Stoke-Albany (St. Botolph)

STOKE-ALBANY (St. Botolph), a parish, in the union of Harborough, hundred of Corby, N. division of the county of Northampton, 5 miles (E. by N.) from Harborough; containing 362 inhabitants. Stoke, which formerly gave name to a hundred, has the addition of Albany from the family of Albini, the ancient possessors of the lordship. Robert de Todeni, a noble Norman to whom the Conqueror gave several lordships, was in possession of lands here at the time of the Domesday survey; and his descendants continued to hold them till the manor passed by marriage to Robert de Roos, who died 13th Edward I. The parish is situated on the road from Harborough to Rockingham, and comprises 1659a. 3r. 30p., of which 500 acres are arable, 1062 pasture, and 97 woodland; the soil in the northern part is a strong clay, and the rest a light earth, with a substratum of limestone. Standing on an eminence is Stoke Hall, the seat of R. B. Humfrey, Esq., surrounded with plantations. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £13. 6. 8., and in the patronage of the Watson family, with a net income of £216: the rectorial and impropriate tithes have each been commuted for £30.