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Gopsall

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Description in 1887:
"Gopsall, par., S. Leicestershire, 4½ miles NW. of Market Bosworth, 600 ac., pop. 24; contains the seat of Gopsall Hall."
John BARTHOLOMEW's "Gazetteer of the British Isles," 1887

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Census

  • The parish was in the Market Bosworth sub-district of the Market Bosworth Registration District.
     
  • The 1851 Census for Leicestershire has been indexed by the Leicestershire & Rutland Family History Society. The whole index is available on microfiche. The society has also published it in print.
     
  • The table below gives census piece numbers, where known:
     
Census
Year
Piece No.
1841H.O. 107 / 600
1861R.G. 9 / 2264
1871R.G. 10 / 3240
1891R.G. 12 / 2506
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Church History

  • The only church in the parish appears to be the chapel in the Manor Hall.
     
  • The Anglican parish church is dedicated to Saint John.
     
  • The church was restored in 1866.
     
  • The church seats 160.
     
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Church Records

  • The Anglican parish register dates from 1635.
     
  • The church is in the rural deanery of Framland (third portion).
     
  • A Wesleyan Methodist chapel was built here in 1892.
     
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Civil Registration

  • Civil Registration began in July, 1837.
     
  • The parish was in the Market Bosworth sub-district of the Market Bosworth Registration District.
     
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Description & Travel

Gopsall is a parish which lies in the Wold Hills about 115 miles north of London, 6 miles north-west of Market Bosworth and 2 miles west of Shackerstone. The parish covers about 729 acres (but was once much smaller) and includes the hamlet of Brascote.

There is no village as such, just a scattering of houses and the Hall. If you are planning a visit:

  • Check with the tourist office in Market Bosworth for directions. Ask for directions to "Gopsall Hall".
     
You can see pictures of Gopsall which are provided by:

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Gazetteers

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History

  • Stilton cheese was made in this parish.
     
  • Many of the inhabitants of this parish were graziers.
     
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Manors

  • Gopsall Park was the seat of the Earl HOWE.
     
  • Gopsall Park was a large building built in 1750 at a cost of more than £100,000 and set in 600 acres.
     
  • The hall was designed by a local architect John WESTLEY and was built by Hirons of Warwick.
     
  • It was at Gopsall Park that Handel composed the "Messiah" in 1741-42.
     
  • Queen Adelaide was a frequent visitor at the house during her widowhood.
     
  • During the Second World War, the hall was taken over by the Royal Army.
     
  • By 1952 most of the buildings were demolished.
     
  • Saxelby Park in this parish was the property of Charles Wm. WRIGHT, J.P. in 1912.
     
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Maps

  • See our Maps page for additional resources.
     

You can see maps centred on OS grid reference SK354065 (Lat/Lon: 52.655078, -1.478121), Gopsall which are provided by:

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Military History

See the War Memorial at Congerstone.

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Names, Geographical

In ancient times, this place was known as Gopeshull. In the 1086 Domesday Book it was referred to as Gopeshill.

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Politics & Government

  • For centuries, this place was an extra-parochial area. In 1858 it was made a Civil Parish.
     
  • The parish is in the ancient East Goscote Hundred in the eastern division of the county.
     
  • The parish has also been reported to be in the ancient Sparkenhoe Hundred.
     
  • In April, 1935, this parish was abolished and merged into Twycross Civil Parish.
     
  • The people are represented by the Twycross Parish Council. You can contact the local Parish Council regarding civic or political matters, but they are not staffed to assist with family history research.
     
  • The district council is Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council.
     
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Poor Houses, Poor Law

  • Bastardy cases would be heard in the Market Bosworth petty session hearings.
     
  • As a result of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, this parish became part of the Market Bosworth Poorlaw Union.
     
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Population

 YearInhabitants
18014
18417
185141
187176
188124
189125
190122
191135
192114
193113
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Schools

  • A Public Elementary School was built here in 1867 to hold 46 children. Average attendance in 1911 was 39..