Thorpe Arnold

Extract from White's Leicester and Rutland Directory 1877

THORPE ARNOLD parish, in Melton Mowbray Union and County Court District, and Framland Hundred, has 147 inhabitants and 1742 acres of land, watered by one of the branches of the river Eye ; the soil is partly sand. Its village is 11/2 mile N.E. by E. of Melton. In 1445 Lord Zouch forfeited the manor by fighting on the side of Richard III., at Bosworth Field. The Duke of Rutland is now lord of the manor, but the Earl of Dysart and the trustees of Ravenstone Hospital have estates here. The CHURCH (St. Mary) is a very ancient fabric, with a tower and three bells, and was formerly appropriated to Leicester Abbey. The font is circular and evidently of Saxon workmanship. The church was partially restored about 10 or 12 years ago by rebuilding the north aisle. A complete restoration of the edifice was undertaken in 1875-6 under the superintendence of Mr. P. W. Johnson, of Melton Mowbray. The south was entirely rebuilt, the east end of nave taken down and the chancel arch restored, the nave and south aisle re-roofed a new south porch rebuilt, and the tower re-edified. It is intended to re-seat the church with open benchs to erect a new pulpit and reading-desk, and to add a heating apparatus. The total expense will be about £1000, the Duke of Rutland contributing £300. In the south-west of the church is a stained glass window by Messrs. Heaton, Butler and Bayne, of London, in memory of the Rev. M. Mills, a late vicar, inserted at the cost of His Grace and a few friends. The vicarage, valued in K.B. at £6 17s. 81/2d., and now at £400 per annum, with the curacy of Bretingby annexed to it, has 40 acres of glebe and a good residence, with a beautiful prospect to the west. The Duke of Rutland is impropriator and patron, and the Rev. James Shewring Swift, B.A., incumbent. The SCHOOL was erected in 1861, at a cost of £184, and will accomodate about 25 children. The tithes were commuted in 1848 for £258 per annum.
Post, via Melton Mowbray, which is the nearest Money Order Office. There is a WALL LETTER BOX cleared at 6.30 p.m.

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