Market Bosworth
Encyclopedia
Market Bosworth is a small market town and civil parish in Leicestershire
, England
. It formerly formed a district known as the Market Bosworth Rural District
. In 1974 it merged with the Hinckley Rural District
to form a new district named Hinckley and Bosworth
. At the time of the 2001 Census
, the parish, including Far Coton, held a total population of 1,906.
. Remains of a Roman villa
have been found on the east side of Barton Road. Bosworth as an Anglo-Saxon
village dates from the 8th century.
Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066, there were two manors at Bosworth one belonging to an Anglo-Saxon knight named Fernot, and some sokemen. Following the Norman conquest, as recorded in the Domesday Book
of 1086, both the Anglo-Saxon manors and the village were part of the lands awarded by William the Conqueror to a Count of Meulan from Normandy, Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester
. Subsequently the village passed as a marriage dowry to the English branch of the French House of Harcourt
.
King Edward I gave a royal charter to Sir William Harcourt allowing a market to be held every Wednesday. The village took the name Market Bosworth from 12 May 1285, and on this day became a "Town
" by common definition. The two oldest buildings in Bosworth, St. Peter's church and the Red Lion pub, were built during the 14th Century.
The Battle of Bosworth
took place to south of the town in 1485 as the final battle in the Wars of the Roses
between the House of Lancaster
and the House of York
. In 1509 the manor passed from the Harcourts to the Grey family.
In 1554, following the beheading of Lady Jane Grey
, the manor of Bosworth was among lands confiscated in the name of Mary I of England
and her husband Philip II of Spain
. They awarded the manor to the Catholic nobleman Edward Hastings
. In 1567, his heirs sold it to Sir Wolstan Dixie
, Lord Mayor of London
, who never lived in Bosworth. The first Dixie to live in Bosworth was his grand-nephew, Sir Wolstan Dixie of Appleby Magna
, who moved to the town in 1608. He started construction of a manor house and park, as well as establishing the free Dixie Grammar School
. The modern hall, Bosworth Hall, was the work of Sir Beaumont Dixie, 2nd Baronet (1629–1692).
In 1885 the 11th Baronet 'Beau' Dixie was forced to auction Bosworth Hall to pay his gambling debts. It was bought by Lady Agnes Tollemache, whose husband Charles Tollemache Scott enlarged the estate, planted woodlands and rebuilt the lodges and farms. Lady Agnes' daughter sold the estate in 1913.
The War Memorial in the town square honors 19 local men who died in the First World War, and 11 men dead in the Second World War.
competition on the 500th anniversary of the battle in 1985. Floral decorations were displayed around the town. The success of this entry caused the formation of the "Bosworth in Bloom Committee", to prepare for more displays.
, and the private Dixie Grammar School
. As well as three churches; Anglican, Catholic and Free Church, a fire station, and a hotel.
There are four main pubs within the village; The Black Horse - which has recently been renovated and serves high quality food. The Dixie Arms Hotel - a Marston's
pub that also has an Italian pizzeria. And the Red Lion - Bosworth's oldest building, which occasionally hosts a real ale festival. There are two take-aways; The Batter of Bosworth, which has won many awards for cleanliness, quality and service. Several customers have been so impressed with the chips that they have decided to have them supply the food at their weddings. And, next door, Tin Tin, a Cantonese takeway. Next to the take-aways is the village's fourth pub, the King William IV
.
Market Bosworth Country Park
and a water trust offer outside recreation, and the village is currently having a golf course built in the surrounding fields. The site of the Battle of Bosworth
is just a few minutes South of the town. Going out of Bosworth westwards on the B585, the steam Battlefield Line Railway
runs at weekends from Shackerstone
, not stopping opposite the old Market Bosworth station (now a garage) to Shenton
. The Ashby Canal runs adjacent to the railway.
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It formerly formed a district known as the Market Bosworth Rural District
Market Bosworth Rural District
The rural district of Market Bosworth existed from 1894 to 1974 in Leicestershire, England. It was named after Market Bosworth, and was created under the Local Government Act 1894, based on the Market Bosworth rural sanitary district, and that part of the Atherstone rural sanitary district which...
. In 1974 it merged with the Hinckley Rural District
Hinckley Rural District
The rural district of Hinckley was set up in 1894, covering the rural area around Hinckley, Leicestershire, England. It was named for Hinckley, but did not include it...
to form a new district named Hinckley and Bosworth
Hinckley and Bosworth
Hinckley and Bosworth is a local government district with borough status in south-western Leicestershire, England, administered by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council. Its only towns are Hinckley, Earl Shilton and Market Bosworth...
. At the time of the 2001 Census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, the parish, including Far Coton, held a total population of 1,906.
History
Building work at the old Cattle Market and other sites have revealed evidence of settlement on the hill since the Bronze AgeBronze Age
The Bronze Age is a period characterized by the use of copper and its alloy bronze as the chief hard materials in the manufacture of some implements and weapons. Chronologically, it stands between the Stone Age and Iron Age...
. Remains of a Roman villa
Roman villa
A Roman villa is a villa that was built or lived in during the Roman republic and the Roman Empire. A villa was originally a Roman country house built for the upper class...
have been found on the east side of Barton Road. Bosworth as an Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon may refer to:* Anglo-Saxons, a group that invaded Britain** Old English, their language** Anglo-Saxon England, their history, one of various ships* White Anglo-Saxon Protestant, an ethnicity* Anglo-Saxon economy, modern macroeconomic term...
village dates from the 8th century.
Prior to the Norman Conquest of 1066, there were two manors at Bosworth one belonging to an Anglo-Saxon knight named Fernot, and some sokemen. Following the Norman conquest, as recorded in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
of 1086, both the Anglo-Saxon manors and the village were part of the lands awarded by William the Conqueror to a Count of Meulan from Normandy, Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester
Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester
Robert de Beaumont, 1st Earl of Leicester, Count of Meulan was a powerful English and French nobleman, revered as one of the wisest men of his age...
. Subsequently the village passed as a marriage dowry to the English branch of the French House of Harcourt
House of Harcourt
The House of Harcourt is a Norman family, descended from the Viking Bernard the Dane and named after its seigneurie of Harcourt in Normandy. Its mottos were "Gesta verbis praeveniant" , "Gesta verbis praevenient" , and "Le bon temps viendra .....
.
King Edward I gave a royal charter to Sir William Harcourt allowing a market to be held every Wednesday. The village took the name Market Bosworth from 12 May 1285, and on this day became a "Town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
" by common definition. The two oldest buildings in Bosworth, St. Peter's church and the Red Lion pub, were built during the 14th Century.
The Battle of Bosworth
Battle of Bosworth Field
The Battle of Bosworth Field was the penultimate battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century. Fought on 22 August 1485, the battle was won by the Lancastrians...
took place to south of the town in 1485 as the final battle in the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
between the House of Lancaster
House of Lancaster
The House of Lancaster was a branch of the royal House of Plantagenet. It was one of the opposing factions involved in the Wars of the Roses, an intermittent civil war which affected England and Wales during the 15th century...
and the House of York
House of York
The House of York was a branch of the English royal House of Plantagenet, three members of which became English kings in the late 15th century. The House of York was descended in the paternal line from Edmund of Langley, 1st Duke of York, the fourth surviving son of Edward III, but also represented...
. In 1509 the manor passed from the Harcourts to the Grey family.
In 1554, following the beheading of Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey
Lady Jane Grey , also known as The Nine Days' Queen, was an English noblewoman who was de facto monarch of England from 10 July until 19 July 1553 and was subsequently executed...
, the manor of Bosworth was among lands confiscated in the name of Mary I of England
Mary I of England
Mary I was queen regnant of England and Ireland from July 1553 until her death.She was the only surviving child born of the ill-fated marriage of Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon. Her younger half-brother, Edward VI, succeeded Henry in 1547...
and her husband Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
. They awarded the manor to the Catholic nobleman Edward Hastings
Edward Hastings, Baron Hastings of Loughborough
Sir Edward Hastings, 1st Baron Hastings of Loughborough, KG was born, the son of George Hastings, 1st Earl of Huntingdon, circa 1521 in Loughborough, Leicestershire. He married Joane Harrington daughter of John Harrington of Bagworth, Leicestershire circa 1544....
. In 1567, his heirs sold it to Sir Wolstan Dixie
Wolstan Dixie
Sir Wolstan Dixie, , was a merchant and administrator, and Lord Mayor of London in 1585.-Life:He was the son of Thomas Dixie and Anne Jephson, who lived at Catworth in Huntingdonshire. Wolstan was the fourth son of his father, and went into business...
, Lord Mayor of London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, who never lived in Bosworth. The first Dixie to live in Bosworth was his grand-nephew, Sir Wolstan Dixie of Appleby Magna
Appleby Magna
Appleby Magna is a village and civil parish in the district of North West Leicestershire, England.The civil parish, as well as Appleby Magna, includes the small Hamlet of Appleby Parva and the Villages of Norton-Juxta-Twycross, Snarestone and Swepstone...
, who moved to the town in 1608. He started construction of a manor house and park, as well as establishing the free Dixie Grammar School
Dixie Grammar School
Dixie Grammar School is a school in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. It is next door to the high school Market Bosworth High School.The earliest records of the School's existence date from 1320, but the school was re-founded in 1601 under the will of an Elizabethan merchant and Lord Mayor of...
. The modern hall, Bosworth Hall, was the work of Sir Beaumont Dixie, 2nd Baronet (1629–1692).
In 1885 the 11th Baronet 'Beau' Dixie was forced to auction Bosworth Hall to pay his gambling debts. It was bought by Lady Agnes Tollemache, whose husband Charles Tollemache Scott enlarged the estate, planted woodlands and rebuilt the lodges and farms. Lady Agnes' daughter sold the estate in 1913.
The War Memorial in the town square honors 19 local men who died in the First World War, and 11 men dead in the Second World War.
Famous Bosworthians
This listing includes people born, educated, or having lived in Market Bosworth.- See also the Category listing People from Hinckley and Bosworth (district) on the page footer of individual entries
- Robert de Harcourt (b.Bosworth 1152-1202) - first of the Harcourt family of Stanton HarcourtStanton HarcourtStanton Harcourt is a village and civil parish in Oxfordshire about southeast of Witney and west of Oxford.-Archaeology:Within the parish of Stanton Harcourt is a series of paleochannel deposits buried beneath the second gravel terrace of the river Thames...
. - William BradshawWilliam Bradshaw (Puritan)William Bradshaw was a moderate English Puritan, born in Market Bosworth.He was educated at Ashby-de-la-Zouch, where he met both Anthony Gilby, and his future patron Arthur Hildersham, and at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He became a Fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge in 1599, but left...
(1571–1618) - Puritan. - Thomas HookerThomas HookerThomas Hooker was a prominent Puritan colonial leader, who founded the Colony of Connecticut after dissenting with Puritan leaders in Massachusetts...
(b. Markfield 1586–1647) - Puritan, founder of ConnecticutConnecticutConnecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately... - Sir Wolstan Dixie of Market Bosworth (1597–1630), founder of the grammar school.
- Sir Wolstan Dixie, 4th BaronetSir Wolstan Dixie, 4th BaronetSir Wolstan Dixie, 4th Baronet was the among most colourful of the 13 Dixie Baronets of Market Bosworth, descended from the second Sir Wolstan Dixie, knighted by James I in 1604, and Sheriff of Leicester .-Biography:The 4th Baronet was born at Bosworth...
(1700–1767) - Most colourful of the 13 Dixie BaronetsDixie BaronetsThe Dixie Baronets are the holders of the one Dixie baronetcy, created in the Baronetage of England at the time of the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660 for Sir Wolstan Dixie , a supporter of King Charles I during the English Civil War and afterwards... - Samuel JohnsonSamuel JohnsonSamuel Johnson , often referred to as Dr. Johnson, was an English author who made lasting contributions to English literature as a poet, essayist, moralist, literary critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer...
- in 1732 worked at the Dixie Grammar after leaving studies at Oxford because of debt, but left after four months, unable to bear the "boorish" 4th Baronet. - Richard DawesRichard Dawes-Life:He was born in or near Market Bosworth, England, and was educated at the town grammar school under Anthony Blackwall, and at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, of which he was elected fellow in 1731. His eccentricities and frank speaking made him unpopular. His health broke down as a result of his...
(1708–1766) - Latin scholar. - Thomas SimpsonThomas SimpsonThomas Simpson FRS was a British mathematician, inventor and eponym of Simpson's rule to approximate definite integrals...
(1710–1760) - mathematician. - Rev. Arthur Benoni EvansArthur Benoni EvansArthur Benoni Evans was a British writer.Evans was born at Compton Beauchamp in the English county of Berkshire , on 25 March 1781. His father, the Rev. Lewis Evans, vicar of Froxfield, Wiltshire, was a well-known astronomer, and held for many years the professorship of mathematics at the Royal...
(1781–1854) - scholar, headmaster of the Dixie Grammar. - Anne Evans (1820-1870) - his daughter, poet and composer.
- Sir John EvansJohn Evans (archaeologist)Sir John Evans, KCB, FRS was an English archaeologist and geologist.-Biography:John Evans was the son of the Rev. Dr A. B. Evans, headmaster of Market Bosworth Grammar School, and was born at Britwell Court, Buckinghamshire...
(b. BurnhamBurnham, BuckinghamshireBurnham is a village and civil parish that lies north of the River Thames in the South Bucks District of Buckinghamshire, and sits on the border with Berkshire, between the towns of Maidenhead and Slough. It is served by Burnham railway station in the west of Slough on the main line between London...
1823–1908) - his son, treasurer of the Royal SocietyRoyal SocietyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
. - Sebastian Evans (b. Market Bosworth, 1830-1909) - poet. Revised his father's book ‘Leicestershire Words, Phrases, and Proverbs,’ (1848, 1881).
- Dr. John Charles BucknillJohn Charles BucknillSir John Charles Bucknill FRS English mental health reformer. Father of judge Sir Thomas Townsend Bucknill QC MP.-Biography:Bucknill was born in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, and educated at Rugby School and at University College, London...
(b. Market Bosworth 1817-1897) - asylum reformer, psychiatrist. - Lady Florence DixieLady Florence DixieLady Florence Caroline Dixie , before her marriage Lady Florence Douglas, was a British traveller, war correspondent, writer and feminist.-Early life:...
(1855–1905) - travel writer, war correspondent, and feminist. - Cliff PriceCliff PriceErnest Clifford "Cliff" Price was an English footballer who played at inside left for various clubs in the 1920s.-Football career:...
(1900-unknown) - footballer for Southampton F.C. in the 1920s. - Andy MorrellAndy MorrellAndrew Jonathan "Andy" Morrell is an English footballer who is currently player-manager of Wrexham. Initially handed the role on an interim basis after Dean Saunders left to manage Doncaster Rovers, Morrell was given the job until the end of the season after a run of seven wins in nine...
(b.1974) - footballer. - James HoldenJames Holden (producer)James Holden is a British electronic music artist and DJ. Holden started his career in 1999, at age 19, when he released the trance single, "Horizons". After this he released numerous singles and remixes on different labels such as Lost Language, Perfecto Recordings, and Positiva Recordings...
(b.1979) - DJ.
- Robert de Harcourt (b.Bosworth 1152-1202) - first of the Harcourt family of Stanton Harcourt
Community
The town entered into the Britain in BloomBritain in Bloom
RHS Britain in Bloom, supported by Anglian Home Improvements, is the largest horticultural campaign in the United Kingdom. It was first held in 1963, initiated by the British Tourist Board based on the example set by Fleurissement de France. It has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society ...
competition on the 500th anniversary of the battle in 1985. Floral decorations were displayed around the town. The success of this entry caused the formation of the "Bosworth in Bloom Committee", to prepare for more displays.
Facilities and places of interest
The market square located in the centre of the village is surrounded by amenities, including various small independent shops, a bank and a post office. A regular market takes place on Wednesdays. The village also has three schools; The Market Bosworth Primary and Junior School, the Market Bosworth High SchoolMarket Bosworth High School
Market Bosworth High School is a secondary school in the small town of Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, England.Market Bosworth was established in 1969, as a comprehensive school for both sexes of any ability between the ages of 11 and 14. The school is next door to Dixie Grammar School...
, and the private Dixie Grammar School
Dixie Grammar School
Dixie Grammar School is a school in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. It is next door to the high school Market Bosworth High School.The earliest records of the School's existence date from 1320, but the school was re-founded in 1601 under the will of an Elizabethan merchant and Lord Mayor of...
. As well as three churches; Anglican, Catholic and Free Church, a fire station, and a hotel.
There are four main pubs within the village; The Black Horse - which has recently been renovated and serves high quality food. The Dixie Arms Hotel - a Marston's
Marston's
Marston's is the colloquial name for the brewer and pub operator Marston's plc . The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index...
pub that also has an Italian pizzeria. And the Red Lion - Bosworth's oldest building, which occasionally hosts a real ale festival. There are two take-aways; The Batter of Bosworth, which has won many awards for cleanliness, quality and service. Several customers have been so impressed with the chips that they have decided to have them supply the food at their weddings. And, next door, Tin Tin, a Cantonese takeway. Next to the take-aways is the village's fourth pub, the King William IV
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
.
Market Bosworth Country Park
Market Bosworth Country Park
Market Bosworth Country Park is to the east of Market Bosworth town.The landscaped Country Park was formerly part of Bosworth Hall deer parkland...
and a water trust offer outside recreation, and the village is currently having a golf course built in the surrounding fields. The site of the Battle of Bosworth
Battle of Bosworth Field
The Battle of Bosworth Field was the penultimate battle of the Wars of the Roses, the civil war between the House of Lancaster and the House of York that raged across England in the latter half of the 15th century. Fought on 22 August 1485, the battle was won by the Lancastrians...
is just a few minutes South of the town. Going out of Bosworth westwards on the B585, the steam Battlefield Line Railway
Battlefield Line Railway
The Battlefield Line Railway is a heritage railway in Leicestershire, England. It runs from Shackerstone to Shenton , via Market Bosworth, a total of...
runs at weekends from Shackerstone
Shackerstone
Shackerstone is a village and civil parish in the Hinckley and Bosworth district of Leicestershire, England. It is situated on the Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal and the River Sence. According to the 2001 census the parish, which also includes the village of Barton in the Beans, had a population of...
, not stopping opposite the old Market Bosworth station (now a garage) to Shenton
Shenton
Shenton is a hamlet in Leicestershire.It is the southern terminus of the Battlefield Line Railway, which runs to here from Shackerstone. The station is located at the foot of Ambion Hill and is actually the reconstructed Humberstone Road Station from Leicester...
. The Ashby Canal runs adjacent to the railway.
See also
- Battlefield Line RailwayBattlefield Line RailwayThe Battlefield Line Railway is a heritage railway in Leicestershire, England. It runs from Shackerstone to Shenton , via Market Bosworth, a total of...
- Dixie Grammar SchoolDixie Grammar SchoolDixie Grammar School is a school in Market Bosworth, Leicestershire. It is next door to the high school Market Bosworth High School.The earliest records of the School's existence date from 1320, but the school was re-founded in 1601 under the will of an Elizabethan merchant and Lord Mayor of...
- Market Bosworth Country ParkMarket Bosworth Country ParkMarket Bosworth Country Park is to the east of Market Bosworth town.The landscaped Country Park was formerly part of Bosworth Hall deer parkland...
- Market Bosworth High SchoolMarket Bosworth High SchoolMarket Bosworth High School is a secondary school in the small town of Market Bosworth in Leicestershire, England.Market Bosworth was established in 1969, as a comprehensive school for both sexes of any ability between the ages of 11 and 14. The school is next door to Dixie Grammar School...