User:SwithlandChurch

Swithland was amongst the land which William The Conqueror gave to Hugh of Grentesmainel. He gave the right of presentation (advowson) to the Abbey of St. Ebrulf in Normandy. The Abbey this became responsible for providing a Priest for Swithland; this was in fact exercised in by a daughter house of the Benedictines at Ware, who appointed the rectors of Swithland from 1094 until 1344.

Swithland is not mentioned in the Domesday Book 1086. But it was among the lands granted to Hugo de Grentesmainel, Earl of Leiceser, by William the Conqueror. The Lordship of this part of Charnwood Forest passed in due course from the Earls of Leicester to the Ferrers family, to the Grey family, and to the Earls of Stamford & Warrington.

The size of the original parish was 1500 acres and the population has remained reasonably constant in size throughout the history of the parish. In 1856 it had a population of 255, on the 1st January 2000 the area known as Rothley Plain was added to the Parish of Swithland. On the same day Swithland became a Parish within the United Benefice of Woodhouse, Woodhouse Eaves and Swithland.

By 1255, Robert le Walleis (or Waleys) had acquired certain manorial rights. In 1363 the manor passed briefly by marriage to John de Walcote and his heirs, and in 1796 by marriage to Augustus Richard Butler and the Earls of Lansborough.

Members of the Danvers and Lanesborough families have endowed the church and are remembered here. The Lanesborough connection with Swithland is less strong than hitherto: most of the Swithland Hall estate was sold in 1954. The last Earl ceased to live in the village after 1981 and died in 1998.

From 1260 the village was held by the Walleis family and in 1365 was passed by marriage to the family of Walcote of Misterton. It was later acquired by the Danvers family of Culworth in Northampton in 1420. The first Earl of Lanesborough was created in 1756.

The Church is dedicated to St. Leonard of Limousin who lived at the time when Clovis was King of the Franks (466 - 511) whose conversion secured most of France to Orthodox rather than Arian faith. Leonard became a monk at Micy near Orleans; his Godfather was St. Remy of Rheims. He was given land for a Monastery at Noblac near Limoges. St. Leonard is particularly associated with prisoners, the deliverance of captives, women in labour and with people and cattle afflicted with disease. He is usually depicted with chains and an unlocked padlock.

The West tower dates back to the 13th century, and there is also arcading from the same period. There were also a number of 15th century additions. In 1760, Sir John Danvers, having succeeded Sir Joseph Danvers, gave the Church it's bells. There are presently 6 bells in the tower dating from 1762l these were rehung in 1961. The tower clock was also a gift of Sir John Danvers, and was made by Eayre of St. Neots over 200 years ago. The South aisle was added by Sir John Danvers in 1727.