Shirley is a small village in Derbyshire, close to the town of Ashbourne. It is situated in the countryside on top of a small hill.
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History
Shirley was mentioned in the Domesday book as belonging to Henry de Ferrers[2] and being worth forty shillings. [3]. In the nineteenth century the Church was led by the Rev. Charles Francis Powys who had a number of literaary children. Tom Bates notes
Rev. Charles Francis Powys was the great nephew of Thomas Powys, created the first Lord Lilford in 1797, and the Powys' were also cousins of the Shirley family who held the living of the parish of Shirley in Derbyshire and were direct descendants of Earl Ferrers, the first Sheriff of the County.[4]
This shows a continuous line from Henry de Ferrers to the nineteenth century in Shirley.
Notable residents
- John Cowper Powys was born here "Derbyshires most prolific author" [4]
- Theodore Francis Powys, author was born here[4]
- Gertrude Mary Powys, painter was born here[4]
- Littleton Charles Powys, author and headmaster of Sherborne School[4]
References
- ^ Line drawing from Historic Byways and Highways of Old England Andrew Williams 1900
- ^ Henry was given a large number of manors in Derbyshire including Doveridge, Linton, Brailsford and Cowley.
- ^ Domesday Book: A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 2003. ISBN 0-14-143994-7 p.746-7
- ^ a b c d e PeakDistrictOnline accessed 4 December 2007
