Place:Audley, Staffordshire, England

source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names

source: Family History Library Catalog

the following text is based on an article in Wikipedia

Audley is a rural village approximately four miles north west of the town of Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, England. It is the centre of Audley Rural parish.

The first mention of Audley is in the Domesday Book of 1086, when it was called Aldidelege, when the lands were held by a Saxon called Gamel. At this time, the area was very sparsely populated, and because of its distance from the major towns of Stafford and Chester there was little outside contact. There was a medieval castle at Audley Castle Hill during the late 13th century; only a low earthwork remains of the former motte. Excavations have yielded some stonework.

Thomas Audley, whose commemorative brass is in St James Church in Audley, was the son of the second Lord Audley, James (Baron Audley of Redcastle and Heleigh) and Elizabeth Lestrange of Knokyn. James 2nd Baron Audley's first wife was Joan Mortimer daughter of Roger Mortimer (1287-1330). James's cousin, Sir James Audley, was Edward 'The Black Prince's "hero on the battlefield" who was created 21st Knight of the Garter. Sir James's father was Hugh Audley Baron Audley of Stratton.

Audley is located on the B5500, the former A52 road. Just south of the A500, the village is approximately five minutes from the M6 motorway. The village was served by a railway station which was opened by the North Staffordshire Railway on 28 June 1880.

Historical Government Organization

Audley was an urban district from 1894 until 1932 when it was broken up into several parts:

• Audley Rural civil parish (6,774 acres)
• Talke civil parish (which was made part of Kidsgrove Urban District)
• A small portion transferred to Newcastle-under-Lyme civil parish
• A small portion transferred to Madeley civil parish

Hamlets and Settlements

As described in John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales of 1870-72, the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Audley comprised Audley Township, Bignall End, Halmer End, Knowle End, Park End, Eardley End and Talke. With the exception of Talke, the remainder of these places have been redirected here.

Research Tips

• Audley and District Family History Society

"Our records are based on the ancient ecclesiastical parish of Audley, which comprises of Audley Township, Bignall End, Halmer End, Knowle End, Park End, Eardley End and Talke. The adjoining area comprises of the ancient parishes of Barthomley and Church Lawton in Cheshire, and Wolstanton, Keele, Madeley and Betley in Staffordshire." The extensive website includes a map outlining the local townships which they serve with the dates of earliest registry entries.