England & Wales Hardwicke Marriage Index
Marriages 1754 - 1837
North Carlton St Luke

The Parish

The parish of North Carlton lies in central Lincolnshire roughly 4 miles north of the city of Lincoln. North Carlton is one of a string of spring-line settlements that line the base of the limestone escarpement running north to south across the county, base of that escarpment being followed by the B1398 which links Lincoln with Kirton in Lindsey, North Carlton sits about a half mile west of that road. North Carlton is a linear settlement with most properties sitting on the northern side of the lane which heads westwards to Saxilby. The escarpment is shallow and not particularly high at this point but enough to grant a few pastures for sheep varying the traditional arable nature of Lincolnshire's parishes. Flatter land westwards is drained by small channels and field rains which all head for the River Tilt, here water heads southeast to Lincoln where the Witham is met and the latter heads for the North Sea through the port of Boston. North Carlton is sited at around 20 metres above the sea with the ridge to the east topping out at 70 metres above South Carlton the highest ground around. North Carlton parish was typically sized for its area, covering close to 1,800 acre it would have supported a population of around 150 parishioners. North Carlton in Domesday times was still in Saxon hands, held by one Swartbrand, its meagre assets of a single plough and a small meadow and 7 households barely troubled the assessors.

The Church

St Luke's church sits on the northern side of the main lane on which most properties sit. Three distinct ages are shown in the church's fabric from early into near modern times. The oldest feature is the western tower where all except the bell-stage is from the 12th century Norman Romanesque period. The bell-stage and the supporting buttresses were added during the early 15th century in the Perpendicular style. The remainder of the church was rebuilt in a 3-year program from 1170 to 1773 in the reign of George III. The arched windows echo the style of the Norman period, completing the basic design on nave and chancel is an eastern apse. Carlton Lane is of sufficient width to allow safe on-road parking outside the churchyard which has uninterrupted views from all of the favoured aspects.