Hamilton DMV

Within the Parish boundary of Barkby Church, was not only Barkby Thorpe but also Thurmaston North and the village of Hamilton.
The latter two had their own satellite chapels.
Of these, only Hamilton has been deserted as a village and disappeared under the turf.

Hamilton was a small lordship, bounded by Scraptoft, Humberstone, Barkby Thorpe and Beeby. It was once the property of Hugh de Grantmesnil.
“Hamilton,” says Mr Burton in 1642, “is in the parish of Barkby, and had a chapel within it. In this town was the seat of the ancient family of Hamilton, which belonged to the old earls of Leicester; from whose grant they had this land, and therefore bare for their arms, Gules, three Cinquefoils Ermine, alluding to the said earl’s coat, who bare Gules, one cinquefoil Ermine; both which stand together in St Mary’s church in Leicester. Of this house was sir Gilbert de Hamilton, knight; who, in the reign of king Edward II, having slain one of the family of Thomas Despenser (the favourite of Edward II), fled into Scotland; and there, marrying with Isabell, daughter of Thomas Randolfe, earl of Murray, planted himself, and was honourably entertained by Robert Bruce king of Scotland; of whose gift he held lands in Cadzowe in Chisedale, whose issue were after made barons of parliament; of whom descended James, lord Hamilton, that married Mary the daughter of James the Second, king of Scotland; who by her had issue James earl of Arran, created duke of Castle Herault in Poitou in France, and knight of the order of St Michael, by Henry the Second, the French king; who had issue John marquis of Hamilton, who had issue James marquis of Hamilton, earl of Arran, baron of Evon and Aberbroth, created earl of Cambridge, and baron of Ennerdale in Cumberland, by his majesty, 1619 and counsellor of state for both the kingdoms of England and Scotland, who died 1624, leaving issue James marquis of Hamilton [ who was beheaded in Old Palace Yard March 9, 1648].”

The abbot and convent of St Mary de Pratis at Leicester had a chapel here, dedicated to St John the Baptist, with the tithes of corn and hay, appendant to the church of Barkby; and the vicar of that church was bound to supply the chapel three days in the week.
A virgate of land here was assigned to the use of the chapel, with a toft near the orchard, four selions, and the land which Adelicia held in Thorpe; all whuich were granted, by abbot Paul, about the year 1200, to Herbert, son of Joceline, the priest of Barkby, by the service of 16d. a year.