PROBATE VALUATIONS IN LEEK
The History of Leek
Leek has long been known as a beautiful area in the Staffordshire Moorlands, being referenced throughout history for its unique beauty. The orgin of Leek is believed to be Anglo-Saxon, with possible Scandinavian settlement in the 10th or 11th centuries; the name is attributed to have been of Old English orgin.
By the time of the Domesday Book of 1086, Leek was owned by the crown. Before this point, it’s believed that the Earl of Mercia owned Leek, with the possible construction of a Church in c. 1000. By 1093, Leek was bestowed to the Earl of Chester; at this time, Leek consisted of 12 townships.
In 1207, Leek was given the right to host weekly markets and an annual fair; in 1214, it was granted a Royal Charter; and in 1218, Henry de Audley was given manorial rights. The beneficial location of Leek, with multiple roads converging in the town, meant that Leek was a market centre. Stock farming thrived during this time, and by 1490, there was a herd of more than 200 cattle reported in the area.
The manors in Leek were given to Sir Ralph Bagnall in 1552 by the Crown, which led to the loss of Leek’s status of being a borough. By the late 17th century, the silk industry was booming in Leek, and a number of large houses were constructed from the 17th century through to the 18th century. The canal was constructed in the 18th century, and the railway was built in the mid-19th century.
Industry started to expand in Leek going into the 19th century and the landscape of the town changed with more terraced homes and mills. Through the 20th century, tourism was responsible for significant income in Leek, with natural attractions like rock climbing, being a hit with tourists.