Madeley, Staffordshire
Madeley is a village and ward in the Borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, North Staffordshire, England. It is split into three parts: Madeley, Middle Madeley, and Little Madeley. Madeley Heath is also considered by many to be part of Madeley. In the 2001 census, the population was recorded as 4,386, decreasing to 4,222 at the 2011 Census. Geography Madeley is located west of Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre and is close to the Shropshire and Cheshire borders. To the north are the villages of Betley and Wrinehill. South is the hamlet of Baldwin's Gate. To the east is Keele, the site of Keele University as well as Silverdale, whilst to the west lies Onneley and Woore. History Madeley is derived from the Saxon, Madanlieg, meaning 'a clearing in the woods belonging to Mada' (Mada is a female Saxon name). Madeley is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being of wood, with 4 plough teams. The first Madeley Old Manor was built by Robert de Stafford, with the local church being founded in 1200. Heighley Castle was built in 1226 by Henry de Audley and ordered to be demolished by a Parliamentary committee sitting at Stafford in 1644 to prevent its use by