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Leicester Forest - History
Introduction
These pages will attempt to explore the history of Leicester Chace or Leicester Forest and the surrounding villages that depended on it.
It will include a transcript of the main historical study of the area: Leicester Forest by Levi Fox and Percy Russell, published in 1948 by Edgar Backus for the Leicestershire Archaeological Society. This version will be made available in instalments by kind permission of the Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society (2007).
- Leicester Forest: "The Visit of King James, 1612", by Percy Russell (1948).
An extract from "Leicester Forest": by Levi Fox and Percy Russell (1948). Part 2. Ch. 5. by Percy Russell
- Leicester Forest: Wood and Coal - fuel for poor townsfolk
An extract from "Leicester Forest": by Levi Fox and Percy Russell (1948). Part 2. Ch. 5. by Percy Russell
- Leicester Forest: Identification of the Site of Heathley Lodge
An extract from "Leicester Forest": by Levi Fox and Percy Russell (1948). Appendix III.
- Link to website of Leicestershire Archaeological and Historical Society
Parishes affected by the enclosure of Leicester Forest:
Parishes affected by the enclosure of Leicester Forest:
- Kirby [Muxloe]
- Braunstone
- Narborough
- Enderby
- Lubbesthorpe and Aylestone
- Huncote
- Thurlastone [sic]
- Bassett House
- Bromkinsthorpe
- Danets Hall
- Earl Shilton
- Desford
- Peckleton
- Poor of Leicester
- Glenfield
Parish |
Owners |
Lands |
Alloted |
Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kirby |
Sir Henry Hastings, |
340 |
340 |
|
Braunstone |
Sir Henry Hastings |
270 |
135 |
|
Narborough |
Sir Henry Hastings, |
400 |
198 |
The lands allotted to Narborough begin at the N. end of Narborough Shorttrees and so extending into Narboro' Wood upon the N. side of Chace Slade within the Launde. |
1,010 |
673 |
|||
Enderby |
Sir Geo. Quarles |
212 |
58 |
|
Lubbesthorpe |
The Lady Manners |
242 |
123 |
|
Huncote |
John Stafford, |
80 |
40 |
|
Thurlaston |
Henry Turville, |
260 |
140 |
|
Bassett House |
Nich. Foxley |
20 |
0 |
|
Bromkinsthorpe |
Walter Ruding, |
76 |
0 |
Lying upon Stone Hills, Sandy Hurst and Wildmore Plain towards the Lady Manners land. |
Danets Hall |
W. Danet |
25 5 |
0 0 |
|
Earl Shilton |
Sundry freeholders |
323 |
0 |
|
Desford |
Sundry freeholders, |
349 |
0 |
|
Peckleton |
Sundry freeholders, |
130 |
0 |
|
Poor of Leicester |
40 |
0 |
||
Glenfield |
Sundry |
12 |
0 |
|
2,784 |
1,034 |
Purchaser |
Area (Acres) |
Price (£) |
|---|---|---|
1. Lands bought in by the landowners referred to above |
||
Sir Henry Hastings |
673 |
3,000 |
The Lady Manners |
123 |
500 |
Henry Turvile |
140 |
(est.) 600 |
John Stafford |
40 |
250 |
Sir George Quarles |
58 |
410 |
1,034 |
4,760 |
|
2. Other lands |
||
The Milking Hill & Sallows bought by Frances King, of London |
150 |
1,420 |
Edward Smart of Huncote, land near to High Cross |
24 |
140 |
3. The King's Wood (i.e. Meynold's Gorse and adjoining lands) |
||
Allowed for the Grange of Leicester |
20 |
|
For some freeholders in Glenfield |
(est.) 40 |
|
Undisposed of |
60 |
|
Mr. Freeman, of Leicester |
(est.) 60 |
300 |
Thomas Boyer (keeper) |
(est.) 100 |
500 |
Natl. Whiting (keeper) |
(est.) 40 |
250 |
Thomas Jones of Kirby |
(est.) 70 |
390 |
1,598 |
7,760 |
|
The statement of the year 1631 printed by Nichols mentions a total of £8,000 cash, and that the lands sold bore a ground rent of 1s. per acre, which tolled £80 p.a.; from which can an approximate total area of 1,600 cares is deduced. Such details as are given in the State Papers (Domestic) are consistent with this. |
||
Timber. The growing timber "upon the King's soyle at a reasonable pennyworth" was valued by Boyer, Whiting and Bate at £1,000 |
Last Updated Thu, 14 Feb, 2008.