Aveland

Aveland was a wapentake of Kesteven from the time of the Danelaw until the Local Government Act 1888. Its meeting place was The Aveland at grid reference TF06752961 in the parish of Aslackby.

Origins

Aveland was probably established as an administrative unit soon after 921 when Edward the Elder ably assisted until 918, by Æthelflæd had restored English rule in the part of he Danelaw represented by Kesteven. The wapentake included the parishes of Aslackby, Bourne, Dembleby, Dowsby, Dunsby, Folkingham, Hacconby, Haceby, Horbling, Kirkby Underwood, Laughton, Morton, Newton, Osbournby, Pickworth, Pointon, Rippingale, Sempringham, Spanby, Swaton, Threekingham and Walcot; some of which have since been amalgamated.

Decline

Between 921 and 1888, the administrative significance of the wapentake was reduced by many small steps. The first was as a result of the invasion of England by Swein in 1013. The Kesteven people supported it so that, when order was restored, the shire of Lincoln was set up and given powers over the wapentakes. Subsequently, piecemeal, privileges were given to lords of the manors in Aveland so that it became progressively less significant. By 1250, there was little power left. For the purposes of the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, The territory of Aveland was included in the Union of Bourne. ^[1]

Modern usage

• The name Aveland is retained as that of an electoral ward in South Kesteven administrative district: ^[2].
• It is also the name of a school: Aveland High School.
• In the Diocese of Lincoln, there is an Aveland and Ness with Stamford deanery.^[3]
• Lincoln Hall, a residence at the University of Nottingham, has a house named Aveland.

References

External links

• Historical sources in the deanery (Genealogy of UK & Ireland site).