William Burton,
gives a description of the village on page 127 of his book
published in 1622 The
Description of Leicester Shire: Containing Matters of Antiquitye,
Historye, Armorye, and Genealogy .(1622);
Harby, in olde deedes written Herdeby in the Hundred of
Framland, standing in the Vale of Bever upon the border of
Nottinghamshire. In the 20. yeere of Edward the third, William
Lord Ros, and John de Oreby held lands heere. In the 44. yeere
of Edward the third, Roger Delaware was Lord of this Mannor.
In the 25. of Henry the eight the Lord Delaware was Lord of
this Mannor as it appeareth by an Inquisition taken after the
death of Sir John Digby Knight, in the said 25.yeere of Henry
the eight, where it was found that the said Sir John Digby held
4. messuages (with the appurtenances in Harby ) of the said Lord
Delaware , as of his Mannor of Harby. In this Towne was borne
Jeffrey de Hardby a famous Dvuine, brought up in Oxford, and
after became one of the Canons of the Abbey of Leicester; from
whence hee came to be Confessor to King Edward the third, and
was by him made one of his Privy Councell of state. He wrote
many bookes of spreciall note in Divinity, and died in London, &
was buried in the Austin Fryers. Here also was borne Robert
de Hardby, a Frier Carmelite in Lincolne, who wrote something
in praise of the saide Order, and lived 1450.29.
Ecclesa de
Herdeby Patronus Willimus de Albaniaco persona Mr.Robertus
institutus per Hug.nunc Episcopum Lincoln.
The new
Patron of this Church is Francis Earle of Rutland. This
Rectory is valued in the Kings bookes at 20 pounds
In the Church
these Armes.
Arg.a Crosse
and a border Gueulles.
Arg. 9
Trefoyles slipped vert.
Arg. on a bend
Azure 3 Scallops Arg.
Arg. tenne
Torteauxes a labell of 3 points Azure.
{ Azure 2 Cheurons Or. Chaworth
Quarterly
{ Arg. an Escutcheon & an vrle of Cinquefoyles
Sable. Caltoft
Arg.on a Bend
Sable 3 knots of rings Or. Hawberke
{ Guelles on a bend Arg. 3 Matlets sable
Quarterly
{ Hawberke
{ Arg. 3 wolves heads erased Gueulles.
} Impaled with
Quarterly
{ Arg, 3 Cinquefoyles Gueulles a labell
Azure. } Hawberke