St Martin's Church Stapleton
Stapleton has been traced back over a thousand years although it has never officially been a village. Earliest reference to Stapleton lies in charter of King of Mercia in 833 giving to the Abott of Croyland in Lincolnshire 'two caracates (Ploughlands) in Stapleton and in Sutton'. It is mentioned in Doomsday Book saying that there were only about 5 or 6 families in Stapleton. By 1564 this had risen to 15 that is approximately 60 people.The only important building was the church, who's origins have been lost in the past. Nichols calls it an early English Church, others have said it dates from about 1300.
Much of the present church is as a result of extensive restoration is 1904. But the box pews were retained. The east window was replaced in 1936 and in 1951 one of the bells was re-cast but it retained its 1858 date.
Some would claim that Richard III slept in St Martin's on the evening before the Battle of Bosworth field. But it must be accepted that more than one church makes this claim.
