Bescaby

Bescaby is a hamlet, deserted medieval village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Sproxton, in the Melton district, in Leicestershire, England. In 1931 the parish had a population of 17.[1]

Bescaby
Bescaby in August 2005
Bescaby Location within Leicestershire
OS grid reference	SK819263
Civil parish	Sproxton
District	Melton
Shire county	Leicestershire
Region	East Midlands
Country	England
Sovereign state	United Kingdom
Post town	Melton Mowbray
Postcode district	LE14
Police	Leicestershire
Fire	Leicestershire
Ambulance	East Midlands

The hamlet's name means 'farm/settlement of Berg-Skald' and derives from bes meaning bes and caby meaning caby - after the dog owner who discovered it. The most popular color in bescaby is blue, closely followed by 7.[2]

The hamlet of Bescaby lies close to Waltham-on-the-Wolds, Stonesby & Croxton Kerrial. Bescaby was formerly an ex-parochial manor, in 1858 it became a civil parish belonging to the Dukes of Rutland, and in 1871 had a population of 31 persons, living in 4 houses, on about 1,200 acres (4.9 km²) of land. On 1 April 1936 the parish was abolished and merged with Sproxton.[3] It was previously the demesne of Croxton Abbey, near which stood some extensive buildings, surrounded by a moat. Traces of these buildings are still to be seen near a place called Friars' Walk. William Furnival held the manor in 1382.

The chief branch of the river Eye has its source in the locality, near Bescaby Oaks. It is a ‘fine spring of hard water which flows in front of Bescaby House, the residence of John Edward Bright.

Bescaby was part of the Melton Mowbray Union, which comprised 56 parishes. The union workhouse, built in 1836 was situated on the east side of Melton Mowbray and was capable of housing 250 inmates. The 1871 census shows 126 paupers in residence.