Elmley Castle
Major Settlement in the Parish of Elmley Castle
Historical Forms
- Elmlege 780 BCS235 11th
- Elmlæh 1042 KCD764 18th
- Elmelege 11th Heming c.1150 Surv 1208 Fees36
- Elmelege Beauchamp 1275 Ass
- Halmelega c.1086 EveA 1190
- Aumele(gh) 1234 Cl 1259 Ch 1265 Pat 1298 Ipm
- Almelege, Almeley c.1270 Gerv
- sub Castellum 1313 Wigorn
- Castel Elmeleye 1327 SR
Etymology
'Elm-clearing,' v. elm , leah and cf. Elmley Lovett infra 240.The Beauchamp family held land here from the 12th cent. (VCH iii. 341). The Castle is not the present house so called, but the ancient Castle of Elmley which stood on the northern slopes of Bredon Hill, half a mile to the south. Hence the phrase 'sub castellum.'