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In an ancient register of Spalding Priory, of date 1659, is an extract from a charter of the foundation of the Priory, in which it is stated that one Thorold, ancestor of Lucia, Countess of Lincoln and Chester, and wife of Ivo Tailebois, gave the Tithes of Belchford, Scamblesby, etc., to the Priory. The name is there spelt Beltisford, which would seem to favour the former of these two derivations. In Domesday Book it is Beltisford, further confirmatory of the same.

A former Rector of this Benefice was somewhat of a “character.” He was a bon vivant, though not of an objectionable kind. He was popular among his clerical brethren, and, like several others, gave an annual clerical dinner, which was attended by them from considerable distances. One of the special features of the repast, was a leg of mutton, with port wine sauce, which, as well as the wine, might be said to be “old.” The cellars of the rectory were very cool, and he usually had a leg which had been hanging for a quarter of a year, half a year, or more. At one of the last of his dinners, the joint had been in the cellar, specially preserved, for more than twelve months, but, served as it was, with a good surrounding, it was unanimously declared to be excellent.