ALDWARK
Township in the parish of Bradbourne. See Bradbourne.

ALDERWASLEY
"is a chapelry belonging to the parish of Wirksworth; the village contains about sixty houses and the inhabitants are, chiefly, engaged in the pursuits of agriculture.
Not far from the church, on an eminence, is the mansion of Francis Hurt, Esq.; it is pleasantly situated, and commands an extensive prospect. The manor of Alderwasley; together with Ashley-Hay, and part of Crich-Chase, were granted by Henry the Eighth, to Anthony Lowe, Esq^[1]. In the reign of Charles the First^[1], Alderwasley, was a seat of a descendant of the above-mentioned gentleman, who by his fidelity and attachment to that unfortunate monarch, became a considerable sufferer from the civil wars, which then distracted the kingdom. Tradition says, that a party of the parliamentary soldiers from Hopton, paid this ancient house three different visits, and stripped it of every thing that was valuable."
In the Deanery of Ashbourne.

ALFRETON
"in Domesday called Elstretune, was at the compilation of that record included in the lands belonging to Roger de Busli : and the manor was held by one Ingram, at the annual rent of thirty shillings. Tradition says, that this town was built by Alfred the Great;^[1] and that its name is derived from its founder: It is also said that he resided here, and even the spot is shewn on which the palace stood.
In former times, the town and liberty belonged to a family, that took its name from the place : one of whom, Robert, son of Ranulph, Lord of Alfreton, was the founder of Beauchief Abbey, and had erroneously been noticed as a participator in the murder of Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury. Mr. Camden says that "a few years after the building of the Monastery de Bello Capite, commonly Beauchief, (about the time of Henry III.^[1]) the estate of the Lords of Alfreton, for default of heirs male, went with two daughters to the family of the Cadurci or Chaworths, and to the Lathams in the county of Lancaster. The share of the latter was sold to Chaworth, in whose family and name the estate continued till the time of Henry the Seventh^[1], when it was conveyed, by the marriage of an heir general, to John Ormond, Esq. whose heir general carried it in marriage to the Babingtons of Dethick, by whom it was sold to the Zouches of Codnor-Castle. It was afterwards purchased by the Morewoods, and in that family it continued from the early part of the seventeenth century to the death of the late possessor, who left it to his widow, since married to the Rev. Mr. Case, who afterwards assumed the name Morewood. The family seat stands in a high and pleasant situation.
The living of Alfreton is a vicarage; and the church, which is dedicated to St. Mary, is an ancient rude structure, having an embattled tower, with pinnacles. It is a market town, with a market on Friday. The number of houses in the parish is about 472, of which about 200 are situated in the town, and contains 2400 inhabitants; they are chiefly employed in weaving stockings, and in the neighbouring collieries; and a few derive support from the manufacture of brown earthen-ware."
In the Deanery of Chesterfield.

ALKMONTON
(Alchementune) A hamlet in the parish of Longford. "There was formerly a chapel at Alkmonton but the font is the only present remains of it."^[2]
In the Deanery of Castillar.

ALLESTRY
"Allestree, or as it is called in Domesday Adelardestreu, is a village, situated about two miles to the North, of Derby. The living is a donative curacy : and the church is dedicated to St. Andrew. It formerly was one of the churches belonging to the Abbey at Darley."
In the Deanery of Derby.

ALPORT
"is a hamlet [in the parish of Youlgrave], containing about twenty-two houses whose inhabitants are chiefly employed in the pursuits of agriculture."
In the Archdeaconry of Derby

ALSOP
[Alsop-in-the-Dale] "anciently Elleshope, is another chapelry in the parish Ashbourne. The church is dedicated to St. Michael; and the whole liberty contains about fourteen houses."
In the Deanery of Ashbourne.

APPELBY
"This parish, at the compilation of Domesday, belonged to the Abbey of Burton; whose Abbot held 5 carucates of land there. Aplebi was at that time a considerable village, and valued at 60 shillings. It is situated partly in Derbyshire, and partly in Leicestershire; the church standing in the latter county. The manufacture of stockings, and the pursuit of agriculture, form the principal supports of the inhabitants."
In the Deanery of Repington.

ARLESTON
See Barrow

ASHBOURN
"Ashbourne or Ashburn is neat market town, imbosomed amid hills, which rise around it on every side, and confine within them a rich valley, through which, the river Dove, rolls its water. The view of the town, from the top of the hill, on approaching it from London, is particularly delightful. In the deep rich valley below, the town is seen, overhung with beautiful high grounds, at the back, as well as the front. The descent to it by the turnpike road, is the finest walk imaginable, being fenced on the inner steep side with a handsome railing, and having a thorn hedge on the outer side. A small rivulet, called the Henmore, divides the town into two parts, the most southern of which is denominated Compton, anciently Campdene. The houses, are, chiefly built of brick, and rise on the side of a hill.
At the time of the Norman survey Esseburne was a royal manor , and had a "priest and a church." At this time the town was the property of the king. King John granted^[1] it to William de Ferrers, Earl of Derby; but on the rebellion of his son William Ferrers, in the succeeding reign, it was seized by the crown.—Edward the First^[1] bestowed it on his brother, Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster. Roger Mortimer, Earl of March, procured from Edward III.^[1] for his son, a grant of the Wapentake of Risley and Ashbourn in the Peak, being parcels of the lands of the late Edmund, Earl of Kent, attainted.
The manor of Ashbourn then became the property of the Cockaynes, a very ancient family, whose principal seat, was at this place for many generations: the last of this family, died at the end of the seventeenth century without issue.
The manor of Ashbourn then became the property of the Cokes of Melbourn, from whom it was purchased, in the reign of Charles the Second^[1], by Sir William Boothby, Knt. and Bart. The family of Boothby is thought to be of great antiquity, and is supposed to have sprung from a person of that name, mentioned in the reign of king Egbert^[1], who lived near a thousand years ago. The first who is ascertained with certainty to be an ancestor of the present Baronet, is Richard Boothby, who was living in the third year of queen Elizabeth. His grandson, Henry Boothby, was created a Baronet by king Charles the First^[1], by letters patent, dated November the fifth, 1644: but, owing to the civil wars, the title did not pass the great seal. However, his son William, was knighted by Charles II.^[1] in the field; and at the restoration, the king renewed his patent gratis, by the name of Sir William Boothby, of Broadlow-Ash, the former patent being of Clator-Clote. The present Sir Brooke Boothby, (well known as a great classical scholar and an elegant poet) is a lineal descendant and the male heir of the above.
The present church of Ashbourn, which is a fine specimen of Gothic building, was erected in the thirteenth century, as appears from a memorial in brass, commemorating its dedication to St. Oswald, discovered a few years ago, on one of the walls of the church. The inscription is in Latin, in ancient abbreviated :-
"In the year from the incarnation of our Lord, 1241, on, the twenty-fourth of April, this church was dedicated, and this altar consecrated, in honour of St. Oswald, king and martyr, by the venerable Hugh de Patishul, lord Bishop of Coventry."
This church at Ashbourn, together with the chapels, lands, tythes, and other appurtenances, belonging thereto, were given in the time of Edward the Confessor, by William Rufus, to the Cathedral church at Lincoln.
In former times, there stood in the neighbourhood of Ashbourn, a chapel dedicated to St. Mary. Some years ago its remains were taken down, by Sir Brooke Boothby ; prior to which time, it had been used as a malt-house.
The present church is built in the form of a cross, with a square lower in the centre; terminated with a lofty octagonal spire, enriched with ornamental workmanship, and pierced by twenty windows. The roof is supported by several pointed arches; the interior is spacious, but not commodiously disposed, though galleries have been erected for the, convenience of the congregation. It contains several monuments, erected to the memories of the Cokaines, Bradburnes and Boothbys ; and in the windows are numerous shields of the arms of different families, in stained glass.
[There then follows a description of the beautiful white marble monument to Penelope Boothby, aged six, not included here, but see : Picture Gallery, Ashbourne, St. Oswald's Parish Church - Interior]
Near the church, a noble monument of philanthropy presents itself in the Free-Grammar-School, which was founded, in the time of queen Elizabeth, by the voluntary contributions of Sir Thomas Cokaine, Knt. William Bradburne, Esq. and "divers well disposed citizens of London, being born in, or near to Ashbourne on the Peak, combining their loving benevolence together, built there, with convenient lodging for a master, and liberal maintenance allowed thereto."^[3]
This school is under the patronage and direction, of three governors and twelve assistants, to be chosen from among the resident householders of Ashbourn who are incorporated according to the patent of Queen Elizabeth^[1]. The head Master is to be of the degree of Master of the Arts, and has a house and garden for himself and family adjoining the school, with about one hundred pounds a year salary : the under-master has, also, a house, and about thirty pounds per annum. The children admitted into this school, must be those of the town, or its immediate neighbourhood. There is another Free-School at Ashbourn, for educating poor boys and girls, the master and mistress of which have a salary of about ten pounds each.
There is also, at the south-east of the town, a neat chapel, and a row of alms-houses, for the admission of six poor men or women, erected and endowed, in 1800, by a native of Ashbourn of the name of Cooper. This person, when a boy, followed the humble occupation of brick-making, but having been disgusted with the employment, he went to London, and by frugality and persevering industry, acquired a considerable property. Hospitals for the reception and support of aged and decayed house­keepers, have also been founded here ; as well as one for the maintenance of four clergymen's widows.
The town of Ashbourn, according to the ascertainment of the late population act, contains 459 houses, and 2006 inhabitants. The markets, which are held on Saturday, supply an extensive neighbourhood. It has also a considerable support from its cattle-fairs, of which no fewer than seven, are held here yearly, to which great numbers of horses, oxen, sheep, pigs, and wares of various descriptions, are brought for sale. The trout caught in its river, the Dove, afford a delicious treat, of which most travellers choose to partake. Its fame for cheese, it is unnecessary to mention ; an article supplied by the dairy-farms in its neighbourhood; which are chiefly engaged in the manufacture of it.
The parish of Ashbourn extends partly in the Wapentake of Wirksworth, and partly in the Hundred of Appletree. In the latter are the hamlets of Clifton, Offcote, Underwood, Yeldersley and Hulland, together containing about 105 houses^[4].
Near the town, is Ashbourn-Hall, a seat belonging to Sir Brooke Boothby. It was from remote antiquity, the residence of' the Cokaines, one of the most eminent families in Derbyshire. Their residence here may be traced, with certainty, from the time of Henry the Third, to that of Charles the Second, when they sold the estate to Sir William Boothby. No architectural beauties adorn the exterior of this mansion, although within, every part is disposed with taste and elegance. Many of the pictures are valuable ; and the books are a judicious collection of classic and polite literature. The situation is low ; but the park and gardens, are laid out in a style of beauty and gracefulness, which compensates for the want of more picturesque scenery.
Of the ancient possessors, the Cokaines, we find a John Cokaine, who represented this county in several parliaments and councils during the reign of Edward the Third^[1]. Another John Cokaine, was knighted by Henry the Fourth^[1], at the battle of Shrewsbury (1403), and killed in the conflict. His younger son was Chief Baron of the Exchequer in the third of Henry the Fourth^[1] ; and a justice of Common Pleas in the sixth of the same king, and second of Henry the Sixth^[1]. He lies buried in the church at Ashbourne ; his tomb being decorated with the effigies of himself ad his lady, carved in alabaster : the latter is adorned with a Turkish head-dress. The family of Cokaine, resident till of late years at Cokaine-Hatley in Bedfordshire, descended from this famous Judge. Thomas Cokaine, of Ashbourn, the representative of the eldest branch, was knighted for his valour at the battle of Spurs, under the reign of Henry VIII^[1]. Sir Charles Cokaine [sic, it was Sir Aston Cockayne], in the time of Charles the Second, was the last of this family who resided at Ashbourn^[5]. He was a considerable sufferer for his loyalty to Charles I. and gave the finishing blow to an old venerable inheritance, which began to decline in the reign of James. He was a great writer of verses, the chief merit of which consists in genealogical history; a subject but ill-adapted to accord with the smooth current of the Pierian spring. Sir William Cokaine, of a younger branch of this family, was Lord Mayor of London in the year 1619 ; and his son Charles was raised to an Irish peerage, by the title of Viscount Cullen, in 1942.
The following article is found inserted in the church register at Ashbourn;- "1645 August, king Charles came to the church, and many more, and talked with Mr. Peacock."
About half a mile to the left of the road leading from Ashbourn to Wirksworth, and about three miles from the former place, are two Sulphureous springs, known in the neighbourhood by the names of Agnes and Mudge Meadow Springs. They are situated at the distance of nearly a quarter of a mile from each other ; and in their qualities and virtues resemble the Kedleston water."
In the Deanery of Ashbourne.
The Gentleman's Magazine Library
Picture Gallery, Derbyshire (Index), Ashbourne

ASHFORD
"Aisseford, is a chapelry in the parish of Bakewell ; the village is situated on the banks of the Wye, and frequently from its lowness, called Ashford in the Water. The whole parish contains about 130 houses and 600 inhabitants, who are employed in cotton spinning, agriculture, and at the marble manufactory.
Here, Edward Plantaganet of Woodstock, Earl of Kent, and after him, the Hollands, Earls of Kent, and more recently, the Nevilles; Earls of Westmoreland, had a residence; of which the only vestige now remaining, is the moat that surrounded the castle. This estate was sold by the Earl of Westmoreland, to Sir William Cavendish, the favorite of Wolsey, and still continues in the Cavendish family, being the property of the Duke of Devonshire.
"The Marble Works in this village, where the black and grey marbles found in the vicinity are sawn and polished, were the first of the kind ever established in Great Britain.They were originally constructed about seventy years ago, by the late Mr. Henry Watson, of Bakewell : but though a patent was obtained to secure the profits of the invention, the advantages were not commensurate with the expectations that had been formed. The present proprietor is Mr John Platt, of Rotherham, in Yorkshire, who rents the quarries at Ashford, where the black marble is obtained, of the Duke of Devonshire; as well as those where the grey marble is procured, at Ricklow Dale, near Moneyash. These are the only quarries of the kind now worked in any part of Derbyshire. The machinery is somewhat similar in construction, to that described in the marble and spar works at Derby; but it is worked by water, One part, called the Sweeping Mill, from its circular motion, is also different; by this, a floor, containing eighty superficial feet of marble slabs, is levelled at the same time.""
In the Archdeaconry of Derby.
"MONSAL-DALE, is a most pleasing sequestered retreat, is at a little distance to the west of the road leading from Ashford to Tideswell."
[The description of the Dale is not included]

ASHLEY-HAY
"The parish of Wirksworth contains, ... the hamlets of Caulow, Biggin, Halton, Hitheridge-Hay and Ashley-Hay, consisting altogether of about 80 houses."
In the Deanery of Ashbourne.

ASHOVER
"is thought to be of place great antiquity as in Domesday Essovre had a church and a priest. The living is a rectory, and the church is dedicated to All-Saints. In this church, is a very ancient font, supposed to be Saxon: the pedestal upon which it stands, is of stone; the lower part is hexagonal, the upper part circular, and surrounded with twenty figures, in devotional attitudes, embossed in lead, which are cast in small compartments. There are in the church, also, several monuments, coats of arms, and inscriptions, relating chiefly to the ancient family of the Babingtons, one of whom was knighted by Edward the Third^[1], at Morleux in Brittany, of which he was appointed governor.
The number of houses in the liberty is about 321; the inhabitants are chiefly employed in the mines, and the manufacture of stockings.
On the declivity of a hill on Ashover common is a rocking-stone, called Robin Hood's Mark, which measures about twenty-six feet in circumference; and, from its extraordinary position, evidently appears not only to have been the work of art, but to have been placed with great ingenuity. About two hundred yards to the North of this, is a singularly shaped rock, called the Turning Stone, nine feet in height, and supposed to have been a rock idol. ...
At a little distance from Ashover, is Overton Hall, a small but pleasant seat belonging to Sir Joseph Banks, the intelligent President of the Royal Society, whose continued exertions in promoting the best interests of science and philosophy, have rendered his name deservedly illustrious. The ancestors of this Baronet, became possessed of this estate, by marriage with the heiress of the Hodgkinson family''.
In the Deanery of Chesterfield.
The Gentleman's Magazine Library

ASTON
[Aston-on-Trent] "When the Norman survey was made "in Aestune and Sedelau (Shardlow)" there were "six ox-gangs and half of land to be taxed. There is one plough in the demense and four villanes and two bordars with one plough and four acres of meadow Ucteband holds this of the king. It is worth five shillings."
... At present the liberty at Aston contains about one hundred houses and five hundred inhabitants. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £29 15s. and yearly tenths £2 19s 6d. The church is dedicated to All-Saints; and several of the Holden family have been buried in it. From the charter of Robert Ferrers, junior, Earl of Derby, it appears that two parts of the lordship and tithe of Aston, were given to the priory of Tutbury. The hamlets of Shardlow and Wilne lie within the parish of Aston:- the former contains about seventy houses, and the latter eighteen. A few stocking-frames are the only appearance of manufacture to be met with in the parish; but a considerable number of hands are employed navigating the barges up the Trent."
In the Deanery of Derby.

ATLOW
(Etelauue) Chapelry in the parish of Bradbourne. See Bradbourne.

AULT-HUCKNALL
See Hault Hucknall.

Notes on the above:

^[1] Egbert was King of Wessex 802-839; Alfred the Great reigned 871-901; John reigned 1199-1216; Henry III reigned 1216 - 1272; Edward I reigned 1272-1307; Edward III reigned 1327-1377; Henry IV reigned 1399-1413; Henry VI reigned 1422-1461 + 1470-1471; Henry VII reigned 1485-1509; Henry VIII reigned 1509-1547; Elizabeth reigned 1558-1603; Charles I reigned 1625-1649; Charles II reigned 1649-1685.

^[2] Robert de Bakepuze founded a hospital at Alkmonton for female lepers dedicated to St. Leonard (this is from Cox: "Churches of Derbyshire", Vol III, pub 1877). It was re-founded in 1406. The Norman font that was found in the grounds of Old Hall farm was reused in the new church in 1843. The Lysons (1817) said that at Domesday the manor was held under 'Ralph under Henry de Ferrars'.

^[3] Ashbourne's Free Grammar School - Queen Elizabeth's - was founded 1585. See Ashbourne : Queen Elizabeth's Grammar - the Old School, Church Street.

^[4] Though not mentioned by Davies, the Lysons brothers also record the townships of Newton Grange and Sturston as within the parish of Ashbourne.

^[5] Sir Aston Cockayne, son of Thomas, baptised on 20 Dec 1608 at Ashbourne, died 13 Feb 1684. The Lysons recorded that: "In the year 1671 he [Aston] joined with his son, Thomas ... in the sale of Ashborne Hall and other estates to Sir William Boothby, Bart." Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Ashbourne used to own a portrait of Aston Cockayne, most probably by the 17thc portrait painter, T. Leigh (this information from a research project by the National Museum Wales). The portrait was sold to a private collector in 2004. QEGS had also owned a portrait of Dame Mary Cockayne, Aston's wife.

An Ann Andrews book transcript