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The History of Sloley

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The name Sloley comes from the 7th-century Old English for “sla” meaning “sloe”, plus “leah”, a wood or clearing; hence, “leah where sloes grew”.

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Dissecting the parish east to west is New Barn lane which follows the route of an old Roman road which was an extension to the Fen Causeway and was thought to be a major East-West route which ran on to Smallburgh and possibly continued to Caister or an important port since eroded by the sea.

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Sloley has an entry in the Domesday Book of 1085 where it, its population, land ownership and productive resources were extensively detailed. In the survey Sloley is recorded by the name of Slaleia. The abbot of Holme, Ralph de Beaufour and Reynald Fitzlvo are recorded as the main tenants. The survey also lists that there is a church.

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The two major historic buildings dating from this time are The  Parish Church of St Bartholemew and Sloley Old Hall which belonged to the Le Gros Family.

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