Laughton en le Morthen

The name Laughton derives from the Old English lēactūn meaning 'leek farm'. In the mid 11th century, Edwin, Earl of Mercia built one of his residences at Laughton, the location of which has been identified through archaeological investigation. That same programme of research demonstrated that following the Norman conquest of England, a castle was erected over the site of Edwin's residence by Roger de Busli (c. 1038 – c. 1099), a Norman baron who had been a loyal supporter of William's claim to the English throne. Busli was also given feudal manors in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the Strafforth wapentake of Yorkshire. To enforce his rule, Laughton castle was among a number that Busli had…