Holyoaks, Holyoaks Lodge, Holyoaks Wood
Early-attested site in the Parish of Stoke Dry
Historical Forms
- Haliach 1086 DB 1221 RHug
- Haliac, Haliak 1163 P 1330(p),1338 Peake
- Haliack m13 ib
- Halihac 12 ib
- Halyack m13 ib
- Halliak 1318 ib
- Halioc, Haliok e13 Peake 1303 Ipm 1369,1375 Peake 1535 VE
- Halihoc, Halihok 1296 SR
- Alihoc 13 Peake
- Halyo(c)k 1367 Pat 1374 Cl 1394 Peake 1537 MinAcct
- Haly(h)oke 1428 Cl 1480 Hastings 1560 LeicW
- Holyoke 1537 AAS
- Holliock 1606 ExchSpC
- Holyoake 1698 LeicW
- Holyoakes 1722 ib
- Halliok Wood c1800,1806 Map
- Holyoaks Wood 1824 O
Etymology
'The holy oak', v. hālig , āc . There is no direct evidence that this deserted medieval village was formerly a pagan Anglo-Saxon religious site, but its position on a territorial boundary away from Christian religious centres suggests an enclave where pagan practices flourished for a period after the general acceptance of Christianity in Mercia. Compare the survival of the pre-Germanic mother goddess in the churchyard of nearby Braunston and the possible sacred site dedicated to the pagan Anglo-Saxon god þunor recorded for neighbouring Ayston.
Holyoaks Liberty, although part of Stoke Dry manor, was added to Stockerston Lei by Local Government Order of 1885. With Stoke Dry, it was held by the Knights Hospitallers as early as 1206 Cur. It is perhaps described as a liberty on account of privileges held by the Hospitallers. The last harvest of the village was gathered in 1496 after which Sir Robert Brudenell evicted thirty people to make way for cattle and sheep pastures.