Holme Lacy

Holme Lacy is not from Old Norse holmr "island" like other places of the name Holme, but from the fairly similar Old English hamm "land in a river-bend". The name was recorded as Hamme in the Domesday Book in 1086.  The name has varied through history; it has also been known as Homme Lacy (1396), Hamlayce (1648), Humlachie (1701) and Hom Lacy (1836).

The town was an estate of the Bishop of Hereford and held by Roger de Lacy, which is where the "Lacy" affix comes from. De Lacy was a Lord of the manor, indicating that a feudal system was in existence during the Middle Ages.

William I of England had returned Hamme to Bishop Walter and in 1086 the total population included:

16 villeins

4 bordars (Villeins of the lowest rank who held a cottage at their lord's pleasure, for which they rendered menial service)

1 reeve

1 male and 2 female slaves

1 priest

and 1 Frenchman who between them had 20½ ploughs.

The Church of St Cuthbert has a 14^th century arcade dividing the nave and south aisle which are almost the same width. The late 17^th century font is carved and the stalls have misericords. There are many monuments worth