Measham
| Measham | |
|---|---|
 St Lawrence Church, Measham |
|
 Measham
|
|
| Measham shown within Leicestershire | |
| Population | 5,209 |
| OS grid reference | SK 33077 11844 |
| • London | 177 km |
| Civil parish |
|
| District | |
| Shire county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SWADLINCOTE |
| Postcode district | DE12 |
| Dialling code | 01530 |
| Police | Leicestershire |
| Fire | Leicestershire |
| Ambulance | East Midlands |
| EU Parliament | East Midlands |
| UK Parliament |
|
Measham is a large village in Leicestershire, lying close to the borders of Derbyshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire, just off the A42, 4.5 miles (7.25 km) south of Ashby-de-la-Zouch (the closest town), and within the National Forest. It was historically in Derbyshire, being part of an enclave absorbed into Leicestershire in 1897 (See County Enclaves). The name of the village is thought to mean homestead on the River Mease.
The village name, Meas-Ham, suggests it was founded in the Saxon period between AD 350 and 1000.
Immediately before the Norman Conquest of 1066, the village belonged to "Earl Algar". In the Domesday Book of 1086, the village is recorded as belonging directly to the King, as part of a royal estate centred on Repton. It was assessed as having a taxable value of 2 geld units (quite small), and containing land for 3 ploughs, 20 acres of meadow, and a square furlong of woodland (10 acres).
The manor passed from the crown to the Earls of Chester. In 1235 it is recorded as being in the possession of Clementia (Clemence de Fougères), widow of Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester. Measham Museum states that the manor belonged to the De Measham family, which held it until 1308. Given the ownership by the crown and then the Earls of Chester, neither actually resident, it appears the De Measham family held the manor as feudal tenants, rather than formal owners, probably in return for military service. (See the Feudalism in England)
By the 13th century, the rights to the church appear to have passed to Repton Priory, as in 1272 King Henry III issued a charter confirming its possession of several church and chapelries, including that of Measham.
The original chapel of ease dated from 1172, but the present St Laurence's Church was built in 1340, under the auspices of Repton Priory.
...
Wikipedia