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Preface.
Three years ago the writer of this volume began to gather together facts and traditions concerning the parish committed to his charge. The immediate purpose was to give one or two lectures to such of his parishioners as cared to know more of the history and antiquities of the parish.
Two lectures were given at East Leake, and one at West Leake, and a gratifying interest was shewn in the village story. Some, who were present, expressed the hope that the lectures might appear in a permanent form.
It soon became manifest that the publication of the lectures in the form given would involve the omission of many historical facts which seemed worthy of publication: so it was finally decided to rewrite the matter, and illustrate it in the way in which it appears.
In preparing the work, the writer has endeavoured to follow the lines suggested in the excellent handbook of the Rev. Dr. Cox “How to write a Parish History.”
Among the sources of information which have been searched for the present purpose, are the various records in the Record Office, and the treasures of information in the British Museum. Camden’s “Britannia,” Dugdale’s “Monasticon,” Thoroton’s “Nottinghamshire,” Cox’s “Magna Britannia,” Curtis’ “Topography of Nottinghamshire,” Godfrey’s “Churches of Rushcliffe,” and many minor works have been freely used, and numerous other books consulted.
Very great service has been rendered by “Oxoniensis,” in making search in the Record Office and elsewhere; by the Rev. F. W. Ragg, who has contributed the extracts from the Duchy of Lancaster Court Rolls; and by many parishioners.
In gathering together traditions and field names, the help of Mr. John Oldershaw, of East Leake, has been invaluable.
The illustrations are chiefly from the camera of Mr. Arthur T. Creswell, to whom more than ordinary acknowledgments are due for his generous assistance. Thanks are also due to Mr. Harry Gill for the loan of the illustration of the trumpet; to Messrs. Methuen & Co., for the use of Bishop Davenant’s portrait; to Mr. W. S. Weatherley for his etching of the exterior of the Church; to the Rev. R. O. Yearsley, for the photograph of the interior; to Mr. F. W. Milmine, for his etchings of the East interior and the font; and to others for the loan of photographs for reproduction.
The author will welcome kindly criticism, and will esteem it a service if his readers will forward additional matter bearing on the history of the parish, especially that of the Manors, with a view to a possible revision and expansion of his inadequate sketch.