Ashby St. Ledger's (St. Mary and St. Leodgare)
ASHBY ST. LEDGER'S (St. Mary and St. Leodgare), a parish, in the union of Daventry, hundred of Fawsley, S. division of the county of Northampton, 3½ miles (N.) from Daventry; containing 257 inhabitants. This parish, which comprises 1902a. 2r. 4p., is bounded on the east by the Roman Watling-street, and situated near the London and Birmingham railway and the Union canal. The living is a discharged vicarage, valued in the king's books at £6. 13. 4., and in the patronage of the Senhouse family; net income, £130, which arises from 66 acres of glebe. The church is in the later English style; it contains a richly ornamented screen and rood-loft, and in the windows are some remains of ancient painted glass. Sir William Catesby, favourite of Richard III., and owner of the manor, was buried within the altar-rails, under a marble slab with a rich brass in fine preservation; and Robert Catesby, the conspirator, of the time of James I., resided here, where he had property.
Transcribed from A Topographical Dictionary of England, by Samuel Lewis, seventh edition, published 1858.