Smisby

infobox UK place
country = England
static_

static_image_caption=Smisby's church of St. James. The church was originally dedicated to Saint Wystan of thumb|left
latitude= 52.77
longitude= -1.49
official_name= Smisby
map_type= Derbyshire
population =
shire_district= South Derbyshire
shire_county = Derbyshire
region= East Midlands
constituency_westminster= South Derbyshire
post_town= Ashby de la Zouche
postcode_district = LE65
postcode_area= LE65
dial_code= 01530
os_grid_reference= SK3419

Smisby is an ancient manor, a civil parish and small village in South Derbyshire.It is four miles (6 km) from Melbourne and near the Leicestershire border [http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/DBY/Smisby/index.html Smisby at Genuki] accessed 28 December 2007] and the town of Ashby de la Zouch.

Early history

Smisby is mentioned as "Smidesbi" in 1086 in the "Domesday Book",Smisby is spelt "Smidesbi" in Domesday.] which states"Domesday Book: A Complete Translation". London: Penguin, 2003. ISBN 0-14-143994-7 p.753] under the title of "The lands of Nigel of Stafford": ["Nigel of Stafford held a considerable number of manors including several in Derbyshire given to him by the King. In addition to Smisby they included lands in Stapenhill, Swadlincote, Ingleby, Ticknall and Foremark, as well as Ravenstone, Donisthorpe, Oakthorpe and Trangesby in Leicestershire).]

Notable residents

* Hannah Bailey, an early emigrant to New Zealand, was born here. She befriended the Maoris after marrying the Rev. Charles

"Ivanhoe"

Within 200 metres of the village is a spot where a tournament was held that was described by Sir Walter Scott in his novel "Ivanhoe". In chapter seven the text readsquotation|The scene was singularly romantic. On the verge of a wood, which approached to within a mile of the town of Ashby, was an extensive meadow, of the finest and most beautiful green turf, surrounded on one side by the forest, and fringed on the other by straggling oak-trees, some of which had grown to an immense size. [ [http://www.underthesun.cc/Classics/Scott/ivanhoe/ivanhoe9.html "Ivanhoe" by Sir Walter Scott] accessed 27 December 2007] This quotation is attributed to a visit Scott made to Coleorton Hall to visit Sir George Beaumont. They visited Smisby and climbed a now-demolished watchtower. Scott noted that a flat area towards Ashby Castle, but within Derbyshire was reputed to be the place where ancient jousting tournaments had taken place. [http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/smisby/index.html Smisby local site] accessed 28 December 2007] Ordnance survey map 1880-1890]

References

External links

* [http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/smisby/index.html Smisby local site]