (fn. 61) by whom it was
sold in 1662 (fn. 62) to Abel Barker of Hambleton (q.v.).
Abel Barker made a settlement of the manor and
advowson in 1665. (fn. 63) The Hambleton family was
becoming enriched by their
wool trade. The Abel who
purchased Lyndon was son
of another Abel Barker of
Hambleton. Abel the son was
created a baronet in 1665, (fn. 64)
and had been sheriff of Rutland
in 1646–7, M.P. in 1656–8,
and again in 1679, the year
of his death. His accounts
show that he continued to
carry on a successful business
as a grazier, (fn. 65) and built a
large house at Lyndon, (fn. 66)
into which he moved shortly
before his death. His son and successor Sir
Thomas, sheriff of the county 1670–1 and 1680–1,
died childless and was buried at Lyndon 1707.
By his death the title became extinct and the estates
devolved on the descendant of his great-uncle,
Samuel Barker of North Luffenham. (fn. 67) Samuel
Barker, 'the Hebraist,' came to live at Lyndon, and
in 1752 his father-in-law, the celebrated divine
William Whiston, died at Lyndon House. (fn. 68) Thomas,
son and heir of the Hebraist, married Ann, sister of
Gilbert White of Selborne, and was himself noted for
his scientific writings. His observations, made at
Lyndon during 58 years, related chiefly to natural
history and meteorology, and were regularly published
in 'Philosophical Transactions' of the Royal Society.
He died at Lyndon, his birthplace, in 1809, at the
age of 87. (fn. 69) His son Samuel, a frequent correspondent of his uncle, Gilbert White, (fn. 70) died in 1835 and
was succeeded by his daughters and co-heirs Mary
and Ann Barker, who died in 1843 and 1846 respectively. (fn. 71) In accordance with their will the estate
was purchased by their cousin, the Rev. Edward
Brown in 1846. (fn. 72) He died in 1862 and was succeeded
by his nephew Edward Nathaniel Conant, son of his
sister Catherine, who had married in 1817 John Edward
Conant, son of Sir Nathaniel Conant, kt., and Sarah
daughter of John Whiston.
Edward Nathaniel Conant was
sheriff in 1867, and died in
1901, leaving a son Ernest
William Proby Conant, who
was succeeded in 1920 by his
son Capt. Roger John Edward
Conant, (fn. 73) now lord of the
manor and patron of the
living.
Conant of Lyndon. Gules ten billets or.
With the conveyance of
the manor in Jan. 1552–3,
and subsequently, there passed
view of frankpledge; and free warren, courts leet and
baron were mentioned in 1742. (fn. 74)
The garden of the manor, with its trees, is mentioned
early in the 14th century. (fn. 75) In 1315 Edmund de
Kendale was allowed 4 oaks to repair the houses. (fn. 76)
The dovecote was in a ruinous condition in 1361. (fn. 77) A
capital messuage passed with the manor in the early
17th century, and a windmill then and subsequently.
Church
The church of ST. MARTIN stands
within the Hall grounds, and consists
of chancel 20 ft. by 14 ft., with north
vestry and organ-chamber, clearstoried nave of two
bays 32 ft. by 12 ft. 3 in., north aisle 7 ft. 6 in. wide,
south aisle 5 ft. 6 in. wide, south porch, and west
tower 7 ft. square, all these measurements being
internal. The width across nave and aisles is 29 ft. 6 in.
The building underwent a very extensive restoration in 1866, (fn. 78) and few original architectural features
remain. The walls have been much rebuilt or refaced
and, except in the tower, all the windows are new.
The font is a relic of a 12th-century church, recovered
at the restoration, but the earliest part of the present
structure is the plain 13th-century south doorway,
with pointed arch of a single chamfered order, with
moulded imposts and hood with head-stops. Part of
a wheel gable-cross with simple cheveron ornament,
now preserved in the porch, may be of the same
period, though apparently rather earlier. The church,
however, seems to have been almost completely rebuilt
at the end of the 13th or early in the 14th century,
to which period the existing nave arcades belong, and
the tower and clearstory are only slightly later, the
building assuming its present form in the 14th century.
The narrower south aisle is apparently that of the
early 13th-century church, the north aisle having
probably been added, or a former one widened in the
later rebuilding. The upper part of the tower was
rebuilt or remodelled in the 15th century. The organchamber and vestry are modern.
The building throughout is of rubble and is without
buttresses in any part. The roofs of the chancel,
vestry and porch are covered with stone slates, but
those of the nave and aisles are leaded. There are plain
parapets to the nave. Internally all the walls are
plastered; the roofs are modern.
The chancel has a three-light east window and in
the south wall a modern doorway and a window of
two lights, all in the style of the 14th century. On the
north side a modern cusped arch opens to the organchamber and vestry. No ancient ritual arrangements remain. There is a marble reredos, erected in
1866, with extensions along the wall on either side. (fn. 79)
The early 14th-century chancel arch is of two chamfered orders with hood-mould towards the nave, the
inner order resting on half-octagonal responds with
moulded capitals. The rood-loft doorway and the top
steps of the staircase remain on the north side at the
east end of the nave wall.
The nave arcades are apparently of equal date, but
vary somewhat in detail. The arches on each side
are of two chamfered orders, with hood-mould towards
the nave, springing from an octagonal pillar and halfoctagonal responds with moulded capitals and bases. (fn. 80)
The stops of the hood-moulds vary in character, one on
the south side being a combination of tooth and ballflower ornament. In the middle of the blank east
wall of the south aisle is an image bracket, and an
arched opening in the corresponding position in the
north aisle is apparently an old window with mullions
and tracery removed. The aisles (fn. 81) have pointed
three-light windows north and south, and a two-light
window at the west end, all in the style of the 14th
century. There are three two-light clearstory windows on each side in the same style, the hood-moulds
alone being old. The roof is of low pitch, with large
gargoyles. The porch is modern, with timber gable
and square-headed doorway with masonry jambs.
The tower is of three stages marked by strings, with
moulded plinth and battlemented parapet. There is
no vice. The 14th-century west window is of two
trefoiled lights with quatrefoil in the head, the hoodmould having a face at the apex, but no end stops, and
there is a modern doorway on the south side. Except
for an oblong opening on the west side, the middle
stage is blank. The tall pointed 15th-century bellchamber windows have transoms and are of two
trefoiled lights with hood-moulds. Internally the
tower opens into the nave by a narrow pointed arch
of two chamfered orders, the inner order springing
from moulded corbels, the outer continuous.
The font now used was found buried in the churchyard in 1866. It is of 12th-century date, in the form
of a capital, square at the top and circular below, the
angles and each face of the upper part somewhat
rudely carved with scrolled undulating and other
ornament, and animals of archaic character on two of
the sides. The bowl rests on modern supports. A
discarded 18th-century baluster font is now in the
churchyard.
The marble pulpit, in form like a north ambo,
dates from 1856. The fittings are all modern. (fn. 82)
Under the tower is a much-defaced 13th-century
coffin lid, and in the vestry a Jacobean altar table.
There are also a Jacobean chair and a chest, and
in the south aisle is a War Memorial tablet of oak
(1914–18).
On the east jamb of the south doorway is a scratch
dial.
There are four bells, the first and second by Taylor
and Co. of Loughborough, 1889; the third dated 1716,
and the tenor undated, but cast early in the 18th
century. (fn. 83)
The plate consists of a cup and cover paten of
1632–3 with maker's mark D.T., a flagon of 1768–9
and an almsdish of 1693–4. (fn. 84)
The registers before 1812 are as follows: (i) all
entries 1580–1710; (ii) baptisms 1710–1813; (iii) marriages 1718–48, burials 1711—1813; (iv) marriages,
1757–1813.
There is the base of a churchyard cross south of the
porch, and in the west wall of the churchyard are a
number of headstones to members of the family of
Barker and others, including the Rev. William Whiston, (fn. 85) the translator of Josephus, who died 22 August
1752.
The archdeacons' visitations of the 17th century
show the condition of the church to have been bad.
In 1605 there was no decent pulpit, the church was
unpaved 'and the rain cometh in most intollerablie,'
there was no 'pewter stoope pot for the communion,'
there was 'a chapel on the south side of the church
which is very much in decay and annoyeth the chauncell
very much and the repair thereof belongeth to Mr
Hunt,' the churchyard fence was in decay so that
hogs 'do root up the churchyard.' In 1619 'the
stoope pot' for the communion was like an alehouse
quart, the register book was not subscribed according
to the Canons, the aisle northward was wholly down
in the roof. In 1640 the chapel on the south side of
the church had become utterly ruinous and the cross
in the churchyard was also ruinous and there was no
paten. In 1681 the churchwardens were ordered to
set up the Ten Commandments, the Creed and the
Lord's Prayer, and buy a new Erasmus' Paraphrase, a
Book of Canons, Bishop Jewell, a Book of Homilies,
and a Table of Marriages. (fn. 86)
Advowson
The advowson has descended
with the manor (q.v.) (fn. 87) since
the first mention of it is found
early in the 13th century. (fn. 88) Capt. Roger John
Edward Conant is the present patron. The living
is a rectory.
Distinguished incumbents have been Thomas
Hutchinson, scholar, rector 1731–48, (fn. 89) and Thomas
Kerchever Arnold, rector 1830–53, who was able to
devote much leisure to writing educational works,
having only 100 parishioners. (fn. 90)
Charities
Sir Thomas Barker, by his will
dated 13 December 1704, devised as
follows: 'I do give and bequeath
to the poor of Lyndon aforesaid £5 a year for ever,
which together with £3 a year given by my brother
Christopher Dighton, in all £8 per annum, I do charge
upon and shall be secured and paid out of the close
called the Holme Close in Lyndon aforesaid, quarterly
from my death free from taxes or any other charge
whatsoever, the same to be distributed on such times
and in such manner as the Lord of the manor and
rector of the church of Lyndon aforesaid for the time
being shall think best for the use and benefit of the
said poor.' The rent-charge is received from Capt.
R. J. E. Conant, owner of the Holme Close, and is
distributed by him, as lord of the manor, and the
rector among the poor.