Swineshead

Swineshead is a around seven miles west of Boston. The small railway station is at Swineshead Bridge, approximately 2 miles from the village.

Swineshead abbey was founded in 1135 from Savigniacs. In 1147 it was converted to a cistercian monastery by Robert de Gresley. In 1536 it was dissolved and the building of a private house and a park in 1607 destroyed the last marks of the monastery. Gilbert of Hoyland (11??–1172?) was a twelfth-century abbot of the Cistercian monastery of Swineshead, Lincolnshire. Swineshead had been a member of the monastic order of Savigny, which joined the Cistercian Order in 1147. Gilbert apparently went to Swineshead to help the community adopt Cistercian usages.

Sometime after Bernard of Clairvaux died in 1153, Gilbert was asked to continue Bernard’s incomplete series of 86 sermons on the biblical Song of Songs. Gilbert wrote 47 sermons before he died in 1172, probably at the French Cistercian monastery of Larrivour. Fifteen other short works by Gilbert are known to survive. Gilbert’s 47 sermons ended in Chapter 5 of the Song of Songs; another English Cistercian abbot, John of Ford, wrote another 120 sermons on the Song of Songs, so completing the Cistercian sermon-commentary on the book.

Swineshead is also the birthplace of Chris Wood, England goal keeper, and Herbert Ingram, founder of the Illustrated London News and MP for Boston. Ingram was instrumental in bringing the railways and fresh piped water to the town. His son became a Lord, and the family were given the Ingram Baronets of Swineshead Abbey.

Always check train times before travelling. Call National Rail enquiries on 08457 48 49 50 or check their website.