The Premonstratensian abbey of Barlings was founded in about 1150 and sited on a small island in the fen with access to the River Witham.

The abbey was a major wool producer by the 14th century, and favoured by Edward the Third, who stayed here several times.

The photograph shows the only standing remains, a blank bay of the nave which adjoined the central crossing of the 14th century church.

Frank Robinson, 2010

This fragment of the Premonstratensian Abbey is part of the wall between the nave and the north aisle, close to the crossing.

Pearl Wheatley, 2011

Kelly's Directory 1919 states :-

"Here was once a Premonstratensian abbey, founded in 1154 by R. de Haya, and dedicated to St. Mary:

the church of the monastery was 300 feet in length, and a column, supposed to belong to the tower, together with an arcading pierced with windows, and some other portions, still remain :

Makerel, the last prior, was hanged in consequence of his participation in the insurrection called the "Pilgrimage of Grace," 1536-7:

at the dissolution of the abbey there were 14 canons, and revenue estimated at £242"

DB 30 March 2021

"Corbelled bust of man"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064017 

DB 30 March 2021

Richly carved stiff-leaf decoration.

DB 30 March 2021

This house dates from the late seventeenth century.

Pearl Wheatley, 2011

Lychgate at the entrance to Barlings Cemetery. Cemetery shown on OS 25 inch map published 1906.

DB 4 May 2024

"TO THE GLORY OF GOD AND IN GRATEFUL REMEMBRANCE OF ...

WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE CAUSE OF FREEDOM

THEY SHALL GROW NOT OLD."

https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/54308 

DB 4 May 2024

Ferry House has elements dating from the fourteenth century through to the nineteenth century.

Pearl Wheatley, 2011

On the west of the road leading from Langworth to Barlings, this small farmstead was built for Christopher Turnor in the mid-nineteenth century.

Pearl Wheatley, 2012

Both north & south doorways of St Edward church, Barlings, are Norman; the shafted bellcote is Early English.

The eastern end of the nave & the chancel were rebuilt by Charles Kirk in 1876 but the remainder of the planned restoration was never undertaken.

Ken Redmore, 2010 

Mark Robinson, 3 May 2020

Kelly's Directory 1930 reports :-

"The church of St. Edward is a small building of stone, in the Norman and Early English styles, consisting of chancel, with vestry, nave, south porch, and a turret on the western gable, constructed out of old materials of Early English character, and containing one bell:

the east end of the nave and the chancel were rebuilt in the early part of the last century, to some extent, with the materials of the previous structure, but the whole of this work was taken down and rebuilt in 1875-6, at a cost of £1,200, a vestry added, and the interior refitted, including a panelled oak pulpit and eagle lectern:

there are 120 sittings.

The register dates from the year 1626, but no marriages were registered between 1775 and 1831.

The living is a vicarage, with those of Langworth and Stainton, joint net yearly value £307, with residence, in the gift of the Bishop of Lincoln and E. T. Tyrwhitt-Drake esq. M.F.H., J.P. and held since 1927 by the Rev. Robert Grant Colvin of Bishop Wilson College."

DB 4 May 2024

White's Directory 1856 before subsequent alterations notes :-

"Christopher Turnor, Esq., Thomas T. Drake, and F. W. Oates, Esqs., own most of the soil, and the two first named are alternately patrons of the Church (St. Edward), which is a small fabric, rebuilt out of the old materials many years ago. It is a perpetual curacy, valued at £65, in the incumbency of the Rev. Richd. Stanley, M.A."

DB 4 May 2024

"Parish church. C11, early C14, 1876 by Charles Kirk"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

DB 4 May 2024

Church viewed from the north.

C14 Nave with tall C19 bay to east. C19 Chancel with C19 vestry projecting towards the camera. 

DB 4 May 2024

Looking east towards the sanctuary.

DB 4 May 2024

Looking north across chancel to the C19 vestry archway.

DB 4 May 2024

Looking west, through the chancel arch, and into the nave.

DB 4 May 2024

"C19 chancel arch with inner order supported on large, ornate corbels"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

DB 4 May 2024

"C19 pulpit, altar rail and chest"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

DB 4 May 2024

C19 timber roof.

DB 4 May 2024

C19 altar rail and chest.

DB 4 May 2024

The sanctuary has an attractive tiled floor. Image shows tiles in the southeast corner.

DB 4 May 2024

North and south facing chancel windows with freestanding shafts.

DB 4 May 2024

View across the churchyard with the grave of Frederick William and Mary Ann Oates prominent in the foreground.

There is a memorial to them, in the church, on the south wall of the nave.

DB 4 May 2024

Noticeboard at churchyard entrance. Unfortunately it no longer seems to be in use containing only the faded service schedule from October 2021.

DB 4 May 2024

Mark Robinson, 3 May 2020

Looking east towards the chancel.

DB 4 May 2024

Looking west.

C20 pews. 

DB 4 May 2024

"Blocked Cll doorway to west with round voussoired head and chamfered imposts"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

DB 4 May 2024

"Tall C14 octagonal font on tall octagonal base"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

DB 4 May 2024

C19 lectern.

DB 4 May 2024

"Ornate monument in white, red and black marble to Frederick Oates, died 1862"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry  

"In Memory of Frederick William Oates, of Barlings House in this Parish, Magistrate for the Parts of Lindsey in this County, 

Born at Leeds February 3rd 1785

Died at Leeds February 23rd 1862

And of Mary Ann his wife only surviving daughter of the late Charles Foster, of this Parish and of the City of Lincoln, 

Born at Lincoln April 29th 1795,

Died at Leamington March 24th 1880.

The remains of both are buried in the adjoining Churchyard" 

DB 4 May 2024

"SACRED

TO THE MEMORY OF CHARLES FOSTER, LATE OF THIS PARISH, AND OF THE CITY OF LINCOLN, ELDEST SON OF Mr. ALDERMAN FOSTER.

OF ELIZABETH HIS WIFE AND ELIZABETH THEIR DAUGHTER, WHOSE REMAINS ARE INTERRED IN THE CHURCH-YARD OF St: MARY LE WIGFORD IN THE CITY OF LINCOLN.

THIS TABLET IS ERECTED AS A TRIBUTE OF AFFECTIONATE REMEMBRANCE TO THE BEST OF PARENTS AND OF SISTERS. BY THEIR ONLY SURVIVING CHILD AND SISTER MARY ANN WIFE OF FREDERICK WILLIAM OATES. 

ANNO DOMINI.1836."

DB 4 May 2024

C19 pulpit.

DB 4 May 2024

C19 reading desk.

DB 4 May 2024

"C19 timber roof with ornate cornices over C19 bays"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

There is a flat ceiling over the medieval nave. 

DB 4 May 2024

The royal coat of arms of George II, dated 1739, hangs near the west end of St Edward Church.

It was painted by Edward Hunton of Lincoln.

Ken Redmore, 2010 

A second view of the Royal Arms enhanced to better show the colours.

DB 4 May 2024

"Ten Commandments painted on north wall of nave"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

Only the first 5 commandments? Additional text on the north wall has the Lord's Prayer and Creed. 

DB 4 May 2024

Lord's Prayer and Creed painted on north wall of nave.

DB 4 May 2024

"C19 round headed doorway with deep set panelled double doors and traceried fanlight"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

DB 4 May 2024

Medieval stained glass at the top of a south facing nave window.

DB 4 May 2024

Detail showing medieval stained glass.

"Medieval stained glass found in situ dates to the early 14th century, and was probably made by glaziers brought in to work on Barlings Abbey church, rather than local craftsmen"

https://heritage-explorer.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Monument/MLI53000 

DB 4 May 2024

Detail showing medieval stained glass.

"Medieval stained glass found in situ dates to the early 14th century, and was probably made by glaziers brought in to work on Barlings Abbey church, rather than local craftsmen"

https://heritage-explorer.lincolnshire.gov.uk/Monument/MLI53000

DB 4 May 2024

"East vestry doorway with round voussoired head, re-used C11 chamfered imposts and plank door"

https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1064015?section=official-list-entry 

DB 4 May 2024