Highways and Byways in Lincolnshire

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

65921

Title

Highways and Byways in Lincolnshire

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

W. F. Rawnsley's 'Highways and Byways in Lincolnshire' offers a motorist's guide to the county, blending descriptions of magnificent churches, historic country seats like Belton and Harlaxton, and picturesque byways with local folklore and ballads.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Highways and Byways in Lincolnshire*, W. F. Rawnsley offers a vivid travelogue of the county, utilizing the modern motor car to explore its landscapes from the central hub of Grantham. The narrative radiates outward along main roads toward towns like Boston, Sleaford, and Newark, while detouring into picturesque villages such as Belton, Fulbeck, Caythorpe, and Harlaxton. Rawnsley emphasizes that Lincolnshire is a land teeming with splendid churches, providing detailed architectural observations of numerous ecclesiastical sites. He notes unique features ranging from high Norman pillars and specific window styles to elaborate monuments honoring notable families like the Brownlows and Husseys. The book highlights the county's diverse geography, contrasting the rich meadows and tidal channels of the south with the hilly, wooded north-western side and cliff-topped spires. Beyond architecture, Rawnsley captures the rural life of the era through anecdotes about local figures, most notably the fisherman-poet Dan Gunby. Rawnsley recounts meeting Gunby in 1874 at Gibraltar Point, where the poet, a tall and independent man with Scandinavian features, lived on the marshes. Gunby shared his ballad verses, including 'The Swan,' which he composed while mending nets and playing his fiddle. The text also delves into deep historical contexts, referencing Roman banks, British forts, and the suppression of a Stamford university community by Edward III. Rawnsley describes the town of Stamford as a maze of streets that has suffered depredations from Danes to Cromwell's soldiers, yet remains attractive with its grey stone buildings and river meadows. He also touches on distinguished natives like Lord Burleigh and the tragic story of 'The Peasant Countess' in Tennyson's poem. Throughout the volume, Rawnsley presents Lincolnshire as a destination for tourists seeking both scenic routes and cultural depth. He appreciates the preservation of original characters and local traditions despite the encroachment of railways and modern education. The book serves as a guide that combines practical touring advice with rich historical storytelling, celebrating the county's enduring heritage, from its ancient churches to its folk songs. Rawnsley acknowledges his reliance on predecessors like Murray's Handbook but asserts that the motor car allowed him personally to visit almost everything described, ensuring an authentic and comprehensive record of this storied shire.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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data/epubs/pg65921.epub

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Categories

• History
• Travel