WILLEY. 71 



to suggest, one where willows grew, seeing tliat 

 various osiers, esteemed by basket makers, coopers, 

 and turners, still flourish, along the stream winding 

 past it to the Seyern. The name is therefore redo- 

 lent of the olden time, and is one of those old word- 

 pictures which so often occur to indicate the earKer 

 features of the country. Under its agricultural 

 Saxon holders, however, Willey so grew in value and 

 importance that when the Conquest was complete, 

 and King William's generals were settling down to 

 enjoy the good things the Saxons had provided, and 

 as Byron has it — 



" Manors 

 "Were their reward for following Billy's banners," 



Willey fell to the lot of a Norman, named Turold, 

 who, as he held twelve other manors, considerately 

 permitted the Saxon owner to continue in posbession 

 under him. Domesday says : " The same Turold 

 holds Willey, and Hunnit (holds it) of him." 

 '' Here is half a hide geldable. Here is arable land 

 sufficient for ii ox teams. Here those ox teams are, 

 together with ii villains, and ii boors. Its value is 

 V shillings." At the death of Hunnit the manor 

 passed to a family which took its name from the 

 place ; and considerable additions resulted from 



