Bratoft
| Bratoft | |
| Lincolnshire | |
|---|---|
 St Peter and St Paul's church, Bratoft | |
| Location | |
| Grid reference: | TF473650 |
| Location: | 53°9’42"N, -0°12’11"E |
| Data | |
| Population: | 143 (2011) |
| Post town: | Skegness |
| Postcode: | PE24 |
| Local Government | |
| Council: | East Lindsey |
| Parliamentary constituency: |
Boston and Skegness |
Bratoft is a small hamlet in the Candleshoe Wapentake of Lindsey, the northern part of Lincolnshire. It is some five miles east of Spilsby, two miles west of Burgh Le Marsh, and south of the A158 road.
Parish church
The parish church is St Peter and St Paul. The church was completely restored in 1890.
The octagonal font dates from the early 15th century, and the chancel screen and parclose screens date from about 1460.[1]
On the north wall of the tower interior hangs a picture of the Armada,[2] signed "Robert Stephenson". Between pictorial elements for England, Scotland, Ireland and France is depicted the Armada as a red dragon. The text beneath states:
Spaine's proud Armado with great strength and power
Great Britain's state came gapeing to devour,
This Dragon's guts, like Pharaos scattered hoast,
Lay splitt and drowned upon the Irish coast.
For of eight score save two ships sent from Spaine
But twenty-five scarce sound return'd again.
Non nobis Domine[1]
The church is a grade II listed building.[3]
In 1747 the preacher and biblical commentator Thomas Scott was born in Bratoft.[2]
About the village
Near Bratoft stands Gunby Hall, a National Trust property open to the public. It is a red-brick house, dating from 1700, with Victorian walled gardens, which Tennyson described as a "haunt of ancient peace".
Sir William Massingberd, the second Baronet, demolisjhed the old family seat, Bratoft Castle, and built Gunby Hall as his home I about 1700. A local legend (unsupported by such tiresome things as historic record) claims that Sir William caught his daughter trying to elope with one of his postilion riders and shot the man dead. Sir William was sentenced to appear in London annually at which time the family coat of arms was smeared with blood. The shame caused Sir William to demolish the old hall and build Gunby Hall.
Also within the village is Whitegates Cottage, a small thatched cottage dating from c.1770.
Bratoft Meadow is an area of semi-natural species rich grassland. In 1970 a fertilizer experiment was set up to examine the effect of different forms and rates of fertilizer application on the conservation value of this type of old meadow. The particular species of interest in this study was the Green-winged Orchid Orchis morio.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Bratoft) |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cox, J. Charles (1916) Lincolnshire p. 80; Methuen & Co. Ltd
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 St Peter and St Paul, Bratoft: Forward in Faith
- ↑ National Heritage List 1267661: Church of St Peter and St Paul (Grade II listing)