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Some History of Quadring

Theres been a settlement at Quadring for more than 1000years, the village is named in the Domesday Book.   It is listed as a small hamlet, north of Spalding, called 'Quedhaveringe' from where the modern name derives.   The 'Haveringe' was where Haefer's people, an Anglo-Saxon tribe centred in East Anglia dwelt.   This part of the name could also be derived from the Old English 'heafer', meaning a he-goat.   Another theory is that 'Qued' could be a derivation of the Old English 'cwead', meaning mud.   I have heard that the locals were called
“The people of the Mud”

Other historical directories point to different origins for the village name.   Dugdale's seventeenth century "History of Imbanking and Drainage" names the village as Quadavering.   Historians have claimed that the name is derived from 'cadaver', meaning corpse, and ing meaning fen and this claim is linked to the theory that the village churchyard was used as a burial ground for victims of the fourteenth century Black Death plague, hence the half mile distance between the church and the centre of the village, but if that were true why was the school also put there.   Modern thinking is the change in the road system for a more direct route from Spalding to Donington, that seems reasonable.   I’m sure there are other versions of the origins of Quadrings name and why the church is half mile from the village.

The first Norman owner we can find is Remigius, who came over as a monk, bringing with him a vassel (humble servant or subordinate) and twenty armed men to the aid of William(1066), he later became Bishop of Lincoln, and the builder of Lincoln Cathedral, having translated his see (assume this means moved) from Dorchester to that city.   He seems to have had only a small quantity of arable land in Quadring, and to have been represented here by a vassel named Malger.   Another owner of land here, was Alan Earl of Brittany and Richmond, who married Constance, daughter of the conqueror (William).   He commanded the rear of the Norman army at Hastings, and for his services, besides many other places in various counties William conferred upon him all the lands in the North Riding of Yorkshire, constituting Richmondshire,which had belonged to the Saxon Earl Edwin.   He was created Earl of Richmond after the siege of York (1069).   The share of English plunder which fell to Alan included 101 manors in Lincolnshire, and certain land in Quadring which was held by Guert, one of the Earls vassels.   A small portion of land in Quadring was claimed by Alured of Lincoln, an award of the jurors of the 'Wapentake' (local council) states that they do not know by what right or custom he(Alan) holds it and by their verdict accorded this to Alured of Lincoln, because it was his predecessors.

Quadring Church

(The Vicar, the Rev. C.K. Burdon searched County Archives for the following Church is dedicated to St Margaret. No record of date of building;

It is known that in the reign of Henry II (1133-1189) one of the Percy family bequeathed the Church to the Abbess of Stainfield Priory, Lincoln.   Priests of the Order of St Benedict served it.   1250 First recorded induction of an incumbent by the Bishop of Lincoln.   Still maintained a connection with Stainfield Convent.   (This convent was also thought to have been founded, by the Percys, Earls of Derby)

Font

Given by a Robert Percy according to the Latin inscription round the base, which is now badly worn.

Windows

In 1400 the Percys gave eight windows for the nave.

The church has been much altered and was probably damaged at the time of the Dissolution.   The Lady Chapel in the North Transept has been restored.   There was a Chapel in the South Transept dedicated to St.John, this is now the priest's Vestry.   The Chancel and sanctuary used to extend much farther eastwards.   One of the pews is dated 1619.   In the 18th century a gallery for choir and musicians was constructed above the font at the west end, this has vanished, and so has the Hood loft, although the stair remains near the pulpit.   There is a "scratch dial” outside on the wall near the south door.
After the Dissolution Edward VI allowed the Bishop of Lincoln to regain possession of the Church.

Later History

Marratt (historian) says that “In this place there are no ancient Abbeys, Halls, etc, except one old mansion, late residence of W Stukeley Esq., which was purchased, a few years ago by the present proprietors, Mr W Musson”.   This refers to the year 1814, the date when Marratt’s work was published.   The proprietors of the land at that time may be named as a matter of interest, they were the Lord Bishop of Lincoln, the Rev William Holmes, Mr W Musson, Mr John Casswell, Mr Thomas Ducket, Mr W Cropley, and Mr R Baldwick.   The parish rates in 1803 was 3s/9d in the pound.

The Schools

A charity school was founded at Quadring by Thomas Cowley, of the Wykes, in the parish of Donington, he bequeathed 44 acres 1 rood 8 perch of land in the year 1721, with a salery at that time of £10 per annum.   Edward Brown, an inhabitant of Quadring, approving of this charity, gave in 1739 a house for the master of the school to live in, with land belonging thereto, also he gave 26acres 28perch of other land.   The income of all the land being £128 per annum of which £40 is paid to the schoolmaster, Thomas Loughland, (who teaches 40 free scholars, and has the free use of the house and an allowance for coals, books, and stationery) £16 to two school mistresses (each teaching 14 children of either sex), about £50 for distribution of clothing; £5-4s for weekly doles of bread and £3 for an annual sermon.   The vicar, and Messrs Baldwick, Ducket, Parkinson, Osborn, and Bell, are the trustees.
At the present day the schools are controlled by the Education Committee of Holland County Council each having its own managers. There are four schools, these being:

This shows that Quadring is well supplied educationally.

The Parish Poor (c1850)

The poor of Quadring have had various doles which have been left them from time to time, including gifts by Nicholas Faulkner 9s and 6pence per annum, Theophilus Harryman 10s, James Harryman £2 and 5s, and Elizabeth Whitworth (undisclosed). Other donors, including John Crawford, bequeathing lands (seven cottages with small gardens) intending to benefit the poor of Quadring, Donington and Gosberton.   The total land comprised of 40acres 3rood 16perch, this is let for a total of £79.16s.9p.per annum which is distributed to the poor.   The vicars of Wigtoft-cum-Quadring, Donington, Gosberton, and Swineshead, are the trustees.   Quadring is in the Kirton wapentake,(danish word for council) and the Union and County Court District of Spalding.

Modern History

Quadring in the 1930s consisted of a few shops, there were bakers, sweet shop, butchers, cobblers, post office, even a cycle shop on Town Drove near Barehams Lane, there were three public houses, White Hart, Black Bull and Red Cow as well as Levertons Garage.   Eaudyke and the Fen also had their own public houses, The Plough in the Fen and Axe and Handsaw at Eaudyke also in those days 90% of the villagers worked on the land.   We had Football and Cricket teams, competing village against village, mostly friendly, sometimes not so friendly.   What have we today, very little. one shop including the post office, and one public house, the White Hart, no football or cricket teams.   Less than 10% of the villagers work the land.   Why? Its called progress, the introduction of television and computers, everyone can now afford the car.   So we no longer go local shopping, its off to the supermarkets at Boston or Spalding, we watch tele or play on our computers, no more games ,no more fresh air.   The village has become a 'Dorma' village, sleep in the security of the countryside, but work in the Towns and Cities.