The English Civil War Kibworth Rectors: Hunt & Yaxley

Introduction

Between 1640 and 1660, the Civil War and the contrasting incumbencies of William Hunt, who had Catholic sympathies, and John Yaxley, who held Presbyterian beliefs, brought national political and religious tensions into sharp focus in Kibworth where the wider conflicts were experienced within the village itself.

The last Berridge rector died in October 1640, at a pivotal moment in English history when tensions between the King and Parliament were high. In that year, two important parliaments were convened in England:

The Short Parliament was summoned by Charles I, after an 11-year gap, to raise funds for the war in Scotland. It sat for only three weeks, from 13th April to 5th May 1640, because MPs refused funding without first addressing grievances against the King. Charles I dissolved Parliament when the Commons would not meet his demands.

The Long Parliament met on 3rd November 1640 after the Short Parliament failed. It addressed ongoing financial and political problems and introduced reforms that limited the King’s powers, including ending non-parliamentary taxation and establishing regular parliamentary sessions. Its actions helped lead to the English Civil War, making 1640 a turning point in English governance. 

Because Kibworth lay on a trading route with its many inns, it received a steady flow of travellers bringing news, rumours, and political gossip. Under Charles I, there was a growing Catholic influence within the Church, together with additional taxes imposed to fund his war with Scotland and support for the King among some wealthier people, created an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty. Opinion was divided between loyalty to the King and support for Parliament.

Note by the Author: Whilst researching the former “Beridge” Rectors, it was found that they had many connections within the court of King Charles I and Parliament and it would appear they were prepared for what was to come for the local historian Philip J. Porter, wrote in his book “Kibworth to Smeeton – A stroll down memory lane -III”:

“According to an ancient myth a tunnel ran from the Manor House, under one of the Grammar Schools and up to St Wilfrid’s, then on to the Manor House or Old House in Harcourt, for those seeking sanctuary at the church during the Civil war.”

Records confirm the Beridge’s owned the Manor House from 1619 – 1690 and a tunnel running from the Grammar school has been verified but where it led to has been lost in history.

The patronage of St Wilfrid’s Church had been restored to the Crown following the death of William Berridge [2][i] and Charles I, appointed William Hunt as Rector of St Wilfrid’s Church.

William Hunt [Rector of St Wilfrid’s, 1640/1–1645]: was born about 1600 and matriculated at New College, Oxford, on 17 November 1615, aged fifteen. He received his Bachelor of Arts on 13 April 1624, his M.A. on 15 January 1627/8, and his Bachelor of Divinity on 16 December 1636[ii]. Charles I appointed William Hunt as Rector of St Wilfrid’s Church, where he was inducted on 12 March 1640/1 and read the Thirty-Nine Articles two days later. The following consecutive entries were written in the Kibworth parish records [iii]:  

Memorandum: that William Hunt Clerke & Batchelor of Divinity was inducted into the real actual … … of so f… of the Rectory of the Parish Church of Kibworth Beauchamp in the County and Archdeaconary of Leicester by Clemons Breton Dr of Divinity & Rector of Church Langton on the twelfth dau of March Anno Dni stilo anglis 1640/1

Witnesses James Weston, Erasmus Sacerverall, Robert Raie, Robert Bra…, Robert Bryan, William Mitchell

Memorandum: that William Hunt Rector of Kibworth Beauchamp above named did on the 14th day of March Ao Dm 1640 publickly read in the parish church of Kibworth above named the nine & thirty articles agreed upon by the convocation of the clergy of the church of England in the yeare 1562 and did publickly profess his ….. … afront & consent to all & ..ory of them & to all things contrayed in them in .. … divine service upon Sunday the 14th day of March Anno Dm 1640 ..xta computerium ecclesia Anglicanes  James Weston, Erasmus Sacerverall, Robert Raie, Ferdinando Beridge, William Watts, John Ffollins, Mathias Ward, William Mitchell

William Hunt’s tenure was difficult from the start. It is well documented that he was a staunch Royalist and a likely follower of William Laud, who became Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of London, and adviser to Charles I. both of whom were in favour of the “High Church.” Prior to Hunts induction, Laud was tried for high treason and sent to the Tower of London; [despite not being found guilty, he was beheaded on 10 January 1645/6][iv].

The witnesses to the reading of the Thirty-Nine Articles included: Erasmus Sacheverall, Robert Raie and Ferdinando Berridge, all identified as Royalists.

Some rectors of this period regarded themselves more as gentry than clergy. Leicestershire clergy were reputed to participate regularly in local hunts, many of which took place on Sundays, neglecting their parishioners. They lived comfortably, drawing a substantial living from the church and enjoying the provision of a rectory. Parliament, and many others, believed the clergy should lead a more pious life and were influenced by Presbyterian beliefs[v].

Then, as now, people held their own political opinions, but this Civil War literally divided the country, towns, villages, and even families. Following the memoranda quoted above, the following statement was written on the next page of the parish records and captures the mood of the nation [vi]

Anno dui 1641

“Know all men that the reason why little or nothing is registered from this year 1641 untill the yeare 1649 was that civill wars between King Charles & his parliament wich put all into confusion till then & neither ministers or the people could quietly stay at home for one party or the other”

Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725, DE 5417/1. Reproduced by kind permission of the Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.

Note: the above was most likely written retrospectively by one of the churchwardens.

By the 4th of June 1642, Parliament decreed that local Milita should be trained and ready, the radical M.P. Sir Arthur Hesilrige of Nosely Hall was given the task of mustering locals from the Gartree Hundred in Kibworth. Meanwhile, King Charles I, offended by the Parliamentarians actions sent out a “Commission of Array”[vii] to his followers to form local militia, locally the task was given to Richard Halford of Wistow, who held a muster on the 15th June 1642 in Kibworth, reports state over a hundred “well presented men except some of the Clergy” gathered in Kibworth for inspection[viii]. It would appear William Hunt was feeling cautious of displaying his loyalty to the King; however, the seeds of war had been planted.

The English Civil War began in August 1642 in Nottingham, Kibworth lay on a strategic thoroughfare for troop movements and at various times, both Royalists and Parliamentarians were billeted here and the villagers had to provide bedding, food, and provisions regardless of their personal views. There were occasional skirmishes between locals and the troops; valuables were locked away for fear of theft; churches were not exempt from looting; and some parish record books were hidden. Kibworth was no exception.

Between 1640 and 1647, Parliament took measures (ordinances) to address religious tensions both within Parliament and across the country by regulating Church of England practices and promoting Presbyterian doctrines. Two Leicestershire ministers were charged with possessing “superstitious” artefacts, one of whom was William Hunt, who was accused of having “popish” pictures” in his possession, for which he received a fine of £150 in May 1644[ix] [£150 would be about £20,000 today].

Leicester citizens suffered greatly under Charles I; in 1645 the town served as a Parliamentarian base and, although fortified, it was ill-prepared for the Royalist assault. On 31st May 1645, Leicester fell at the “Siege of Leicester”, with heavy loss of life among both Parliamentarian defenders and civilians. The capture of Leicester led directly to what was to become the bloodiest and most decisive battle of the Civil War in England: the Battle of Naseby on 14th June 1645, when Charles I and his army met Cromwell and the New Model Army and suffered a devastating defeat. [x]

Before the Battle of Naseby, John Nichols recorded in the History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester [Vol:2, Part:2] that Oliver Cromwell stayed one night at the Rectory of Kibworth, after which a room was named in his honour; however, official records state that Cromwell stayed near the village of Naseby. There are also rumours that Charles I stayed the night at the Rectory and gave William Hunt a gift for his hospitality [xi], while other documents record that he stayed at Market Harborough and Wistow Hall; the surviving evidence suggests he actually stayed at Lubenham.

What can be stated with confidence is that:

• Oliver Cromwell and his “New Army” travelled from Oxford.
• Charles I troops travelled from Leicester, Charles I was at Lubenham

For Cromwell to travel from Oxford to Kibworth through a Royalist camp of 7,000 soldiers at Market Harborough, stay the night with the Royalist William Hunt, and then return through the Royalist camp to reach Naseby before the battle would have involved considerable risk.

Charles I, by contrast, must have passed through Kibworth at some point. He was recorded staying at Wistow on the 4th June; his troops were recorded resting in Market Harborough; therefore, a visit to the Rectory of Kibworth appears plausible, though, cannot be verified.

It is unclear whether William Hunt followed Charles I into battle, but the following was reported:

• “William Hunt of Kibworth Beauchamp exercised ‘his troope horse himselfe with pistolls … in martiall way and shot them of in Kibworth parish.”

After the royalist defeat at Naseby:

• “Hunt had been spotted in Kibworth fleeing with other royalists to Leicester.”

Another report stated:

• “Hunt required ten armed royalist soldiers to escort his child from the royalist garrison at Banbury to Belvoir nearer home.[xii]

There are many reports confirming Hunt fled to Belvoir Castle.

The Battle of Naseby involved about 14,000 Parliamentarians and 9,000 Royalists, plus camp-followers consisting of tradespeople, wives, children, and prostitutes. In the aftermath of the battle, Kibworth and the surrounding countryside were flooded with soldiers and civilians fleeing the conflict, many of them with horrific wounds, as Parliamentarian forces pressed on in pursuit killing more in the process. The local villagers must have been horrified by what they witnessed and would have remained hidden in fear of their own lives.

Yaxley evicts Hunt with Force:

1645: Hunt Ejected by Yaxley by Force:   After a while, William Hunt returned to Kibworth but was unprepared for what was to transpire… He and his clerk – John Foster, were forcefully ejected by the Parliamentarian Captain John Yaxley and his troop from the Church and the Rectory on 6th August 1645[xiii].

The Grammar School report of 1865 records the following…

“In 1647, or thereabouts, a Captain Yaxley, one of Cromwell’s military divines, violently obtruded himself in the pastoral character, climbing “in at the window or o’er the tiles” into the Parish Church, taking possession of the Rectory house, and continuing preaching and praying in conformity with his own political views for thirteen years, until in 1660 he was ejected with not less violence than he had entered, by the patron of the living.[xiv]

There were very few entries in the parish records during the Civil War period and they appear to have been entered retrospectively, showing a notable change in the way events were recorded. Some entries record only the birth date; others included both baptism and birth date; others recorded only baptisms. There were very few burials and no marriages. In 1647, baptisms were being recorded again until the 1653 ordinance required only birth dates to be entered, by which time the church was operating under the authority of the “Directory of Public Worship.” These irregularities raise the question of whether William Hunt reflected local political allegiances in the way he kept the parish records, or the records were written retrospectively by Yaxley or a clerk, after Hunt was ejected from the church [xv].

William Hunt protested his eviction from the rectory and the earlier fine of £150. He remained in the village and given sanctuary at the Manor House of Kibworth Beauchamp, which was still owned by the Beridge’s [xvi].

On 7 January 1647/8, his case was reviewed by the Committee for Plundered Ministers, which established the self-appointed John Yaxley as minister. Hunt continued his protest until 1654/5, when the Council of State decreed that Yaxley should retain the benefice, return Hunt’s belongings, and pay Hunt £120 for the first year and £80 per year for life[xvii]. By 1656, Hunt had left Kibworth, Yaxley was not formally inducted into St Wilfrid’s Church until 5 March 1659/6[xviii].

Legal documents of 1656 refer to “William Hunt of Kidderminster”. [xix]His baptism record in Kidderminster or the surrounding area has not been found, but the area around Kidderminster was well known for Catholic sympathisers. There are records of Hunts in Hartlebury and Chaddesley Corbett. Harvington Hall, a few miles from Kidderminster, was locally known as a place where Catholic baptisms and Mass were performed in secret; any records, if kept, have now been lost, no further records have been found concerning William Hunt.[xx].

John Yaxley: [Self Appointed Rector: 1645-1660]           John Yaxley of St John’s College, Cambridge, was one of Cromwell’s captains who served in the New Model Army for many years. On 6th August 1645, Yaxley and his troop forcefully entered St Wilfrid’s Church and evicted the rector, William Hunt and his Clerk. Yaxley then made himself rector.

Yaxley soon began stripping the church of anything he considered “too ornate.” What had remained post the reformation of Henry VIII, was now gone, Yaxley deemed the font too elaborate and had it removed from the church for use as a watering trough, it was later placed in the yard of one of Yaxley’s officers, Robert Brown, before eventually being buried in the churchyard.

The font was found by the Rev. James Beresford and following his decease in 1802 was restored by J. Marriot Esq. of Kibworth Harcourt, who had it repaired, a new base made and restored to the church[xxi]

Despite Hunt’s protests, the Committee for Plundered Ministers established John Yaxley as minister in 1647, but his position was not confirmed until 1654/5 yet he was not formally inducted into St Wilfrid’s Church until 1659/60[xxii].

Over time, the parish of Kibworth settled down and more people [perhaps, in fear] returned to the church. Mothers’ names were omitted from the records but the village of residence was noted, very few burials were recorded. By 1650/1, the records began to improve with the inclusion of mothers’ names and the village. On the 18th March 1648/9 a Joana Yaxley was baptised, her father’s name was john Yaxley.[xxiii]

Charles I was tried, convicted, and executed for high treason on 30 January 1649. The monarchy was abolished and the Commonwealth of England was established as a republic. Parliamentary ordinances were gradually introduced. Civil marriages, births, and burials were recorded in the parish records and the beginnings of nonconformity were evident: baptisms were not recorded, however, a few entries stated “unbaptised,” implying that others had been baptised[xxiv]

Many changes introduced by the Commonwealth were unpopular with the general population, the puritanical reforms abolished Christmas and other days of recreation or celebration, banned sports, closed theatres and inns, limited public gatherings, even Church services were restricted; any engagement in the afore-mentioned activities were punished by a public whipping or other punishment. Yaxley ensured the ordinances were enforced within the Parish ensuring his parishioners led a more austere lifestyle.

Between 7th and 20th September 1658, the following was written in the parish records:

“Know that Oliver Lord protector of the Commonwealth of England Scotland & Ireland & the Dominions & territories ther unto belonging diparted this life sept 3d 1658 & that his eldest son the Lord Richard Cromwell was immediatily proclaimed Lord Protector”

On 5th March 1659/60, John Yaxley was finally inducted into the parish church of Kibworth Beauchamp.

1659    Memorandum: that John Yaxley Clerk & Mstr of Arts was inducted into the hall actual & personal posession of the rectorie of the parish church of Kibworth Beauchamp in the county of Leic by George Green Mstr of Arts & vicar of Saddingworth upon the ffifth day of March anno Dni slilo anglia 1659 ~ witnesses ~ sn Blackeroy ~ Nick Kestin

*note: Saddingworth was Saddington    

 

Despite making Kibworth his home and Hunt having given up his attempt to reclaim the parish, Yaxley had local opponents who protested his takeover of the rectory. They took their case to Parliament and was heard on 12th July 1660. On 17th August 1660, John Yaxley and his family were forcibly ejected from the rectory at sunrise by William Berridge [son of William Berridge [2]], Richard Clark, and John Brian – both local farmers, Sir John Pretyman the local Justice was called to the scene by villagers. Following his eviction, Yaxley immediately left for London to protest his eviction and petitioned the House of Commons, a case described by Nichols in great detail. The matter was heard by Justice Thomas Mallet on 21st August 1660[xxv].

The following statement was read by a person identified as J.D. staying at the Rectory:-

‘At sunrise that morning Beridge, Clark, and Brian forced open the latch of the parsonage, the home of John Yaxley, the parish priest—and entered, then locked the doors. Brian stood guard by the doors while Beridge, armed with a drawn sword and a cocked pistol, and Clark, holding a cocked pistol and a fork, went upstairs to the maid’s chamber. They terrified the household and, finding one maid in bed, seized her and pulled her violently from the bed onto the floor. They had a cocked pistol in one hand and a fork in the other when they went to the maid’s room and terrified the occupants. Finding one maid in bed, they forcefully grabbed her and pulled her out, the maid later told me. They then burst into my chamber causing a great commotion. Beridge came to my bedside with his sword drawn and pistol cocked, shouting, “Rogue, what are you doing here? Get up immediately or I will kill you.” I turned toward him. He repeated, “Get up, rogue — will you rise or not?” holding his sword as though he meant to stab me in bed. I sat upright and asked, “What? Are you going to murder me?” Beridge replied, “What’s this? Get out of the bed,” seized the blanket covering me and tore it away, and again threatened, “Arise, or I will kill you now.” I got up and asked what this meant. Clark, pistol and fork in hand, ordered us to hurry and be quiet. Beridge, sword and pistol in hand, then went to Mrs. Yaxley’s lodging where she lay alone; the door was bolted, so he broke it down. Mrs. Yaxley was getting up, when he broke down the bolted door; Mrs. Yaxley was getting up with only her petticoat on. Beridge insulted her, calling her a whore, and dragged her from the room. She fell and cried out; Beridge threatened to kill her if she did not leave. When she remained on the floor he forced her up, shoved her down the stairs while she screamed “Murder!,” chased her outside, and then locked the door. (I heard their words; Mrs. Yaxley described his actions.) He then returned, still armed, and forced the maids from their room and out of the house, according to the maids. Beridge came back to my chamber and asked Clark, who had stayed there, whether I would not go. Turning to me he accused me of speaking treason against the king and said Sir John Pretyman would have me hanged. I replied that unless they could prove it, I had a clear conscience. Clark interposed that I had not spoken treason. Beridge then searched every room and returned saying he had an order from the House of Lords with the king’s broad seal for his actions, but he refused to show it; after that they forced me out.’

The account went on to report Mrs Yaxley was by her Grandchild’s crib when a shot was fired through the window, the glass shattered and Mrs Yaxley was badly injured and left her sightless and described as “more like a monster than a woman.”

 

The account of Sir John Prettyman, stated that:- “Captain John Yaxley was an intruder of the Parish Church of Kibworth for over thirteen years. He made a forcible entry with a party of soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Atkinson and did violently throw out Mr Joseph Forster Clerk and curate to William Hunt, the then true and lawful incumbent and almost killed the said Mr Forster; he went on to say, William Beridge was the rightful Patron of the said Parish and that Yaxley was falsely inducted into the said church”; he then gave a different less violent account of the events occurring on the 17th August, both accounts acknowledge Mrs Yaxley was injured..

 

The summing up of the case was recorded as follows:-

Captain Yaxley had delayed his appearance at the hearing claiming “he wasn’t ready” and:-

1.    That Yaxley’s entrance into the rectory was violent and forced and so was his continuance all the time he was there.

2.    He was a Captain in Arms for many years both against his late Majesty and Charles II, at Uttoxeter, Worcester and against Sir George Booth, Yaxley was ready to serve Cromwell, Lambert and their party against his Majesty and was with his troop a great disturber of the peace both day and night, searching for Cavaliers, making havoc and spoil of peoples goods

3.    He with thirty-six more intruding ministers of the County petitioned that his late majesty might be brought to a speedy trial and gave thanks that the petition he subscribed had been taken with good effect to take his Majesties life away.

4.   He sent hue and cry after a Gent was witnessed going to Nottingham, who he said was Charles I, he procured a Warrant from John Goodman a pretended Justice at Slawston and the said Gent was apprehended and examined at Quorn, after a long debate – the Gent was not the King and was dismissed.

5.    He was the loudest of those who protested George Booth was an adversary of the nation.

6.   He constantly preached and prayed against the Stuarts.

7.   When King Charles II came to London, Yaxley Gave a sermon “Hell is broke loose, the Devil and his instruments are coming to persecute the saints of the godly party”

8.    He preached that King Charles II was a papist and went to mass twice a day and that popery and profaneness increased at a pace.

9.    He caused the font to be removed, converting it to a horse trough and continues to this day in the possession of one Robert Brown, one of his officers.

The truth of which articles is certified under the best and ablest men of the Parish of Kibworth, many were proved upon by oath are extent in the House of Lords of Parliament and other, he is bound over to answer by the Justices of the Peace for the County of Leicester at the next assizes.

 

Nichols then wrote that Yaxley went into hiding and did not appear publicly again until the Act of Indemnity. He concluded: “Hereby let the whole world judge what he deserves.” [xxvi]

 

Nichols also wrote: “Mr. Yaxley lived to be between 70 and 80 years old, preaching near West Smithfield in London. He was a sincere, plain-hearted, humble, pious man; a faithful friend and very communicative; and, while in the church, very zealous in promoting reformation both in his own parish and in the whole county..”

·       John Nichols was born in 1745; therefore, his description of John Yaxley came from an unknown source. John Yaxley died in London in 1687

Bibliography

1)    ‘Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725’, DE 5417/1, Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.

2)    Nichols, John, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester, Vol:2 Part 2, Pages: 271-274 (London: Nichols, Son, and Bentley, 1795). https://leicester.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15407coll6/id/5109/rec/1

3)    ‘Grammar School Report’ (1865). A report on the School prepared for Trustees in 1865

4)    ‘Knowing Ministry: The Reform of the Church under Oliver Cromwell, c. 1653–1660’, PDF available via Kent Academic Repository, p. 58. Accessed 12 June 2026.

5)    The Beridge Rectors

6)    “Scandalous & Malignant” Settling scores against the Leicestershire clergy after the Civil War: by Fiona McCall, Portsmouth University [https://scispace.com/pdf/scandalous-and-malignant-settling-scores-against-the-2t2oej4whq.pdf]

7)    AlumniOxonienses (1500-1714) volume 2.djvu/367  [https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Page:Alumni_Oxonienses_(1500-1714)_volume_2.djvu/367] [https://theclergydatabase.org.uk/jsp/DisplayAppointment.jsp?CDBAppRedID=324397]

8)    History & Antiquities of Kibworth by Rev. Montagu FF Osborn, Rector of Kibworth https://docsbay.net/doc/49454/history-and-antiquities-of-kibworth

9)    House of Lords Journal Volume 11: 12 July 1660

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/lords-jrnl/vol11/pp88-89#h3-s13

10)  Story of England by Michael Wood, ISBN: 978-0-670-91903-1

[i] Patronage held by the Beridge’s until 1639/40
[ii] Alumni Oxonienses (1500-1714) volume 2.djvu/367  
[iii] Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725’, DE 5417/1, Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
[iv] William Laud: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Laud
[v] “Scandalous & Malignant” Settling scores against the Leicestershire clergy after the Civil War: by Fiona McCall, Portsmouth University
[vi] Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725’, DE 5417/1, Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
[vii] A commission of array was a commission given by English sovereigns to officers or gentry in a given territory to muster and array the inhabitants and to see them in a condition for war
[viii] “Story of England” by Michael Wood, ISBN: 978-0-670-91903-1, Page 314,
[ix] “Scandalous & Malignant” Settling scores against the Leicestershire clergy after the Civil War: by Fiona McCall, Portsmouth University
[x] https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Naseby
[xi] https://www.kibworthvillage.co.uk/component/content/article/13-period/medieval/32-st-wilfrids-church-history-part-1.html?Itemid=101
[xii] “Scandalous & Malignant” Settling scores against the Leicestershire clergy after the Civil War: by Fiona McCall, Portsmouth University
[xiii]  https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C13441994
[xiv] Kibworth Grammar School Report’ (1865).
[xv] Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725’, DE 5417/1, Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
[xvi] The Beridge Rectors
[xvii] “Scandalous & Malignant” Settling scores against the Leicestershire clergy after the Civil War: by Fiona McCall, Portsmouth University
[xviii] Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725’, DE 5417/1, Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
[xix]  DG24/43  10 Oct 1656, Deed to Lead Uses of a Recovery, (i) John Berydge, Fellow of New College, Oxford. (ii) Rev. William Hunt of Kidderminster, clerk. Recovery to be made of manor of Kibworth Beauchamp, with advowson, to the use of (i).
[xx] Local knowledge of the author
[xxi] History & Antiquities of Kibworth by Rev. Montagu FF Osborn
[xxii] Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725’, DE 5417/1, Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland.
[xxiii] Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725’
[xxiv] Kibworth Parish Records Book, 1574–1725’,
[xxv] Nichols, John, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester, Vol:2 Part 2,  
[xxvi] Nichols, John, The History and Antiquities of the County of Leicester, Vol:2 Part 2.