URPoint Details
Morley is first mentioned in 1009, as (in) Moreleage, though later copies of a 1002 document in which it appears as (æt) Morlege may be genuine. The name probably means "open ground by a moor", from Old Englishmōr "moor, clearing, pasture" + lẽah "open ground, clearing".
In 1009 Æþelræd Unræd (King Ethelred the Unready) signed a charter at the Great Council which recognised the position and boundaries of Westune.
The land described in that charter included the lands now known as Shardlow, Great Wilne, Church Wilne, Crich, Morley, Smalley, Weston and Aston-on-Trent. Under this charter Æþelræd gave his minister, Morcar, a number of rights that made him free from tax and to his own rule within the manor.
Morley was mentioned in the Domesday book as belonging to Henry de Ferrers and having woodland pasture that was four furlongs by three
The Church of St Matthew is Norman in origin and some parts of the nave remain. Later additions include stained glass of the 15th century. There are many medieval monuments and brasses of the Sacheverell family
- Type:
- Landmark