Calke

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Topographical and Historical Account of Derbyshire
(Magna Britannia Vol. 5)

Calke - by Daniel and Samuel Lysons, 1817

Calke, in the hundred of Repton and Gresley, and the deanery of Repington, lies about nine miles south from Derby (on the south side of the Trent).

A convent of Austin-friars, was founded at this place, before the year 1161. The Countess of Chester was a principal benefactor to this house, on the condition that it should be subject to the priory of Repton. The monks of Calke removed first to Depedale (the site of Dale Abbey), and afterwards to Repton. The site of the priory, at Calke, was granted by King Edward VI, in 1547, to John, Earl of Warwick. In 1577, Calke priory was the property and seat of Roger Wendesley (or Wensley) Esq. In 1582, the Calke estate was sold by Richard Wensley, Esq., to Robert Bainbrigge, Esq. In 1621, Mr. Bainbrigge conveyed it to Henry Harpur, Esq., of Normantown, who, in 1626, being then described of Calke, was created a baronet. His son, the second baronet, inherited the estates of the elder branch, which became extinct in 1677. Sir Henry, the seventh, and present baronet, in the year 1868, took the name of Crewe, it being that of his great-grandmother, one of the daughters and coheiresses of Thomas Lord Crewe, of Stene.

In the parish church is a handsome marble monument, in memory of Sir John Harpur, Bart., who died in 1741, he married Catherine, youngest daughter of Lord Crewe, above mentioned. In the chancel is the portrait of Sir John Harpur, the second baronet, who died in 1669, aged 53.

The church of Calke was given to the canons of that house by Harold de Leke before their removal; it was confirmed to the canons of Repton, in 1324. Sir Henry Crewe is the impropriator of the tithes, and patron of the perpetual curacy.

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[From Lysons Topographical and Historical Account of Derbyshire, 1817.
Transcription kindly donated by Barbarann Ayars, 10th Jan 2001]

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