Laughton en le Morthen

Laughton-en-le-Morthen is a small dormitory village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Rotherham lying to the south of Rotherham, South Yorkshire, England, and its main attraction is the All Saints Church with its huge spire. It has a population of 1,185, increasing to 1,241 at the 2011 Census.OriginThere are several theories for the origin of Morthen. One theory is that Morthen derives from the Old Norse terms Morthing meaning moorland district with a common assembly.Another theory is that it comes from the old French for "place of death" (en le morthen). This theory is based on information that the area around Laughton was part of the site of the Battle of Brunanburh around 937 AD. It is commemorated in Celtic legend as the last chance they had to regain the mainland from the Saxons. In truth it was more a case of the various Celtic and Viking chieftains and lords (this was part of Yorvik) versus resurgent Saxon power. Approximately 50,000 warriors are reputed to have died in the most decisive battle for the control of the future history of the British Isles. If so, it is a well-deserved name, as the death toll was comparable to Britain's entire World War II death toll as a proportion of the population.HistoryBefore 1066 Laughton belonged to Earl Edwin who had a hall there. Held by Roger de Busli in 1086, Laughton was the head of a large soke within the honour of Tickhill. Laughton was a thriving village. Roger de Busli had 5 plough teams of his own and the population of 33 villeins and 6 small holders had ten plough teams between them. Eventually the de Busli honour of Tickhill passed to King Henry I, who gave the church of Laughton to the Canon of York.