Alspath facts for kids

Alspath (also spelled Ailespede long ago) is a very old name for a settlement. It was first written down in a famous book called the Domesday Book in 1086. This settlement is now part of Meriden, West Midlands, which was originally in Warwickshire. Meriden is located between the big cities of Birmingham and Coventry. The name Alspath means "Aelle's path across the heath," which tells us about its ancient landscape.

Alspath's Early History

Alspath was once divided into two main areas, known as 'manors'. A manor was like a large estate or land area, often with a village and farms, ruled by a lord or lady. The most important manor, called the 'overlordship', was first controlled by a famous person named Countess Godiva. She was known as the Lady of the Manor of Alspath during the time of King Edward the Confessor.

Countess Godiva might have even started a church here, dedicated to Saint Edmund. We have old papers that mention it, but no physical parts of the church have been found. Over many years, Alspath became known as a place where people would go to seek healing.

Who Ruled Alspath?

Many important people held control over the main Manor of Alspath through history. These were the 'overlords' who had the highest authority over the land.

• Countess Godiva: She was in charge around 1066.
• Nicholas: He might have been a royal agent in 1086.
• Earl of Chester: Held the land before 1235.
• Hugh d'Aubigny: Took over in 1235.
• The Segrave family: They were in control in the middle of the 13th century.
• The Earls of Derby: They held the manor in the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

The Knight's Fee

Underneath the main overlord, a part of the Manor of Alspath was held by a knight. This was called a 'Knight's Fee' in the old feudal system. The feudal system was how society was organized back then, with land given in exchange for loyalty and military service.

In 1155, a person named Ivo de Ellespathe held this Knight's Fee. After he passed away, his estate was divided into five smaller parts. These parts grew and shrank in size over many years. You can learn more about this in the article about Meriden, West Midlands.

Later Lords and Ladies of Alspath

Many other individuals and families became lords and ladies of these smaller parts of Alspath over time. They managed the land and the people living on it.

• Alice de Ellespathe
• Gerard de Alspath II (1257)
• Walter de Alspath (around 1282)
• William de Alspath (1304)
• Gerard de Alspath III
• William Cockes
• Margery Cockes
• John Chetwynd (around 1500)
• Thomas and Joan Chetwynd (1546)
• John Hales (1548)
• Christopher Hales (1551)
• Edward Aglionby (1554)
• Elizabeth Holbech
• Thomas Dabridgecourt
• Edward Aglionby (1564)
• William Foster (1568)
• Richard Corbet(t) of Clattercote (1584)
• Robert Corbet(t), of Moreton Corbett
• Sir Henry and Elizabeth (née. Corbet(t)) Wallop of Farleigh (before 1609)
• William Andrews and John Halsall (1609)
• Thomas Holbech (1612)
• Matthew Holbech (1706–1713)
• C.Corbet Belmont (re-created in 2013)