The earliest recorded spelling was Chetelbi, in the Domesday Book. This name comes from Ketil’s (a person) by (village or homestead). Abba was presumably an early property owner in the area. At the time of the Domesday Book, the main property owner was Robert de Bucy.

The village stands high up on the Leicestershire Wolds, and consists of a medieval church, a few farmhouses, and a handful of thatched cottages.

The church was first built in the 14^th century. The tower has a stone spire and clamped buttresses. The north aisle is Victorian.

Allexton

The earliest recorded spelling is Adelachestone, in the Domesday Book.  It means Eadlac’s (person) tun (settlement). This was looked after a man called Grimbald, who looked after it under a Countess Judith, at the time of the Domesday Book. At that time, there were two mills, 5 ploughs, 4 villagers and 4 smallholders. The total value was 20 shillings.

The church was built in the 13^th century. The church still retains it’s medieval arcade and tower, although it was restored in the 19^th century. In one of the windows there are some fragments of 14^th century glass.

First recorded in the Domesday book as Alfnodestou, this village’s name means Aelfnoth’s Place.

Alton

The earliest recorded spelling was Anstige, in the Domesday Book. Anstiga means a narrow footpath up a hill, and probably refers to the tracks that lead up from the village into the charnwood forest. The Domesday Book entry for this village tells us that there were 13 villagers, 4 smallholders, 2 ploughs, 8 acres meadow, woodland 1 league long and ½ league wide, with additional woodland 2 furlongs long and 1 furlong wide. The value of the land was 40s and it was owned by Hugh of Grandmesnil.

The village is well known for many things. There are two old Bridges: The 15^th century packhorse bridge (pictured right) on the old Leicester road, and King Williams bridge, which was widened in 1696 for the king’s carriage to pass over on his way to visit the Stamford at Bradgate. There are also many old timbered cottages. But the village is most famous for its simpleton in the late 18^th to early 19^th century, Ned Ludd. He was a half-witted apprentice, who broke up two stocking frames in a burst of anger, and gave his name to the Luddites, who set out to destroy the industry that Leicester depended on. However, this story is more of a legend that historical fact.

Click here to see the Semper Eadem Image Gallery for this village

The earliest recorded spelling is Erendesbi which comes from Irand’s village or homestead. This is from the Domesday Book, which also tells us that this was the land of the Bishop of Coutances. It tells us that there was 1 slave and 1 plough in lordship. Also that there are 3 villagers and 2 smallholders with 1 plough. The land value was 20 shillings.

The Church is early Norman, although the tower was added in the 14^th century. There is also a 400-year-old windmill

The name Asfordby was first spelled Osferdevie, meaning Asford’s village or homestead. In the Domesday Book, the land was owned by the King. There were 2 mills, 32 acres of meadow, and only 2 villagers for some reason, even though there were 6 ploughs.

The church and bridge were built in the 14^th century, although it does contain some masonry dating back to the 12^th century. The transept window contains some ancient glass, depicting the figures of St. John, Moses and the Good Shepherd.

The earliest name is Ascebi de la Souche. The word Ascebi means the village of the ash trees. The word Souche is a French Family name. The Domesday Book tells us that the land was owned by Hugh of Grandmesnil. There was land for 10 ploughs, 2 slaves, 8 villagers, 9 ploughs, 4 freemen, and 4 smallholders. There was also a priest and a man at arms. There was woodland 1 league long and 4 furlongs wide.

The first mention of this village was in the Domesday Book, although at that time it was only called Ascbi. This means village of the ash trees. At a later date, the word Folleville was added, named after an important person in Normandy. The spelling has since changed to Folville. The Domesday book tells us that the land was owned by 2 people. In the land owned by the Henry of Ferrers, there were 2 villagers with 1 plough. In the land owned by the Countess Judith, there were 8 ploughs, 2 slaves, 24 villagers, 3 smallholders, 1 priest, a mill, 40 acres of meadow, a spinney, and a total value of £4.

This one means the small village of ash trees. The land was owned by Robert de Bucy. There were 2 ploughs that worked + one being built. 6 villagers, 1 smallholder who owned a plough, 8 acres of meadow and a total value of 10 shillings.

The church is mainly from the 14th century, and has a Norman arch. There is also a wooden figure of a 14th century Knight.

The earliest recording of this name is Eston in the Episcopal registers of 1209. This means Est (east) tun (settlement). This was once ome to Robert de Flamville.

The village has a 16^th century church with a tomb made in 1645. Upon this tomb are engraved the figures of Sir William Turvil and his wife with their 5 children. An alabaster figure in Elizabethan armour kneels in prayer under the chancel arch.