Melton Mowbray, in Church terms from at least the time of the Domesday Book, administered the five hamlets of Burton Lazars, Eye Kettleby, Freeby, Sysonby and Welby.

While, thinking in today’s terms of the Borough of Melton, there would be the history of some 70 villages to consider, it is a less daunting task to address at least these five places.

Known as ‘Burtone’, it became ‘Burton St Lazarus’ when Roger de Mowbray endowed a leper hospital (initially for eight patients) in the area – chosen for its healthy air and ‘medicinal’ spring. It was run by the Augustinian Order (whose emblem was a red cross on a white background). This work continued under its dissolution by Henry VIIIth on 4th May 1544.

The village Church of St James is also believed to have been founded by Roger de Mowbray – though the body of the Church is in the later Norman style.

Unsuccessful attempts were made in 18th century – when spa Towns became popular – to establish Burton Lazars as a place to take the waters.

Closely connected for over 600 years with the village was the Hartopp family, finally selling their land in the mid-20th century.

The village continues, set on a ridge to the south of Melton, with fine vistas of the farmland around.

At the time of Edward the Confessor (1042 –66) it was called “Chitebie”. Hamo de Mowbray established his manor in this area and, on taking the name of “Belers”, added Kirby Bellars to his property – remaining in the family’s possession for some 300 years. Eye Kettleby’s Church fell in to disuse, and then the manor house was demolished in 18th century. Only the mill-house remains as a relic of this hamlet, now largely assimilated in to Melton.

This village, 3.5 miles East of Melton, also dates from the time of Edward the Confessor (though then called “Fretheby” and “Fredebi”). In 13th century it became a manor, granted to Hugh de Spencer. Later it passed to Lord de Ros and, in 16th century to the Hartropp family.

In 17th century Dr Isaac Watts who lived for a time in Freeby, composer of such famous hymns as “Our God our help in ages past” and “When I survey the wondrous cross” -- and preached in the Congregational Church of the village.

Known, in the Domesday Book, as “Systenbi” included the manor house of the Pate family. The house was demolished towards the end of 18th century. Until the recent reform, this hamlet was part of the title to a seat in the House of Lords for the Irish Lord, Baron of Ponsonby of Sysonby. Currently, it has effectively become a part of the town of Melton Mowbray

Formerly known as “Oleby” and “Alebi”, its manor has also been demolished in 18th century. This hamlet has also become a part of Melton Mowbray.

Thorpe Arnold, with its Church of St Mary the Virgin (dating from 1200 A.D.) and Brentingby parish of St Mary's (from 14th century), were added to the Melton Parish only in 1958.